Music

Anime pop

By Tatat Bunnag, Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

Polly makes music with monotone

Anyone who�s into Audition, the hit online dance game that�s taken Japan and South Korea by storm, will be familiar with the catchy Thai pop song �O Vey O, I Miss Ya.� The song is featured heavily in the game. It stands out because of the cute, childlike singing of 23-year-old Ployphan Taveerat (Polly).

• Did you know •

Polly is a stage name. Ployphan�s real nickname is Ploy.

Polly is the latest exciting offering from indie label Spicy Disc. Her anime-inspired electro-pop is definitely unique in the Thai dance music scene.

Music fans might be surprised to learn that Polly�s record is in fact the brainchild of Chaiwuth Jungjalernpanich (Tony), from the popular band Monotone. Tony is the mastermind behind the writing, arranging and production of Polly�s songs.

Student Weekly recently stopped by the Spicy Disc office to chat with Polly about her music and her collaboration with Tony.

Student Weekly: How did you first get involved with making music and working with Tony Monotone?

Polly: I�ve always loved listening to music and singing, but I�ve never really been trained before.

I�ve known some of Monotone�s members for a while. Tony was looking for the right singer for a new project, and he called me for an audition. My character, look and singing voice seemed to suit the music, so after the audition he asked me to come back again!

Student Weekly: How did you prepare for the recording sessions?

Polly: The whole process took about six months. I spent a lot of time learning and listening to Japanese pop music.

I don�t think that this kind of music requires a lot of singing skill. My job was just to make my voice sound whispery, pretty and cute.

Student Weekly: Are you a fan of Monotone�s music?

Polly: Yes, I am. I think their music is very unique and accessible, and Gift Monotone�s album is one of my favourites. But there are so many members in the band and a lot of side projects, so I didn�t follow all of their work.

Student Weekly: What exactly is Japanese anime-pop music?

Polly: It�s sweet and fun electro-pop, inspired by Japanese anime characters. It�s popular in Japan, but this is the first time it�s been done with Thai lyrics.

Tony wrote all the songs, and he�s really into Japanese pop culture. It�s something that he�s always wanted to do, and it�s very different from Monotone.

Student Weekly: What does �O Vey O� mean?

Polly: It�s just a phrase that we made up to mean �I miss you.� We thought it would sound catchy and interesting to teen listeners.

I think that this music will appeal mostly to teenagers. Most of the words are about love, but in a positive and naive way � like when you were admiring somebody at school.

Student Weekly: Have you received any feedback about the record?

Polly: There�s been a lot of positive feedback for the music. We�ve also heard some comments that the music and words are silly, or that I�m a bit too old for this kind of music. [Laughs.]

I don�t worry about it, because I�m doing what I really love. I did my best on this album, so I�m happy with it.

	childlike (adj): having the qualities that children usually have, especially innocence anime (n): a Japanese style of animated cartoons brainchild (n): an idea or invention of one person or a small group of people mastermind (n): an intelligent person who plans and directs a complicated project or activity collaboration (n): work done with somebody in order to create or produce something character (n): the qualities and features that make a person different from others whispery (adj): soft, airy and light accessible (adj): easy to understand catchy (adj): pleasing and easily remembered naive (adj): innocent and simple feedback (n): advice, criticism or information about how good or successful somebody�s work is Idiom to take by storm: to be extremely successful very quickly