Showing 1 - 10 of 27
A joyous sound
Life, John Clewley, Published on 07/11/2023
» In 2001, the legendary US Gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama released an album on Peter Gabriel's Real World Records label. It was a hugely popular album which garnered the band a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. It included their version of Tom Wait's song Way Down In The Hole, which was the theme song for the TV miniseries The Wire. Their version is better than Waits' in my view.
Rocking the capital
Life, Tatat Bunnag, Published on 11/01/2023
» At 7.50pm last Saturday, nearly 50,000 fans also known as Blinks began to bring out their pink hammer-shaped light sticks that suddenly brightened the dark Bangkok sky, filling the large open-air space of Suphachalasai National Stadium on Rama 1. This was followed by the echoing sounds of screaming fans as Ji-soo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa finally appeared on stage. Some fans had actually waited for them since early morning that day.
Top of the (T)-Pops
Guru, Suthivas Tanphaibul, Published on 18/03/2022
» Taking most of the limelight in the Asian music industry is the K-Pop wave or Korea pop music. The genre has successfully connected people who are poles apart in origins while also shedding light on non-Western music and pop culture. Thai pop music, in particular, has flown under the radar for quite some time, with only a few names appearing on and off on global stages. However, with the power of social media, T-pop has become a rising tide during the last couple of years. Guru presents a quick look at up-and-coming Thai pop artists along with quick interviews with them.
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.
From sleepy Taunton to the world
Life, Tatat Bunnag, Published on 09/02/2021
» As the latest artist to be signed by Universal Music with hit songs topping the charts on both Spotify and Apple Music along with music videos with over 14 million views under his belt, Gen Z bedroom pop-star Finn Askew has just dropped his first major release, Peace EP, as he embarks on his break-out year.
Music with a message
Life, Suwitcha Chaiyong, Published on 17/03/2020
» After releasing the viral anti-junta single Prathet Ku Mee (What My Country's Got) two years ago, rap group Rap Against Dictatorship has not ceased to confront the government through their music, including well-known songs like 250 So Plo (250 Bootlickers), Before Darkness and To Whom It May Concern.
Finger on the pulse
Life, Tatat Bunnag, Published on 25/02/2020
» In recent years, we've seen the arrival of more and more online talk shows and podcasts, engaging and informing audiences on a wide variety of content, from current affairs to sports, film to technology, and everything in between.
Off the leash
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 20/10/2019
» "Dogs whine to communicate their physical, mental and emotional states..." At first glance, Dogwhine's artist bio reads like the opening to a freshman's college essay. Then, out of the blue, what initially appears to be a direct quote from the dictionary turns into a sly jab at the absurd prohibition on political gatherings of five or more people imposed by the junta: "Not all whines are created equally. Sometimes dogs gather to whine in group. When they come together more than five, they often get chased or taken away." Like hip-hop firebrands Rap Against Dictatorship who brought us the brilliant anti-junta Prathet Ku Mee (What's My Country Got), this Bangkok five-piece are unapologetically political from the outset.
From his home base
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 22/09/2019
» It's not often that the success of an artist can be attributed to his/her talent alone. Without the full backing of a major label, most artists would struggle to get the sort of exposure required to bring them international recognition. Thai singer-songwriter Phum Viphurit, however, is an extraordinary exception. Signed to Bangkok's bona fide indie label Rats Records, the young singer-songwriter showed immense potential from the get-go with his 2014 English-language debut single Adore. Since then, he has delivered gem after gem, dealing in breezy folky rock perfect for a road trip to the seaside or a session around the campfire.