AFTER a successful tour of the United Kingdom last month, rock group Alif Satar And The Locos (ASTL) will soon share the stage with veteran Paris-based Malaysian crooner Dato Shake.
The group's leader and vocalist Alif Satar and Dato Shake or Datuk Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad, 73, will be collaborating for the first time in a two-hour concert in the French capital city in October.
HOLIDAY SEASON
"We are currently looking for a suitable concert venue in Paris. I have only been to France's capital city once," said Alif.
He added that October was the school semester holiday season in the country and Malaysian students there could easily turn up for the concert which specially targets them.
"We are very excited to perform in Paris for the first time with a Malaysian legend we have always looked up to," said Alif.
HOTEL CHAIN
The versatile artiste also explained that he and his band were honoured to perform their newest song Kumandang for international hotel chain Marriott Bonvoy.
"It is our first collaboration with a famous hotel chain. Marriott Bonvoy aims to promote its hotels around the world with us, using the power of music," said Alif.
BALI STUDIO
He added that the Kumandang project which was their joint venture with the hotel chain enabled music lovers who attended the band's concerts to stay and enjoy the facilities at any Marriott hotel closest to the concert venue.
"This partnership with the hotel chain was made before Ramadan. We recorded our new song at Studio W in Bali, Indonesia over three days," said Alif, adding that veteran singer Datuk Sheila Majid had also recorded songs in the same studio.
EDRY ABDUL HALIM
When Alif's band visits France in October, they will make a detour to Manchester, the United Kingdom to meet singer and composer Edry Abdul Halim of KRU who is now based there.
"We hope to plan some musical projects with Edry, an old friend whom we have always admired. On the way to Paris, we will drop by at his place in Manchester," said Alif.
ZEPP KL
ASTL serenaded fans with Indonesian singer Anggi Marito at Zepp KL in Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur on Jan 7.
The band which was established in 2018 emerged as the third placed winner of the 37th Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL 37) for the song Anugerah Terindah.
ONE IN A MILLION
Alif, who hails from Penang, first became a household name in 2006 when he participated in the 8TV reality talent show One In A Million Season One.
He finished third behind his fellow singer-songwriters Suki Low and Faizal Tahir.
NATIONAL DAY
Besides being a pop and R&B singer, Alif is also famous for performing patriotic songs such as the 2016 and 2017 National Day theme song Malaysia Sehati Sejiwa.
Alif is also a talented actor who has starred in several films and television dramas including the acclaimed horror adventure Pulau which was screened in cinemas last year and also made its way to Cambodian cinemas.
MOTHER'S DAY
Johor Baru-born Dato Shake started his singing career in France in the mid-1970s.
Best known for his Mother's Day tribute song Ummi, he sings in Malay, English and French and also served as the principal of the 13th and final season of Astro reality talent show Akademi Fantasia in 2016.
Dato Shake had planned to perform in Zepp KL on Dec 16 last year but his concert was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances.