The Coke Fest was in full swing on Sunday in the abode of peace. As the crowd geared up for Asim Azhar’s rocking performance, I caught up with him backstage to talk about new music, his favoured collaboration and dream venue for performance. You have achieved tremendous fan following and success in a short time span. What is your secret? My mother’s prayers. I also feel that it is important to have talent but it is equally important to be smart. I persistently try to do something different because there are many skilled people out there, probably more talented than I am. You just have to make sure that you bring something unique to the table. Your singing is western inspired as witnessed in ‘Hina Ki Khushboo.’ I am a fan of that. How would you describe your music style? I will always be on the hunt of discovering it and that is the beauty of music. My listening and music preferences are changing with time and I hope my fans continue to grow with me. Is there any hidden message behind your music? Not really, but as long as it makes the listeners happy and turns their frown upside down. Out of all the collaborations you have done, which is your personal favourite? Apart from working with Aima Baig and Momina Mustehsan, I have teamed up with many producers as well and whenever I have collaborated with Shuja Haider, it has been wonderful. Is there a certain quality you look for in an artist when working together? I make sure that I am comfortable with that artist. If they turn out to be my friends, it is better because there is chemistry. What do you have in store for your fans? Are you producing an album? Yes, I am working on my debut album and a few new singles. What are your preferred performance venues where you can let loose? That has not happened to me yet but my dream venue would be performing at the Madison Square Garden in New York. I want to be the first Pakistani to sing there. Have you ever experienced performance anxiety? I am anxious right now! I was telling my friend that I have to see a doctor and do something about my performance anxiety as every other day my body would be like “Hur din tumhara show ajata hai! Tum meri haalat buri ker detay ho” (laughs). I have to deal with it and get through it. As soon as I get on stage, it goes away. How do you handle criticism? With love (blows a kiss). Life is short. If your heart is full of hate, I won’t let that affect me. I will keep doing my thing and eventually it would make them give in. Who do you attribute your success to? My mother and my fans. If I am doing this interview with you, it is because of them. If you are reading this, thank you for supporting me. Any last words for your fan base? There is a generic message that I give each time but it is a mission to inspire my fans and that is not to let anyone kill your dreams. Try at least once in your life to pursue your ambitions. If it doesn’t work, maybe it is not meant to be but if it does, what is better than that? Published in Daily Times, January 29th 2019.