Showing 1 - 10 of 45
Farewell to a maestro
Life, John Clewley, Published on 10/04/2024
» The world of molam has been in mourning since news emerged that Thailand's greatest phin player Thongsai Thap Thanon passed away on March 20 at his home in Warin Chamrap district, Ubon Ratchathani, at the age of 77. The phin is a two- or three-stringed Isan Lao lute that is part of the trinity of molam instruments, along with the iconic khaen (free reed bamboo mouth organ) and the sor (fiddle).
Country comes to the city
Life, John Clewley, Published on 31/01/2023
» The All-Thidsa Molam Band was in Bangkok this past weekend to perform at the Thailand International Jazz Conference. World Beat caught up with band last Friday when they played two sets at Isan Spicy BBQ, a rooftop bar at the Jim Thompson Art Center.
Pedal steel gets its resurrection
Sunday Spotlight, Published on 14/08/2022
» When DaShawn Hickman was 4 years old, living just 32 steps from the tiny granite House of God church in Mount Airy, North Carolina, he picked up a lap steel his uncle had built for his mother. Stretching the electric guitar across his tiny knees for the first time, using a D-cell battery as his slide, he traced the hymns his mother sang.
Most Thais worried by Russia-Ukraine conflict: poll
Online Reporters, Published on 13/03/2022
» A large majority of Thai people are worried by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying it would have a considerable impact, particularly on fuel prices and the cost of living, according to an opinion survey by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, or Suan Dusit Poll.
A break-dancing opera singer
Sunday Spotlight, Published on 13/03/2022
» When foreign stars visit the Glyndebourne opera festival in the countryside outside London, it's common for them to participate in some time-honoured English rituals, like sipping Pimm's on the lawn or nibbling on a scone for afternoon tea.
Transcending boundaries
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 22/02/2022
» It was a pleasant surprise for the four Thai singers of 4MIX when more than 3,000 fans welcomed them at the mini-concert "4MIX Unix Mexico" in Mexico City. The venue, a stage in front of a mall, was jam-packed. Some fans had prepared signs in both Thai and English to express their appreciation for 4MIX and when the singers performed, and they sang along in Thai.
Riding the South Korean wave
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 28/12/2021
» Looking back on the year in music, the global phenomenon BTS helped propel the fan base expansion of K-pop groups into the United States. BTS, the seven-member boy band, continues to break recording history and open new frontiers for Asian artists. In March, IFPI, the organisation that represents the recorded music industry worldwide, named BTS as its Global Recording Artist of the Year 2020. The septet won over Taylor Swift, Drake, The Weeknd and Billie Eilish, who ranked second to fifth place respectively. The boy band was the first Asian artist to win the IFPT Global Recording Artist of the Year Award.
A beautiful word of caution
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 15/12/2021
» As part of the 2021 UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) competition, artists were allowed to create paintings without restrictions in terms of imagination and ingenuity since there was no specific theme. The results were rewarding. The winner of UOB Painting of the Year (Thailand) in the established artist category, Vachira Kornthong, created a mixed media on canvas painting, Land Of Happiness, which depicts the hidden beauty and abundant happiness found in nature. Land Of Happiness stood out with its use of vibrant colours combined with a fabric applique technique. The message of nature conservation that the artwork implies also touched viewers.
Got7 vocalist set to hold first solo event
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 23/11/2021
» K-pop group Got7 is a favourite of many Thais. In 2019, tickets for Got7's two-day concert at Rajamangala National Stadium with a capacity of 50,000 was sold out. Hence, when Got7 decided to not renew their contracts with music label JPY Entertainment, fans became worried. Despite their departure from JYP Entertainment, the seven-member group assured fans they would remain Got7 and release music together in the future. In the meantime, each member signed contracts with different companies to pursue solo careers.
Tracing the roots of The Big Easy's groove
Life, John Clewley, Published on 23/11/2021
» In March 1947, pianist and singer Cecil Grant heard Roy Brown sing Good Rockin' Tonight during a break at a small club in New Orleans. He was so taken with the song, he called the owners of De Luxe Records and had Brown sing the song over the phone. Brown was quickly signed with the label and recorded the song at J&M Studio with producer Cosimo Matassa.