DASHA Logan’s father, Alleycats singer Datuk Loganathan Arumugam, may have left her 11 years ago but she still feels like it was yesterday.
“My dad has always been my hero and role model. It was he who introduced me to music. I miss him every day, but occasionally ‘meeting’ him in dreams has comforted me somewhat,” she told the New Straits Times in a recent telephone interview from London.
In conjunction with the 11th anniversary of his demise, Dasha, 30, plans to pay tribute to her father by re-recording a couple of Alleycats’ greatest hits.
She has yet to decide on the songs but promises fans they will have a hip and contemporary sound.
“The Alleycats are still going strong as a band under the leadership of my uncle, David (lead singer Datuk David Arumugam). However, the youths of today don’t know much about their songs,” said Dasha.
“Tweaking popular Alleycats numbers to connect them with young Malaysians has always been in my mind. However, I don’t want to rush things as these songs are iconic, and their reinterpretations have to satisfy the Alleycats themselves.”
Dasha has been given the green light by David and the Alleycats.
“My mum and elder brother are 100 per cent behind me in this project. With more than 100 songs to choose from, it’s high time today’s music lovers get to know the Alleycats well. The group has been appreciated by all races, age groups and walks of life. It’s a 1Malaysia entertainment success story.”
Dasha revealed that a family friend, pianist and composer Michael Veerapen, had also made the same suggestion.
“We’ve performed together in nightspots as Alexis Bistro and No Black Tie, and get along great. Michael is one person I’d most probably rope in for my re-recordings as he’s full of musical ideas.”
Dasha, who spends six months in London and the rest in Kuala Lumpur every year, will also rope in musicians and producers from the UK to assist her on the project.
“The songs will be accompanied by music videos and I may feature Malaysian actors in them. These videos will carry themes of national unity, since my father and my uncle were and are big champions of muhibbah.”
MOTIVATIONAL FRIENDS
Dasha also plans to write and compose a song in memory of her father. “It will take some time because it’s a very personal song. Once it’s ready, I hope that it’ll be a hit with Alleycats fans in Malaysia and abroad.”
On her upcoming projects, Dasha revealed that she will be singing at the Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri, Sarawak from today to Sunday.
“I’m really looking forward to this. Michael will be joining me, as will another great singer I admire — Datuk Zainalabidin!” she said.
Dasha recently became an ambassador of MVTV Asia’s Young Entertainment Star Malaysia programme, alongside comedian Nabil Ahmad, actress Elfira Loy, actor Zul Huzaimy Marzuki and singers Stacy Anam, Akim Ahmad, Roshan Nair and Ernie Zakri.
The programme which aims to inspire young Malaysians to excel in their careers is supported by the National Film Development Corporation.
“I’m honoured to join such a star-studded list of entertainment ambassadors. I believe entertainers make great motivational friends to young Malaysians!”
Dasha has had a No. 1 hit in the UK, Cleverly, which she wrote and composed four years ago. The song featured British singer Paul Johnson and topped the UK Soul Chart within two months of its release.