Zoe Viccaji’s love and passion for music, and inspiration from the likes of Beatles, Roxette, Bon Jovi, etc, were good enough factors for her to take to a professional music career. Now, she is also gaining popularity for her Urdu numbers such the recent Levi’s project where she covered Mera Bicchra Yaar by Strings.
Just back from the US, Zoe’s first performance took place at Café 76 in Clifton, Karachi, which had arranged a gig for select music aficionados who understand and appreciate western music. It was heartening to witness the jam-packed venue considering the fact that it was a week-night. Dressed in a trendy white buttoned-down shirt and pants, Zoe was accompanied by the seasoned Ferdinand Goveas (rhythm guitars and saxophone), talented Lenny Messy (keyboards), Rahail Siddiqui (bass), Giles Goveas (drums) and Max Dias (guitars).
On stage, she shouted “Are you guys ready for some music?” and kicked off with a cover of 1935’s Summer Time by Billie Holiday, accompanied on vocals by her sister Rachel. It opened low and sexy with twang-y, wrenched chords and saturated vocals. Next up, Viccaji launched into Mercy by Duffy, a sultry rendition receiving mass applause. With The Queen’s I Want to Break Free, a wave of excitement rippled through the audience who recognised the grand piano opening. The soulful Amy Winehouse cover Valerie and Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer had people dancing and singing along. I especially enjoyed the Roxette cover, The Look, with a flawless execution and exceptional vocal range. During the course of the gig, Zoe switched between languages with perfection and ease. She performed Junoon’s Neend Aati Nahin and Vital Signs’ Woh Kaun Thi which brought the house down.
Her original tracks deserve special mention here: Quarter to Three (a catchy, sophisticated, jazzy number), Memories and the classic treat, Out with the Old where she performed a solo with an acoustic guitar (she wrote the song a week ago and it’s about realising that life comes with ups and downs). The other songs performed in the set included Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing, Frank Sanatra’s Fly Me to the Moon, The Beatles’ Oh Darling, Ella Fitz Gerald’s Can’t We be Friends, and Matchbox (Santana)’s Smooth.
Post-gig, I asked her about her US visit and if she played there. “It was two months of hard work and one month of the best vacation ever. I didn’t realise how heavy the course would be, so I wasn’t able to find the time to do a gig.
“Basically, I was there to attend a workshop which brought together aspiring singers from all over the world to come under one roof to share what they were passionate about. There were several components over the six weeks ranging from vocal technique to stage performance and even acting. It gave me that boost I need to embark on a career dedicated to music.”
Zoe says she has just recently immersed herself in Urdu music and eastern classical training, and it’s opened up a whole new world for her. About her future plans she says, “To continue writing English music on my own and Urdu music in collaboration with a couple of lyricists. Two songs are on their way as we speak. I hope to travel a lot more and continue collaborating on songs and doing shows both in Pakistan and abroad.”