When Bilal Khan flooded internet download streams with Bachana a couple of years back, it reminisced the epoch when Atif Aslam came out with Aadat. Courtesy a quality video, one could almost taste Bilal’s success in the music industry. A business grad from Lums, his music is fresh, energetic and serene all at the same time, and tracks such as Lamha and Toh Kya Hua testify to the fact.
His recent inclusion in Coke Studio has further accelerated his journey with an album release just around the corner.
How did you team up with Coke Studio?
BK: I got a call one morning in January and soon found myself on a flight to Karachi. There were some logistics that had to be sorted out first.
As to why CS chose me: fresh, young blood, to add to their theme for this season which essentially explores new talent which is recognised in some circles but has yet to go mainstream or maybe a combination of both.
How do you find Rohail as a producer?
BK: As a musician and songwriter you tend to feel rather maternal towards your music. You guard it, nurture it and if someone infringes upon your territory, you defend it. But walking into that studio and handing over your life’s work into Rohail’s hands is comforting. And judging the response to Episode One’s performance of Toh Kya Hua, where you have almost half-a-million views in the first week and the tremendous talent displayed by the other artistes such as Akhtar Channal, Komal Rizvi, Sanam Marvi and Mizraab… I’d say Rohail is leading-edge in what he does.
It’s bigger and more professional than any studio that I’ve been to so far.
Is Toh Kya Hua an album song or an unreleased track? Why did you choose to sing it at CS?
BK: Toh Kya Hua is a yet-to-be-released track from my debut album, Umeed. It’s a ballad about heartbreak. But at the heart of it it’s an optimistic, I’m-gonna-be-okay-you’ll-see kind of song. So in that way it remains true to the essence of my album.
Umeed (hope) — that’s the intangible survival tool for all humans. Without it we might as well spontaneously combust. And this hope is very much present in the lyrical composition of Toh Kya Hua.
Why does an artiste want to be a part of CS?
BK: I’m sure there are many reasons ranging from the spiritual to the material. But I can try and shed light on my reasons.
Coke Studio is a platform. Given the current atmosphere in Pakistan where on a social, political and economic scale we have experienced and seen so much, it comes as a relief. It has the power to unify this fragmented nation of ours. It is no accident then that there is a fusion of sounds, colours, genres and styles of music on the show. That is all meant to translate into the real-life experience of the average Pakistani. And for me it was the most important thing to be a featured artiste on such an ambitious television programme. The music of my debut album centers on the search for hope in times when all dignity feels lost. And that is what CS has and continues to do for Pakistan.
How many songs are you doing this season?
BK: That’s the mystery of CS. It’s like George Orwell’s fictional world with Bigg Brother — it watches and knows all about you but you don’t know all that much about it. I heard my own performance for the very first time the day it was aired on television.
What’s next?
BK: I have a few tricks up my sleeve. This summer, live performances locally and not-so-locally. And it’s important to note: CS came first. My debut album has yet to be released and it will be coming out in the next few weeks.
Since when have you been writing music?
BK: On paper, since the moody age of 16. Otherwise, in the deep recesses of my mind, since I learnt the art of linguistics.
The first song I ever wrote is a part of my album and it’s called Kabhi Gham Na Aaye.
Did you ever think that the Bachana video would make you famous?
BK: They say hindsight is 20/20. Looking back now, it would be all too easy to say that I’d had a gut instinct this would happen to me. But the reality is I posses no such Nostradamic x-ray vision to make such prophecies. I’ve just been a participant in destiny’s game. And destiny, she has been very good to me.
When are you coming out with your debut album Umeed?
BK: Soon. Waiting for the CS tsunami to retract back into the ocean. All things in good time.
