Technology has advanced so much that I feel I have my own TV station in YouTube, says Tariq Mirza to Batool Habib.

Tariq Mirza a.k.a. Tee-M believes that by spreading the message of his album, ‘Earthiotic’, he can spread the message of love and peace throughout the world. A true musician at heart, Tee-M started out as a vocalist and guitarist in a couple of bands, but found his footing when he started playing solo in the US. Today, he has an album behind him, along with many singles waiting to be released. HUMSAY chats with him to understand his views on Pakistan’s music scene, and what it feels like to be performing in Karachi whenever he visits.

Q – Why did you choose the name ‘TEE-M’?
A – My name is Tariq Mirza, but the Americans couldn't pronounce it properly, so, I added two EEs to make an extended version of my first initial, and went with it. I felt it was kind of catchy. 

Q – How did you become a musician?
A – I started my professional life in Karachi where I was born and raised. My cousin left behind his guitar when he went abroad for studies, and I picked it up and taught myself to use it. In rock ‘n’ roll, I think it’s very important to be self-taught. The Beatles weren't trained musicians either, and as a kid, I thought what they did was magic, and it stuck with me. Thus, that's the path I followed.

Q – So, for you, music was an in-born talent fuelled by passion?
A – When I look back, it was definitely in-born; I was always interested in music from childhood. I started playing as a kid, learning instrumental songs played by ‘The Shadows’, a very popular band back then, and after that, ‘The Beatles’, and though it took a while, its been a dream come true. 

Q – You recently completed your first album, titled ‘EARTHIOTIC... songsfromaoneroompalace’. Which is your favourite track, and how is it significant to you? 
A – The word ‘Earthiotic’ itself is very important to me – because it is a word I coined, inspired by ‘patriotic’. Could you believe, there is no word to describe a passion for Mother Earth, in spite of the fact that there are so many English scholars! While living in the USA, I realized I had become more global; there is so much to the world, whereas patriotism restricts us.  So many problems are created because of patriotism – wars to mention just one – and I feel instead, that if you're an earthiotic person, you come under the umbrella of one-ness, and feel a sense of responsibility towards the entire planet, not just your country.
 Q – Could you elaborate on what the concept is behind the album?
A – At least for me, my job as an artiste and song-writer was to throw this concept of a feeling for earth, out to the world. I needed to say it out loud; there’s a lot happening within the album – lots of different issues tackled. One track is called ‘Man without an Airport’ inspired by the country-less man who spent six years at an airport, and the authorities couldn't find a solution for him. I wrote the song in ’95, and in 2003 a movie called ‘The Terminal’ was made on the same subject. I was disappointed that I couldn't get my track in the movie in time for the pre-production stage.
 
Q – Does your music contain autobiographical elements? I've often wondered if the ‘Suji ka halwa’ song reminds you of your childhood.
A – Well, actually it’s ‘Aao aao aao’ - though now it’s more popularly known as ‘Suji ka halwa’. Yes, I was inspired by my mother’s cooking and composed the song early in the morning, when I was half asleep and could smell the halwa, and hear her calling out ‘Come eat your breakfast!”  Suddenly, I was humming the tune in my head... I got up quickly, sat with the guitar, and composed the music. Mother was upset as the halwa became cold, but I played the song for her at a show later, and it was a big thrill for me.

Q –What kind of situations/issues do you focus on in your songs?
A – There are all kinds of songs on the album, on different subjects and issues, such as love and mortality.

Q – Do you write all the lyrics, generally? How does it feel to put music to your words?
A – All 16 songs on this album were written by me. Music and lyrics happen simultaneously, generally; words come to a particular tune, and I think, ‘Interesting – let’s see where this goes’. Of course, it doesn’t always work that way -- like in the case of the song, ‘Hallucination’. I wasn’t happy with the melody. So, while sitting on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, strumming my guitar, I re-did the entire music. The music of one of the tracks was done by Jeff Tyson, a man of many talents. It is the most beautiful music I've ever heard and took the song to a whole different level.