Zameer

Zameer is an award winning singer/songwriter ranked amongst Toronto’s top 10 live performers. Having performed in Canada, Pakistan, the US, and Norway to promote the release of his album, Zameer’s highly anticipated debut ‘From Under The Bleachers’ is in stores now.

Zameer's influences range from bands like Wham and N'Sync, Metallica and Alice In Chains, all the way to Eric Clapton and Sting. The result has spun Zameer's music into a unique pop/rock fiber that attracted five-time Grammy award-winning producer, Steve Thompson, to produce his work (Steve has produced Madonna, John Lennon and several others). Zameer's unique musical style led him to an invitation to exhibit his craft at a music industry showcase at the Fairmont Royal York during Canadian Music Week 2008, and to perform at Toronto’s Rogers Centre (Skydome).

Zameer's debut single 'Win or Defeat', produced in partnership with Canada's Paralympic Team, has created waves with its regular airplay on MuchMusic and MTV worldwide. With the music video starring Canadian Paralympic Gold Medalists, partial sales from Zameer's song are being channeled towards the Canadian Paralympic Foundation.

Drawn to music at a very early age, Zameer has always tried to make the most of his love for melody. Zameer spent eight months studying the mathematical ingredients of some of this era's hit music. His research paper, titled 'Auditory Scene Analysis of 20th Century Popular Music' was published by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Western Ontario.

Hi, my name is Zameer Rizvi. I live in Mississauga, Canada (a city that neighbors Toronto). I like to play squash and spend time with family in my spare time. My favorite toothpaste is Crest Ultra White, Clean Mint. If I had things my way, I’d eat that stuff for dessert every day.

I drive a Hyundai Accent because it was the cheapest car in the market when I was buying in 2004. I finished university with a degree in Electrical Engineering. It took me 5 years to complete the 4 year degree because I failed the one year that my dad passed away. In my first year, I lived on campus at Saugeen Maitland Hall which was ranked one of the top 10 places to get laid on the David Letterman Show.

I was born in Pakistan and grew up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia until age 11. My family moved to Lahore, Pakistan and then to Canada and we didn’t go back for 15 years. I was 16 then.

High school was a blur. I was not the coolest kid and got bullied quite a bit. I was a bit of an outcast. I was never really a good student. But I got through.

I always knew that I’d be a musician, but didn’t start actively building my music career until I graduated university in 2004. I then started 2 companies; one is a record label that I use to release my music. The other is a technology company. Some of my technology clients include Bell Canada and Research in Motion. Music is what motivates me in life. It's one thing I love more than myself. Not being able to work on my music is a question of life and death for me.

I don't remember when I started playing the guitar. It's my 5th limb as far as I'm concerned. I get confused when people ask me if I am good, or what I like to play. It's like asking someone if you are good at your arm, or what your favourite things to do with your leg are.

It’s taken me a long time to record my first album because of all the crap I was distracted with (above). The album is called ‘From Under the Bleachers’ and is based relationships, rebellion and other stuff primarily stemming my teenage years. I hope you like it.

I’m in love with a girl with a big middle toe.

Thanks for listening and reading. If you have any cool feedback, please email me at zrizvi@rizvirecords.com. I do read all my email, but get lazy with replying. I will reply to you at some point. I promise.