We had a pleasant interview with the witty composer A-Zal, who composed music for Marvel movies and series as well as TV series that most of us love. Now he’s invading the music scene with his pop release, “Movie Script,” which will be followed by other singles from his upcoming album, “17 & 11 Nights.”

A-Zal is the moniker for Atif Afzal, a composer and singer-songwriter who is Indian by blood, grew up in London, and is currently based in New York. “Movie Script” is his first song release; however, he’s well-known for his music compositions for films like “Resort to Love,” “Prague,” “Pune 52,” “Monsoon Shootout,” and “Baji.” As well as the American television series “Ms. Marvel (miniseries),” “Loki (TV series),” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “The Twilight Zone.”

You can read along to learn more about the bombastic release and A-Zal himself.

Interview Questions

• Hello, A-Zal! Congrats on the smash successes of “Movie Script.” As this is your debut single, did you aim to make it a hit? Or you didn’t expect it to rank on the chart so soon?
  Absolutely! It was a conscious decision to release “Movie Script” as the debut. It had many factors which made it a radio friendly song and a track that would connect with the audience. I definitely had a feeling that the song would be picked up by the radio stations. However, I really never expected it to be played alongside some of my favorite artists like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa and Miley Cyrus. And, the biggest achievement for the song so far has been that it entered the Mediabase Activator charts and I happen to be one amongst the three independent artist in the top 51.
   

• You built quite a cinematic atmosphere in every element of the song. Why did you choose movies to be your debut’s theme? Does it have something to do with you being a seasoned composer for films’ music, or does it have a more personal tale?
  It’s a combination of both these factors. The theme of the song is to celebrate life as if it was a movie. That’s where the name Movie Script comes from. I live my life like a movie script and it has been full of ups and downs. But, I felt it was quite dramatic and cinematic. For a boy who performed in New York subway stations to make it to Marvel Studios films was just like a movie to me. To add to that, movies have been a big part of my professional life in the last decade and I wanted to have an element from that into my album too. 

• The process of writing and recording “Movie Script” must have been exciting and different. Can you walk us through it?
  The process was very exciting. In my production, every element of the song needs to make a statement. Movie Script is based on a strong baseline which is quite catchy and easy to even sing the baseline. The melody of the song is quite easy to pick up and the chorus is unique, yet strong. When I finished production of the song, we spent a month in just eliminating a few elements from the song so that every existing part makes a strong statement in the song. Every musical element demands a place in the final mix of the song.

• It’s different to write music for a specific plot than to write it from your heart and soul to express yourself. So I believe that everything happens at the right time, but is there a reason you didn’t decide to make your own earlier?
  When I write for a movie, I’m always given a brief and a character. I didn’t write about my story earlier as I wanted to travel a journey before penning it down into songs. Besides that, I was really enjoying writing for movie characters. I got to write soundtracks for some amazing Marvel Characters such as Loki which was played by Tom Hiddleston and Ms. Marvel, which was played by Kamala Khan.  

• How did it feel to write music as you really desired, not as a certain scene required?
  I have always loved writing music for movie characters and scenes. But in my album, I am writing all the songs which are based on me, and only me. I want my fans to know about me through my songs. This was quite a major shift. Although the songwriting process remains the same, the narrative is much more clearer as I am the character here.

• Not only was the song distinct, but so was its music video. Can you take us behind the scenes and tell us more about the idea and execution of the video?
  Music Video is a natural extension of the song and I wanted to take my listeners to a cinematic world to match up to the lyrics of the song. I had the concept in mind, but couldn’t find a right fit for the direction team. So, I decided to self-direct the music video. This was the first time I was directing a music video, so it had its challenges. But, I had the storyline crisp and clear. It was all about executing it right. All of a sudden, I find myself setting up a new team for the video. But, this really paid off when we finished work on all the animation. The video has crossed 135k views on YouTube within 2 months of the release and I feel rewarded for my efforts. Many fans reached out to me saying that they loved the music video more than the song!

• The song is an energizing teaser for what comes next. Can you give us a glimpse of the upcoming album?
  The upcoming album will be mainstream pop. I am releasing songs in an order that will take my listeners into my journey. There will be some surprizes too! For instance, my next song ‘Lonely Town’ is totally different from ‘Movie Script’. Not only the song, but also the music video is totally different. My next album ’17 & 11 Nights’ will be released through ten singles and you can expect a lot of new releases in the coming months and years.

• “Movie Script” might be your debut, but you’ve released mesmerizing covers before. Based on your Spotify and Instagram profile, you’ve done Justin Bieber and Harry Styles’ covers as well as a lot of Ed Sheeran’s covers, and I have to say you do sound a bit like Sheeran in the covers. Would you say that Sheeran is your influence?
  Ed Sheeran is the reason why I am doing my personal album. And I have been referred to as the “American Ed Sheeran” so many times. It kind of feels nice to be compared with an artist who you love so much. Although, my songwriting and vocal texture is different that Ed Sheeran, but his songs have always inspired me in a big way. I was so occupied in film music that releasing my own music took a backseat. It is after I heard “Perfect” that I was moved enough to make another bold decision in life, which is to release my own album. Ed Sheeran’s music has a huge role to play in my music and life.

• Back to where it all started, it’s a leap of faith to move to New York and leave everything behind. Did you have a specific plan when you made this decision, or just faith in your talent?
  Talent without a plan could be a perfect recipe for disaster. Leaving behind everything, a life, a career, family and migrating to another country is one of the boldest moves one can make in life. I had a solid plan of action though. Before migrating to the USA, I used to come here 2 to 3 times a year to network and set some ground for myself. I went film producers, musicians, managers, music houses, everyone I could meet. I also landed up in Hans Zimmer’s studio in Santa Monica, LA. I knew I had to get my foot in Hollywood first. It took me three years to create a splash in Hollywood. And, now it was the right time to do what I came here for. Release my own music to the world!

• Indian music differs from the music in the American scene, indeed. In the future, would you make an album or a song that pays tribute to your Indian roots, or hasn’t that idea crossed your mind so far?
  I have finally found my sound and will not digress away from it. It can take an artist years to find their real sound. I have done a ton of film scoring and also done world music. But, mainstream pop is my sound. It’s almost an amalgamation of Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa. From here on, my listeners can expect more of this for the upcoming albums. 

• You have a mind-blowing discography regarding film and TV series’ music compositions. What was the most challenging project you composed music for?
  Without a doubt, working with Mavel Studios was the most challenging part of my career. When you work with Hollywood’s best production studios, you have to give your best. Just giving a 99% doesn’t work. It tests your limits and pushes you to do your absolute best. You know that millions of people all over the world literally wait for Marvel movies and series to be released. Specifically, Ms. Marvel was really challenging as I had to compose keeping the cultural diversity in mind and still keep it commercial sounding. 

• Each project you worked on was different, so it required a genre that would suit it best. What genre felt like your niche?
  For film soundtracks and scores, I love hybrid orchestral sounds and my scores were often very experimental. I literally have recorded random things like a drill machine in one of my film soundtracks. 

• Finally, thank you for your time! What plans do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?
  2023 has more releases lined up, which I will be announcing soon. For now, I am really excited to see how the audience reacts to my next single ‘Lonely Town’ releasing on October 6. This song is my tribute to New York city, the city that gave me everything. I have also self-directed this music video and it is a story telling narrative shot in New York and Brooklyn. It captures my struggle days in New York and how the city was the wind beneath my wings. I performed in Subway stations and the tips left by the listeners meant the world to me. From a subway performer, I went to work with Hollywood’s top studios and charted in US radio. This is a song really close to me, and I hope the audience gives it as much love as it did to Movie Script.