TINA SUGANDH - Bollywood on Billboard charts.

[lzinta]

Tina Sugandh (aka "TablaGirl") is amazing! It's nice to see her on the Billboard dance charts...she writes, sings, dances, and plays a drum called the tabla. Nice to finally see something different out there...lovin her right now.

check out this vid..its behind the scenes of her video shoot (the vids not out yet)

[HottItalianDJ]

The Chris Cox remix is outstanding!! BTW, how do you pronounce her last name? It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue...

[rossbarney2003]

Oooh I have been loving the Chris Cox mixes for a while now! I was wondering when I would hear more info about the singer. :)

[Chelsea Press 2]

Tina is an Indian-American singer who has been recording and performing for a few years now. Her first proper debut album is supposed to be released in the Fall. She was once signed to Hollywood Records and had recorded an album, however, the release never happened and they parted ways. She did contribute a few songs to some movie soundtracks and she did the theme song to the now canceled show Hope & Faith (used to air on ABC).

I first heard about her music when she used to host Asian Variety Show which aired on the Indian cable/satellite channel Sony TV (it's basically India's take on Entertainment Tonight or Access Hollywood. She used to co-host it and occasionally, they would show her performances and music videos. This was a few years ago.

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I first read about the song and its mixes by Chris at Rico's boards in early July. Amazon had the single already up then but the release didn't happen until later in the month. I liked the original, but I felt it was missing something. I'm loving the song though. I feel she sounds a little like Shakira on some songs especially with the whole vibrato thing she does with her voice.

The production on the Cox mixes fit the song well. I think this song needs a fierce tribal mix (moreso than Cox's) by a remixer that really uses the ethnic elements well. A Yinon Yahel, Offer Nissim or Friscia & Lamboy type mix would be great.

Sept 4, 2008 15:24:54 GMT -5 HottItalianDJ said:

The Chris Cox remix is outstanding!! BTW, how do you pronounce her last name? It doesn't exactly roll off the tongue...

Like this: Sue-Gunned

[CammyCan]

She is gorgeous :O!

Just heard this for the first time today, love it. It's so much fun.

[koolade]

I can't begin to express how much I love Chris Cox's mix of Break me. I had been playing it for past two months and the people love it(either that, or they are drunk, lol).

[lzinta]

That's awesome! A LOT of clubs are playing it....it's such a hot track to dance to! (I guess that's why it's on the Billboard Dance charts..lol) Does anyone know any clubs that play her stuff in NYC? Any DJs? I've heard it a ton in other cities in the past few weeks but not NYC yet.

[CammyCan]

Does anyone know where I can get the original, non remixed version of this? I can't find it anywhere.

[Chelsea Press 2]

Sept 5, 2008 17:57:08 GMT -5 CammyCan said:

Does anyone know where I can get the original, non remixed version of this? I can't find it anywhere.

It's interesting that the original version isn't available for purchase at the two major stores. I have been looking too. I recorded the song from her Imeem page to tide me over until I can buy it. Once it's available, I will buy it.

[lzinta]

I was actually wondering the same thing. Her album is not out yet, so maybe that has something to do with it? The footage posted above from the youtube site is behind-the-scenes footage from the original song and the real video isnt out yet, so maybe the label will put the original song out when the video is out? I don't know..labels are so complicated these days! Hopefully, her whole album will be out soon..I've been following her for years!

[Chelsea Press 2]

According to LkS at DJRicoMixshow, there are additional mixes of this song by SoundFactory and Freddy Basstone.

SoundFactory's mixes are his usual best. They are a bit more Offer Nissim-ish. These are a little more hard hitting than the Cox ones. The dub is really good.

Freddy Basstone's are in a similar vein as the original with the Indian instruments. But they're housey.

[devthep]

I been following this girl for years also - it's awesome to see that she's got some stuff coming out although where is the album girl!!!! LOL >:(

Haven't heard the sound factory remix, but I love the other two. I'm new to NYC - anyone know a good club I could find this at (that plays house, etc)?

[rossbarney2003]

The soundfactory mix is soooo hot! It hits the spot right from the start!!!

[MyLastView]

I love "There Is No Alternative".

[Az Paynter]

Soundfactory killed it! I'm not a huge fan of her stylised vocals on this song but somehow Soundfactory's production make it much less grating to me. :)

[Chelsea Press 2]

There was a short article in the Indian newspaper India West about Tina on the Dance charts. They mentioned that Tina's album Tablagirl will be released in January of 2009 on the Razor & Tie label.

[Az Paynter]

The Chris Cox mix is actually the only one I don't like. I'm a big fan of the Soundfactory mix, and Freddy Bastone's mix is good too.

[Wardly]

Have the SoundFactory and Freddy Bastone mixes been made available for purchase yet?

As someone else said, the SoundFactory mixes are simply stunning.

[lzinta]

I've only seen the Soundfactory mix on ebay. I missed purchasing the last one that was up there for sale, but it sold for $66 bucks, (and a 10-20 dollar version works a lot better for my budget... hehe).

[Chelsea Press 2]

Here is an interview the Perry Twins did with Tina a short time back. It was posted last Wednesday.

Tina Sugandh Breaks Through
Talented Tina Sugandh's hot track, Break Me, is currently on The Billboard Club Play Chart and she is definitely breaking in...

Perry Twins: You have a song on the new soundtrack for the movie, The Clique. Did you record the song specifically for the movie?

Tina Sugandh: Yes! This was actually a whole new experience for me. I always write my own songs, and I’ve been fortunate enough to write and sing on quite a few soundtracks now like “Around the World in 80 Days”, “Ice Princess”, “Raise Your Voice” and more. I also wrote the lyrics and melody for the songs on my debut album, “TablaGirl” which will be out in January. With the exception of the Christmas Classic, “White Christmas” which I recorded for the “Christmas With the Kranks” soundtrack, this is the very first time I recorded a song written by someone else. I felt somewhat like I was playing a role when I was singing it. It was a new experience, and it’s a really fun song! It feels great to be on the soundtrack!

PT: Do you base any of the songs that you write on personal experiences?

TS: Yes, absolutely. Most of the songs on my album are from personal experiences. “You Without Me” is about someone that I have loved so deeply every minute of every day of my entire life. “Jao” is about evading negativity and negative people and the importance of a peaceful positive state of mind, which I believe is so important to strive to achieve on a daily basis. “Indestructible” is about me being a powerful woman and knowing that no one can mess with me ever again now that I am self aware of my own worth. I really wanted to use my personal experiences to help self-empower those that connect with my lyrics. The only song on my upcoming album that’s not a reflection of who I am is “HisStory”, which is a song that reminds us of some of the highly valuable and healing messages that Gandhi strived to spread throughout the world.

PT: Who are some some of your favorite musical artists right now?

TS: I like all genres of music and I was raised with two different musical cultures, Indian and “American” which I am very grateful for. I go through these stages of immersing myself in artists from America and then switch to nothing but Bollywood soundtracks. Currently, I am addicted to the Bollywood soundtrack for “Tashan”…it’s simply amazing!

PT: Who are your inspirations when it comes to music?

TS: I’ve been performing with my family, The Sugandh Family, every weekend since I was five years old. Hearing the voices and witnessing the performance styles of my mother, father, and sister, Seema, have been my greatest inspirations. They have encouraged, loved, and supported me wholeheartedly throughout my life, and they are all on my debut album as it would not have been complete without them. For example, you can hear Seema’s voice on the intro of “T.here I.s N.o A.lternative”. Her voice is incredible!

PT: Chris Cox did a great job remixing Break Me. Do you have plans to work with him on an upcoming single?

TS: I would love to! I’m so very grateful to him for doing such an awesome job on the remix. I can’t believe it’s up to #7 this week on the Billboard Dance Charts!

PT: What are some similarities between Bollywood and dance music?

TS: Bollywood is all about the dancing! Personally, my favorite thing about dance music is how a really good beat can make you feel elated. The same thing happens to me with the music of Bollywood when I hear the sound of a dhol, tabla, naal, ghatam, and the tons of other percussion that is used. Also, there is a strong visual element to the word “Bollywood”. When I think of “Bollywood”, I visualize a multitude of vibrant colors, blissful dancing, happiness, joy, and tons of sparkles and glitter. This is similar to what I think of when I visualize the feeling of dancing to an amazing club track. So, I guess the short answer is “rhythm” and “elation”.

PT: Can you tell us a little about your experience filming your new music video?

TS: Shooting the video for “Break Me” was incredible. It was a long and hectic and very exciting day, and there was not a moment to lose focus or rest since we decided to challenge ourselves and do all three scenes in one day! We actually have footage of me having 30 minutes to totally change my makeup and oufit. The footage is of three people-one is tugging at my hair trying to straighten it, the other tugging to pull my fake eyelashes off, and the other tugging at my outfit to pin it correctly-all while I’m trying to keep my head straight in order to quickly shove a bite of lasagna in my mouth! Glamorous, huh? We chose to NOT edit that into the behind-the-scenes look at the video (which is currently on youtube). I am really excited for everyone to see the real video because it really sums up who I am. It shows the “Bollywood” me with all the vibrant colors and Bollywood choreography, and then it shows the “Hollywood” me with more slick colors and a hip-hop style of dance, and then the two worlds collide, and “Tina Sugandh” is defined!

PT: Break Me is currently #7 on the Billboard Club Play Chart and rising. Where can your fans see you perform Break Me live?

TS: Being on stage is home to me since I’ve been on it since I was five, and I can not wait to get out there and tour and perform “Break Me!” Right now I’m doing a few private shows, but my management and label are currently working on touring plans, so please do check my website for updates! (http://www.tinasugandh.com/)

PT: What do you have planned for the future and what projects are you currently working on?

TS: My album will be released in January, and so we are gearing up to do everything involved in releasing an album such as a press tour and a performance tour. My management is also looking into offers revolving around other passions of mine such as acting (I am signed to CAA), and starting a clothing line that is a genuine reflection of all that I have grown up with….a true “East meets West” clothing line with colorful and sparkly accessories as well such as bindis, bangles, foot jewelry, hand jewelry, and more! I also have done quite a bit of charity work in the past and and I really look forward to contributing more. I know that the more successful I become, the more I can give back. That is definitely the most fulfilling part of seeing my success grow!

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