Weinberg junior Saira Khan appears to be the typical outgoing Northwestern student with a love for music. But as the executive director of Niteskool Productions, one of NU’s oldest student groups, she has found a way to turn her passion for music into a once-in-a-lifetime experience by organizing concerts and student band performance and even overseeing the production of a music video.
When she’s not doing homework, Khan often can be found booking bands, schmoozing with public relations executives, keeping afloat of Chicago’s music scene and planning Niteskool’s second annual Spring Kickoff Show, to be held April 24 in the McCormick Auditorium ($3 with a WildCARD).
The Religion and African American Studies major sat down with PLAY to share how she feels about working on a music video and planning one of NU’s hottest concerts.
PLAY: What is Niteskool?
Saira Khan: Niteskool Productions is a 25-year-old organization. We bring Chicago bands in twice a year, as well as Northwestern bands. However, we’re most well-known for our music video, which we’ve won student Emmys for in the past.
PLAY: How did Niteskool get started?
SK: Niteskool was mainly devised as a group to help student music on campus in every way possible. Over the years, it has developed its identity as the “music video group.” But our main mission is to help student bands in everyway possible, and one of those ways is through the music video.
PLAY: As executive director, what do you do?
SK: I delegate tasks, develop different projects, work with ASG and others to make things run smoothly for our concert and throughout the year. I look over the money and the budget, also. Basically, I do a little of everything.
PLAY: How did you get started with Niteskool?
SK: I started off as an assistant producer for the music video, and from there I learned about all the things that Niteskool does currently and what they used to do. When I took over the organization, I really wanted to start up the things we did in the past and bring back all the great events that we did.
PLAY: Why did you choose to do Niteskool?
SK: I really enjoy different types of music, and I really like live shows and live music. I love going to concerts. I felt that Niteskool allowed me the most creativity and freedom to express my ideas. What I like about Niteskool is that it incorporates everybody’s ideas and efforts. Everyone is a really important part of the organization.
PLAY: How does Niteskool work?
SK: For the music video, the concepts are chosen by the producers, and they take petitions for the artists who will star in the video. They determine the length of the video and other characteristics. As far as shows are concerned, we take any band that’s willing to play that night, and we give them the freedom to sell their CDs, play as long as they want and do what they want to do. We make all of our decisions in the interest of Northwestern students.
PLAY: What is Niteskool working on right now?
SK: The Spring Kickoff Show is right around the corner. This is the second annual show that features bands from the Chicago area, as well as a Northwestern Band called Citizens on Patrol.
PLAY: What can the audience expect from this year’s performance?
SK: A really good show for a really good price. The Appleseed Cast is a really beautiful band. My mom loves the Appleseed Cast and she’s a 50-year-old Indian woman! Owen is a really great folk artist. Chin Up Chin Up is becoming very popular, and they’re gaining lots of national recognition, and Citizens on Patrol is just a really good-natured, great Northwestern band.
PLAY: What does Niteskool have planned this year?
SK: This year, we’re developing a television show for NU Channel 1. It will be kind of like a “Behind the Music” documentary programming about Northwestern bands and music. We’re also bringing back the compilation CD, which features Northwestern artists and bands on one CD, which will be available on June 5.
— Alexis Jeffries