Tina Sugandh
(born October 17, 1981) is an Indian born American writer, singer, tabla player, and dancer.
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Biography
Sugandh was born in
Mumbai, but moved with her family to
New Jersey in the
United States at age five months. Her mother Geeta Sugandh sang on the radio and at various functions while her father Kanaiya, was a
master of ceremonies, singer, and
comedian.
Sugandh and her sister, Seema, traveled with their parents to all of their performances. At the age of five Tina sang on stage for the first time. She sang a
ghazal and she and her parents recognized that she loved performing and they encouraged her to continue.
Throughout Sugandh's school years, the Sugandh family performed all over the U.S. and the
Caribbean, and gained a following in the Indian community. At one concert, Tina begged her father to let her take over for one song and play the drum that he played, (called the
dholak). Her parents decided to introduce her to a more intricate drum, the
tabla, a two-barreled percussion that takes years to master and is predominantly played by men.
At 15, Sugandh was discovered by Sean Harris, a screenwriter and creative mentor. Harris eventually convinced Sugandh that she should pursue music as a career and, to that end, spent time working on a demo. Between her studies as a biology major at
Rutgers University (where she eventually graduated on the Dean's List), and weekend performances with the Sugandh family, Sugandh worked with Harris, who arranged photo shoots and studio time for her and encouraged her to write her own music.
After Sugandh completed her demo and promo package she sent out hundreds of demo packages in order to get both a management team and writing publishing house.
Her persistence paid off when a friend introduced her to Sean Sullivan, who had been working with Maxwell,
John Mellencamp and
Jessica Simpson and was starting a new management company. Sullivan was impressed and had her perform for
Jay Jay French (
Twisted Sister,
Sevendust), his partner in the new venture. French was equally impressed and the duo signed her to their new company, Rebellion Entertainment. They spent the next year developing her songs and creating new demos. These demos lead to a publishing deal with
Warner/Chappell Music and a Sony deal.
Professional career
After signing to
Hollywood Records as a singer and to Warner/Chappell Music as a songwriter, Sugandh began hosting one of the popular program
Asian Variety Show on Saturday mornings.
Her original album was intended to be released by Hollywood records. She worked with producers
Lester Mendez (
Shakira,
Enrique Iglesias and
Jewel), Track & Field (
Nelly Furtado), Ming & FS, Dr. Luke and Danny P. Sugandh wrote or co-wrote all twelve tracks on the Hollywood album. Her family made appearances throughout the album, however, the album was never released.
From there, she went to
Sony Records and is currently with
Razor & Tie.
Sugandh has written and recorded over 60 songs. In 2008, Sugandh's remix of "Break Me" reached #4 on the
Billboard Dance Chart. In 2009, Sugandh collaborated with
Ringo Starr.
[1] "Why Not."
Discography
- River of Dreams - Around The World In 80 Days
(2004)
- There Is No Alternative (T.I.N.A.) - Ice Princess
(2005)
- White Christmas - Christmas With The Kranks
(2004)
- Lift Off - Raise Your Voice
- I Be What I Be - Masala! Mehndi! Masti! Festival (2005)
- Break it Down - The Clique
(2008)
- Theme song from Hope & Faith
with Kelly Ripa (2005)
Debut Album
Her first album, "TablaGirl", came out on May 12th, 2009. The following tracks are available on the album:
- Jao
- Bollywood Girl
- You Without Me
- Break Me
- HisStory
- Indestructible
- Patiently Wait
- T.here I.s N.o A.lternative
- Love Junkie
- Prisoner
- Stay
Additional Songwriting Credits
"ref">[2]==
- Bollywood Boy (With Fred Sargolini) (2007)
- Fantasy
- Girl Next Door
- Hooked
- I Spit Fire
- Inevitably
- Is It My Time
- Lift Off (also covered by Kristy Frank)
- Maybe
- Nasha
- Our Final Round
- Prisoner
- River Of Dreams
- Try a Little Me
- Unbelievable
- Yesterday
- You've Got Your Eyes On Me
References
- [1] - Ringo Starr Gets a Drum Lesson (Exclusive)
- Ascap