Electrifying, eclectic, EZ
"I sat at home for two years, restricted by nothing but my ego. I was in a dark place back then," said Ershad Zaman, taking a sip from his coffee cup. The seasoned guitarist, known for his stint with the iconic band Artcell, still commands a dedicated fan following who appreciate his remarkable contributions to music.
"Music in 2024 is a completely different game – a game of marketing, reels, streaming platforms, and whatnot. Unfortunately, I let my ego hinder my adaptation to this game, but that won't be the case anymore."
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The musician, renowned for his fluid, mellifluent solos and roaring riffs, was one of the core contributors to Artcell's seminal albums "Onno Shomoy" and "Oniket Prantor". After periodically releasing singles like "Fight Back", "Shobdahoron", and "Haranor Gaan", he is now embarking on a new journey with his band EZ, composed of young and energetic musicians.
As we took his pictures, he proudly displayed his Music Man guitar.
"Times are different now. I recorded my first album ("Onno Shomoy") with a guitar I borrowed from Ranjan of Arbovirus. Kids nowadays – and I don't mean to sound like a boomer (laughs) – have all the instruments, tones, and software at their disposal!"
Ironically, the musicians in EZ are all talented artistes from the upcoming generation. The lineup includes Ajoy Banik, Mahin Irtisum, Rezwan, and Dipalok Dip. The band is gearing up to release their first single. "Mahin, our guitarist, was born when 'Onno Shomoy' was released," remarked an amused Ershad Zaman with the beaming smile of a proud mentor. "That said, I've been nurturing this lineup for the past two years, so EZ isn't exactly a new band. However, we've only recently started performing regularly."
How does this lineup differ from his previous efforts? "Completely different. We were lucky enough to peak together in Artcell and define an entire generation," commented the guitarist. "We didn't produce music people wanted; rather, we made music we loved and taught people to love it. We aim to do the same with EZ – because music has evolved, and so have I."
The veteran guitarist elaborated, "We used to perform the 16-minute "Oniket Prantor" live in one go, but obviously, our bodies might not allow that now. What we can do is use our experience, expertise, and, most importantly, our souls to reach within and offer something new to listeners."
No matter how you look at it, the future seems bright for Ershad and his projects. He has already secured a tour in the USA in 2025. However, fans reading this article likely have just one question in mind.
The split between Artcell and Ershad Zaman was far from amicable, and the rather public fallout has been well documented. Still, fans across the country yearn to see them perform together again. Could a reunion be possible?
"It's difficult to say at this moment, but I do believe time heals all wounds. So, I won't rule it out," said Ershad. "Wherever I go to perform, fans ask me to play Artcell songs – they are my creations, after all. I haven't faced any restrictions from the members of Artcell so far. A band is nothing less than a family, and I have never spoken ill of my former bandmates. They are still like family to me. A reunion is very much possible."
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