Munawar: How do you decide on the names of your albums?
Salman: Our first album was Junoon -when Ali and I started the band- which was basically passion without a direction. After that we were searching for a direction, and we had Talaash. Then there was a lot of Kashmakash (turbulence) in Junoon, and so we named the third album Kashmakash. Finally, we got a very revolutionary sound and so we called it Inquilaab. After Inquilaab, there can only be azadi (freedom), and after Azadi you fly......... so it's called Parvaaz!!
Ali (laughs): Actually he's referring himself to as a parrot where he's caged, and then freed. Finally he gets azadi and flies away.

Munawar: What goes into the making of an album? Salman: Your whole life. Basically it works like you're always thinking about music. For example, as I'm talking to you, right now, there's a tune playing in my head. So, we're always preparing music for this song or that in our heads. The actual recording process is not that long, that takes about a month............. years

Munawar: Who writes the lyrics?
Salman: There's this very talented guy called Sabir Zafar, who has worked with us from our first album. Apart from him, for Parvaaz, the lyrics are by Baba Bulleh Shah, a very famous Sufi poet. His poetry is just so unbelievable, it comes from the heart, and you really can connect with it. His poetry is actually 300 years old, and this album is dedicated to him. Also, if you listen to Abida Parveen, she has sung this beautiful song Ghoom Charakhra, (and) we've made this version Ghoom Charkha in our new album.

Munawar: Are there certain times when you are more creative?
Salman: It varies really, because anytime you try to force to come, it just doesn't happen. But, I think when you are half asleep or when your conscious mind is sort of slowed down, that's when you're most creative. The other thing about it is that you don't seem to be thinking consciously when tunes come and go. It's like a need for something to come out........... like an urge.

Munawar: How do you compose your music? On your own?
Salman: Skeletons, yeah. I mean I come out with skeletons. Obviously music has to do with souls and energy, and I think what's great about our band is that we've got three completely diverse elements- he (pointing to Brian) brings a western, very structured background to music. He is a structured school musician. I don't believe in rules in music, so I try everything and he (Ali) also has a kind of chaotic approach to taking melodies. Like, I ask him to sing a melody like Ghoom Charkha Ghoom and he'll do something which gives a completely different dimension to it. Finally the anticipated tune becomes bigger than what it actually was.

Munawar: Who decides how the song will eventually sound?
Salman: The song writer obviously has the last say........ he hears the song in his head. So, he kind of has the final word. But Ali's song Sajna- had something completely different.

Munawar:Ali what did you have?
Ali: It was supposed to be a grunge tune. (Brian and Salman laugh out loud) And, now that it is finally made, it sounds like.......... Junoon Abdullah! That too, it's like quite refined for that sort of sound. But I think we did that because, to a certain extent, we are a grunge sounding band. If you hear us on stage, it's not perfection but imperfection that makes it interesting. We don't intend ever to sound perfect. We just go up there, and like scream. And I think if I scream louder than last night (referring to junoon's concert in Abu Dhabi on June 1), all the more better! So, I think with music obviously there are no parallels or anything to follow. So, I had intended it to be a grunge tune but it is actually very tabla oriented. It's interesting now. Salman: I love it! I think it's great.

Munawar: Are you happy with it?
Ali: Yeah, yeah. I'm happy with it, also because it was one of the things we did last on the album. We had worked on the other songs a month and a half before we actually went to the studio. So we were well-tuned into it songs like Bulleya, Mitti Me Mil Jayenge and Sanwal.
Salman: I think what's cool about the three of us is that we inspire each other. Like, when I'm on stage and I hear him singing- the passion in his voice really spurs me to play better. It's difficult to look at yourself in the mirror and not find faults about yourself. But when you hear somebody else doing something, you can really appreciate it. I think one of the reasons I like Sajna so much is that I don't look at the faults in that song. I hope the next album could be just Ali and Brian, so I could appreciate the whole album.
Brian: All you have to do is come into the studio once and say good job guys and leave, and we'll have "Special guest appearance by Salman Ahmed" on the cover.

Munawar: When you write a song or make apiece of music do you have a certain idea as to how it's going to sound? Are you able to recreate that in the studio?
Salman: Never
Brian: The things I hear in my head are so incredible, you can't put it into words. And it's often difficult to put it to music.
Ali: The good point of this album is that it's easier to listen to. With this one, I think this is the correct way to sing this song. There are some bits I don't like, but it is better compared to the previous albums.
Salman: I think it has to do with communication. The biggest high you get is when the tune first comes, and you like a little child saying, "Wow! !t's incredible." But by the time you finish the song, you've played it like zillion times and you tend to lose the initial spark.

Munawar: What are the influences in your music?
Brian: Just about everything we hear. The three of us were really inspired by the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. We continue to be inspired by Abida Parveen.

Munawar: Haven't you ever thought of recording with other artistes?
Brian: We're so busy that is something presents itself and two musics can bridge together it would be a nice thing. But we wouldn't do it for a commercial venture. If somebody can bring something to our music, or if we can bring something to our music, or if we can bring something to music that people feel strongly about, then why not, that's what we do to make music.
Ali: It's more likely that we will need to connect musically, spiritually or emotionally or in another way as in when you write a song it's like you should feed it off each other, with the collaboration aspect or write something together. But it is difficult when you're running from one place to another.
Salman: You know, there's hardly any peace around and I mean a lot of our communication is unsaid. I mean, I understand Ali and Brian so well that I don't have to comunicate with them everyday. That's just how each of us is. I'd feel very awkward with another person, because the way Junoon approach music is so...... 'unartist-like' I wouldn't be comfortable with another person. Because, now I can be sure that if I'm fat or ugly they won't laugh at me.
Ali: Trust me, I'll laugh.
Salman: Even if they do, it won't hurt me. With other people you have to be conscious.

Munawar: You've been together for nearly 10 years. Is this why you understand each other so well?
Salman: I think more than friends we're soul mates. We understand each other on a spiritual level.
Ali: Plus we owe each other so much money that none of us can pay each other back. How are we going to collect so much to give it back.
Salman: Brian and I were in school in America, and Ali was my neighbour in Lahore. I remember distinctly there was a wedding- one of my cousins was getting married and I told Ali in one of my great prediction moods that we should be in a band together. Ali was like, yeah okay, whatever and then two years later that's what happened.

Munawar: You are the most successful band of the subcontinent. How does that go down with you?
Brian: It's an honour. We are all working very hard. Our goal is just to play our music and actually the more people you can take your music to, the more gratifying it is. So we are very grateful to all our fans for giving us that status. But it doesn't really change our plan or anything. We'll just continue the way we are.

Previous Article	Next Article