Instep:
What can you tell me about Kostal?
Taha Malik: Kostal is Taha Malik and Omran Shafique. We're a music
production duo. We first met in 2002 while working on many side
projects. During the recording of Mauj's debut album at my studio
in Houston, Omran and I would write dance and hip hop style records.
As our library of ideas grew, we decided that we should compile
the best and make an album of them. Of course, Kostal is much more
than that now. We are currently writing/producing for other artists,
movies, commercials, and any other projects we can get our hands
on. The collective manifoldness of our musical backgrounds allows
us to experiment with all types of styles and genres, from French
rappers to rubab and tabla, to jazz-fusion, rock, Arabic…
anything really. We love it!
Instep: The
single, 'Jaan Jaye' has been around for quite a while. How has the
response been to the video?
TM: 'Jaan Jaye' released online for quite some time. We are extremely
pleased with the response we've gotten from all over the world.
It's been playing on radio in Pakistan (I was surprised to hear
that it was #1 for months and was most requested, even more than
Timbaland's and other Top 40 tracks), on BBC and other radio stations
in the UK, United States, Dubai, Holland, Hong Kong, and pretty
much all over the world, thanks to the Internet. I've heard it at
weddings, and my friends tell me things like, "Oh, my cousin
was jamming to 'Jaan Jaye' in Australia! That's your song? No way?"
It is a funny video and we've got a little surprise in the intro
and outro. Uns Mufti and Ali Jafri at Rola have been really cool.
Instep: How
would you describe Kostal's genre?
TM: There's no one specific genre. My interest, though not limited
to, has been in electronic music for years. I play the bass and
keys. Omran's been the rock and roll guy all his life. I guess if
I had to forcibly define it, our style is a mixture of electronic
and organic music. There's sampling involved, but we use many live
instruments, too. We may sequence the drums and bass lines or record
them live. Some tracks have a gospel choir vibe, while others may
have club energy or just some straight up '70s funkiness with a
crisp breakbeat.
Instep: You
also worked with Omran on Mauj's debut record, Now in Technicolor…
TM: Yes, it was a great experience. I was the producer and audio
engineer of Now In Technicolor. I'm really happy with how the album
turned out. Omran is an amazing guitarist and songwriter, and it
was a pleasure to work with him. Also, shouts out to: Atif, Dennis,
Shuja, and Agha!
Instep: How
does Kostal work with you in Houston and Omran in Karachi?
TM: Kostal works in mysterious ways, really. We exchange WAV and
project files over the Internet. We fly to Pakistan or Houston when
necessary. This is collaborative music 2.0. Artists and clients
send us vocals and music beds from all over the world. Sometimes
I find myself Skyping with someone in Paris or downloading a file
sent from New Delhi containing a rough hummed melody. Whatever works.
This is our business model.
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