Their latest single has recently reached more than 120 million YouTube views. Their upcoming full-scale concert on Nov 14 has already sold out. They are headlining Skechers Sundown Festival in Singapore along with other top Asian acts later next month. With a six-album catalogue and a series of all-time-great love hits, local rock group Potato have proven that they can still achieve mainstream popularity after a 14-year run.
Consisting of vocalist Patchai "Pup" Pakdeesusuk, bassist Piyawat "Ome" Anugool, guitarist Teekatas "Hang" Taviarayakul and drummer Kan Umsuupan, the band are now getting ready for a full-blown onstage comeback in "Potato Live". Life talked to the four members about their sold-out show, live performance expertise and the latest big hit.
The show has already sold out?
Patchai: Yes. It was a lot quicker than we thought. We opted for a medium-size venue like Thunder Dome because we intended it to be a small gathering with the fans. Also, Genie Records has given us the opportunity. It's already been four years since our latest full-scale concert. So we think it's about time.
Why "Potato Live"?
Patchai: Because performing live makes us who we are today. Those performances have shaped us and improved our skills. Regardless of the venue size, each gig is a new experience. We learn each day from our onstage experiences.
How does each performance season you as an artist?
Kan: It improves my performance skills a lot. Sometimes, I even come up with new tricks spontaneously while playing on stage.
Piyawat: The more we play live, the more experience we have. Each venue has different crowds. Their ambience isn't the same. I've learned to look from the viewpoint of an audience, so I understand what people expect from a show.
Teekatas: Before joining Potato in late 2011, I'd been a music producer for 10 years. I worked in the studio all the time. It's a highly responsible job and it made me feel old. When I got to be on tour with the band, it broadened my horizons. I feel fresh and young again. It's amazing how music can take us everywhere. With live performances, onstage experiences and going on tour, we get to talk to the fans and hear how they feel about our work. It's a valuable experience.
Do you still have pre-show jitters these days?
Patchai: Yes, still, most of the time. But I take it as positive energy. Like an athlete who is ready to start his race, I explode into full energy once I jump on stage. No matter what scale the show is, the audience comes to see us and expects a full experience from us. So I try to stay active before each stage appearance.
Piyawat: I try not to think -- just be relaxed. When it's time to rock, just do it. We've been rehearsing a lot already. My goal for every gig is to have fun. That's become my nature.
Kan: Sometimes I get nervous after not having played live for over a week. That's a long time. Right at the first song, I'll send out my excitement to the audience.
How do you prepare yourself before walking on stage?
Teekatas: We have different ways to concentrate. Warming up instruments is a good way to help get us focused. I warm up with my guitar while Kan usually stretches his arms and hands with his drumsticks. Pup normally gets his vocal warm-up. Then, we go through the set list once again and put our hands together before going on stage.
Tell us more about your latest single Ting Wai Klang Tang (In The Middle Of The Road). What's the recipe for success?
Teekatas: This track came from our idea. We felt it was time to write a song -- Potato's style of heartbreak song -- for the fans. Thanks to good teamwork at Genie Records, we'd gone through a lot of discussions and brainstorming in every process, from songwriting to recording, in order to get the best song.
Patchai: I felt confident when I heard the demo, not that it'd become a big hit, but that it's a beautiful tune. It's another perfect example of Potato's style of love song -- songs that convey emotions and connect with people.
What do the 120 million YouTube views of this track reflect?
Teekatas: It shows us we are lucky the fans still give us a chance. Throughout our career span, some of our releases haven't always been popular. When this single turns out to be successful, they come to us and tell us how happy they are. Also, it's the fruits of a great team effort.
Piyawat: This track has been through so much strategic thinking and planning that it sounds very simple. It's become a song that everybody can get into.
After 14 years on the road, how would you reintroduce the band?
Patchai: Today, in short, we're a pop rock band that plays love songs with a positive attitude.
Potato will rock their sold-out show "Potato Live" at Thunder Dome Muang Thong Thani on Nov 14. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Foundation for the Better Life of Children. Visit www.potatoband.com.
Teekatas 'Hang' Taviarayakul.
Patchai 'Pup' Pakdeesusuk.
Kan Umsuupan.
Piyawat 'Ome' Anugool.
