Shoo-in hit

Bell and Neung team up

By Tatat Bunnag
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

As 2014 comes to an end, GMM Grammy’s Frontage Freeform has become one of the most talked about local pop albums of the year. Frontage Freeform is a compilation album featuring various artists performing covers of their favourite old pop songs.

One of the artists featured on the album is heart-throb singer Bell Supol, who recorded a remake of Khan Ngoen Nuanual’s hit song, “Shoo-wup Shoo Be-doo.” The song, which also features a rap part by Apiwat Pongwat (Neung) from ETC, is the 10th single to be released from Frontage Freeform.

Student Weekly recently caught up with Bell and Neung, who were dressed in matching outfits, at GMM Grammy HQ. The two stars told us all about their collaboration on “Shoo-wup Shoo Be-doo.”

Student Weekly: How did your work with this project come about?

Bell: Frontage Freeform is basically a dance album where 10 different artists worked with 10 other artists to record a new dance version of an old Thai pop song.

Neung: We thought this project was very exciting because it’s something new that we’ve never done before.

Student Weekly: Bell, why did you choose to work with Neung on your special single?

Bell: We’ve actually been friends for more than 10 years, since the time when I started working at GMM Grammy. I’ve also been a fan of ETC for a long time. I’ve always thought that our music styles are quite similar, but we never had a chance to work together. When this project came along, I knew right away that I wanted to work with Neung.

Student Weekly: Neung, how did you feel about rapping for the first time?

Neung: It was fun. When I was contacted by Bell to come and jam on the song, I thought that I should do something that I’ve never done with ETC. I’ve always been a fan of Joey Boy’s rapid rapping style, so I wanted to try that. It was kind of difficult at first, but it became easier once I got used to it.

Student Weekly: Why did you guys decide to cover Khan Ngoen Nuanual’s tune, “Shoo-wup Shoo Be-doo”?

Bell: I’ve loved that song since it first came out. I think it’s a great song. The lyrics and melody sound very cute to me. But the main reason I chose it was because it has never been covered by anybody before, and it wasn’t Khan Ngoen’s biggest hit. I thought it would be better to choose a lesser-known song rather than picking a huge hit that everybody already knows well.

Student Weekly: Did you enjoy working with each other?

Bell: I enjoyed it so much. I’ve always loved working with talented people. Working with people like that makes me understand things that I might be missing when it comes to music and art.

Neung: We’ve known each other for a long time and we have similar taste in music, so working together was easy. I’m looking forward to working with Bell again in the future if possible.

Student Weekly: Do you guys have any favourite songs from the other artists on Frontage Freeform?

Bell: I really like Tar Paradox and The Super Glasses Ska Ensemble’s version of Samart Payakaroon’s song, “Onn Sorm [Not Enough Practice].” It sounds fun and has a traditional Thai pop feel.

Neung: I haven’t had chance to listen to all the songs yet, but the track that Gene Kasidit and Aom Sunisa did together is very interesting.

Student Weekly: What other projects can your fans expect from you guys in the near future?

Bell: Besides “Shoo-wup Shoo Be-doo,” I recently sang a soundtrack song for the new season of the hit sitcom, Pen Tor, which is now airing on Channel 3. It’s still the same theme song, but I recorded a new version. I hope fans of the show like it!

Neung: With ETC, I’ve also done a few soundtracks for TV dramas and movies this year. The one that most people have probably heard already is “Mai Rak Khon Auen [Don’t Love Anyone Else]” for the TV drama, The Rising Sun.

 

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