With five full-length albums and a string of hits, local rock outfit Zeal has been rocking the circuit for one decade. Now to keep things fresh, guitarist Sila Namtep has joined the band’s four longtime companions (Pex, Ken, Chu, Pok). Along with touring with Zeal, the Chiang Mai-born music enthusiast also juggles his sound engineering routine at Jukebox Radio. See Sila and his bandmates play at Pattaya International Music Festival 2013 on Mar 22. Visit Zeal’s fanpage at facebook.com/Zealrockband.
WHEN WAS YOUR ONSTAGE DEBUT WITH ZEAL?
My first gig with Zeal was at the Extra Love Concert by Fongbeer in March last year. I was really nervous. I practiced my part very hard since it was a full-scale show. My first recorded single with the band is "Yoot Rak Yung Ngai". It's an OST of the recent TV series Rang Prattana and I also did the score for the series.
HOW DID YOU BECOME PART OF THE BAND?
I met Pex [vocalist] about 10 years ago when I was playing at a hangout in Chiang Mai. I'm a fan of Zeal. Pex is also good-natured so we get along very well as musicians. We sent demos back and forth. He would comment on my works after hearing them. However, it was last year that he asked me to join the group. The band members were looking to create more layers to the guitar lines and add a new dimension to their live performances.
WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE 10 YEARS BEFORE JOINING ZEAL?
I've been a musician the whole time. I played at nightspots in my hometown [of Chiang Mai]. Pex suggested that my band and I move to Bangkok to allow easier access to record labels. We moved to Bangkok while some of my band members were studying at Mahidol University in Salaya. When we were a resident band at a club in RCA, it was exhausting commuting from Salaya to RCA every day. So some of the members went back to Chiang Mai. Thankfully, I got a full-time job at a radio station, so I can live [in Bangkok].
HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO BE AN ARTIST?
Yes, since I was born, perhaps! I majored in music at Payap University. My family members are all music instructors. But I enjoy being on stage.
IS SHOWBIZ DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU FIRST EXPECTED?
Not much different. I feel my dream has come true. I'm walking on the path and setting a new goal to be more widely known as Sila of Zeal.
DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ADVICE TO ASPIRING ARTISTS?
These days, the [music] industry is highly competitive. Having a release doesn't necessarily mean you're a successful artist. However, never lose faith. Live your dream. Keep trying so you won't regret it.G
