Fuzon has been on a mission to support and encourage live performances in Karachi. Shallum says that even under “cutthroat” and “unpredictable” circumstances, the band has managed to perform live.

After Khurram Iqbal’s induction as Fuzon’s lead vocalist, it was imperative for the band to share the voice of the new prodigy with their fans, as well as introduce the upcoming album by performing the songs on stage.

Recently, Shallum Xavier was approached by Napa’s music department to join the fraternity as a guitar teacher. It ultimately led to the idea of a collaborative live music project, Music Merger.

The idea was to ensure that the students get an opportunity to perform alongside seasoned musicians and further hone their skills. Nafees Khan conducted the show with the help of Emu and Shallum.

Pop sensation Zoe Viccaji collaborated with Ashan Shabbir from Napa to deliver a soulful, passionate performance. Later, she performed an original track with another female vocalist from the academy, Erum. Zoe’s gesture, performance and involvement was widely admired and appreciated, followed by quite a few collaborative performances from the students. The rendition of Raag Raagshiri particularly stood out.

The sound, situation and ambiance underwent a drastic change with Fuzon who performed songs from both the previous and upcoming albums. Last but not least was Akhtar Channal who, with his troupe, enthralled the audience with an energetic and animated performance by singing ethnic Balochi and Bhraavi folk tunes while also dancing with his fellow performers.

Post-gig, Images on Sunday caught up with Shallum and Akhtar Channal for a rapid-fire chat, while Zoe Viccaji was contacted online.

IoS (to Shallum Xavier): How was it performing alongside Channal and Zoe?

SX: It was wonderful. Zoe and I have never performed on stage together so this was special in many ways. I have collaborated with Akhtar Channal and his troupe in the past, and his style of singing and performing creates a lot of excitement amongst the audience.

Both Zoe and Akhtar Channal come from two completely different schools of thoughts; Zoe is more modern and contemporary whereas Akhtar Channal’s signing is about folklore and folk tales with a strong Sufi element to it. It was an exciting collaboration to be a part of and to organise.

IoS: Do you frequently jam with Sufi artists?

SX: We have in the past rehearsed and recorded with Sufi musicians and it has always been a learning experience. Music is music so you can learn and teach any one regardless of background experience, language, cast or creed.

IoS: What’s new with Fuzon these days?

SX: We’re planning the release and launch of the third tribute album and simultaneously working on title songs for TV serials. Fuzon has also done a song for an upcoming Bollywood production scheduled for release in a few months’ time. We will soon be leaving for India once again to launch the third album in collaboration with Universal Music, and will be performing in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Then, with an extremely exciting team, we will leave for a tour of North America.

IoS (to Akhtar Channal): How has mainstream music affected your stardom?

AC: Inclusion in the so-called mainstream music has raised the interest level of people about folk music and musicians from Balochistan. We speak, sing and perform in one of the oldest languages known to mankind. It is a true representation of our culture, history, thoughts, views and our concepts. It’s remarkable sharing all this with audiences who have little or no information about our music and culture.

IoS: How was the experience of performing with Fuzon and Zoe?

AC: We have collaborated in the past and Fuzon has always helped us enhance and elevate our sound and music. I have interacted with Zoe when we were working on Coke Studio and she has come a long way.

We are conventional people and this live collaboration has helped us understand and learn different aspects of working as a team.

IoS: What do you think can attract youth to Sufi music?

AC: The youth is already attracted to Sufi music, its beat, lyrics, trance and movement.

IoS: Future plans?

AC: We are in the process of recording a few tracks with Fuzon and it will be another exciting opportunity to work with Khurram Iqbal Emu and Shallum. We are also planning live performances together as a unit on stage in Pakistan and abroad.

IoS (to Zoe Viccaji): How was the experience?

ZV: I’ve been looking forward to working with Napa musicians for years now. Working with new musicians and getting their creativity on my own songs is quite a thrill. It was lovely to sit back and hear a new approach. I wished we could have rehearsed more, but with such a large line up time was limited. At the end of it all, the show itself was a lot of fun, the audience supportive and the Napa students and musicians were a great team.

IoS: What is your basic genre?

ZV: I started out doing a lot of jazz, but with time I’ve started venturing into our Eastern music, scales and tunings. I can’t say my music represents any one genre as I like to flit between various styles and approaches. It keeps things interesting, and one can never stop learning.

IoS: What about your future plans?

ZV: I’ve got an album that’s ready for release. I would love to do a live album with various bands all over the world. I also can’t wait to work with musicians from different backgrounds.