The Sketches collaborate with Mai Dhai

Band frontman speaks of latest venture with folk singer

KARACHI: One of the silver linings of the ongoing season of Coke Studio has been the emergence of Mai Dhai as a musical force. Although the singer has been performing for several years, it is after her performances in Coke Studio that she has come to the forefront.

After two power-packed performances in the current season alongside Karam Abbas and Atif Aslam, the musician has now become part of a collaboration, this time outside Coke Studio. Recently, the singer featured in a song titled Moriya alongside Saif Samejo — frontman of The Sketches.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Samejo discussed the genesis of the song and recalled how they had been working towards a joint venture for the past few years, even before the singer made her appearance on the popular music show.

Read: In memoriam : Anniversary of folk singer Mai Bhagi



Describing the track as a folk song, Samejo spoke about the story behind its lyrics, how it is about a girl who bides her time within the conformity of her house and when she sees peacocks fly into her house at night, it reminds her of her beloved.

On how Dhai’s latest musical offering is different from her recent work on Coke Studio, Samejo explained, “The style in which Mai Dhai is performing on Coke Studio is her natural style, whereas we have tried to incorporate our style of music into hers, so that it retains its original Rajasthani flavour while also sounding like a dialogue between us.”

Having had the opportunity to record the singer on multiple occasions, Samejo expressed a desire of working with the musician once again. “We have already recorded and performed a few songs with her, which we will release in the near future, but I am also keen on producing collaborations with other artists through Lahooti Music Ashram.”

Samejo has already produced a variety of international and local artists at his studio.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2015.

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