Music
In time
By Suwitcha Chaiyong, Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
Kala produce a perfect mix
Nine years of
showbiz success hasn�t changed Thai rockers Kala. The four members � frontman
Yuttapong Sangsuwan (Num), 27, guitarist Manote Pimjan (Toe), 26, bassist
Teerasak Ummon (Nu), 28, and drummer Darus Panya (Rus), 26 � stick to their straightforward
lyrics and rock-solid sound on their latest and sixth album, Minute.
Kala�s new single �See Natee (Four Minutes)� has the same title as Madonna�s recent hit, but the guys insist that they didn�t copy the famous pop queen.
�Our record was released a month before Madonna�s Hard Candy album,� Num said.
The band came up with the title in response to their music team�s observation that Thai songs usually run longer than three minutes.
While they were out making the rounds to promote their new album, Kala dropped by the Student Weekly offices to tell us what they�ve been up to and how they found the perfect mix for Minute.
STUDENT WEEKLY: Where have you guys been performing?
Num: We went to Laos, Cambodia, Taiwan and every province in Thailand.
We performed in a pub in Taiwan. The crowd there was great!
STUDENT WEEKLY: What were the overseas audiences like?
Num: They were mainly a mix of Thai people working overseas and Burmese, Lao and Cambodian people.
STUDENT WEEKLY: Did you do anything else during the break?
Nu: I started a master�s in Management at Sripathum University. They provide scholarships for artists, so I applied.
I wanted to learn something new, and management is useful for band schedules and business.
STUDENT WEEKLY: What does Minute mean to you?
Num: It�s a moment when your feelings can change from happy to sad. Each song on the album describes a different moment.
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STUDENT WEEKLY: Is it true that you guys re-recorded the whole album?
Num: Yes. It was supposed to come out last year, but we weren�t happy with it. We felt that we could do better.
It was a rush job, and we didn�t feel comfortable with it. We asked our management team if we could redo it.
STUDENT WEEKLY: Are you happy with how the album turned out?
Num: Yes. We�re a rock band, but we always try to mix rock with different styles. This album has the perfect mix.
Toe: We�re happy with this album, and we felt comfortable making it.
Recording music is like painting � you have to feel good to be creative.
STUDENT WEEKLY: The song �Mai Thong Pai Khao Jai [Don�t Have to Understand]� says that we don�t have to understand life. What do you mean by that?
Num: Trying to understand every-thing can bring a lot of stress.
When you argue with somebody, you don�t have to understand everything that they say or do. You can just let it go.
Toe: It�s Zen philosophy � have a happy life every day, and the next day will be OK. You shouldn�t think too much about tomorrow.
STUDENT
WEEKLY: The song �In My Life� is about a person who doesn�t
believe in true love. How about you guys?
Num: I believe in true love. Anybody who�s never found true love is an unfortunate person � or maybe it just isn�t the right time yet.
Toe: There is true love, but you have to take it easy. The younger generation always seems to be in a rush.
If you�re in too much of a hurry, you might just throw yourself at the wrong person.
STUDENT WEEKLY: With Asian pop dominating the music scene, do you think that Thai rock can still win over listeners?
Num: In the past, the trend was for boy bands, and rock bands faded away. But now Thais have become more like Japanese or American listeners � willing to check out different types of music.
Toe: Num is more handsome than most K-pop stars anyway! [Laughs.].
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straightforward (adj): easy to do or to understand; not complicated IDIOMS make
the rounds: to go around from place to place in order to promote a new
event or product |
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