Instep: Are you happy with the response Earthiotic has received so far... in Pakistan and abroad?
Tee-M: Earthiotic is a very independent organic adventure. I wrote and recorded it and I'm distributing it on my own. I was very happy with it once it was done. I would not have released it if I thought it wasn't up to world standards. Today's technology has made it easier for independent artists to make a great quality record that can go head to head with any major label's release.

The only difference is the advertising budget or lack of. So we have to come up with creative ways of promoting and spreading the word about the album. I was very fortunate to come across Geoff Tyson, (co-producer, geofftyson.com) a man of many talents.

He did such a great job of putting my vision for the album on record. A real musical and technical genius. I hope to have Geoff perform in Pakistan.

Instep: You introduced us to the word Earthiotic, what does it mean?
Tee-M: I was thinking as oppose to patriotic. Patriotic seems too selfish a word these days with all the problems and conflicts going on, on our planet. We need to start thinking in Earthtiotic terms. Because once we do that, we'll have a different outlook for our short existence on this globe as everything comes under that. I was quite surprised that no English scholars had come up with that word. It's such a beautiful sounding and powerful word. I'm glad to see that some people have started to use Earthtiotic in their daily language. In any case that's my little gift to our world and it's open to everybody's interpretation.

Instep: Your music certainly has global appeal but with your Pakistani roots, have you been subjected to any prejudice in America in terms of promoting your music there?
Tee-M: Not at all. In fact I think it has helped my beliefs that music can bring people together especially in these times. In my own little way I hope to bridge the gap between the two cultures. America is a great country and it was made for all people, religions and beliefs. Every now and then you'll have leaders who have their own agendas but the people will rise and correct its eroding image. However we can say that America is going through some hiccups at the moment just like Pakistan.

Instep: You're currently based in California and have done some gigs in Hollywood. Comments.
Tee-M: You know when I was a kid, my mother used to ask me where I would like to go for higher studies...England or America? And my answer always used to be America!

Even though England was so close to Pakistan compared to America. Man! If I only knew that it would take thirty hours or so on the plane and airports, I would have opted for England. But I love California, especially Los Angeles, Santa Monica area, the weather is just made for me. Its fun to be in the entertainment capital of the world stirring up more craziness with the crazies.

Instep: Having performed around tinseltown, do you count any A-listers in your fan following?
Tee-M: Let see, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and his latest wife... just kidding folks!
Actually there are two people who are in the entertainment industry and who I have great respect for. Both of them are big Tee-M supporters, first being Mike Stark with whom I co-host Tee-M's Unsigned Music Show on wpmd.org which goes worldwide on internet radio. Mike also wrote the book on Black Sabbath: An Oral History. Besides having me on his radio show his other guest once a month is Bill Ward the drummer of Black Sabbath.

The other gentleman is Bernard Baur, he's one of the editors of Music Connection Magazine for which Tee-M (meaning me) was selected 100 Hottest Unsigned Artists, five years in a row.

Instep: Have you considered working along side or collaborating with any Pakistani musicians?
Tee-M: On my last tour I came across a very fine guitar player by the name of Faisal Gill. We played together along with Giles Goveas on drums and Alan Druz on bass in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. If Faisal keeps up his guitar chops he's gonna be one hell of a guitar player coming out of Pakistan.

My other favorite guitar man in Pakistan, who I have played with, is Assad Ahmed who I think people know from Awaz and now Karavan. I've known Assad since he was a kid, hungry to play the guitar and learn about the music industry. Now whenever I'm back I ask him about the music scene in Pakistan. I'm very happy and impressed with his music development. Sajid and Zeeshan is an interesting band, they do their own videos, which is very cool. ADP (Aunty Disco Project) is another good band coming up... I say lookout for these Aunty people, they're gonna party you down.

Instep: What are your views on Pakistan's music scene today?
Tee-M: In my last three tours in Pakistan since 2006 I have seen tremendous growth in the music scene. Radio and TV channels are sprouting up. The print media coverage is very impressive and encouraging.
But there is a need from political leaders to stabilize the country. I was quite saddened to hear about the Gulgee murder. I met Gulgee in Karachi in April on my last tour there. I grew up in his old neighbourhood by Quaid-e-Azam's Mazaar. As a kid while flying kites or playing cricket on the streets, I would see him walk down the road or drive by in his green Mustang.

I reminded him about those days and he was quite astonished that I remembered his Mustang. I mentioned to him that after all these years, it was a great honour for me to meet him. He turns around and said, "No, Tariq it's an honour to meet you."

I guess he might have seen me on TV or the 'Aao' video. A true gentleman and a great artist... Pakistan is going to miss him but his art shall live forever.

Instep: How would you compare today's music scene in Pakistan with the days when you started out?
Tee-M: First of all there were not as many original musicians performing bands when I started out, which is great. The media, print and electronic, was non existent. There were a hand full of cover bands, including my first band, The Hilltoppers which eventually turned into The 21st Century.
Towards the end of the band, we started to do some original songs.

Instep: How did you end up being a musician?
Tee-M: Looking back it seems like I was always intrigued by the phonographic record. As a kid growing up in Karachi, I always wondered where and how the sound was coming out of the speakers. The turning point when I physically started playing the guitar was when a cousin of mine left his guitar behind for me, when he went abroad for studies. Since that day I just tried to learn what ever I could on my own.
I'm self-taught and to this day. I believe that's where the magic and the mystery is for me in music, as far as rock 'n roll is concerned.

Instep: Will you be releasing any videos?
Tee-M: The process for my second video has started and it'll be the song 'Disappeared' from Earthiotic. I'm very excited to be working with these cool cats here in L.A.

Chris Jean is the director, Ray Vanness is the producer, Kelly Jones and Mike Reppert will be handling the cameras. Brittany Shaw is an upcoming actress in Hollywood, who will be doing the disappearing act in the video. It'll release somewhere in February.

Instep: Where can one find your album in Pakistan?
Tee-M: It's available at The Second Floor aka T2F in Karachi. For those who are not in Karachi, please go to http://cdbaby.com/teem for your copy of Earthiotic and single downloads. And lookout for a tour of Pakistan sometime in 2008.