Now that the music nominees are out, and that too with the creation of a new category – Song of the Year – Instep Today got in touch with musicians who have made it to the final lists and here's what they had to say…
Ali Haider
Best Music Album for Jaanay Do
In my 20 years in show business, I've only attended 2 to 3 award functions and I found all of them pretty fake so I'm no longer interested in attending anymore. I want to win people's hearts through my work and I will continue to do so for many more years.
Atif Aslam
Best Music Album for Meri Kahani
It feels great. I picked up Best Music Album last year for Doorie and this year I've again picked up a nomination for Best Music Album and that too for Meri Kahani, which is very close to my heart.
That said, my biggest awards are my fans who continue to support me. Winning always feels great but if I don't, I won't worry too much. As long as I have my fans who give me their utmost support, I have nothing to worry about.
Faisal Kapadia, Strings
Best Live Act
We actually want to withdraw from the Lux Style Awards. Last year we wanted to withdraw but we never sent a formal letter to Unilever asking to withdraw. This year we have sent a letter.
The reason is that the awards are by a brand, a company and they are not music awards to begin with. We are not models or designers, we are musicians and if this were a music award show, we would give our full support.
It isn't because we didn't win last year or anything of that sort. The fact of the matter is these award shows are not music-oriented. Hence, we don't want to be nominated.
Farhad Humayun, Overload
Best Live Act
This is the third time we have been nominated. It feels even greater as we do promote ourselves as a live act and it is good to see that there is a category for live acts. Besides Lux Style Awards are pretty credible.
It is flattering to be nominated with all the others. The chances of us winning this year are pretty slim as we didn't play as much in Karachi this year. The reason for that is that promoters are in it to make money and they would rather get musicians that masses like. But on the whole I feel if you don't play in Karachi you don't get noticed. But somebody in Karachi is on a lookout for us and hence we have a nomination.
Last year at LSAs we threw the idea of playing live, but it was rejected, for reasons best known to the organizers. But Atif And Ali Zafar both did play live. I think the event managers should hire good technicians, people who know their jobs. Getting the right people for sound management, lights, stage, etc will make live acts easy to handle.
Sikander Mufti, Mauj
Best Live Act
It feels pretty good to be recognized and I would like to think Mauj would win because we take pride in our live acts, as we are a well-rehearsed band. I, for one, always expected a nomination. We don't compromise on anything, from the songs to music videos to our haircuts.
The scope of live acts in the country is massive. Music is supposed to be live. Videos are just visual representations and studio recorded songs have a lot of retakes, hence unless one does a good job at live concerts one can't be judged as a good musician. I also feel live acts are more important than fashion shows.
Shiraz Uppal
Song of the Year for 'Roya Re'
It always feels awesome to be nominated. This is my second nomination for LSAs. Although I didn't think it would be for 'Roya Re' as the song is more of international category but I'm pleased all the same. As far as winning is concerned I think I always have a chance.
Omran Shafique, Mauj
Best Live Act
It feels great to be nominated even though our album isn't out yet but I'm pretty excited. It's not about winning. Music is a form of art and art cannot be judged. I'm not concerned if we win or not, just the fact that we are recognized even before our album has released is pretty cool. There were rumours that Mauj has been nominated but I didn't believe until it actually happened. It was unexpected cause we haven't really played much.
Live acts are not up to the mark here because there aren't ways to put it up. Most of the people can't recovers the costs, even the sponsor. Ticketing events are a bit dodgy, besides making money just by ticketing events is not enough. Nonetheless, picking up Best Live Act is hugely exciting!
Mustafa Zahid, Roxen
Best Music Album for Rozen-e-Deewar
The whole band is very excited. We're looking forward to the show when it happens later this year. This is our debut album and to be nominated alongside veterans like Ali Haider, Abrar-ul-Haq as well as Atif Aslam and Ali Zafar is definitely a high for us.
This is our first LSA nomination and all other nominees have been around for sometime now so to get this nomination for an album is incredible. We're all looking forward to a great show.
Ehtesham Hamid Khan, Azal
Song of the Year for 'Aisi Taisi'
What can we possibly say? We've just started out and to pick up a nomination is very encouraging. We don't expect to win but through this nomination, we get a platform and that is incredible. I think the Lux Style Awards try to very fair by getting a credible jury so all of us are pleased. Whether we win or not, just getting a nomination is exciting enough for us.
Uns Mufti
Best Music Video for 'Boundaries Broken'
I don't know what to think this time. I've been nominated twice before and did not win. This time I can't say anything. I hope to win but then, I have my doubts because the airplay we receive is quite pathetic and this category is all about being popular. It's all about the viewer ship and we hardly have any.
The last two times, I was like 'Wow, I'm loving this,' but this time, I don't know what to say. All I want to say is, I want the two previous awards that they owe me!" (Laughs)
Xulfi, Call
Song of the Year for 'Laaree Chootee'
What a nice surprise… We're super excited about our song making it to LSA Song of the Year category. I'm very happy.
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