Inspirations of an Inspired Musician

Music is a relaxation for some who listen to it, when they are stressed. For some others music is an art. They enjoy its beauty in theaters and in record. A select few play their own variety of music, because it keeps them to their roots in a world where individuality lacks. For the select few like Javed Riaz, its all of the above put together with a will to inspire and a talent to match.

I have seen him with the Paradigm Shift since the early part of the last decade and the one thing that's not changed with him is his ability to inspire. We live in a time where the number of youtube hits are the trend setters. In this kolaveri  madness we forget about musicians like Javed, so talented yet so timid.

The delicate string work, the tempting piano arpeggios, the tight bass lines, expressive singers, nicely played violin and flute pieces, well chosen vocal harmony and to top it all fantastic lyric work from Antony Faze make his music a delicious buffet for the ears. With an occasional touch of Jazz and a dash of Indian classical influence blended together with subtle uses of modern recording technology makes his style of music unique yet addictive.

He has definitely inspired many a musicians ever since his Saarang years where we all look at him in awe and wonder if we can ever make such nice music. Music that reaches out to you, irrespective of what you are feeling at that time, irrespective of what your usual tastes are. I guess with his works as an independent musician his range has now improved. I hope he makes it big, just so that the rest of the world could also enjoy the music that has so far been the privilege of a coveted few.

Presenting... Javed Riaz.....

The Stage...

"There was too much noise in front of me, even though I haven't even got on it yet. Even over all the encore, I can still hear my heart beating. A sweat breaks out. They called my name and its time. I take the first step onto it. The first tinge of lights and smoke hit my face along with the blast of over ten-thousand people cheering. A smile broke out on my face and all the butterflies fly away. I knew then, that I am about to be born again and this is where I am supposed to live."

A stage is not just a dais. Its not just an elevated platform where people perform. Well it is just that, if you are one among the audience. For a performer though its more than that. A stage is a miraculous place, where there are no worries, no fear and no one can stop you. Its a place where you lose yourself on your performance while you and the art become one - Inseparable.

A stage is where I have been most alive. I perform for the people, yet I dont care if they like my performance or not. For all I care about is the performance and how much breath it gives me. The best of the best stage performers like Michael Jackson or the Iron Maiden, they dont just perform now do they? When we watch their performance we are so captivated by their stage presence that we become a part of their performance ourselves. They share not only their emotions, but also their energy and their soul with others.

May be thats why I feel so alive. I am sharing the energy and the soul of so many others, that I live more than just my life. I miss those days. When I was with TwinStarZ or with JDC, I become one with my fellow dancers. We all become just one being. Our souls were connected and so were our minds. In my post dancing stage appearances with G-Clef though I was not one with the band. No, rather I had my self to me. I was closer than I had ever been with myself. I had all the time to do what I wanted to always - to perform. I miss both those experiences. We all live together on stage, with just ourselves. Enjoy so much as though there were no tomorrow. Live as though we are the only survivors on a post-apocalyptic world.

Maybe one day I will get back a similar stage experience. Maybe I will be able to live once more, the way I did. Until then, I can just hope to get my life back whilst rewinding my memories and try to feel out the rush.