Stay together

Getsunova are never alone

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
and Sukrit Khaepimpan
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

Along with their award-winning track, “Gai Kae Nai Kue Glai (How Far Is Near?)," whose music video has 15 million YouTube views, the pop-rock band Getsunova has released several hits including “Kham Tam Sueng Rai Khon Tob (Question without Answer)” and “Yoo Trong Nee Nan Gwa Nee (Can You Stay Longer?).”

Their latest single, “Dod Diew Dueai Gan (Alone Together),” featuring Praewa from Yellow Fang, is featured in the series I Wanna Be a Superstar.

Getsunova may have been initially known because the four members are the sons of tycoons, but their musical success comes from the meaningful lyrics and beautiful melodies. Last year, the band was one of a few Thai artists which performed at the well-known Japanese music festival, Summer Sonic.

Student Weekly met up with Getsunova — singer Prakarn Raiva (Name), 28, guitarist Natee Osathanugrah, 27, guitarist and synthesizer player Panoth Khunprasert (Noth), 26, and drummer Komkadech Sangwatanaroj (Prite), 25, at the GMM building. The guys told us about their inspiration, performances and music.

Student Weekly: What inspired you to become musicians?

Noth: I started playing guitar when I formed a band with Prite during junior high school. We dreamed of making an album.

Prite: After my dad told me that he used to play drums, I wanted to learn. When I formed a band with Noth, we didn’t expect it to be a career. We just liked music.

Name: My family are all musicians, so I was forced to learn singing. When I was studying in the UK, I joined a choir. Every night I pictured myself performing in front of a huge audience and I prayed that one day I would actually do it.

Student Weekly: What was your first public performance?

Noth: Prite and I were in a school music contest judged by grade 12 students.

We played a rock song, and the response was great. A lot of people cheered for us because we were the youngest band.

Natee: I performed with my high school friends in the UK. I was frightened, but had fun. It was awesome to be part of a band and playing a song I liked in front of people in the school.

Student Weekly: How was your trip to Summer Sonic?

Noth: It was really special. We had our own van which could get backstage and we had our own dressing room. The Japanese crew was punctual and all the musical equipment was excellent. We were on the Island Stage which was for Asian artists. There were only about 20 people in the audience while we performed, but the atmosphere was warm.

Student Weekly: Did you enjoy performing a Getsunova show in the UK?

Name: It was the best because we were students in London and the concert was arranged by the Thai association, Samaggi Samagom. When we were there, we saw their concerts with artists such as Bodyslam, Silly Fools and Joey Boy. We couldn’t believe that we would be able to perform at the famous venue, The Forum, where several world-famous artists have played. We were thrilled just taking pictures in the artist waiting room.

Student Weekly: How would you describe your band’s performances?

Noth: Many people have said our shows are fun. We have a great balance of both slow and fast songs that the audience can jump along to. We always add something new into our act, so the songs are different from what you hear on YouTube.

Student Weekly: Noth, where do you get your inspiration for writing songs?

Noth: Some of the ideas are from reading. Our lyrics usually play with opposite words and it’s become our trademark. Lately, I’ve used Natee’s ideas to write songs. I don’t like to use my own stories because I will feel too emotional.

Name: Many events in Noth’s songs happen in my life after the song is released.

Noth: And the next song will be a heartbreak song. [Laughs.]

Student Weekly: Can you tell us about “Alone Together”?

Noth: The song was written a few years ago. It was written for a male and female singer, so I waited until listeners knew the four members of Getsunova. Then, it’s time to have a female singer join us.

Student Weekly: Do you have a secret to creating a popular song?

Noth: A song must be understandable. It isn’t easy to write a beautiful song which can communicate with listeners. Some people write songs about themselves and that won’t be understood by others.

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