AMDG
Rock Philosopher
  • Home
  • Guestbook
  • Rock Philosopher
    • Press
    • Gallery
    • Podcasts on Mixcloud
    • Podcasts on Soundcloud
    • Podcast on Youtube
  • Andy Wright
  • John Will Sail
  • Toby Willems
  • Gabriel Lynch
  • Rapscallion
  • Boaz Zippor
  • Contribute

STONE FREE 4 SPECIAL EDITION

1/29/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Sticky Rice always deliver an epic performance.
Despite rain, heat, delays and supply shortages, the show went on! Stone Free 4 seemed cursed from the start with the police shutting down the event at the original location in Saraburi just days before the festival was to take place December 11-13, 2015. A new location was quickly found in Minburi but the headaches did not end. Early Saturday morning after a night of awesome performances by The Sticky Rice and Stylish Nonsense, the sky opened up and the rained poured. If your tent was not water resistant or you forgot the rain cover, this was a bad time to find out. .

Picture
Tents setup for food vendors selling staple rice dishes like pad krapao moo, fried chicken and mini hot dogs.
Picture
Lil Fatso at Stone Free 4 Friday night. It's very pretty but the mosquitos are vicious.
I forgot the rain cover for my tent and held up an umbrella as rain entered through the air vent. A recon mission for the missing rain cover outside was unsuccessful and I quickly learned what happens when walking with shoes through mud – instant cement feet as the brown earth caked to the leather of my favorite shoes. Curses flew at mother nature and Zeus for pissing on the sacred ground of a festival I'd been waiting on for an entire 2 years. (Apparently this is what festivals are like in UK.) In defeat, I retired to my Tesco-Lotus bought dwelling and attempted to remove said mud from shoes and smeared filthy hands on tent walls as a distress call. Eventually, the rain dissolved into a drizzle and sleepy dreamtime arrived again. 
Picture
Saturday morning, festival campers experience the mud walk and sunbathe by the lake.
As the sun began to rise and campers arose from their slumber, they were met by landscape resembling images from Martian photography. People moved slowly through the wet clay earth to the portable toilets and showers. The aftermath of a natural disaster came to mind as the sun baked everything from skin to earth and the music was delayed to allow ground and gear to dry. From my campsite next to the traveling outpost of Fatty's Bar and Diner, the slider truck dubbed Lil' Fatso, I watched the wheels of supply vehicles spin in the mud to kill the boredom and the foreboding sense we'd all be dried into beef jerky by end of day. The discovery we had collectively drank all the beer from the single beer vendor the night before added more frustration. Some festival goers showed visible signs of meeting and surpassing the breaking point – there would be a few campers going home to their nice clean, air-conditioned condos before the music even started again.   
Picture
Vendor tents on Saturday morning. Notice the ground looks like sea shells. It's just soft wet earth.
By the time the mud dried, the music started and the beer and ice arrived, things were beginning to feel more festive again. As the cold liquid named after the Thai word for elephant coursed through my system and the live bands appeared, the pleasant sense of serenity filled me once again.   
Picture
That's Stone Free organizer Tokin Teekanun on the right.
Picture
Stone Free production crew working overtime... waiting for things to dry.
And now onto the music...

THE STICKY RICE

Picture
The Sticky Rice - Tommy Hanson in foreground contributing to that trademark Sticky sound.
The Sticky Rice are easily one of funnest live bands to catch in the city. If you were looking for a straight ahead reggae dub step band this is not it. It's The Sticky Rice – if they sounded like just another reggae band I'd write They'd played it safe in a genre established decades ago – but no, they do their own thing with their own sound. The dreadlocked frontman Puttitorn “Pook” Taypabood will impress with his aerial acrobatics jumping on the table holding his keyboard and lifting his synths as if they were scripture. There's a lot of Jimi Hendrix in the energy level and they get an audience on their feet. One of my favorite bands with stellar musicianship and creativity.    

Stylish Nonsense

Picture
Stylish Nonsense
Stylish Nonsense – a set with June on a drum pad and Pok on his keyboards and synthesizers – you may scratch your head waiting for a song but the music is never boring and seeing them perform is to watch living legends doing the shaman ritual which seems to invite all others to do the same. Thai indie rock MVP, Pok, spends much time bent over his gear swaying and nodding his head in synchronicity with the music while June brings some experimental jazz-inspired drumming to the table. 

STREET WRECK

Picture
Street Wreck
Street Wreck – a 2-piece wrecking ball with Nathan, of Brisbane, Australia on guitar and vocals and Iman from Jakarta Indonesia, on drums and backup vocals. There's definitely a Pixies sound there but they can hold their own against other bands with more members and a bassist. No doubt they may initially field questions about whether they were looking for a bassist but never found one, there's something to be said about bass-free bands like Two Gallants, Black Keys and Helio Sequence not to mention The White Stripes. And now Street Wreck?  

LOWFAT

Picture
LowFat arrive on Saturday morning in time for breakfast. (L-R: Yusuke, Yu, Top, Sano; Matthew cooking up breakfast in background.)
LowFat – Lowfat are nearly impossible to shoot to my satisfaction so they are the one band gets the posed photo. Saturday afternoon was blistery hot and you would not be surprised to see the drum set burst into flames incinerating everything (and everyone!) within a 50 meter radius. But the question would linger? Did the sun destroy everything or did LowFat destroy everything? Music historians would debate this for eons. If you blink your eyes you will miss an entire song... you might even miss the entire set! Lead screamer Sano-san, claims his lyrics are inspired by nursery rhymes – we're not sure if that was a serious comment or nursery school in Japan truly is a string of nightmares that last but 30 seconds or less. I was hoping to see Sano dive bomb some hippies sitting down with beach umbrellas and sun tan lotion but the stinging heat meant many peeps were hiding in their tents... or maybe they were just hiding from LowFat? 

MONOMANIA

Picture
Monomania
MMMonomania – Easily written off as a Radiohead-esque band, there is still tight musicians, knocking out great songs with a dynamic live show. The song “Cancer” does grab me every time and Stone Free 4 was no exception. They were also lucky enough to be performing at a time when the light was most beautiful. The band has often seemed to be an anomaly on the Panda Records label with a more commercial sound than most of their other label mates and unsurprisingly appear to be a band destined for the big leagues... which is fine by me - I have an autographed copy of their debut album from the record release and maybe one day that will be gold? Radiohead comparisons aside, they are still a formidable band, definitely a challenge to bigger Thai bands (when they steal away awards). I'm looking forward to the next record which will need to be as good or better than their 2014 debut and introduce a new sound and direction (in order to appease grumpy music critics). 

THE PHOTO STICKER MACHINE

Picture
The Photo Sticker Machine
The Photo Sticker Machine – Immensely enjoyed with The Photo Sticker Machine. Van from Degaruda and aire thought they had the best performance from what he saw on Saturday night. Their Facebook page categorizes the music as electro-dub-lounge. The music was mesmerizing with a tight backup band (a pickup band?) consisting of the guitarist and bassist of Hariguem Zaboy. The drummer was awesome – tight as a cat's ass (please don't do anything improper with a cat) and I was later informed he was T Bone's drummer. Some ethereal chillout music which I will definitely seek out again.  

BASEMENT TAPE

Picture
Basement Tape
Basement Tape – One of my earliest influences and introductions into Bangkok indie music, the 4-piece performing at Stone Free 4 featured Ben Edwards on guitar and vocals, Tat Bunnag on guitar and vocals, Ki on bass and Nat from Triggs and the longest Day and Summer Dress subbing on drums for Put Suksriwan. They open up with two readily recognizable songs for Basement Tape fans, “I Can't Take it” and “Sunday Driving” from the self-titled album released on Spicy Disc. It's rare I see a Basement Tape performance – maybe I saw them once in 2015 – and it's still a delight to rock out to my early heroes of Bangkok underground. I probably spent a disproportionate amount of time listening to Nat's drumming listening for missteps and missed time changes (the last time I saw Nat playing with them he was on bass!) Recently an old classmate in USA suggested I try to export Bangkok music – he seemed to think Basement were a good band and worthy of an overseas audience. That was an unsolicited suggestion – not a bad idea! #BangkokMusicCity   

MY LIFE AS ALI THOMAS

Picture
My Life as Ali Thomas
My Life as Ali Thomas -Though definitely a radio friendly polished squeaky clean sounding band, they deliver some soulful, beautifully executed tunes. I found a MLAAT playlist on Youtube and spent a recent evening chilling out. The female vocalist, could probably sing about life as an executioner in Saudi Arabia and make you warm and fuzzy.  
(Note to self, start a pop band called My Life As An ISIS Executioner.)  

TRIGGS AND THE LONGEST DAY

Picture
Triggs and the Longest Day (L-R: Nui, Tokin, Pong)
Triggs and the Longest Day – The 60s inspired retro surf/garage band features Stone Free Festival organizer Tokin (The World May Never Know) singing and playing guitar, Pong on lead guitar, Nui on bass and Nat on drums. If you were looking for the ultimate party band to get people moving and shaking with songs that may have been created during a road trip into Dionysian paradise of excess, this is that band. I actually went on a beer run during their set but the mercurial upbeat melody lines, slurred vocal delivery, ubiquitous sense of fun stay with you long after your hangover subsides and when I set out to analyze why the band works I an only think of the word "groovy" .    

HARIGUEM ZABOY

Picture
Hariguem Zaboy
Hariguem Zaboy – If you had the album Thick Mink you'll notice a poppy shoegaze – it's a tad bit soft for my taste while still good - songs like “Tender Mind” are dripping with teenage romance. The band appears to have scrapped all that and are now an edgier, heavier more, mature band – high school is over and they remind me of the My Bloody Valentine from Isn't Anything. A female fan was crying out “Tender Mind” - they never played it to their credit which is good because I was ready to hurl a beer can at someone. It was one of the most impressive performances of the weekend even for a shoegaze band: stand still, look at floor or sometimes heaven, look into yourself,  play song. The dark wall of sound captivated me. If you like edge delivered with a cacophonous and depressing blanket of sound than you have found it. Looking forward to the new album. 

TUG SUK

Picture
Tug Suk
Tug Suk – As are most experiences which involve alcohol, a heightened state of reality, heat and exhaustion, I cannot say for certain what they sounded like but recall being thoroughly fond of the sound of Tug Suk: a drummer, tambourine and shaker players, some droning bass lines that do not seem to vary or stray from the E-string. Appears to be some kind of 60s revival band with dirty sounds. Stone Free organizer, Tokin Teekanun recommended them in a BK mag article last year and I finally got to hear them and experience them live. Definitely some psychedelic influences in there – they are after my heart. Upon examining my own photos I recognized Golf from Hariguem Zaboy playing drums.  

DEGARUDA

Picture
Degaruda
Degaruda – By the time Degaruda came on, my camera battery was near dead and the effects of 12 hours of beer and heat were manifest. I fought the exhaustion and stayed in the back so I could watch Van, the drummer and try to pop off a few decent shots before the battery died and calling it a night. From the little community of bands that evolved out of places like Fatty's and the old Harmonica, Degaruda are one of the most prominent bands. Their sound is a blend – not fusion – of rock sub genres. In the early days of 2013, there was a distinct DC punk influence woven into metal, prog, math rock without actually being too derivative of anything (except for the Whitesnake riff in "City"). Since then the sound and songs have evolved. In the old days, I rarely missed a show, but by time 2015 hit, the band seemed to have their own momentum, street buzz, and were a clear favorite amongst many in the small yet opinionated community of expat bands; therefore 2015, I took a break because I could no longer experience the band the way I did the first time and I really wanted to have that experience again. It's a lot like not fucking your wife for a few months just to bring back the passion. Few if any songs from the first self-titled album Degaruda were played at Stone Free 4 – I wasn't complaining even as “Slumber Party” was nowhere to be seen or heard. The band have a strong set of new songs that kept me engaged, still heavy yet with usual melody and punch but very different songs. I sat back and watched as Van effortlessly attacked the drum set with usual enthusiasm and zeal – an energy much like the late great John Bonham yet in another style. As usual the band played a killer set with Dino and Top's guitars intertwining and mercilessly unraveling the song before you. New bassist, Chin adds his own flare and wields the bass like a medieval weapon. It is no surprise so many local bands cite them as an influence - they bring chops, songwriting and the live show all together and I wouldn't expect that to change anytime soon.

GOVINDA

Picture
Govinda
Govinda – I first saw sitarist Govinda playing with a full band at Noise Market in November. He brings the funk together with the Indian classical instrument. His band seem to play music in their sleep. It's impressive to think a sitarist could find a drummer, conga player, bassist, guitarist and saxophonist to show up all at the same time. If you were looking for relaxing chillout spa music to swallow you send you on an interstellar magic carpet ride Govinda is for you.    

SUPERUNKNOW

Picture
Superunknow
Superunknow – a heavy thick sound reminiscent of Soundgarden and obviously deriving their name from Soundgarden's fourth album. This may have been the best performance I have seen of Superunknow – the PA helped quite a bit as you can only really appreciate the sonic intensity of the power trio with the loudness. The music seems designed with the stadium rock of the 70s in mind: fat fuzzy, crunchy guitars dripping hallucinogenic liquids.  

UGLY MOUNTAIN

Picture
Ugly Mountain
Ugly Mountain combine traditional instrumentation like fiddle with some dirty, fuzzy guitar – the words “dirty folk” come to mind. I am a fan of Ugly Mountain songwriter Gene Mahasmut Bunyaraksh's work under the name Little Fox and I was quite enamored by the music from the plotless film “Singing in Bars” (you should see this film if you're a fan of Gene, Yellow Fang or Panda Records founder Wannarit Pongprayoon as they are all in it.) And I've also done my homework on Saliva Bastards... Ugly Mountain is a left turn from pop music as it's dark and sinister like a man's descent into madness and depression. Or am I just reading too much into it? Between the droning rhythms and haunting vocals is there hope? This is a reminder that art does not necessarily answer questions but asks.

สหายแห่งสายลม (SAHAIHANGSAILOM)

Picture
สหายแห่งสายลม (SAHAIHANGSAILOM)
Sahaihangsailom – Companions of the Wind – Great name for band that makes music that seems to come from a place akin to the fictional world of “The Princess Bride” - music made in nature to be played in natural environments although it seemed strangely out of place in the desolate landscape of Stone Free 4 and I don't think there was any wind but after hearing their music on the internet I was quite excited to see them live. I recognized the songs "ธาตุแท้" and "ดีแล้ว" the audience of stragglers and musicians sticking it out til the very end sang along with. The band featuring the multi-talented Bird of Desktop Error is getting a lot of rotation Rock Philosophy HQ.  

plastic section

Picture
Plastic Section
Plastic Section – Stone Free 4 would not have been complete without Plastic Section. Though playing a shortened set on Sunday afternoon as many were packing up or already on the road, the band consisting of Ben Edwards on guitar and vocals, Chigusa Tomita on bass, Put Suksriwan on drums and Wannarit Pongprayoon on the melodion performed with their usual vigor as a light audience danced and sometimes wove in and out of the performance area. To say that the temperature was an inferno which you had to endure would have been an understatement as it seemed something akin to a biblical apocalypse was threatening to turn us into ash. Still the little rock and roll band held their ground against the savage hellfire heat and if they were feeling their hands blistering and their kidneys beginning to fail from dehydration, they didn't let on and played as champions. Fairly certain they opened with “Shot” a double-barrel shotgun blast of adrenalin, the band is perpetually in motion bobbing, rocking back and forth and I have a distinct memory of Put trying out some new things in a song. I've been following the band since April 2013, a natural step from being a Basement Tape fan, and the shows never disappoint. Even on the hottest day in what feels like the end of the earth, a last man standing ambience in the air, you could still see one of Bangkok's greatest rock bands.

All good things must ome to an end

The last Stone Free in 2014, during the last performance, Inspirative I felt like clouds were opening and little angels were descending upon earth to sprinkle love upon us mortals – Stone Free 4 would end differently for me as I eyed my getaway car conveniently parked right behind Put and the drum set. Sixty seconds after Plastic Section's last song “Frantic” - enough time for Put's costume change and an apologetic hello/goodbye to Banky and Jin from Kinetics - we were in the car tearing through the festival grounds, passed the incendiary Rocket Science performance (regretfully); slowing down to wave farewell to Tokin and Tommy and then cruising back to downtown Bangkok: modernity, normalcy, real life, the real world. Sitting in a pub a short time later all I could think was I want to go back. 

​- DC

Photo Gallery

0 Comments

The Aussie hardcore punk invasion begins this Friday: ganbaru @ Whiteline

1/19/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
I locked my daughter in the basement - not because of the Aussies - but now that I know they are invading I'm a lot happier she's safe - Concerned parent
Heads will be bleeding this Friday at Whiteline as several heavy bands including Ganbaru from Australia, Hopeless from Thailand descend on Silom Soi 8's Whiteline. Recently, Brutal South Touring  promoter John Will Sail answered at length our questions about the event, the bands and the state of heavy music in Bangkok and beyond.  

Tell us about what makes the show special.
I think this sort of mixed show is kind of new for Bangkok. I have tried to build some bridges, grow relationships between the scenes and between nationalities. We have got a touring hardcore band from Australia, some talented expat bands and two Thai up-and-coming heavy bands. Probably one of the heaviest shows Whiteline has seen.

What is the state of hardcore and heavy music like punk and metal in Bangkok?
It seems to be getting better, there is more of a drive for heavier styles once again.
I played guitar in a straight edge hardcore band called Truth Burns True in 2008 (https://myspace.com/truthburnstrue/photos) and at that stage the Thai scene was amazing! Great shows, positive energy, lots of kids moshing. Slowly, the scene has become weaker, both here and internationally. Recently, however, I have felt a rise with a growing scene in China and Vietnam, tours from hardcore greats and the local Thai expat community becoming heavier.
 
What are the challenges of bringing bands over and putting on a show here in Bangkok?
Money for one. Hardcore, punk and metal has always been underground and bands tend lose money touring here in Asia. Most fans are young men in it for the intense music, not pop fashions and hiphop bravado. But if a band can get the funds, or big enough to gain some sort of sponsorship touring in Southeast Asia is really worthwhile. Touring bands can get door money and often sell a lot of merch, though not usually make not enough to cover flights. I am just happy there are people like Joe Delaney who helped provide venue and equipment for this event and people like you Dave C to help promote J
 
Can you tell us about the bands playing on the 22nd of February? Hopeless, God Hates, Spring Fall Sea, The Rocket Whale and Ganbaru?
I have watched Hopeless rise for years, pretty proud. I gave them international shows with some other Australian bands years ago. I am very happy they have agreed to play now as they are quite a big band. God Hates are new on the scene, super brutal and have a massive buzz behind them. Keen to see them destroy the venue! Spring Fall Sea are a young group of passionate musicians and I wanted to give them a chance to branch out to new audiences through this show. The Rocket Whale are excellent, kind of like Underoath; screaming with melody. A bit of electronics. I was blown away when I saw them and have known the singer from his other projects. Ganbaru are straight up hardcore with a bunch of Aussie veterans.
Picture
The Rocket Whale
How did you connect with the Australian band?
I used to get lots of approaches from Australian hardcore and metal bands via social, though it has tapered off in the past 2 or 3 years.
​
I have known the guys from Ganbaru for years, since being a poor university student looking for direction and going to hardcore shows in Melbourne. They have a real DIY approach and are highly passionate individuals. The singer Adam, came to a hardcore show many years ago in Bangkok and saw Ed Rudy’s, Axel's and Vickor's old band Blood Thirst Spider at Cocowalk. He has always talked of coming to Bangkok to play. Evan (bassist) has played here with his old band and knows the territory.
Ganburu is a Japanese word meaning to stand firm. These guys have been in bands for around 15 years and are still doing it, so they still live up to their name.

Do you have think the Thai heavy music communities wants more heavy bands from overseas to come?
Of course! Heavy music scenes (such as punk, hardcore, metal) are relatively small and closeknit and people are connected all around the world. There are no rockstars in hardcore, and usually not so many in metal. Hardcore is much more of a community than any other music I know of.
 
What's the strategy for promoting a heavy show versus promoting another kind of music event like folk music?
It’s harder and easier at the same time. If you bring the right bands the crowds come. With One Summer, I have mixed genres a little as about 10 big Bangkok hardcore bands are flying to Chiang Mai for a festival same weekend. I needed to bring in some metal and more melodic bands. Having two great expat bands on the bill will mean people are exposed to new sounds, cultures and experiences. Acoustic and rock events can pull more mainstream punters into the mix.
 
Do you miss playing with The Fallen Versus Fate?
Yeah, I really miss being in a band, and miss screaming and jumping around. On the other hand my voice was getting messed up. Also I am a bit over metalcore and getting back into punk/hardcore again like when I was growing up. 

Would you ever join another metal band?
Maybe. I have started experimenting and have started writing begun some more melodic hardcore songs. I have approached some talented musicians to form a band. But the ethos will be different from other projects; I don’t want to push it to the mainstream like I did with Sangsom and doing with John Will Sail, I just want to play music I love and happy there is a scene growing in Bangkok again.
 
Do you think there's potential for a Bangkok hardcore punk or metal (or any heavy band that inspires mosh pits) to go to a place like USA or Australia and play music festivals?
USA, I am not too sure about. Australia is a very hard market to crack, super professional and almost a bit snobby. Melbourne is one of the best places for live music in the world and the standard is high. It’s hard for any musician to make it there without spending years establishing themselves.

However, I think there are loads of opportunities in and around Southeast Asia and a lot of people willing to work for nothing to strengthen heavy music scenes in the region.

Who would you send to represent Bangkok?
Degaruda for sure! They have what it takes. Republic of Ugoslabier are fairly international and would be great also. There are loads of awesome underground bands at the moment in Bangkok but it involves the bands doing lots of planning and coming up with money for flights. Also, bands will need to be able to speak English to connect with promoters and fans. It’s a lot of DIY (promo, bookings, hotels, transport, managing a group of musician) but if you are lucky some of these things can be done by an enthusiastic local. 

Heavy bands are advantaged with local and passionate scenes, it’s more than just playing music in pubs. You are reaching out to their chosen music lifestyle and there has always been something magical about that.

Thanks John!

Go see One Summer Mini Festival at Whiteline on Friday, January 22, 2016. For more information click here.  

Craft Beer - Artspace - New LIVE venue!
Ganbaru (Australia) drop off in Bangkok for one mighty show.
Featuring local supports 
• Hopeless
• Ten Baht Per Hour
• The Rocket Whale 
• God Hates 
• Spring Fall Sea.
​

Only 200 Baht entry, an intense mix of local and international bands and one-time drink specials specials in Whitelines new aircon LIVE room, this event is set to go off!
Picture
Hopeless
0 Comments

One man's dream to transform Bangkok into a world class music city

1/13/2016

5 Comments

 
Picture
Piyapong Muenprasertdee sees a post rock band like aire acting as ambassador for Bangkok Music City. Photo of aire at Hemingway's 2014 via Rocky Philosophy Archives
​When you hear the name Austin Texas what do you think? If you’re a fan of music, you’d probably be thinking, Music, of course! and that huge festival called South by Southwest. Austin is synonymous for music and there’s at least one guy here in Bangkok that believes our fair city too could one day be synonymous for music: a globally recognized music city! Bangkok Music City. Meet Piyapong “Py” Muenprasertdee, co-founder of the Thai music startup Fungjai and the man with a grand vision that could create unprecendented opportunities for Thailand’s musicians, indie record labels and venues for generations to come. Recently, the ambitious entrepreneur answered some of the rock philosopher’s questions concerning this dream. He lays it out thoroughly.       
What is your idea for Bangkok Music City?
  • In the recent years, Bangkok’s indie music scene has been growing significantly; however, the big problem is still the same - indie musicians can’t quite turn music into a sustainable career.  I have thought of several ways to tackle this problem, and figured that if Bangkok could be recognized as a Music City and a world renowned music tourism destination, the dream of making music a sustainable career could possibly be realized.
  • Why can’t indie musicians can’t turn music into a career in Thailand?
    • The economic problem of the indie music industry seeds deep in the Thai culture and way of life.  Thais don’t give music much value, and many still look down on the profession; hence, the old Thai saying “ten-gin-rum-gin”, meaning “dance to get food”, which is actually used as an insult to the unstable nature of musician and dancer professions.  
    • In addition, getting Thais to start paying enough for music is very hard.  Apart from the cheap bootleg CDs and easy to access illegal music download and streaming websites, Thais are also spoiled from getting to see free concerts sponsored by big name brands all the time.
  • So, when I stumbled upon the idea of music tourism, I realized that it could create many benefits, for example:
    • If Thais aren’t willing to pay enough for live music, increasing the number of music tourists can help inject money into the economy, which will in turn increase the income of musicians and music professionals.
    • Thais have a habit of not realizing their own talents until someone else does.  For example, no one supported the idea of a band playing a fusion of traditional ‘Molam’ and funk music, until they toured Europe a couple times!  Now, ‘Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band’ is world famous, and will be playing Glastonbury and Field Day Festival in London this year!  So, if tourists start to flock to Thailand for live music, Thais would definitely start to realize how talented their musicians are, and maybe give them more support.
    • Because the Thai indie music market is so small, bands can’t play or tour too often.  But by increasing the number of international eyeballs on Thai bands, they will have a better chance of touring overseas; thus, increasing their income.
    • Bangkok being an international business destination with a large expat community, and may even become larger with the opening of AEC (ASEAN Economic Community), international touring bands can have the chance to connect with their fans from back home, and also gain new Thai and international fans.
    • There’s also several other cities in Thailand that have local music scenes.  By promoting Bangkok as a Music City, it can help become a window to other Thai music cities as most of those musicians often tour here.  Then, when tourists learn about other music scenes in Thailand from those bands, they can add other Thai music cities to their itineraries in the future.

What makes Bangkok special with regard to its music community?
  • I think Bangkok is big enough to have several music communities, but also small enough that almost every community knows each other, and maybe with some overlapping members.
  • Bangkok being home to several international businesses, has quite a large expatriate community, with several of them being very active in the local music scene, such as the Japanese and Western expat communities.
  • There are several groups who are persistent in organizing concerts and gigs to keep the scene active, despite the high risk of losing money.  This shows the dedication of the community here despite the lack of monetary support from sponsors or government.

Are you saying you have the vision that Bangkok would be as popular as Austin, Texas for music?
  • I would like to envision Bangkok as the “Live Music Capital of Southeast Asia”, somewhat like how Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World”.  LOL!  So, my answer is yes, I would really like to see Bangkok being as popular as Austin for music.  
  • I also do see Austin as a model for Bangkok Music City, and SXSW as the model for an annual Bangkok Music City festival.  For example, apart from music, SXSW has film and interactive.  For Thailand, we have a fast growing technology-startup scene that I think can join in on the festival.  Thai TV commercials are also well known throughout the world, so there might be a chance of having an advertising industry conference.  With them involved, we could help increase the possibility of expanding Thai indie music into the ‘Music Licensing’ industry.  To summarize, the Bangkok Music City Festival could consist of Music, Tech-Startup and Advertising industry conferences.

What Thai bands you think would do well abroad as ambassadors of Bangkok?
  • I believe that music has no boundaries.  Music can definitely cross cultures and languages, for example K-pop and J-pop.  Also, Thai music is so diverse that there is no particular genre that can represent Thailand’s music landscape.  
  • However, if we want to introduce Thai music to a world that doesn’t know about it, I would suggest 1) something that would pique their interest, or 2) an artist that would surprise them when they learn that those artists are from Thailand.  3) Another case would be Thai singing band with an fresh sound that could turn heads.
    • I think ‘Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band’ is such a band that would pique the interest of foreigners.  It blends traditional ‘molam’ with funk that can trigger people to dance very naturally.  I’d propose them as one of the ambassadors.
    • As for the second type of band, I’d probably choose a band that sings in English, like ‘My Life as Ali Thomas’ and ‘Part Time Musicians’, or instrumental bands like ‘Inspirative’ and ‘aire’.
    • For the third type of band, I’d probably pick ‘Two Million Thanks’, ‘Yellow Fang’ and ‘POLYCAT’.
Picture
Inspirative is another of Py's favorites as a Bangkok Music City ambassador. Photo of Inspirative at Stone Free 3 2014 via Rock Philosophy Archives
What are the challenges of creating Bangkok Music City?
  • There are definitely several challenges, whether economic, cultural, social or political, which will take time and a lot of effort to get through.  For example,
    • Thai’s low willingness to pay for music would affect ticket sales, so sponsorship money may still be needed to subsidize ticket prices to get the Thai audience.
    • Because pop and Thai-country music from the major labels still dominate the Thai mainstream media, introducing something other than these genres would be a challenge to the common ear, thus receiving limited support.  It would take time or a significant crossover artist to pull in interest from those audiences.
    • If the indie musician is still not accepted as a real career, positive support would be limited.  Thus, education related to the arts and music must be improved.
    • Regulations related to live music venues must be revised and improved to support the growth and sustainability of the live music industry.  Also, corruption in law enforcement agencies must be mitigated.
    • Currently, there is virtually no government support and also limited sponsorships from brands as they’re more focused on the mass market.  As they currently don’t see the potential of the indie market, it still is very hard to convince them to sponsor such events.

Who is going to be the main driving force for creating Bangkok Music City?
  • The main driving force for creating Bangkok Music City must be from the grassroot  communities, who are the musicians, record labels, promoters and fans.  Events must be continuously organized and attended, and also promoted outside their circles to gain a larger audience.  The line between ‘indie’ and ‘mainstream’ cliques should be blurred.
  • The media is also a key driver to get the message out to the mainstream market, which could churn support from the public, sponsors and eventually, the government.
  • The government will definitely be the strongest catalyst in the success of creating Bangkok Music City and the development of the country’s music industry, whether it be support in funding or development policies.

Who is going to benefit from this and how?
  • Musicians, record labels and concert promoters
    • Increased shows means increased income.
  • Local businesses related to music and tourism industries, and workforce:
    • Increased patrons means increased revenues, supporting more jobs.
  • Brands and sponsors:
    • Bigger audience means more eyeballs.
  • Government:
    • Increased tourists, increased spending and a healthy economy means more tax money.
    • Improved education in the arts would make Thailand a more creative nation.

Can you describe a typical year for this new Bangkok Music community? Would day to day life mean lots of venues featuring live music every night of the week? Perhaps entire streets recreated for venues, theaters, cafes... the kinds of things musicians and artists need?
  • As mentioned above, I would like to model it after Austin - having live music virtually every night and everywhere, and an annual festival that brings everyone together, like SXSW.
  • Apart from more performance venues, I would also like to see more rehearsal studios, music education programs, workshops, seminars, and networking events (although not quite a Thai thing to do, but should be encouraged).

Bangkok and Thailand seems like an underdog with a reputation for a lot of things unrelated to music - do you think in time the image of Bangkok could change?
  • Many cities are famous for many things, e.g. New York is famous for fashion, Central Park, Wall Street, music and crime; LA is famous for Hollywood, pleasant weather and gangster rap, etc.  So, although Bangkok is famous for the stuff seen on ‘Hangover 2’, we’ve got a lot of other stuff, like food, lifestyle, culture; and I hope music will be more prevalent in the future.

What kinds of things would the government and Tourism sector need to do to create Bangkok Music City? I'd imagine there would need to be public policy which is friendly to musicians and fans, right?
  • Yes, I agree.  Since the past, the government did not truly understand or support the music industry.  I would like to suggest the government must assign a board that can communicate and collaborate with the music communities and the tourism sector to analyze problems, brainstorm for solutions, write up plans and lay out policies.  

There was a time when Austin was a sleepy college town and then everyone started moving there and all the rents went up. Can you see that happening in Bangkok? Musicians begin moving here and setting up little businesses and renting townhouses?
  • I agree that is very possible, especially if musicians are paid well.  Better than now, hopefully.

Actually I maybe have answered my own question as I know artists move here.
  • Yep, you did.  LOL!

How many years would it take for this dream of yours to blossom?
  • After studying the peaks and troughs of the cycle of music development in Thailand, which is around every ten years, I think we are almost at the peak of it.  So, the time to get this project started is now, and the minimum years to see fruition is 3 years:
    • This year, a festival marking the beginning of the Bangkok Music City movement must start and be big enough to gain attention from both the Thai public and the international audience.  It might not be super huge as we have yet to gain support from the government or secure any sponsorships, so most parties in the community might lose money.  
    • But because I believe that Bangkok Music City will benefit everybody in the long run, we must maintain the momentum by organizing and supporting music events all year round, and keep the tradition of an annual festival.  By the 2nd year, people could start to grasp the concepts of the festival and Bangkok being a music city.  
    • By the 3rd year, things should look much, much better, and collaborations with different industries and organizations should follow.

Is there some kind of call to action that people can do to show support for this Bangkok Music City?
  1. Go out and support the local music scene!  Go to gigs and concerts, pay for the tickets, buy some merch, open up your mind to unfamiliar music, etc!  Maybe set goals to discover at least one new band every month or so.  And quit supporting illegal music websites and merchants!
  2. If you’re already on social media and like to share photos and videos of the shows you attended, slap the hashtag #BangkokMusicCity on them to get it trending on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, so people will know that there’s something going on!
  3. Talk about the idea of Bangkok Music City, whether online or offline, and debate why it is a good or bad idea.  It takes time for people to change, so by keeping it relevant, more people would start to learn about it.  Finally, you yourself will understand what you can do to make it happen!
http://bangkokmusiccity.com/
Picture
Yellow Fang is another possible Bangkok Music City ambassador. Photo of Yellow Fang at Sofar Sounds Bangkok 2015 via Rock Philosophy Archives
5 Comments

Sofar Sounds finally releases Plastic Section video "Frantic"

1/5/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
You might remember the Sofar Sounds 1st Birthday Party last year in October. Sofar Sounds Global finally released the Plastic Section video “Frantic” from guest director Gary Boyle. Hallelujah! This means you can stop pestering and asking, “Where’s that Plastic Section video?” (They say it’s coming out next week.) A fine job was done by the Sofar Sounds Bangkok crew and Mr. Boyle who was recently named the Rock Philosopher for Life 2015, a title which confers no real world benefits but is automatically forfeited if accused of lewd or lascivious behavior in the presence of livestock, crustaceans or amphibians.

The "Frantic" video shows us a standing room only of merry music fans as Plastic Section with Ben Edwards, Chigusa Tomita, Put Suksriwan and Wannarit 'Pok' Pongprayoon vaults and careens into a frenzied climax of mayhem, confusion and a few tumbling drums.  See if you can spot the moment  when Pok the melodeon maestro pushes Put over his drums. You see the moment Pok clumsily falls out of the frame at about 2:14. Enjoy.       

There's a new Sofar Sounds Bangkok signup on the horizon. Watch for it. 

0 Comments

    Buy the shirt, take the ride

    Picture

    Dave Crimaldi
    ROcK Philosopher

    I write about music and photograph bands in Denton, TX and Bangkok, Thailand.

    Picture
    Copyright 
    © David Brian Crimaldi and davecrimaldi.weebly.com, 2012-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dave Crimaldi and davecrimaldi.weebly.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.