The Voice winner writes a hit
By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
Did you know
The Bantam were originally called Dog Dream.
Singer Rangsant Panyaruan (Songkran) won over viewers of The Voice Thailand Season II with his unique singing and down to earth personality. The 24-year-old Lampang native surprised his audience when he introduced himself as a fried meatball vendor.
Before being a food vendor, Songkran had worked at several different jobs to survive, including a shoe seller, a lawn cutter, a waiter and a dish washer. In the evenings, Songkran also sang at a pub where he was able to hone his performing skills.
Since winning the million baht prize on The Voice, Songkran has been able to focus on being a full-time singer. The rising star has been busy lately promoting his debut rock single, “Kong Mai Than (It’s Too Late),” which he wrote himself.
Student Weekly recently met up with Songkran at the iAm music label office to ask him about his life and music.
Student Weekly: Is it true that you’re allergic to the oil that you used to fry meatballs?
Songkran: Yes. I noticed that after selling fried meatballs, I felt totally exhausted when I sang. I also had a hard time projecting my voice, but I got better when I took a break from selling meatballs. Later a doctor confirmed that I was allergic to the oil.
Student Weekly: Why didn’t you change your job?
Songkran: I was competing on The Voice at the time. I had to go back home to Nakhon Ratchasima and sell meatballs to make enough money to survive in Bangkok.
Student Weekly: How did you learn to play the guitar?
Songkran: I taught myself at first, and then my uncle had taught me for four years. He also let me teach other students.
Student Weekly: Did you enjoy teaching?
Songkran: It was stressful because I was still a high school student. Whenever a lesson didn’t go well with a student, I had to run up to the roof and scream. I eventually realised that I wasn’t suited to the job. I didn’t like all the rules and discipline of teaching.
Student Weekly: Did you get good feedback the first time you sang in a pub?
Songkran: I was a guitarist and there was another singer. I got a chance to sing because once the singer didn’t make it on time. The pub owner let me sing, but I didn’t get any special reaction from the audience. I just tried to sing what they wanted to hear.
Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your band, The Bantam?
Songkran: I formed The Bantam with my high school friends. The band released three rock singles that I wrote, “Yang Khong Yoo [Still There],” “Mee [There Is Happiness]” and “Perd Ta [Open Eyes].” The band played at the last Fat Festival and at the Kod Indie Music Festival in Khon Kaen. We had some great feedback, with people singing along with our songs.
Student Weekly: How would you describe your single, “It’s Too Late”?
Songkran: It’s a slow rock song. The heartbreaking lyrics are about a guy losing a girl who was always by his side, making his beautiful world disappear. Singing in the studio wasn’t hard because my producer was excellent at capturing the emotional mood. I like singing gloomy songs.
Student Weekly: Do you have any special message for your fans?
Songkran: I’d like to thank everybody. Without you guys, I wouldn’t be here today. I wrote “It’s Too Late” and would like everybody to listen to it. I hope the song gives encouragement to anybody who is feeling down.
Vocabulary
- win somebody over (phrasal v): to get somebody’s support or approval for something you have done
down-to-earth (adj): sensible and practical in a way that is friendly and helpful
vendor (n): a person who sells things, such as food or newspapers, usually outside on the street
lawn (n): an area of ground covered in short grass in a garden, park, etc.
hone (v): to develop and improve something, especially a skill, over a period of time
allergic (adj): having a medical condition that causes you to react badly or feel ill when you eat or touch a particular substance
capture (v): to succeed in accurately expressing a feeling, an atmosphere, etc. in a recording, a piece of writing, etc.
gloomy (adj): sad and without much hope
down (adj): feeling sad and depressed
