Sweet singer lets go
By Tatat Bunnag
Photographs by Varuth Hirunyatheb
and courtesy by Believe Records
Did you know
Pango is a big fan of The Carpenters.
Cute 26-year-old singer Chintnudda Lamakanond (Pango) first gained recognition on YouTube with videos of herself performing covers of songs like Singular’s big hit, “Bao Bao (Tender).” That video alone has now attracted around three million views.
Following the release of her debut single, “Postcard,” about a year ago, Pango signed to local label Believe Records. Pango’s first release with the label is “Ploi (Let Go),” a single that will also be included on her upcoming debut album. Produced by Kijjaz of Monotone fame, “Let Go” is an acoustic pop ballad that perfectly showcases Pango’s sweet style.
Student Weekly recently met up with Pango at the Believe Records office to hear about her new song, her upcoming album and her love for music.
Student Weekly: What have you been up to since the release of “Postcard”?
Pango: “Postcard” was my first song, and it was included on a Believe Records compilation last year. Since then, I’ve been working on recording sessions, jamming and playing live shows. I’ve also released a couple of special songs with other artists, like Singto Numchok and the band Tiger.
Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your new single, “Let Go”?
Pango: “Let Go” has an acoustic pop sound similar to “Postcard.” It’s a love song about getting over a hard time. Some people get depressed and only listen to sad songs when they’re heartbroken, but I like to look at things optimistically. The song is about how there’s so much more out there waiting for you, so you should get out and see the world. It’s like a feel-good heartbreak song.
Student Weekly: Your songs are mostly acoustic with slow to medium tempos. What inspires you to record songs that way?
Pango: Slow, sad songs usually attract me more than dance music. I like easy-listening pop and jazz. I feel exhausted after too much loud or fast music.
Student Weekly: When did you first realise that you wanted to be a singer?
Pango: I’ve wanted to be a singer for as long as I can remember. I used to always sing and dance around the house when I was a kid, so my dad built a mini stage for me to perform on! [Laughs.]
Student Weekly: Do you have any hobbies apart from music?
Pango: I love collecting things. Since I was a little girl, I’ve been collecting stuff like dolls, stamps and postcards.
Student Weekly: What’s your dream goal in life?
Pango: My dream of becoming a professional singer has already come true. But my other dream is to travel around the world. I’ll have to save up money for a while to do that. [Laughs.] I’d also like to own a coffee shop in the future.
Student Weekly: When can fans expect your album to be released?
Pango: My album should be completed and released sometime this year. But in the meantime, I’ll be releasing a few more singles.
Vocabulary
- recognition (n): public praise for somebody’s work or actions
showcase (v): to present somebody’s abilities or good qualities in an attractive way
jam (v): to play music with other musicians in an informal way without preparing or practising first
depressed (adj): very sad and without hope
optimistically (adv): in a way that is positive and expecting good things to happen
feel-good (adj): making you feel happy and pleased about life
tempo (n): the speed or rhythm of a piece of music
inspire (v): to give somebody the idea for something, especially something artistic or creative
exhausted (adj): very tired
Idiom
in the meantime: in the period of time between two times or events
