(1 September 2009 8:45 pm)

MUMBAI: Social networking site ibibo.com has partnered with Counter Culture Records to launch 'The Rising Rock Stars of India' initiative.

The initiative aims to encourage fresh talent and emerging rock bands across India. As a part of the platform, one band, every month, will get an opportunity to record a professional album and the same will be marketed by ibibo across the web and mobile.

The original compilations will be available for ringtone downloads and dedications on the web and mobile. Over the next 6 months, ibibo will produce six 'Rising Rock bands of India' and give them an opportunity to perform Live in various cities.

Says ibibo.com CEO Ashish Kashyap, “It is an unique online platform that promotes rock bands and brings them closer to their fans across the country. This programme is in line with ibibo’s vision to incubate talent in the country and give young, upcoming and rising Indian rock acts a chance to showcase themselves and release their albums”.

'The Rising Rock Star' panelists include eminent musicians and individuals like Amit Kilam from Indian Ocean, Randolph Correia from Shaa’ir + Func fame, RJ Malini Agarwal, Saurabh Kanwar from Channel [V] and KJ Singh.

Six rock bands will get a chance to cut an album with Counter Culture Records and ibibo.com. Each of the six rising rock bands will promote their album on a three-city tour, reaching out to audiences on-ground as well.

Counter Culture Records director Vijay Nair says, “Through ‘The Rising Rock Stars of India’ we hope to be able to give some of these bands exposure to a more professional set-up, the opportunity to explore their talent and to record an album."