It's been a busy year for Bangkok-based molam instrumental band Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band. The band released a debut album, 21st Century Molam, in November 2014 to great acclaim. The album garnered a number of awards, including Album of the Week on BBC Radio 6 and a Best Album Award on Gilles Peterson's radio show on the BBC. In Bangkok, the band was recently awarded Best Instrumental Album at the Khom Chat Leuk Awards.
World beat recently caught up with the band at the Zudrangma Record Store on Sukhumvit 51 to find out what the musicians have been up to and what plans are in store for 2016. Phin (three-stringed lute) player Kammao Perdthanon, khaen (bamboo mouth organ) player Sawai Kaewsombat, bass player Piyanart "Pump" Jotikashira, drummer Phusana Treeburut and manager and chin player DJ Maft Sai joined the interview.
In spring and summer this year, Paradise Bangkok scorched through two European tours; Europe has become a regular road trip for the band. The first show the band ever played in Europe was in Antwerp.
"The audience jumped into the music straight away," said Pump. "It was a big surprise for us." Europeans hadn't seen or heard the khaen so there was something different to the music that immediately attracted people. Maft Sai added that "Khammao's playing and body language also got people going". Khammao himself just grinned and said that "the Isan sound is a happy vibe and people like that".
But going on the road can be hard. Neither Khammao nor Sawai had travelled in Europe let alone played nine cities in nine days, as they did at one point.
"It is hard work on the road," said Pump. "And you have to be punctual or you miss the train!" For Khammao, the perks of being in Europe include parks and museums, although he draws the line at cheese.
"No cheese!" he said emphatically. Sawai, on the other hand, has developed a taste for apple crumble and custard, telling me that he thinks it's a British dessert.
Next year, the band is planning a month-long tour in the summer. Confirmed dates include the Field Day Festival in Victoria Park, London, in June; there have been rumours in the Thai media that the band will debut at the famous Glastonbury Festival and that could well happen, but we'll have to wait for the official announcement for confirmation.
As Chris Menist, the band's percussionist and Maft Sai's DJ partner, has relocated to the UK, he usually joins up with the band when they tour. In October, he came to Thailand to record new tracks with the band for a second studio album, which Maft Sai said would be released at the end of 2016.
"The new album will be a bit more experimental than the last one, pushing the boundaries of 21st century molam music," said Maft Sai. Pump added: "Yes, more flavours, more of a soundscape this time." The band will go into the studio again in the New Year, and several guests will also perform on some of the tracks. The album will be mixed by Nick Manasseh who has previously worked with the legendary Studio One producer Lee Perry.
Maft Sai said that music fans can get a taste of what the new album will sound like on the new 12-inch single, Lam San Ra, which will be released this week. You can pick up a copy at the Zudrangma Record Store, which has just reopened after being renovated.
In the meantime, on the first Wednesday of every month, Khammao leads the band's rhythm section on some experimental sonic adventures at Studio Lam, and on the third Wednesday each month, Khammao brings traditional musicians from Isan to jam with the band, again at Studio Lam. More information from www.zudrangmarecords.com
Lastly, thanks everyone for coming out to my latest DJ night, the World Beat Big B'Day bash. I had a lot of fun. I'll be spinning discs on the mini-stage attached to the Jim Thompson Molam Bus which will be parked at the Wonderfruit Festival; the bus contains a scaled-down version of the Molam Exhibition, "Joyful Khaen, Joyful Dance", recently held at the Jim Thompson Art Center. I'll be playing there on the 17th and 20th in the afternoon and Isan musicians like khaen maestro Sombat Simlar will be also performing on the stage. Drop by and get your daily shot of molam -- guaranteed to bring health and happiness!
This columnist can be contacted at clewley.john@gmail.com
Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band Euro Tour 2015
