Atif AFZAL AKA A-ZAL | The singer, who is also a New York-based songwriter and composer is known for his compositions for American TV series Loki, NCIS: Los Angeles and The Twilight Zone and for the films Resort to Love, Prague, Pune 52, among others. He speaks with SUPRIYA RAMESH about his association with Marvel, his journey and more
Tell us about your composition for Ms Marvel?
I have composed two songs for Ms Marvel. These are full-fledged tracks as opposed to the more dreamy track I did for Loki last year. Both of them are romantic and appear in the montage where the chemistry is building between Kamala Khan and Kamran. These tracks are very unique.
I was in talks with Marvel for a Bollywood style song since last year just after we finished Loki. So, when they approached me for it in April 2022, I initially thought it was for the same project. However, this turned out to be a new one. What’s interesting is that we wrapped up the entire process from the brief till the actual release was just two months.
How did your association with Marvel first begin?
It first started when they reached out to me last year for Loki. However, what’s interesting is that I was never told that it was for Loki since the project is kept confidential. But, I was amazed to know that I am going to be a part of the Marvel universe. It is Hollywood at its best.
Tell us about your journey into music. How did you make it from composing music for Marathi films to Bollywood and Hollywood?
The first film that I signed was Prague. It so happened that the Marathi film Pune 52 released before Prague. Interestingly, I was approached by the producers of Pune 52 after they saw the trailer of my film Prague. I knew the journey would be tough. I knew I was a crazy guy with a crazy dream and I knew I had to take one step at a time. I had no one in the industry at all. Not a single soul who would help me navigate this journey.
When I started in Bollywood in 2013, I did films like Prague and Monsoon Shootout which had western music and an international style score. Further, it had official selections at multiple global film festivals which gave traction to my career and recognition at the global level. Monsoon Shootout was at Cannes, which was a big deal.
Soon, I was approached for a German film called Gift for ARD Degeto Network in Germany. Then I did a thesis film at the New York University called The Alternative. That was my first independent American film.
I worked on several advertising commercials in the USA. And finally, the big breakthrough came when I did NCIS:Los Angeles and The Twilight Zone. This really propelled me to the giant projects which I did for Marvel.
So, it was one step at a time!
How did the pandemic take a toll on you professionally?
I’m going to give you an answer that you probably wouldn’t expect. I got my biggest breakthrough in Hollywood during the pandemic. The pandemic struck New York, and after a couple of months, CBS reached out to me for NCIS:Los Angeles. And, soon after I finished it, they roped me in for The Twilight Zone
What’s your take on India’s music scene when you compare it globally?
When I compare it globally, I know one thing. Indian music is one of the oldest music forms existing in the world today, and we need to retain that and stop copying the West. I feel we need to stop following what is trending and adopting a formula-based approach, but create what is unique and different. The Bollywood industry has an incredible amount of talent for sure!
What’s your personal style as a music artist? Who do you take inspiration from?
When it comes to film scoring, my personal style is very experimental. I take inspiration from composers such as Clint Mansell who has composed iconic scores and gave the world a new sound. As a pop singer, I take inspiration from Ed Sheeran. I love British singers. My singing style and song-writing style is very similar to that of Ed Sheeran.
What’s next?
I am in talks for another song for Marvel. There is also an interesting project going on with Netflix. What I’m most excited about is my American pop album called 17 & 11 Nights; Phonebook, Ride, Autopilot are a few songs from the album. The singles will be released later this year and that will, for the first time, bring the artist side of me to the world. I am currently shooting the music videos for my album.