“It’s tough when a family breaks up and in many ways a band is identical to a family. There are so many sentiments involved, both professional and personal. Getting out from the shocker and launching into a solo career is synonymous to rising like a phoenix from the ashes.” Sarah Haider epitomises the post-breakup situation and how she defeats the insecurities in her latest video, Dekha De Rang Apna, directed by Jami.

Images on Sunday sat down with the singer to learn more about her evolution as a solo artiste.

What keeps you busy?

Celebrate shades of enthusiasm with Sarah Haider’s latest music video, Dekha De Rang Apna

In Lahore and writing songs.

How was the gig in Karachi?

I had three performances there in three days … I love being on stage. Also, there’s no place like home! The story of your music …

How much time do you have (laughs)! It’s just me and getting to know me, listen to my music. It’s a work in progress and an expression of who I am right now. It will evolve as I evolve. 

The response to your new music video?

Amazing! Overwhelming!  One of those rare projects where having corporate backing did not stop us from putting heart and soul and real emotion into what we were doing. It’s the story of how my band broke up and I had to figure out things on my own … insecurities and overcoming all those voices inside your head that tell you you’re not good enough. It’s a story most people can relate to. If there’s something you want to do that’s off the beaten path you will get a lot of negativity. Sometimes from the people you love/trust the most. It’s very important to know how to pick yourself up and push yourself forward.

My band is in it — my musical family — Ajay Harry, Saad Hayat, Saif Rizwan, Aarad Junejo. My mentor and producer, Omran Shafique. Jami’s daughter plays the younger version of me. For both Jami and myself it was a very personal project.  

The importance and relevance in present times?

We’re in the age of visuals. I have put out songs online without videos and people have commented by saying “great song, when is it going to be released?” ‘Music’ and ‘video’ are now two sides of the same coin.

There are big empty spaces, we still heavily rely on decades-old music to represent our industry and it’s time for us, the new musicians, to get up and produce work. There’s a lot of diversity … and reach. For the first time, it is not necessary to have sponsorship in order to get your music out there.

I want to wake up every day and sing for the rest of my life.

Should we expect an album anytime soon? 

I’m in this lovely phase in my life now where I say no to things just so that I can sit in my room and write songs and read, and listen to music. It’s what I’ve always wanted. I might emerge from my room in a few months with an album, or a book, or a headache!

The Coke Studio experience.

 Great. Being able to go to work every day as a backup vocalist and compose and perform alongside the best musicians in the industry. I learned a lot. In my second season, Ae Dil was a big moment for me. It definitely put me in the spotlight, which I didn’t expect. I’m going to remember singing that song with Ali for the rest of my life!

Corporates and music.

It’s give and take. Both you and they need something. It’s all about finding a balance between the two agendas. I generally do not support the idea of using music to sell things to people; music is art, religion, history, culture and philosophy. But, in this day and age, they have the resources. One must adapt to change or be left behind.

Any tours in pipeline?

None that I can talk about. I’m a bit superstitious that way.

Jami sounds off

Your thoughts on the music campaign Dekha De Rang Apna.

It’s a contemporary success story of an artist in Pakistan. It’s important that we celebrate new artists in a way we couldn’t for the past 30 years. This is the time to really feel proud of our next generation of Pakistani singers.

How much have you evolved with it?

“It’s the story of how my band broke up and I had to figure out things on my own … insecurities and overcoming all those voices inside your head that tell you you’re not good enough. It’s a story most people can relate to.”

It’s a corporate-sponsored video so my early work is much darker and very abstract. We kept things a bit simpler but still tried to inject a darker side to it. Realistic stories about Sara were the key. It’s a healthy collaboration between Sara, Azadkhayal (Creatives) Azadfilm and Levi’s. It took us six months to finish the project from the first meeting till launch. 

The challenges of directing music videos?

Videos are mini-feature films for us. We take them quite seriously and that’s why it took us six months. Music videos made me the director I am today. We really wanted Sara to hit the right note in her career with this video and the client to win too. It was a tough act to balance. I’m aggressive when it comes to concepts and activism in videos, and in films so I tend to go over depending on the situation (in the country). If it’s deep trouble I give Bum Phata and if all is well I give Chal Dil Mere, in between there’s Main Tou Dekhoonga and when deeply troubled, Moor. If it’s for the future of Pakistan in the region then O21.

Why are videos important in music?

Videos are only important because we need visuals in this age of TV, Facebook and YouTube. But music needs speakers and that’s it. Even headphone work. It’s a sad compromise for the artist. I remember sometime back when I couldn’t do a video for Sajjad Ali and no one would take his song so what he did was that he made a video with a blank black screen. That is the real power of a song and an artist.

Current, future projects?

Downward Dog and two more as producer, and one with India (deal not locked yet). — S.S.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, January 31st, 2016