The singer of unconventional song “Tu Bhi Draamebaaz” Geet Sagar gives the low-down of his journey from Gwalior’s life of RJ to Mumbai’s life of Singer
- Birth Date: 24 February 1984
- Genres: Pop rock, semi-classical, playback singing
- Born place: Hissar, Haryana
- Occupation: Singing, Event Manager, Writer, Actor, Radio Jockey
- Instruments: Guitar, Vocals
- Labels: Sony Music, T-Series, Saregama
- Residence: Andheri West, Mumbai
- Parents: S.K. Shrivastava (Father), Archana Shrivastava (Mother)
- Years Active: 1993 – Present
- Awards: X Factor India 2011 and Gwalior Ratna
1. Greetings Geet! Let’s get to know you a little bit here? Does Geet Sagar really means sea of songs?
Obviously, my name is an identity, about me as a person. A happy-go-lucky and emotional guy. I love travelling, reading, writing and I am philosophical in nature.
I did graduation from Madhav College, Nai Sadak, Gwalior in year 2004, then I went to Mumbai to study Journalism in Mass Communication. After that I did one year of event management and did lots of freelance events. Then came to Gwalior in 2007. I joined Lemon 91.9 FM and did Radio Jockeying till September 2009. Thenceforth I left my job because I realized music nahi ho raha (music is not happening).
I started the first professional music band in Gwalior called “Mad o wat” in 2008. Later ego clashes happened in the band and I left the band in 2009. I concentrated on solo music.
I gave X Factor India auditions in December 2010, there they called me to Delhi for next rounds in March 2011. Ambrish Anand took me to Agra for auditions. I was got rejected eight times in music auditions earlier so I had lost my interest in giving auditions again, I told him that make me free very soon as I want to see the Taj Mahal. Before X Factor auditions I was in Indian Idol 1 top 70 list.
X Factor guys said that they will call me in next ten days to Delhi. Days passed and there was no call. So, I registered my event company and started my work. In March they called me and on 28 August 2011 I won the X Factor India title.
Many at the show were disappointed with my win. There were very less people who congratulated me at the show. X Factor is not all about singing. Seema Jha the runner-up got the majority of judges. But it’s all about who audience is voting and it was me. Yes, luck is always there. Sony Music didn’t gave me work for eight months, I was at home. I requested to come out of contract and they thankfully let me from the contract.
In July 2012 I recorded “Tu Bhi Draamebaaz” from movie “Nautanki Saala” for Mikey Mccleary. He gave me début after I sang many jingles. Mikey is from New Zealand and he can’t understand Hindi. But still he compose Hindi songs and developed trust in me which was amazing.
I recently sang for Mr. Vijay Verma in two films which is yet to be released. I have sung for movie “Cash hai toh aish hai”.
2. Apart from singing do you ever felt about writing the songs and composing them?
I do write, I prefer writing raps and poems. Rhyming and restricted writing I can’t do. I can’t write instantly. I like freedom.
3. What were the first things you wrote?
It was based on Kargil War which I sang in 1999. The lyrics got really famous. I saw people crying when I sing it. My dad made the music for that song. Its goes like, “Maa Babuji ko mana, yaad bahut mai aaunga, behna na rona, vapis na aa paunga” (I agree to mother and father, I will be deeply memorized, sister don’t cry, I won’t be able to come back).
4. Who are your biggest musical influences?
Firstly my dad, Mohammed Rafi sahab and Sonu Nigam ji. Personally, I like old classics. In English music, I was greatly influenced by Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Adele, Robbie Williams and John Mayer.
5. How long did it take you to create a song?
In studio I get the lyrics, music director gives me the tune, mood of character and his situation. I even like to experiment with the song. Like while singing “Tu Bhi Draamebaaz” I had to visit studio seven times. Sometimes lyrics were changed or sometimes tune. I had to come back from Goa even after recording the song. Usually it takes 1-2 hours in recording one song. Delivering a good song is a challenge.
6. What motifs do you fall back on?
I think I am a lost type of person. I am emotional due to which people take advantage of me. I can’t evaluate people. Sometimes I even deviate from work.
7. How many minutes of song have you recorded so far?
45 minutes.
8. What’s your favorite memory while completing a project?
My friend who helped me meet Mikey Mccleary, I was not friends with him after the song was released.
9. If you could bring back one artist or band from the past, who would it be?
It would be Mohammed Rafi sahab.
10. Can you reference an album or film that continues to influence your work today?
“Michael Jackson’s This Is It” gave me lots of inspiration. It developed that fire in me.
11. You celebrity crush?
Shreya Ghoshal and Neeti Mohan.
12. When you are planning to marry? What qualities you find in a girl?
Whenever I will find a good girl I will marry. I want a friend who I can share everything. She should understand my music and me. I am complicated in nature. She should accept the ups and downs in music career.
13. What hidden talents do you have?
PJs
14. What did your family do to encourage you?
They have always been there. My family never say no to me. They are the wind beneath my wings.
15. Who else in your family sings?
Dad is a great singer. He acts and writes also. He is very passionate about music.
16. What kind of music do you listen to today?
I still listen to Hindi and English classics.
17. What embarrassing songs might I find in your MP3 player?
“Tamma Tamma Loge” from film Thanedaar and “Mein Se Meena Se Na Saqi se” from film Khudgarz.
18. Where would you most like to perform?
I would like to perform at an annual function in MITS College, Gwalior as it’s my imagination since childhood. I would love to perform at Phool Bagh ground in Gwalior for my city with around eight thousand people covering the ground till the streets. And ofcourse Royal Albert Hall, London is every singers dream.
19. Tell us about your life at Bollywood music industry?
I would like to say, from many years I have understood one thing that it’s lonely. You are lonely in between the crowd and it’s the truth.
20. If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing?
I would be roaming around, it wouldn’t be peace.
21. What genre of music can’t you stand to listen to?
I think death metal I can’t relate to.
22. To someone reading this interview, give our reader one important piece of advice if someone was looking to get into this side of occupation.
Nothing happens overnight. I would also like to say to the parents that don’t restrict your kids. If your kid is in medical or engineering field you would expect Rs. 50,000 salary from him, but if he wants to be singer or cricketer then you won’t expect Rs. 50,000 salary from him. Let your children choose their field.
I follow the quote by Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, “Seekhna band toh jeetna band!” (Stop learning and you’ll stop winning).
23. Finally, give us one word that immediately comes to mind when we say “Geet Sagar”.
Lives his name.
Bingo……u deserve much more…keep singing and stay blessed