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Music Music machineBy Tatat Bunnag, Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb Indie maverick shares his thoughts
If you were to write a history of the Bangkok indie music scene, the name Vichaya Vatanasapt (Nhong) would feature prominently. He might not be a trendy pop star featured on glossy magazine covers, but the 33-year-old is considered one of the key artists who has shaped the Thai rock scene in recent years.
Nhong has been involved in a variety of different projects, from the �90s indie-pop band La-Ong-Fong, to playing keyboards with legendary Thai reggae act T-Bone. These days he�s most often heard as the flashy, one-man electro band The Photo Sticker Machine. Nhong is also behind the music of more than 19 successful films, including February, Last Life in the Universe, Seasons Change and, most recently, Kod (Handle Me With Care). The Photo Sticker Machine�s latest album, New Clear, possesses an interesting blend of electronic sounds and a dark atmospheric quality. The album is brimming with catchy vocal melodies, provided by a variety of guest singers. Student Weekly recently caught up with this talented artist to talk about nightlife, his inspirations, his daughter and his latest record. Student Weekly: How would you describe the music on New Clear compared with your previous albums?
On New Clear, I focused more on the messages that I wanted to convey, rather than musical style. I wrote the music to match those ideas. Student Weekly: Can you give example of those messages? Nhong: In the four years since my last album, so many things have changed � people, society, morals, politics and global warming. Everything seems to be getting worse. I just share my thoughts through the songs. Student Weekly: There are images of flies on the cover of New Clear. Is there any special meaning behind that? Nhong: Flies represent the worsening situation. There�s a song on the album called �Death of a Beautiful World.� If you listen to that song carefully, you�ll hear the sound of flies in the background. Student Weekly: How does making music for advertisements and films compare to making your own music? Nhong: It�s about the same, because when I do film soundtracks, I do them in my own style. I don�t really have to change the way I work.
Student Weekly: Since you�ve worked with so many styles of music, do you consider yourself an electronic artist? Nhong: No, I don�t think I�m a specialist in any specific type of music. Everything I do is based on my personal taste. Whatever I�m working on, I just do what I think sounds good. Student Weekly: The track �Yuck (Giant)� features your daughter on vocals. Can you tell us about that? Nhong: I feature family members on most of my records � usually background sounds of them talking and things like that. But this is the first time my daughter has sung a lead vocal. She�s only 6 years old, and maybe she�s not a great singer, but it really suits the song. When kids sing naturally, they have a pure, lively and innocent sound. Student Weekly: What do you think of the electronic and dance music scenes in Bangkok? Nhong: The electronic music scene is very healthy and open-minded at the moment. There are lots of new artists, but they�re not well known. I have no idea about the dance music scene. I don�t normally go to clubs or bars unless I have gigs, so I�m not up-to-date with dance music trends. Student Weekly: So, you don�t like to party and go out to clubs? Nhong: After a hard days work, I don�t feel like battling traffic to get to a place that�s packed with people, loud music and cigarette smoke. I�d rather stay home with my family and listen to music.
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Two of Nhong�s biggest influences are Radiohead and The
Carpenters.
Nhong:
Well, my first three records were more about musical style. My first album was
mainly electronic lounge music, while the second featured more beats and disco
sounds. The third was influenced by dub and jazz. 
Most film companies and directors who hire me have heard my
music and my style. They pick me to do the music because they want that same
style for their movies.
