September 1, 2007

Pakistan’s pop music industry has always been “superlative” and keeps on flourishing when new talented young stripling bands keep stepping into it. When talking about new bands we can never forget the current band which moved every one with their very first outstanding debut song, “Bhula Do.” This song could be heard every where from parties to dance floors. The band I am talking about is none other than “RAETH”. With just two songs released in the music market Raeth has been nominated in “Lux style Awards Malaysia 2007” this year, in the “best album” category along with Ali Zafar and Abbas Ali Khan which is a very big achievement for such a young band. We decided to sit together and have a chat session with the Raeth buddies.

The band comprises three members: Wajih (the vocalist), Mustafa (the bassist) and Farabi (the lead guitarist). The band Raeth was formed in the year 2002 and their first performance was on Farabi’s roof top. Before the formation of Raeth all the three guys were playing unconnectedly for their individual bands. It was basically a random cricket street match that brought them together.

They were college lads when they started off with their music. They had to face “easier said than done” times in making their way to the top. Family and specially friends like Kashan Admani, Jalal, Farhan Golden, Najam Sheraz, Alfred D’ Melo, Nizar Lalani, Saleem Javed, etc. supported them a lot. The band pooled in all the coins they had in their pockets for the video of “Bhula Do” and once they struggled through their hard times everyone was running after them.

Not only did they earn name and fame nationally but on international grounds too their kite flew high. “Universal music records” signed “RAETH” and this was for the very first time in history that such a young band from Pakistan was signed and promoted by them.

Their debut song was on the charts of all the renowned channels like B4U, MTV International and Channel V, etc. for months. One of the basic achievements for the band was when their song was chosen for the seventh position on an international filmy and non-filmy music chart, on an eminent international channel.

Indian news channels were more interested in the song as the libretto of the song perfectly matched the condition of the relationship between India and Pakistan and could have proved to be a nice chilly “calming down” song promoting peace for the burning rivalry between the two countries.

According to the band, the international media is more welcoming for young talents. An artist deserves respect and it is only provided by the international media. Wajih explained, “The main difference is that here you become an artist first and then the company signs you. Internationally, companies sign you first and then they make you an artist.” Mustafa added, “From the beginning we have been co-operating with the media people, with channels, doing charity shows, we have always put forth a helping hand but didn’t get much in return.”

According to the rock band, populace of Pakistan has a different mind set. Doctors, engineers, lawyers, bankers have support from the people but musicians and media people are considered malicious and nasty. If a girl decides to join media everyone knows how her parents will react to this decision and similar is the case for guys. Farabi added, “We need to think out of the box now and only then can our media progress.”

When questioned Raeth on being Jal mimic both Wajih and Mustafa replied instantaneously, “Our album speaks out that we are no JAL mimic. Jal is a very good band no doubt but we have identity and individuality of our own. If Mustafa has silky hair like Goher Mumtaz (lead guitarist of JAL) and wears shades in videos like him what is that to do with our music? If Wajih’s facial expressions resemble Farhan Saeed (vocalist of JAL) while singing that is not again something to do with our music. I do yodelling like Kishore Kumar but then most of the singers do that because it’s a style of singing and nobody owns that style.

Jal’s album and music has acoustic rock style in it whereas Raeth has all other moods and spices of music like punk rock, groovy and pop rock. People usually can’t make out the difference in the varieties of music, they just want to compare and evaluate new bands with the old well established ones.”

Raeth buddies believe in playing live and that’s why they enjoy live shows on radio more than recorded interviews and shows on TV. Music is their passion and it dwells within them, they can never even think of leaving music. Mustafa said, “A musician is never a businessman, he never trades music for anything, he’s born with it, lives with it and dies with it.”

Raeth believes in knowing the basics of music in order to gain success. A person who knows the basics and takes tutorials as well can become a gem in this music industry. According to them they work hard and know their stuff that’s why they are so successful today.

Raeth’s message for Young World readers: Work hard and believe in yourself. Do dream because dreams do come true.