How would you describe the music you make?
I create original modern funk music and such via the record label Stones Throw, yet when I DJ, I spin boogie-funk more than any other style.
What’s the state of modern funk?
It’s still fresh. More artists are now experimenting with it and interest has risen greatly among worldwide music listeners, since the days of [debut album, the ambitious 5LP set] Toeachizown, which was released in late 2009.
Tell us about your Funkmosphere nights.
Funkmosphere, the club and brand, is now six years old. It’s a place where we tend to spin wax only and it caters to the funk, boogie and modern soul crowd. There’s a heavy lean on music, mostly rare, that was released in the very late 70s to mid-80s, but without the tongue-in-cheek corny vibe that had been attached to it so often before we came onto the LA club scene. We have two nights a week. Both are free entry.
What is your philosophy when it comes to DJing?
My philosophy is letting the songs play, without too many tricks, such as scratching or the like. I like to let the songs breathe for the audience’s sake. Just keep it groovin’. I still enjoy digging for records and I do it all over the world. Yet, collecting instruments has become more my forte these days.
What can Bangkok audiences expect from a Dâm-Funk live set?
A mix of melodic funk and boogie sounds by interesting artists through DJing, mixed with live keyboards and original material throughout. The audience is always an inspiration. I like to feel we’re all in it together and it’s not just about me.
Has collaborating with people removed from the funk sound (Nite Jewel, Ariel Pink) had any influence on how you make music?
They’ve all been great experiences. I dig all styles of music, though, so that’s why I’ve always been open to experimenting with different artists.
You often refer to your music as a lifestyle; how often do you record?
I’ve got so much unreleased material that has been recorded over the years that I could just stop now. But this is too real for me. I have to keep creating, just based on life. It’s just about staying me and, at any time I choose, creating for the universe.
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How long have you all been living in Laos?
Long enough to remember how much fun it used to be getting censored! Before ULUVUS a few of us were in a band called Soviet Reunion. The first time we played at a big public concert, in 2005, thousands of flyers had to be binned after an official objected to our name. We appeared simply as “Reunion.”
What are your day jobs?
Modeling, product endorsement, cameo roles in Lao films, that kind of thing. Actually, that last one is true. I have a role in the upcoming film Big Heart, due for release next year.
How did the band form?
In the usual kind of way—drummer Tom O’Hawk started asking around town for other people with time on their hands. The turning point was when our label Indee Records asked us to be the fake backing band for a Lao solo artist called Sook. We had to pose for his album cover and shoot a music video with him. The video was banned from Lao television as there were dancers in it who were wearing short skirts. Sook’s career never recovered, but ours was kick-started!
Tell us a bit about your new album, 55555; what’s with the title?
The main reason is that people like to laugh at our band, for lots of reasons—and we like to laugh at the whole thing, too. 55555 is shorthand in Laos and Thailand for the sound of laughter. Auspiciously, there seemed to be lots of other 5s around—it is the year 2555, there are 5 of us, the album cost 5,555,555 Kip to make, and, er, that’s it.
Your lyrics feature a lot of wordplay; do locals ever pull you up on your Lao pronunciation?
We spend a lot of time hanging out with our Lao friends, talking about food and losing money at pok deng [a card game]. But, of course, our pronunciation isn’t perfect…this album is better than the first though!
Where do you get the inspiration for your lyrics?
Mainly urban youth culture. But inspiration is everywhere: late night noodle soup shops, traffic policewomen, power cuts, wearing socks with flip-flops.
You seem to spend a lot of time making music videos; how important is this visual aspect to your music?
The karaoke lyrics running across the screen definitely help some people to understand what we’re singing! The videos are a lot of fun to make. Dancing barefoot in a paddy field with a troupe of lam vong dancers is a good feeling. But look closely and you’ll see that we usually don’t know the songs that well at the time of filming.
What can Bangkok audiences expect from a ULUVUS concert?
At some of our gigs in provincial Laos, armed police have stood between us and the audience—we’re not sure if the band or the crowd were being protected. So in the big city we hope at least for the sound of tasers zapping in the hot night air.
What’s been your most memorable gig?
Playing at Lao boat racing festivals is always good—trying to keep playing while the equipment is literally sliding down the banks of the Mekong, and grandmothers are pouring whiskey down your throat mid-song. Supporting Thai band Clash in Vientiane in front of 20,000 screaming fans was also brilliant. The concrete floor of the venue was actually shaking under the weight!
Outside of covers bands, what’s the Lao live music scene like at the moment?
There’s a lot of talent around. Both our albums were produced by Sam Intharaphithak, who is an amazing producer, but also a wonderful artist. Bands like Veska, Boxer, the Oilinezz and Translator are also quirky and fun. We are still in awe of Cells—Laos’ best rock band, featuring stellar songwriting and world-class musicianship. In terms of gigs, there are exciting times ahead—music festivals are planned for both Vientiane and Vang Vieng over the coming months.
After Bangkok, where next for ULUVUS?
Every ULUVUS tour ends at the Long Cheng bowl [site of a secret CIA airbase in Laos during the Vietnam War—and still officially off limits to foreigners]. The acoustics are amazing.
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To kick off concert season, they don’t get much bigger than Noel Gallagher, former songwriter, guitarist and vocalist for the legendary British rock band Oasis. Three years after the band’s acrimonious split, Noel is still not on speaking terms with brother and former bandmate Liam. But, not to worry, he will finally return to Bangkok as part of an Asia tour with his High Flying Birds project. Expect a bunch of classic Oasis sing-alongs like “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and “Little by Little” together with newer solo material. Thai crooner Hugo will open.
Where: BITEC Bangna, 88 Bangna-Trad (Km. 1) Rd., 02-749-3939.
Tix: B1,000-3,000 from Thaiticketmajor
Brought to you by: Rock N’ Rolla
Hot on the heels of the rock n’ roll royalty, another slightly younger Britpop sensation, Keane, will arrive on our shores. Since releasing their first studio album Hopes and Fears (2004), which saw singles “Somewhere Only We Know” and “Everybody’s Changing” become worldwide hits, the band has constantly fought off rumors of a split, while frontman Tom Chaplin also had a stint in a clinic for drink and drug problems. But they’re still kicking around and Bangkokians will be treated to tracks from their fourth album, Strangeland, which came out last year.
Where: Moonstar Studio, 701 Ladprao Soi 80, 02-539-3881.
Tix: B1,800 from www.we-booking.com
Brought to you by: Lullaby Entertainment
Had enough of Brit-rockers? After bringing us their Jagger-like moves this time last year, American pop-rockers Maroon 5 return to Bangkok in support of their newest album, Overexposed, which contains the hit “One More Night.” But it’s too bad if you don’t already have a ticket—the concert sold out just one week after going on sale. We can only hope that Adam Levine and co. pencil in an annual trip to Thailand.
Where: Impact Arena, 99 Popular Rd., 02-833-4455.
Tix: Sold out
Brought to you by: BEC TERO
Thailand’s original outdoor electronic event Culture One Bangkok is set to get even bigger this year in celebration of its 5th Anniversary. The organizers are promising five big stages packed with over 30 Thai and international artists including Dash Berlin (Holland), Sean Tyas (USA), 808 State (UK) and Young Knives (UK). There’s also the curious inclusion of Happy Mondays percussionist/mad dancer Bez, with more still to be announced.
Where: Lakeside BITEC Bangna, 88 Bangna-Trad (Km. 1) Rd., 02-749-3939.
Tix: Early bird tickets are now up for grabs at B1,500 from Café Democ (Silom Plaza) and Dickinson’s Culture Café (Pra Artid Rd.), with this type of ticket requiring you enter the venue before 7pm. Pre-sale tickets are B2,000 from We-booking.com (from Oct 1 onwards) while it will be B2,500 on the door.
Brought to you by: Club Culture
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