The GURU compilation

The GURU compilation

Our selection of more fresh sounds of 2016

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The GURU compilation

So far this year we've featured many of the freshest sounds of Thailand's music scene. Musically, 2016's been good, with many indie acts finding success and recognition. As the year wraps up, we want to show you even more talents that deserve love (and listening to) from us.

Thanks to radio stations, music streaming services, music festivals, independent gig organisers and social media, we have got to know so many Thai artists who are all bringing something completely new to the table. Many of them are striking out on their own, unsigned. These are the talents we ought to be supporting, so as to keep our music scene diverse and thriving.

This week, we present you, in no particular order, seven musical acts worth tuning into, ranging from folk groups and guitar gods to electronic princesses.


X0809

http://fb.com/x0809

Note Panayanggool and Anya "Yale" Muangkote formed X0809 (reads "X-O-eight-O-nine") and they've pushed the boundaries of the music scene in ways we've never seen done before.

Being multi-instrumentalists and synthesiser senseis, Note and Yale are an electronic duo that has no fear in experimenting with its sounds. Check out the duo's first single -30 (Minus Thirty) on YouTube and be enchanted by a dark yet hypnotic song that is accompanied with stunning visuals.

Before X0809, Note was already known by the public, being first runner-up in the seventh season of The Star - a popular singing contest - as a cute girl playing the ukulele. After playing in several gigs she had organised herself in New York, Note came back to Thailand filled with a burning passion for electronic music and thus formed X0809 with Yale. They both always shared a common love for experimental sounds and previously played together in a band called The Krrrrr.

Due to a very unique sound and style, they got picked by Thai Apple Music for the New Artist Spotlight in June. They've also played at The Solar Budokan 2016 in early September in Japan. Today they will represent Thailand at Clockenflap Music Festival in Hong Kong. You go, girls!

> Keep your ears out for: The duo will release its first EP in the middle of February. We truly hope all Thais are ready for them.

Yale and Note. Photo: X0809


TOYS

Search "The TOYS" on YouTube

TOYS's synth-and-guitar-centric music makes you feel so warm and fuzzy inside. TOYS is derived from the artist's name, Thanwa "Toy" Boonsungnern, Crispy Sound's music producer and a multi-instrumentalist. His catchy and pop-like melodies go strangely well with his unique voice, which could be described as a dek nok with a sore throat. Toy even has Thai subtitles in one of his music videos but insists this is his natural singing voice.

Despite no formal training, Toy is quite the guitar god. He came second in the Search for Light Ibanez Guitar Solo competition in 2014. He also won first prize at the 9th Overdrive Guitar Contest last November. At the time of writing, he's one of the 25 finalists of Guitar Idol, an international online competition for guitarists. There are several videos of him showing off his guitar skills on YouTube

Toy doesn't have his artist Facebook page yet (that's how yet-to-be-discovered he is). So subscribe to his YouTube channel for now.

> Keep your ears out for: His new EP will drop soon with six songs. Check out his latest single Hai tor aphai (I Beg Your Pardon) which recently peaked at number 9 on Cat Radio. It's so addictive you may want to play it on repeat. He will perform live at the upcoming Cat Expo 3D which will take place on Feb 4-5.

Toy. Photo: Thanwa "Toy" Boonsungnern


YENA

http://fb.com/yenastore

It took about seven years for YENA to gain real recognition. Drummer "Ye", bassist "Fone" and guitarist "Kul" have been regarded as a new wave in the pleng phuea chiwit (songs for life) genre, well-known for holding a mirror up to society's not-so-pleasant sides.

Fone and Kul are life-long friends who first played together in a band while studying at Matayom level. Fone later met Ye while studying at Bangkok University and the trio then came together to form YENA, named after Ye's surname simply because all three liked the sound of it.

Musically, they're Carabao-esque, blending rock with thought-provoking yet simple lyrics. It's deep without being heavy. Gaeng tai pla (southern-style fish curry) intertwines a rather upbeat tune with a hard-hitting message about the casualties of the southern insurgency. In the music video to their latest single, Tho khee (toilet bowl), three men fight over one plate of khao padkaprao to symbolise class conflict. #deep.

Keep up with upcoming gigs via their Facebook page and watch their MVs on their YouTube's channel. Listen to their self-titled EP via Fungjai for free.

> Keep your ears out for: YENA will perform at Wonderfruit Festival which takes place between February 16-19. A self-published debut album is also due around January or February of next year.

Kul, Fone and Ye. Photo: YENA


The Front Row

http://fb.com/thefrontrowband

Although The Front Row doesn't want to be pigeon-holed into any genre, they represent that the type of music that offers social commentaries through delving into real-life experiences. FR's vocalist and guitarist Korn Pongpipat left The Richman Toy to start his own project in 2014 and dubbed it "The Other Side", showing a truer shade of himself as a musician.

He and bassist Surapong "Yunus" Kongsiengsung, who both studied music at Madihol, first formed the band. Later three more members -- keyboard Wasin "Eak" Muneepeerakul, drummer Wolanon "Pao" Sukcharoennukul and guitarist Nattawut "Aum" Hongrattanaporn -- joined to make the current lineup.

Their mellow tunes have hints of various genres from R&B to post rock, and alongside Korn's gentle crooning, seep so easily into our ears. Like a diary of sorts, Korn wrote all the songs, deriving material from personal experiences that moved him.

Listen to their demos on their YouTube channel. Their first three albums are available in CD form only in some music stores such as Nong Ta Prachan and 8 Musique, but you can also order via their Facebook page. Stay tuned into their Facebook page for future gigs.

> Keep your ears out for: The fourth album The Other Side 4 will be out soon, including songs inspired by karaoke girls, a woman trying to drown her problems in alcohol and a girl Korn crushed on.

Eak, Korn, Pao, Aum and Yunus. Photo: The Front Row


Chanudom

http://fb.com/ChanudomOfficial

Describing themselves as theatrical glam rock, Chanudom moves audiences with their energetic performance, glammed-up attire and a right amount of over-the-top-ness.

Given their origins, it should come as no surprise that Chanudom is rocking out with theatrical flair. Vocalist Chanudom "Pat" Suksatit, guitarist Sathapat "Pat" Sangsuwan and drummer Tachapol "Top" Cheevapariyangboon first met while working together on Bangkok University's production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, in which Chanudom played the title's character. The trio later approached Jay Monthonn Jira who produced their first EP, The Birth of Chanudom.

Their four-song EP, which was released early in this year, is structured like a play, each representing one act of the whole story. Surprisingly, their lyrics are inspired by Buddhist teachings.

> Keep your ears out for: They recently signed with What The Duck record label in August but maintain full creative control. Their tribute to the late King will be out soon.

Top, Pat [Chanudom] and Pat [Sathapat]. Photo: Chanudom Official


Safeplanet

http://fb.com/safeplanetband

Sometimes you just need tunes you can effortlessly ease into. Safeplanet can easily leave you lost in a world of dream-like indie pop, beautiful choruses and reflective yet uplifting messages.

The Safeplanet trio -- Thitiphat "A" A on guitar and vocals, Aphiwich "Doi" K on drums & percussion and Chayapan "Yee" J on bass -- has been getting some real recognition in the form of impressive online views and an increasing number of gigs this year.

A and Doi used to play in another indie band called Shadow Flare before breaking off to create their own band. Yee joined them to complete the trio. Their latest single Hong krachok (mirror room) peaked at number three on Cat Radio and gained 470k YouTube views. Not too shabby for a band that does it all themselves.

> Keep your ears out for: Their first full length album will be out by next March. One of their upcoming gigs is at Cat Expo 3D which takes place on February 4-5.

Yee, A and Doi. Photo: Safeplanet


Bomb At Track

http://fb.com/Bombattrack

After a few changes in their line-up and some time figuring out their musical identity, Bomb At Track dropped their first bomb in July.

Their first single Amnat Charoen (Long Live the Power) isn't about the northeastern province. It's an angry (and rightfully so) reaction to a vicious assault of a man with disabilities by a group of young men who are the sons of police. We won't spoil the NSFW lyric here but, within three minutes the song will certainly get your blood boiling with intense energy when you hear the aggressive guitar riff accompanied with some pretty spot-on ranting and rapping. Their DIY one-shot music video was filmed in an abandoned building. Don't play it on speakers, though. People may think you have anger issues.

The rap metal band consists of five uni students, all of whom are studying music. Frontman and vocalist Wongsakorn "Tae" Temayung, guitarist Pakawat "Mesz" Prasertsak, guitarist Prachayanon "Pui" Yungklang, bassist Sart "Khon" Pornmuneesoontorn and drummer Sirapob "Nin" Lertchavalit all share a love for rock bands that include Rage Against the Machine, Deftones and Korn. They first played together publicly at The Rock Pub in June and quickly gained a following.

Stayed tune in to their Facebook page for upcoming gigs. Buy their first track on iTunes.

> Keep your ears out for: The second single Kadtakorn Keyboard will be released this coming Sunday. It's inspired by all the victims of our country's irresponsible use of social media.

Nin, Mesz, Tae, Khon and Pui. Photo: Thanat Laoharawee


Artists' Helper

Are you an aspiring artist in need of a financial jump-start? If so, check out Malama Collective (http://fb.com/malamacollective), a community of artists who create their own music and wish to help each other. It's created in response to a problem new artists face, namely lack of funds. Artists can borrow from Malama to create their work and repay back later. Moreover, the group will groom new artists through training and workshops. This side project by Fungjai already has its first group of artists under its wings and will announce its search for its second group soon.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT