Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

The Atif:I grew up in Pakistan, listening to same Rock of 80s and 70s. I decided about my calling when I first played Chariots of Fire soundtrack on piano. Life wasnt the same for me since then.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

The Atif: Thats my first name and in Persian it means the The Grateful- so I think I am an easy going guy and it befits my personality.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

The Atif: I think it is good to go independent. But again to make a big difference in your life monetarily- you need to make a big bang. So life for an artist is pretty much same as was in the days of CDs and labels.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

The Atif:Just do you own thing. Follow your own vibe. Enjoy your music and everyone else will too. Be the snake charmer- although snakes cant hear, but they like and respond to the charmers performance.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

The Atif:Yes, when you and the band dont have equal experience and skills- one can make errors. Since it is a collaborative art- your performance depends on everything from sound engineer to musicians, it is a team work. When one fails all can fail. I prepare and see if the rest of the team is of equal quality.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

The Atif:I have performed in Pakistan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India, US, Dubai and Italy- I like the way you connect with people through music. Few lines can turn strangers into friends. Yes, once I was in Thailand- I went upstage as they were singing Queens Breakfree- the singer knew me and gave me the mic and left. After a man came up to me and told me that he liked my band. I said it wasnt my band- he was shocked at my nailing the song. I came to know he was lead singer Harry of Mr. Pity. Later I toured with the band and we are still best of friends.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

The Atif:MJ was a driving force- although I sing rock because of my vocal texture. But my Tributes to MJ has worldwide acclaim. Songwriting, well- the song comes to me. It is about a feeling- I feel chords and situation to relate to it and bang. I record it.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

The Atif:Yes it is www.atifmusic.com and www.facebook.com/atifmusic . These two are linked with You Tube, iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and iHeart with 25 other online radios and stores.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

The Atif:Embarrassing- well I wont call it exactly that but I like Material Girl- off the hook to my style but I want to do a rock rendition of it. Dont doubt my orientations though 😉

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

The Atif: I would go to Thailand set up my own live venue with standup comedy and MJ theme bar. And make few movies.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

The Atif: I have this wonderful place called http://www.dungeonrecordingstudio.com/ with a coolest guy Dave as Producer/Engineer. We are two men army. He has Pro Tools and every latest gadget and application. For me I work on Logic Pro on my latest Macbook Pro. And then have Kenny Gates who arranges my music and Eric HW who does my guitars. So there are lot of tools with the team- that I cant even recall.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

The Atif: I think we are blessed to be in online age. You Tube and iTunes have to some extent liberated the artists to showcase their work and then be treated on merit. Facebook is also one platform that puts everything in access and in perspective.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

The Atif: I would love to sing Billie Jean with Michael Jackson. And tour yes Bryan Adams came to me and gave his guitar plectrum to me in Cape Town in South Africa- I was singing out loud during his unplugged Bare Bones Tour and he liked it. I hope I connect with him in near future again.

Exposed Vocals: So, whats next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

The Atif: Yes, pretty soon you will find me active on Exposed Vocals platform with my next single Autumn Blues- its almost baked and ready to be served. Working on the shoot as I get free with Arrow of Times engagements. Arrow of Time is my latest single that you can hear all over the internet and find its video and links my site www.atifmusic.com

Exposed Vocals: If you werent making music, what would you be doing?

The Atif: Would be a film maker. Still am. Online life- lets you do everything. You dont have to be physically present everywhere so your stuff rolls as you sit in a remote place and watch it happen.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

The Atif: Yes, Michael Jackson Thriller. I was lost from then till now. Its metaphysical mix and timeless vibe. Crawls on you and grows on you- irrespective of the duration you spent with it.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

The Atif: I do many things like copywriting, photography, poetry- besides music. So whatever keeps me fulfilled pays me. If not millions- but keeps my soul happy, alive and liberated.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

The Atif: More songs, may be a film I am producing/directing. And yes, lot of fun- creative ride, beautiful pictures, colorful life.
So much to look forward to.

Exposed Vocals: Anything youd like to say to your fans?

The Atif: I would like to dedicate this song to the sheer genius of Prince. I admire him as an inspiring, musician, colorful artist, songwriting visionary- and a human being who sticks to his strengths and shuts off his weaknesses as if they never existed only by overpowering them with his creative ideas.
The pop died with MJ and now funk is officially dead with Prince. I miss him much and dedicate this humble ode to his departure.