Mohammad Sibtain Fazli, better known as Sibti, is indie music’s mischievous wild child. Having been around for several years, Sibti’s past includes the short-lived act Ramlal but what remains consistent about him is his ability to produce music that is clever, catchy and memorable. His most recent effort, an album called Book of Sibt, is also his finest work.
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The singer-songwriter from Lahore, who has bagged two LSA nominations this year,
talks to Instep about his musical philosophy, his style of songwriting and what lies ahead.
Mohammad Sibtain Fazli, better known as Sibti, is indie music’s mischievous wild child. Having been around for several years, Sibti’s past includes the short-lived act Ramlal but what remains consistent about him is his ability to produce music that is clever, catchy and memorable. His most recent effort, an album called Book of Sibt, is also his finest work. Currently residing in Lahore, the singer-songwriter has picked up two nominations in the music section of the upcoming 16th edition of the Lux Style Awards, including the prestigious ‘Album of the Year’ nod. It might surprise you to learn that it’s not the first time he’s bagged LSA nods.
Speaking to Instep over the phone, Sibti calls himself “lucky” and “fortunate” when asked about what he makes of the nominations. His bigger goal, however, is to find a way to get more people to listen to his music; a task that musicians today are burdened with in the absence of concrete infrastructure such as record labels, music channels and enough platforms that promote music. Efforts made by music/tech startup Patari and events like Lahore Music Meet and Face Music Mela obviously cannot be diminished but artists like Sibti do struggle while mainstream churns out content that is swimming in a sea of mediocrity.
Despite the hurdles though, Sibti will continue to write songs that are outrageous, sharp and ultimately add texture, depth and rebellion to the evolving sound of Pakistani music. In this interview, the singer-songwriter from Lahore, known for songs like ‘Peshwar Ka Ladki’ and ‘Badnaam’ discusses his music philosophy, the themes behind his album and his goals…
Instep: What’s the philosophy behind your music in general and Book of Sibt in particular?
Sibti: My music’s main purpose is to entertain. If my songs can put a smile on someone’s face, get them to laugh or dance, then my work is done. At the same time, I want to contribute to Pakistani music. I wish to provide quality, original music and be recognized and remembered for it. People who have heard my music and commented on it think that it’s unique and unlike anything that’s come before or is happening currently, and I like to think that’s true. My style of songwriting is very different. It’s very Sibti. I think I can safely say that.
In addition, my music has shock value and through my music I am able to speak about things that people in our society don’t generally speak about very easily or openly. I do like to touch upon taboo and controversial subject matters that other artists don’t - not to my knowledge at least. So I’m a little mischievous that way but I also feel like I have this responsibility to come forward and express myself freely, so that others will too, even if it doesn’t settle too well with some people. Someone has to take the hit, right? I don’t want to sound like a martyr but it’s true. You have to offer or do something novel and interesting to inspire and motivate people, to set an example. My music is very punk, and in your face kind of rock n roll. I speak my heart and my mind without inhibition. I feel you can do that with art; express yourself freely. Some of it is satirical, some of it is serious, a lot of it is comic and there are emotional elements in there too. I’m hoping to be the bridge between the mainstream commercial music industry and the underground/indie music scene in Pakistan and Book of Sibt aims to do just that.
Instep: Where is your head at musically right now?
Sibti: I’m desperate to create again. I feel like my gift has been taken away. I do practice every now and then, and will often put together little ideas and snippets of music here and there, but the inspiration to create full length songs or pieces of music like it used to come isn’t coming to me anymore. It’s depressing.
Instep: You’ve spent time in Karachi and you’re in Lahore now. How do you feel about your experience in those cities? Has that colored your musical experience at all?
Sibti: Yes. Both the cities were good and had their own flavor. I have met and learned from people in both places. Jamming and performing with others really helps you grow and learn. My initial years were spent learning to play, exploring and listening to music. Observing and interacting with other guys who could play taught me a lot. But then there was a phase of isolation and depression in Lahore. I found myself locked up in a room with a guitar. That’s when the first initial good chunk of songs came to me. The classic story - from pain comes music and all good things or something to that effect. That’s the first time I felt good about my songs. I thought that I could do this and I could be good at it. Since then I have been writing /creating/producing/performing in both cities and it’s been great.
Instep: Could you tell me a bit about where you grew up, how you got into making music?
Sibti: We were always on the move, living in different cities but I grew up in a musical environment. My brothers were very savvy with musical instruments. The home and family atmosphere was filled with conversations of in depth appreciation and critique of music of classic Bollywood as well as western music including classical music, film music and the Beatles of course.
It was meant to be. A gift perhaps, or the result of my musical socialization, the fact was, even as a child, I was an entertainer. You know, personalities can be such contradictions. As a conversationalist I am shy, words sometimes fail me. Behind a microphone and an instrument however, I perform and entertain.
It was my brothers who taught me and guided me, fine-tuning my ears to the intricacies of music. It was my peers and friends, musicians and producers, who helped me grow as a composer and artist.
My motivation came from the smiles and joy my music spread, the appreciation and delight it caused the public and my peers. Music is the perfect antidote for depression. There is peace as I design a riff or compose a melody. There is fulfillment as I form the accompanying words to my music.
Instep: When you think about your career, where do you want it to go?
Sibti: To Coke Studio first. Then once I’m rich and famous, I would like to create an online web series, or even a television sitcom, get into acting, score music and soundtracks for film, and maybe even open a restaurant someday.
