Overload Interview - The News International - Instep Today

Instep interview

Overload are definitely not over and out… they've just been reinventing themselves!They are the boys who wowed us with drums and percussion and created a new sound around the hypnotic dhol of Pappu Saeein. Now they have parted ways with the great guru, but they are carrying on with a new vocalist in Meesha, an album in both English and Punjabi and a deal with Universal that will take them across the border!

By Aqsa Hussain

A contract with Universal Music group - How did it all happen?

We played at the Shalom music festival in Delhi in March this year. The entire Indian press was there. Other big artists present and playing were Medieval Pundits, Anoushka Shankar and Prem Joshua. The audience loved Overload, the event got a lot of coverage. Some of Universal's representatives were present at the occasion so they must have conveyed their thoughts to the company. We just got a call from them saying they wanted to sign us up and they loved our music.


Your last album was in 2006. It's been such a long time. When's your new album coming out and does it have a different sound to offer?

It's been a year and a half since our last and we like to spend time on our music because once it's out there its forever. We cannot change it so it has to be great no matter how long it takes. The new album is ready. We've just been waiting on a few contracts and deals to come through and the situation of the country to improve which I don't think will happen in many decades to come - but now that the contracts have come about and we can support ourselves we'll be releasing the second album titled 'Pichal Pairee' on Eid. Our first worldwide release will be in November on Universal records. It's got a lot more of drums and music as compared to the previous album. Vocals will also make an impact. Its very intense but at the same time very absorbable.

Overload is known as a high quality instrumental band without a vocalist, but with hypnotic sounds, dhols and rhythms. Your signature sound is what has made you a big name. Since being instrumental was your USP, now with Meesha (Saba Hameed's daughter) on vocals, will Overload be able to maintain it's uniqueness since she sings in English? Music in that language can't cater to masses.

We never actually planned on being a particular kind of band. We didn't have a vocalist on the first album because there was simply no space in our music for one. By the way, Meesha is singing in both English and Punjabi. We were never a band for the masses but I think this album will reach out to a bigger audience. Some people may complain about us changing our sound a lot but we've proven ourselves and made all the statements we had to with the first album and our concerts. Our dhol act is stronger than ever! It remains a vital part of our live act and we have some interesting stuff played by the amazing Nasir Saeen from Daska, a village in Punjab.

Overload has grabbed two LSA nominations... are you happy?

We've actually been nominated thrice including this year and we've received one 'Best Live Act' award for 2006. The band is really happy about it because we're not really into the fashion scene. We only go to events because we're friends with the fashion crowd but actually we are hard core musicians and it's great to be acknowledged by fashion gurus. With Meesha's presence we will be recognized more as a fashionable band since she's also a famous model. Plus we're working with HSY very actively also - making music for his shows and collaborating with him on a video!

How do you see LSA cancellation?

I think it's a disappointment for everyone. Every year the entire fashion, music, art, television and film scene get together to celebrate one year's hard work and its not thrilling that this year there will be none. Its like Basant - we used to have Basant every year but now because of the sad state of affairs of our country we just don't celebrate anything. We're supposed to be happy as individual people and as a nation but it's become a crime to be happy in Pakistan!

What about your upcoming videos... since fans still can't get over Dhamaal's video!

I know Bilal Lashari did very well with the video! We believe in perfection as far as our work is concerned that's why we spend time on both videos and audio. We know that videos cost a lot of money We're doing the video of 'Cursed' again , putting some vocals in there also for the international market. We are also shooting another video of one of our new tracks which will be released with our album & we're really excited about our new lineup & image.

Are you proceeding to India anytime soon?

We already have a few gigs lined up in India but I don't think Bollywood is our scene. It would be interesting to make a few 'item numbers' for Bollywood but that is not our aim. A lot of our Universal dealings and plans come about via India so we will be interacting with them a lot more.