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“Japanese-style live house” in Bangkok
Nomura: How do Thai artists see Japan?
Ginn: Like Soft Pine, who mentioned earlier that it was one of their dreams to perform live in Japan, and YONLAPA, who performed in Japan last year, they are impressed by the Japanese live environment and the way the audience enjoys the live show. In Thailand, there are very few live music clubs, and the places where you can play are usually live bars. But in most cases, live bars only play covers of famous songs, and there are only about 5 or 6 places in Bangkok where indie bands can play their original songs. The equipment is also a world apart compared to Japanese live music clubs. Furthermore, in Japan, the audience listens carefully to our performances. They seem to be impressed by such an environment.
Nomura: So you have positive feelings toward Japan.
A member of the Fukuoka collective BOAT and in charge of miscellaneous affairs for the band MADE IN HEPBURN, which is the core of the collective. After graduating from college, at the age of 23, he started working part-time at “LOVE FM” and became involved in the production of radio programs, supporting fellow artists he met in the process of producing the RKB Mainichi Broadcasting radio programs “Drink Bar Bonjin Conference” and “Chartbusters r!”, which led him to establish the music He established the music collective BOAT. BOAT’s activities led to the creation of music videos for major artists such as Siip, AmPm, and Yoshiho Nakamura, as well as for Fukuoka artists such as Deep Sea Diving Club, Cranazm, and YOUND. From 2022, he will be producing an official podcast for Spotify and a program for Hi-Tide Store and Paper Sky magazine, as well as a documentary about Fukuoka’s emerging artists. In addition to directing various audio contents such as “THINKING CLOUD,” a program by High Tide Store and Paper Sky magazine, he is also a member of Fukuoka Music City Council, where he is in charge of event direction. He will organize “BEYONDERS,” a collight project by artists from Fukuoka and Thailand.
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Ginn: Yes, that’s right. But if you look at it from a more bird’s eye view, without music, the generation around Generation Z has grown up with Korean culture and entertainment, and Japan’s presence is becoming weaker for them. 15 years ago, there was a huge boom of Hallyu in Thailand, especially with Girls’ Generation and Tohoshinki. When the Korean Wave ignited in Thailand, the Korean Tourism Bureau hijacked major outdoor media. Then Korean food, cosmetics, and fashion came in, and consumer electronics replaced Toshiba, Sony, and Sharp with LG and Samsung.
Nomura: I see.
Ginn: But in the past few years, Chinese automakers have been entering the Thai market with EVs. The air pollution in Thailand is very bad due to exhaust emissions and other factors, and as the government promotes the use of EVs, the presence of Chinese manufacturers is becoming stronger.
Nomura: What about animation?
Ginn: Japanese anime and manga are very strong. Recently, a friend of mine in Thailand recommended “Bocchi Za Rokku! was recommended to me by a friend in Thailand. When he visited Japan, he went on a pilgrimage to SHELTER in Shimokita. Being a bit older generation, I read “BECK”, so I have a longing for “live music clubs”.
Nomura: Heh~!
Ginn: By the way, the word “live house” is a Japanese word, so it is not understood in the West, but in Thailand, the word “live house” is widespread. I think the influence of anime and manga is one of the factors. Recently, young people have been working hard to create a Japanese-style live house in Thailand. A live music club called “Blueprint Livehouse” was recently established by a group of young people who were determined to create a Japanese-style live music club in Thailand.
