Tahsan
Rahman Khan...after the solo
By
Chowdhury Rashaam Raiyan
Q:
Okay, the question everyone's asking… why solo all of a sudden?
A:
The worst thing about Black is that it has too many talented people
packed into one band. No, don't laugh, I'm serious. Unlike many successful
bands where there is this one central character who comes up with
all the creative juice, Black happens to be a band where everyone
has to make a significant contribution just to sleep well at night.
Suppose Jon did the basic skeleton of a song. You can be sure that
the end result, the mixed version of the song is going to be something
Jon couldn't have possibly imagined when he came up with the progression.
Because of this collective effort most of the time our output is experimental
and very inconsistent - adjectives especially attributed to our second
album "Utshober Por". So you can say that being a part of
Black gives me the pleasure of discovering. And the whole experience
is just out of the world, something you can not buy with a million-dollar
bill. But this thing that I like to call pleasure of discovering definitely
comes with a price - Pleasure of expressing. Let me explain…
When five of us
come together, the music that we make is alternative. But each of
us have our own preferences in music, that stretches beyond alternative.
Me being a synth player, definitely have interest in genres of music
where synth plays the key role in the production of a song. And last
year while working on Utshober Por, I made the skeleton of around
twenty odd songs, which were inspired by these synth heavy genres.
And after Utshober Por I recorded the songs. The layers in these songs
were all my own. In this case it was more of a pleasure of expressing
than discovering, something none can achieve in a 5 member band with
equal musical prowess. That's where the solo came from.
Q: Has
the solo album allowed you to express yourself more eloquently?
A:
Definitely. I grew up singing Rabindra Sangeet and listening to all
sorts of instrumental music. Then came a phase when all my friends
became metal freaks, so I had to ride the wave for a while too. Then
out of the blue I found myself playing for the most happening alternative
rock band in town, while I could see myself developing a style of
my own that was not alternative. The journey from one genre to another
was way too cool, crazy and confusing at times for me. I enjoyed every
bit of it though. But it was time I had to explore my own style. And
this album gave me that opportunity.
So basically Black
is always going to be my first priority, with solo projects like this
one at irregular intervals just to express and understand how my own
style is evolving with the time. Hey, who does not want to believe
that he is versatile, huh?
Q: What
was the overall reaction (fans, band members, friends, other important
people) about you going solo?
A:
First of all I am not going solo. This was just a project, where I
tried to explore genres that I can not work with in Black. But I guess
it is very natural that people thought that I was going solo, and
gossips spread that I am leaving the band. Gossips, that's what makes
you famous…
Fans? Black Fans
were shocked a little bit as they initially felt that it would be
damaging for the band. But it took them a while to understand it was
not. It is like this,
Suppose a band
has this central character, who comes up with all the creative juice.
If this guy comes up with a solo album and explores the same genre,
there would be little to differentiate between the solo and the band
output. This is damaging for the band. But for us this was not the
story. We managed to keep the difference between the two. The genre
explored in my album was totally different.
My Band? Jon is
pissed of, cause people are asking him when is his solo due. Tony
is mad cause I did not let him play (for God's sake this guy is the
best drummer in town. People listen to his playing and not the song
for crying out loud, why would I let him play. I don't want him to
steal the show). Meraz is least bothered. And about Jahan, he played
more solos in Kothopokothon than the two Black albums combined. Why
would he complain? Jokes apart, these four guys are the most mature
23 year olds you can find anywhere in the world… they are just cool
about this album.
Friends? No big
deal to them, "Are Tahsan e to”
Other important
people, Record Label? Overwhelmed.
Q: What
is this thing about Pop?
A:
What is alternative? Something that is basically alternative to the
popular belief. Well, ask anyone and they would say that Pop is 'uncool'
and so not happening, this has become the popular belief. So what
would be really alternative is to make Pop happening. Get the logic?
So that is what I wanted to do. Man, if U2 and Sting can shout out
loud in Pop, who the … am I? Even though kothopokothon has more new
age and ambient influence, I thought terming it under a broader pop
would be more fun and stir an interesting controversy among stereotypes,
a marketing gimmick you can say;)
Q: Are
you enjoying yourself?
A:
Yes and No. Life is beautiful, but not all the time…
Q: How,
when and where did you start singing?
A:
At the age of eight at Shishu Academy.
Q: How
did you figure out you wanted to be a professional singer?
A:
I never wanted to and still do not want to be one. Creativity is best
left as an avocation not an occupation.
Q: Where
did you grow up?
A:
Dhaka …
Q: When
was your first real break?
A:
Still waiting for one…
Q: Who
would you say are major influences on your career? Teachers, friends,
family members or anyone else in particular?
A:
Parents, I wonder what my life would have been like if my parents
never forced me to learn to sing. My brother, who realized very early
on that a keyboard might change my life. Emon bhai, for all the pleasant
words he had for my compositions. Jon, Jahan, Meraj, Tony, Asif, Tazin,
Mujtaba and all my friends who played their part…
Q: Indebted
to a few people, who you would like to thank…
A:
Indebted to a lot of people. And had the pleasure of thanking them
in many ways. But there is this guy whom we always took for granted
and never bothered to say thanks. Insan bhai, who works magic with
his camera to make Black look so good all the time. Thank you Insan
bhai.
Q: Do
you like live performances more than recording at the studio?
A:
Nothing compares to a raving audience singing your song. At the same
time why do you think all musician dream of having their own studio…
both are a piece of heaven.
Q: Are
you a perfectionist in the studio?
A:
No… costs too much. If I had my own studio it would have been different
though.
Q: Do
you sit down with the intention of writing a song or do you wait for
the songs to come to you?
A:
This might sound stupid… but it is true. This part is truly spiritual,
it comes from above and I have no control.
Q: As
a songwriter what creative processes do you follow? How does a song
like 'prarthonad' come about?
A:
First I make the tune keeping a theme in mind. Then I put words in
it.
About prarthonad…Like
most people I too was going through a spiritual crisis… I composed
the tune with the keys then found the words that expressed my feelings
to fit in to the tune. Pretty simple. But the chords were definitely
not, try and figure them out.
Q: Can
you describe what you feel while writing a song?
A:
Nope I can not describe, I am not that eloquent…
Q: Do
you switch instruments while writing?
A:
Yes I do.
Q: Do
certain conditions inspire you to write songs?
A:
How does two a clock at night sound?
Q: What
are your own favourite songs? Care to explain the inner meaning of
them?
A:
Prarthonad… a song about a spiritually distressed person desperate
to find his God. For some reason people think it is a love song.
Nirbodher Bichar…
a hate song for all the people who live by judging others work even
if they have very little knowledge about what they are talking about.
It's like saying, "get a life" but in a very lyrical manner…
Shopoth… A promise
to my country that I'll make her proud.
Brittalpona, Irsha… Simple love songs Prothom Shokal… Even more simple
wedding theme song.
Q: Acoustic
over electric?
A:
Hmm, a Piano (acoustic) or an Alesis Andromeda (Electric). None over
the other, both give me the goosebumps…
Q: 'The
artist within you creates and the critic within destroys'… Do you
agree with this concept of mine?
A:
Nope, The artist within you creates and the critic within helps you
get better. Also true for critic beyond the within. When you do something
that comes under scrutiny from every direction all the time, you better
have the guts to face it…
Most of the time the critic will be hollow, so ignore those. The other
ones, you should use to improve yourself. The trick to survive is
to learn to respect and manage complements and critics by their own
merit.
Q: There
has been much talk about your piano composition in the new album.
What kind of hope do you see of this kind of music in Bangladesh?"
A:
I see many talented musicians out there capable of bringing out an
instrumental album, I wish to think that I am one them… but the problem
is that there is still no Record label interested in this stream.
If people call up G series everyday and bug Khaled bhai, he might
start believing that there is a hungry market out there… But I am
really hopeful.
Q: What
is your definition of a fan?
A:
A person who admires my work, because of my work only.
Q: Sorry
we are so obsessed with your personal life, but have you found that
special someone?
A:
Whoa?… next question please.
Q: If
not, what is your vision of the perfect partner? …by all means please
get philosophical…
A:
Vision? I am a bit myopic… I think I would need glasses to clear my
vision.
Q: If
you were a chord in a guitar which one would you be and why?
A:
Major on any note. Cause minors are too sad…
software
review
akibuki
By
Niloy
Drawing is a tough
thing to do… at least that's what many of us think. Unless, you are
particularly gifted with the art of drawing, you probably think in
the same lines and would find it particularly difficult while facing
a drawing test, preparing someone for a drawing test or just sketching
to your heart's desire.
That's when the
new software Akibuki, developed by Tribuj, comes into picture. The
software caters for most of your drawing needs (unless you are older
than 11). It's also useful for more parents, teachers and anyone who
needs to teach a child how to draw. Those people, in particular, would
also find the software very useful. However, the software is targeted
towards little fellows, a.k.a. kids.
The software teaches
you to draw. Really, it does. It shows how to draw different objects,
stroke by stroke, in slow motion. That's a very helpful method of
teaching someone the art of drawing: a method even a three-year-old
can easily pick up. Then it shows a sensible palate of colours to
colour the painting. You can also draw in its feature-deprived kid-friendly
drawing canvas. That's all what the software does. Oh, you can also
take prints of the sketches, in dotted lines or in full colour.
However,
all these features are perfectly enough to teach anyone how to draw
properly. With this method, the software would teach you how to draw
about a hundred objects. In the end, the software comes out to be
successful… unless you are particularly uninterested (or incredibly
dull), you would learn to sketch all of the pictures. Yes, yours-truly
never knew how to draw a rose or a whale. Thanks to this software,
he can draw beautifully elaborate roses (and whales).
One seemingly
"negative" aspect of the software might be the presence
of cartoonist lizards, spiders and snakes in the software interface.
However, many little kids tested the software, and nobody complained
about those pests. Still, the user can change the skin of the software
and remove the pests, if he finds it disturbing.
The developers
at Trivuj developed this software. The lead developers were Khalid
Safiullah, Md. Reazul Islam and Chaw Sein Prue. From the very beginning
of our days in BUET, these developers used to discuss and plan about
developing something new that would be helpful for mass people.
On
one occasion, one of their friends asked them if they knew about any
useful software teaching drawing. It occurred to them that such a
software was unheard of. They went to the market; searched the net
for anything existing like Akibuki. After becoming sure that it would
be a totally original software, they started developing it. That's
how Akibuki started.
Many children
are afraid of drawing. Children have to go to a drawing teacher for
learn drawing. Also, a teacher cannot always give time to his students.
So, a software working as a virtual drawing tutor is very helpful.
With this software, they can learn to draw anything, whenever they
want, wherever they want, and as many times as they wish. All these
accompanied with fun and enjoyment.
The
developers can be contacted by emailing at [email protected]
or calling +880175007234.
S
h r e k 2
Shrek
- Mike Myers
Donkey - Eddie Murphy
Princess Fiona - Cameron Diaz
Queen - Julie Andrews
Puss in Boots - Antonio Banderas
King - John Cleese
Prince Charming - Rupert Everett
Fairy Godmother - Jennifer Saunders
If
you love the spoof movies that bash as many popular culture things
as possible then this is just what you need. The lovable green ogre
and his occasionally green bride are back in full form. Now, in most
cases sequels tend to be a bit overdone and contain less punch but
here it's a different story. Gone are all norms of sticking to kiddie
cartoons.
The
plot: Shrek (Mike Myers) having a bit of problem with flatulence
is happily nagging away through married life with his curse-free wife
(Diaz) who is similarly green and fat ungainly. They know the honeymoon
is over when they're invited back to the Kingdom of Far Far Away to
meet her folks, the King (John Cleese) and Queen (Julie Andrews).
Donkey (Eddie Murphy) cannot resist tagging along and true to form
he is whining most of the way. You see he is still the annoying talking
animal.
The problem arises when the parents find out that
Fiona the princess is not married to a prince charming as expected.
The y would have settled for him not being charming but he was also
green and fat and as for their daughter, well, she became an ogre
too. By the way, there's a real Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) who
is extremely vain, thoroughly pissed off at not being the one who
gets the girl. But then again his true love is the mirror so what
would he be doing with a girl?
The parents expected Prince Charming to have been
standing alongside their thin beloved daughter who they lovingly locked
up in a tower for the aforesaid prince to rescue. It's a bit of a
shock to see a green pair standing at the doorstep. Naturally the
meeting doesn't go well.
The father conspires with a psychotic Fairy Godmother
(Jennifer Saunders) to kill Shrek and move in her son Charming.
They both call upon famous ogre hunter Puss In Boots
(Antonio Banderas) in a parody of his swashbuckling Zorro role. But
the courtly feline eventually joins forces with Shrek, much to Donkey's
dismay.
The
tabby cat with the fancy plumed hat has an exotic Spanish accent and
Banderas parodies his earlier role as Zorro. Puss can be a cue kitty
and at the same time be all claws when the need arises. In a way he
has the funniest roles. Puss charms everyone except Donkey, who huffs
that "the position of annoying talking animal is already taken."
Most movies like "Cats and Dogs" are cat
bashers but here's where the record is set straight.
The movie includes references from "Mission:
Impossible," "Cops", "Charlie's Angels" and
a few others including the upside-down kiss from Spider-Man. It’s
a heck of a great sequel with the "annoying talking animals"
providing most of the laughs.
If you have to complain no matter what then it would
be that the humans look plasticky like dolls. Maybe that's why "Toy
Story" used toys. All in all it's an extremely sweet movie with
great character spoofs including The Three Little Pigs, Pinocchio
and the Gingerbread Man. Don't miss it.
