Music

Indie attitude

Midnight Pianissimo follow their destiny

By Suwitcha Chaiyong, Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

Bands who aren�t signed to a major music label can find it hard to break into the entertainment business. Midnight Pianissimo have bypassed that problem, using their website and popular social networks to promote their indie release, Project Destiny.

• Did you know •

Pear came first in the Yamaha Thailand Piano With Vocal competition.

The band � singer Ravisara Mekasuwanaroj (Pear), 16, guitarist Vasawatt Mekaew (Loop), 19, guitarist Suebphatt Leelertphong (Pipe), 18, bassist Win Eiwwongcharoen, 17, and drummer Pattomporn Eiwwongcharoen (Champ), 19 � have captured the attention of DJs who regularly air their single �Kham Taek Tang (Difference).�

Midnight Pianissimo have also gained a following with their live shows, sharing the stage with big acts like Retrospect, Kala, Zeal and So Cool on school and campus tours.

Student Weekly recently met up with Midnight Pianissimo to ask them about their indie attitude and Project Destiny.

STUDENT WEEKLY: What does Midnight Pianissimo mean?

Pipe: We�re night people, so we like midnight. Pianissimo is a classical music term, meaning to play or sing very quietly. But for us it relates to serene and beautiful moments.

STUDENT WEEKLY: How about the album title?

Pipe: We made this album to follow our dream and communicate with people through our music. That�s our destination.

STUDENT WEEKLY: Why did you decide against signing with a big label?

Loop: My father knows Sarawut Mingkwan, a producer who used to work for the big labels. He suggested that we release our music independently, since we write our own songs. He also produced our album.

STUDENT WEEKLY: How do you define your music?

Pipe: Soft rock that makes the listener feel peaceful, even though some of the tunes are pretty gloomy. We also mix in other styles � like disco.

STUDENT WEEKLY: What gave you the idea to mix disco with rock?

Loop: We wanted to have fun with the last track on the album, so we added a disco beat to the song �Nevermore.�

STUDENT WEEKLY: Did you originally plan to have a female vocalist?

Loop: When Champ and Pipe sang �If� and �Cheewit Lang Luemta [Life After Waking Up],� it didn�t sound right.

We were looking for a new vocalist, and my father suggested Pear. With Pear singing, our songs sounded great.

STUDENT WEEKLY: Did you guys have to change your behaviour with Pear in the band?

Pipe: No, we didn�t have to change anything. Pear has male habits. [Laughs.]

Pear: I didn�t have to adjust anything either. It�s just like hanging out with my friends.

STUDENT WEEKLY: Pear, had you intended to sing in a soft-rock band?

Pear: I like emo and screamo music, but I prefer to sing soft-rock because it suits my voice and singing style.

Pear	Pipe	Champ

STUDENT WEEKLY: Is it true that you have pet snakes?

Pear: Yes. When I was young, I went to Singapore�s Underwater World, and I got to touch a snake. After that, I searched for information about reptiles.

Win	Loop

Now I have a pet corn snake and a black king snake.

STUDENT WEEKLY: Where do you guys get ideas for your songs?

Pipe: Either from real-life experience or imagination. �Cheewit Lang Luemta [Life After Waking] is a romantic song that I wrote for a girl. The rest I just created from my imagination.

Loop: I pick up ideas from everything around me. �Kham Jing [The Truth]� was inspired by the violent and depressing situation in southern Thailand.

STUDENT WEEKLY: Do you enjoy touring with famous rock bands?

Loop: Yes. It�s a great way to gain more experience.

Pear: It�s so exciting, but we have to practise a lot!

	bypass (v): to go around or avoid a place or situation air (v): to broadcast something on the radio or on television attitude (n): the way that you think and feel about something serene (adj): calm and peaceful define (v): to explain the meaning of something gloomy (adj): dark in a way that makes you feel sad adjust (v): to change something to make it more suitable for a new situation intend (v): to have a plan, result or purpose in your mind when you do something reptile (n): any animal that has cold blood, skin covered in scales and lays eggs, such as snakes, crocodiles and tortoises depressing (adj): making you feel very sad