A Chat With Zooel Morshed
You are one of the popular singers among the audience today. Let's hear about some of your albums and popular tracks.
My first album, "Ekla Prothom," was released back in 2010 and the song "Bol Tui Amaye Chere Kothaye Jabi," which I composed myself, was widely acclaimed. Kona was the co-performer with me in that track, and it was the first turning point in my career as a musician. The fans also liked the songs "Eka Eka Lagey Tumi Bihoney," with Porshi, and "Torey Chara." I wrote the lyrics for both these tracks and composed the music myself as well. After that, the song "Barchey Bhalobasha" was a raving hit, which was a track from my second solo album "Ki Upaye?"
You are also a famous sound engineer in the business at the moment. How did that happen?
Actually, I first came into this industry as a sound engineer. Through this I met a lot of people in the business and made contacts with people in music. Winning the 5th Citycell Music Award as a sound engineer was a big achievement for me.
So you've recently released a music video titled "Ki Upay." How is it faring with the audience?
I did not expect it to do so well to be honest. Many people have listened to it in very few days, which is a good sign for us. I think it was so well received because there are elements of humour in the music video. The fans have told me that they liked it and that is the most an artist can expect from a fan, so I am grateful to them.
Would you share a secret with your fans?
Many people know that I have acted and luckily, I had the opportunity to once act in a TV drama with the legendary Zahid Hassan. I was playing the role of a colleague of his who encourages him with troublesome ideas that ends up causing distress in his personal life. However, when the drama was being taken to be submitted to the TV station, it was taken away by some muggers and hence, it never had the chance to be on air, and I missed out an opportunity to share screen time with the great Zahid Hassan.
Who are your inspirations in singing? Who do you idolize?
I find Runa Laila, Bappa Mazumdar and Partha Barua very inspiring figures. I idolize Arnob, his work influences me a lot and he is a huge source of inspiration for me. I listen to his works whenever I finish a new song and it gives me immense courage to carry on.
Outside of music you are an anchor as well. How's that going?
This is more of a hobby for me, something I just like to do. I am hosting a show called "Aaj Shokal er Gaan" on ATN Bangla five times a week. I like to do it as there are people there from the music industry, and I like talking to them.
So what are your future plans regarding music?
A duet with Kona is due to be released after Pohela Boishak called "Garden, Garden." There will be a music video as well, and I hope it will gain the support of the fans as we have so far. Apart from that, Banglalink is coming up with a project called "Star Search," where they will hold programs all over the country to bring out the top 8 talented singers. There will be an album which will feature these 8 artists and I will be with that project as well. Apart from that I am working with a few other songs which the fans will come to know of soon enough.
Interviewed by Zahid Akbar and Narrated by Showbiz Desk