“The VISNS EP is more than just another project; it stands for a cause that’s greater than me. VISNS is a body of work that’s supposed to help listeners dig deeper into their thoughts and make sense of the visions they have for themselves. In a dark time, I found my peace in writing music, stories with an audible addition to them. Each song on this EP is a story within itself, a story about the inner fight to find peace, the struggle with anger and fear, and the relief of finally letting go. VISNS is a story about me finally finding myself and having absolute clarity about my future. 6 songs, 6 stories, 6 different feelings; that is what VISNS is. I hope everyone who gives it a listen is able to feel what I felt when writing these songs and finds out just a little bit more about their own VISNS.” – NAZAAR
VISNS just came out. Can you tell me more about your new EP.
VISNS is a story about my struggles with myself during the pandemic lockdown, and all the undealt with emotions I decided to write into songs! Each song on the EP tells its’ own distinct story, but overall the EP is meant to really give you a deeper look into my mind.
You are on tour with Krewella right now. How is that going? You are playing some awesome venues!
I’m so honored to be touring with Krewella, they are legends! So far the tour has been nothing short of amazing, I’m playing in venues I used to dream about playing in. It’s even better that I’m playing these shows with the duo I that I’ve looked up to since I was a kid. Surreal experience overall.
Your real name is Farhan Zahir. Where does NAZAAR come from?
NAZAAR is an Urdu (Pakistani language) word with a dual definition. It can mean vision, as in to see something, or The Evil Eye, as to allude to people’s malice intentions taking form as a sort of evil vision they cast upon you. NAZAAR came to me from my background, my grandmother and mother are very superstitious people and through my childhood they constantly told me to be weary of people’s ill-intentions. It was from a few childhood experiences in my formative years, and timing, that led to me choosing to use the name NAZAAR.
What can fans expect when seeing you live? I bet it’s loud!!!
I like to bring high energy everywhere I go, so it’s most definitely VERY loud. (Laughs.) A very important aspect to my live sets are setting the tone, each set is a story within itself, and from start to finish I want to take you on a journey.
A few years ago you released a remix of “Sick Boy”. Tell me more about that release and do you need permission from The Chainsmokers to release a remix like that? Curious how that works.
The Chainsmokers hit me up in early 2018 and asked me if I wanted to be a part of their remix package for their single “”Sick Boy”. Of course I had to say yes, and I made a remix! Unfortunately, due to timing, I didn’t make the cut for the official release; but they encouraged me to put the remix out regardless, and Columbia Records cleared my remix.
When performing live, do you change it up every night or are you using the same setlist?
Every night is a different vibe, some nights I decide I want to go hard and start mosh pits, other nights I want to chill out and have everyone vibing, and some nights it’s a combination of both. It really just depends on how I’m feeling!
There are a lot of big festivals out there… What are some of your favorites to attend? Any you are hoping to play this year?
I absolutely loved attending HARD Summer this last year, and I had the honor of playing 2021 Beyond Wonderland SoCal, and 2021 Lost Lands Music Festival. I’m really hoping I can play at Bass Canyon Festival Featuring Excision, Countdown NYE, and more!
Tell me more about “WAR CRY”. Who wrote the lyrics and who did the vocals on that single?
“WAR CRY” was originally a remix of Antiserum, Definitive, and Virus Syndicate’s record “Warning”. The original song was released by Never Say Die Records (RIP), and my remix gained support from Excision. Once Excision dropped the record in over 5 sets, I knew I had to do something more with the song. So I hit up Virus Syndicate and asked them to write some lyrics for the song, they happily obliged, and boom… “WAR CRY” was born!!
What is your favorite single on the new EP?
I love all the songs so much, they all have a spot in my heart, but “WITH U” has got to be one of my favorites. In addition to releasing the song, I also put out a full length music video for it as well, and that video shoot was one of the most fun times I’ve ever had.
How did you get your music on Headspace? Over 1 million streams… That’s impressive, man.
All natural!!! I didn’t expect the support to pour out like that, but it did!!! I’m so so grateful.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
No doubt it has to be Martin Garrix at Neon Desert Music Festival 2018 in El Paso, Texas. The visuals, lighting, his stage presence, and the nonstop classics made me feel a way I can never describe.
You have over 13k followers on Instagram. How often are you posting there and what sort of content are you sharing?
I’m always posting photo dumps, outfit photos, updates on my life, shows, music, etc…
What is your process when producing a new track? Do you just come up with it or do you sit down and work until it makes sense?
For the most part music just pours out of my brain, I hear a melody or come up with an idea in my mind and try my hardest to replicate it into a full-blown production. I try not to stress too hard about the creative process, and make it as natural as possible. I struggle with that at times though.
It seems like every DJ has a podcast. Any plans to do that anytime soon?
My friends and I have definitely talked about it, but as of right now I have no serious plan on starting any kind of podcast.
What names do you like? Curious who you are listening to when not working on a new single.
I’m all over the place when it comes to music taste so I’ll list my top 5 right now (in no particular order); Drake, Tame Impala, Don Toliver, Eptic, Leotrix.
What’s next for NAZAAR?
A lot of new music, a lot of different styles. I’ve always prided myself in being an open minded and diverse person and producer, and I want to show the world what I’m capable of outside of dubstep/riddim/bass music. I think the beauty of being a music producer is being able to make whatever genre, while still making it feel like “your own”. I got a whole lot of festivals, and shows coming up too!
Thank you for doing this, man. In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Thank you so much for having me, truly. To anyone reading out there; make sure to take care of yourself, always love yourself unconditionally. Don’t stress about the things you can’t control, and always remember the past is the past, we can’t change it, the future is unknown so we can’t control it, but right now is a gift, that’s why we call it the present. Enjoy the moment. STREAM VISNS.
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