Maft Sai Interview | Page 3

Originally, we were a record store who launched a label, created an event which the label hosted, and from that event a band was organized. And a music bar “Studio Lam” which is a performance space for the musicians was born. All the projects I have worked on, they’re all connected.

I have a partner since we launched “Paradise Bangkok”. His name is Chris Menist. Every time we hosted party events and studied it, our desire and eagerness to add an element that is somewhat different, increased. One time, an idea came up to include not only DJ but a live performance in the event. So we decided that if we’re going to do this, we reached the conclusion to invite legendary artists from Thai roots music as guest artists. We contacted artists who we have only heard of on the old vinyl and requested to perform. We invited Dao Bandon, Saksiam Phetchompoo*, Phimchai Petplanchai*, Angkanang Kunchai, and some other big-name artists. As a result of that, slowly but surely, our events became like some kind of a form of live performance event.

And next, we needed a band which would be the base for us, so we started contacting artists and musicians we associated with in the events in the past again. The first member we found was a khene player, Sawai Kaewsombat who performed in Dao Bandon’s event before. After that, Kammao Perdtanon, who is a phin player who we met at Saksiam Phetchompoo’s event. guitarist from Apartment Khunpa, and also a close friend, we called Piyanart Jotikasthira [a.k.a. Pump] as a bassist. Phusana Treeburut, a drummer who Pump brought along. And Chris Menist was in charge of the percussion, I participated as percussion and also was in charge of music production. Originally, we were a record store who launched a label, then we created an event which the label hosted, and from that event a band was organized. And a music bar “Studio Lam” which is a performance space for the musicians was born. Lam” means “dance” in standard language. But in the Isaan, even with the same pronunciation, lam means “sing”. Furthermore, in northern Chiang Mai, the meaning changes to “delicious”. As a matter of fact, “Lam” from Studio Lam contains all of the meaning. Dance, sing and delicious. (laughter) All the projects I have worked on, they’re all connected. For example it is possible to release an artist who performed in Studio Lam as label of ZudRangMa Records. Or, we can think of a way to connect to other label and look for a new possibility. It is also possible to book similar DJs or artists from all over the world and perform. It’s a kaleidoscopic project. For example, Studio Lam became the label of The Paradise Bangkok molam International Band and releases performances. To sum it up, Studio Lam functions as a label as well. Each label has it own characteristics. ZudRangMa Records releases performances which have cultural and historical colors. Molam, Luk thung, Thai funk are examples. In contrast, Studio Lam is more of a B-side music, there is no demand of deep history or tradition. The demand is to make the floor dance, give the sounds that make people groove.

*Sakisiam Phetchompoo::
Born 1952. A male singer from Maha Sarakham Province. Became a singer after performing as drummer in Runciman orchestra. Has mass-production of many hits with Dao Bandon.