Panda Records turns 16
By: Tatat Bunnag
Photos courtesy of Panda Records
Did you know
June contributed the song “Dream” to the film Mary Is Happy, Mary Is Happy
Like the indie music labels Smallroom and Bakery, Panda Records has become an important part of the Thai music scene. The label is celebrating its 16th anniversary with the Panda Festival on October 31 at Thonburi Rama Theatre.
In the last 16 years Panda has released albums by Bear-Garden, Stylish Nonsense, Damnwrong, Redtwenty, and more recently Summer Dress, Chladni Chandi and Hariguem Zaboy. Stylish Nonsense bandmates Wannarit Pongprayoon (Pok) and June Kalambaheti, along with Bear-Garden’s Somsiri Sangkaew (June), formed the label in 1999 simply to release singles from their friend’s bands.
Student Weekly recently caught up with Bear-Garden’s June to talk about Panda’s past and present.
Student Weekly: Why did you decide to celebrate the 16-year anniversary?
June: We held our first anniversary party when Panda turned 10 years old, but it was much smaller-scale compared to what we’re planning for this event. Back then we had fewer bands on the label, so to plan a big party was almost impossible. But now everybody says that it’s time for us to celebrate again.
Student Weekly: As one of the label founders, how do you feel about your long journey and this momentous occasion?
June: At the moment I’m feeling excited. I can’t believe it’s been 16 years already. I’ve been doing a lot of my own things in the past few years, and didn’t have much activity with the label. Pok was the one taking care of Panda. But I’ve noticed that there are a lot of great bands that have joined the label lately. I feel proud of how things have turned out.
Student Weekly: Has Panda Records changed in terms of musical direction and bands?
June: It’s quite different now. At the beginning we were just a group of friends who getting together and making music. Some of us didn’t even know how to play our instruments. But now we’ve got new bands that went to music school. Many of them have a lot more skill and talent than the first generation of Panda bands. But all of us are influenced by many different types of music, which is great.
Student Weekly: Why did you choose to hold your concert in the old Thonburi Rama Theatre?
June: It’s a cool and classy venue. We can get a nostalgic feeling once we step into the place. I think it’s the perfect venue for our party.
Student Weekly: Will Panda Records have a special release for this event?
June: We’re preparing a special compilation album which will be sold at the show. The album will be packed with around 30 tracks by old and new Panda bands. It’s all new material that has never been released before. It’s really special!
Student Weekly: What are the highlights of the upcoming party?
June: You’ll get to see around 20 Panda bands playing on the same day. Some old and new bands will be in town and there’ll be a lot of jamming between bands. It’s going to be so much fun. Hope to see you all there!
Vocabulary
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momentous (adj): of great importance or significance
nostalgic (adj): a feeling of pleasure and affection when you think of happy times in the past
jam (v): to play music with other musicians in an informal way without preparing or practising first
