Musician Faizan is a handpan master, and can transform sounds to evoke beauty, ethereal nature, and vibrant clarity. What is a handpan you might ask? It’s a unique instrument similar to a steel drum, originating sounds from an old analog synthesizer. Faizan has much versatility with the instrument also, and is revered as a handpan player. His first video for “Hang In There,” has been viewed well over thousands of times, and was credited as the “Best Handpan Videos of 1016” by the Didge Project. In addition to his solo work, Faizan also performs with progressive rock group, Skyrock, and experiments with the genres of classical, electronic, and new age music.
His latest single, “Aether,” is a collaboration with Romanian composer Xenti Runceanu and the Amadeus Electric Quartet, a stong group with international acclaim, drawing fans of classical music and contemporary pop, with viewership of their videos reaching over 120 million (!) times. (Hip Video Promo) The clip for “Aether” features Faizan in the Maldives near the Indian Ocean, taking the viewer to an idyllic place mentally and physically, and the water is of the main focus points in the video for “Aether,” and the members of the Amadeus Electric Quartet surround him.
In our interview with Faizan he talks about what drew him to become a handpan master, the creative freedom it brings, the video for “Aether,” and of course, his fun music favorites.
You are a handpan master! What drew you to it, and how does it allow you to express yourself creatively?
Faizan: I do not consider myself as a Handpan Master. I was drawn into it by watching the videos of Daniel Waples. Even though I’m a drummer/percussionist I do write melodies so since the handpan is both a percussion and melodic instrument; it really does allow me to express myself creatively.
You also play a variety of musical instruments. Is there one you’re drawn to the most, or at different times of your life?
Faizan: I’m mostly drawn to drums and playing with my band.
You create music solo, and with progressive rock band Skyock; how do both of these outlets allow you to express yourself creatively and artistically?
Faizan: In Skyrock the songwriting is mostly contributed equally among the band members, so in Skyrock I get to contribute with melodies and even with some arrangements.
Your latest single “Aether,” is a collaboration with Romanian composer Xenti Runceanu and the Amadeus Electric Quartet. How did the collaboration initially come about, and what was the creative process like between you and your fellow artists?
Faizan: When we reached out to Amadeus, my handpan parts were already written, so our plan was to send ideas back and forth on the strings, but when Xenti sent his first track idea on Strings and the piano it just blew me away, and we made it the final song arrangement.
What was filming like for the music video of “Aether”?
Faizan: Filming for the song Aether was a bit hard since we had two days to finish the shoot and the weather that time was pretty rainy, so we had to wait for that perfect moment until the clouds cleared.
Fun Questions
Who was your first concert, and who has been your favorite so far?
Faizan: John Mayer and that was the favorite so far.
What was your first album on CD and/or vinyl?
Faizan: The first Album I received was Black by Metallica
Which five albums and/or artists would you not want to live without?
Joe Satriani – Surfing with the Alien
Dream Theater – Octavarium
Dave Weckle – Heads Up
David Gilmour – On An Island
Dave Matthews Band – Crash
Do you have a guilty music or entertainment pleasure?
Faizan: No, I don’t.
How have you been keeping your creativity during the pandemic?
Faizan: The pandemic gave me a lot of time for songwriting, rehearsing, and to work on marketing as well.
Find Faizan on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Stream/download is music on Apple and Spotify.
