Shock Waves

With a new album called Future Shock and a new record label,Bally Sagoo hopes to make 2013 eventful

THE future,according to international musician Bally Sagoo,is here and now. Its Bally Sagoo Version 2.0. Its a new chapter and 2013 is going to be one of the most important phases of my life, says the award-winning music producer and performer who launched his new album,Future Shock,at the Golden Tulip Ambient Resort amp; Spa,at the Morni Hills near Chandigarh,on Saturday. He also performed at the venue during the weekend.

His first studio album in almost 10 years,Future Shock has been recorded in Mumbai,Chandigarh,Africa and the UK. It is an eclectic collection of Sagoos various swings and moods, he says. As always,Sagoo has roped in new talent and incidentally,most of them are from Chandigarh and Punjab. I had been holding auditions for a long time,and this album took three years. It is very important for me to spot and promote new talent and India is full of it, he says.

The album has collaborations with newcomers such as Chandigarhs Harry Mirza who has sung Thori Ji Kori,Rupinder Kashmira Qadir and Sunita Bhatti who have sung Peg Peg,singing reality show participant Indrani Bhattacharjee,rappers and dance hall artistes from Africa Marvin B and IT,and aspiring Bollywood playback singer Rimu Dhar. It has 14 new songs in Hindi and Punjabi and one Bhangra track as well. The album is called Future Shock because its new and fresh, says Sagoo.

Before one can ask him about his future plans,Sagoo fills in the blanks. If I have not produced anything,that doesnt mean I was out of work. The last couple of years have been a whirlwind. I have been doing a lot of English/Hollywood projects with my partner,along with signing deals,scouting for new talent and recording music. We are looking at a couple of movies in Bollywood,and maybe a Punjabi movie too. That said,I have no interest in becoming a movie star or the next big thing. My interest lies in global music and making rockstars out of singers in India, says Sagoo. According to him,Indian talent is focusing only on acting and singing for films,and are not exploring other avenues.

India still doesnt have a Rihanna or a Justin Bieber. I want to take this talent and make them popstars, he says and adds that this is one of the reasons he has started his own record label,Fresh Dope Records,a UK and Belgium-based label. Launched towards the end of 2012,it is a division of Fresh Dope Industries an all-new,multi-faceted entertainment company that Sagoo will use as a springboard for television,movies,publishing and fashion projects in the coming months. Fresh Dope is about promoting new talent,and handling its merchandising,videos,films and clothing. This is just the beginning, he says.

The new year has also helped him rekindle old ties,especially with old friend Amitabh Bachchan. We are in touch and are planning to do something together soon, says Sagoo.

India,he says,is getting at par with other countries. It took me a long time to create a base here and be closer to friends again. And now that I am here,I will be releasing a lot of music,for I have recorded a lot, says the artiste who defines his music as light years ahead of everyone else.