What’s the inspiration behind Imagining Flood?
It’s a photography project that was created in Bangkok in November 2011, a time when there was a real fear that the floods might hit inner-city Bangkok. I wanted to capture the sense of stillness inherent in the dread in contrast to the frenetic images that were being presented in the media. Through the dream-like imagery, I wanted to present scenes as if they had been conjured by the viewers themselves, tracing that sense of fear within the imagination and the subconscious. I like the quality that nighttime images often present, which I think would have been very difficult to capture when the city is fully operational during the day. There’s a sense of mystery about the nighttime, too, and I like the drama you can create in the shadows.

What were your experiences of the floods?
In 2011, I was living in Udomsuk at the time when there was a real possibility of the area being flooded. During this period I also took an assignment with [French daily] Le Monde that put me directly in touch with people nearby who were being affected.

What’s the most challenging aspect of putting on this exhibition?
Working with the unavailability of materials, especially the limited choice of photographic paper in Bangkok. This forces me to keep my presentation to a bare minimum, which is not a bad thing at all—constraints can help focus a project.

Which photo in this series is your favorite and why?  
I see it more as a whole body of work, which makes it too difficult to say I have a favorite.  I try to create a piece of work that stands alone as a flow of images, building from one to another, as part of a whole piece rather than as individuals.

Your work always deals with politics and social situations; how does this reflect you?
All my work has always been a personal reaction and observation towards my surroundings.  I would not say I am an overtly political person, although since returning to Thailand I feel that political issues are impossible to escape—be it through the media, social networks or even at the dinner table with my friends and family.

What’s your next plan?
I am currently working on a self-published photography zine with a couple of friends from various backgrounds, including fashion, moving images and graphic design. It will hopefully be ready by the end of this year.

 Imagining Flood runs through April 28 at Kathmandu Photo Gallery, 87 Pan Rd.

Song: “Hiw”

Artist: Wisetniyom  
Label: Independent
In a real blast from our 90s past, psychedelic rock band Wisetniyom—made up of Choopol Srivieng, Kungwarn Koonsap and Suprawat Jampian—are back with their first single in almost a decade, “Hiw.” As if that wasn’t surprise enough, this comeback track marks a major shift in sound from the trio. Opening with only acoustic guitar and some gospel-like singing, all is as you’d expect until a pulsing beat enters low into the mix—and then by mid-song, “Hiw” has entered full-blown dubstep territory. How much of this is down to the mix, courtesy of Pattarapol Kittichokkunchart and Wannarit Pongprayoon (Pok Stylish Nonsense), is unclear, but we’re excited as to where this new direction might be take them.      

Song: “Kam Wi Jarn (Critical Opinion)”

Artist: Ooh & The Ballyhoo
Label: Panda Records
Aside from releasing another single, “Tam Jai Chan,” with his side project Blue’s Bar, Wasit “Ooh” Mukdavichit has been busy prepping yet more breezy indie pop for his main gig, Ooh & The Ballyhoo. “Kam Wi Jarn (Critical Opinion)” is business-as-usual for Ooh and the gang: a slab of melodic pop-rock goodness that takes its cues from 80s Brit-rock. Lyrics-wise, it’s all about dealing with inevitable criticism from society—but you’ll have no complaints from us. This is Ooh at his catchiest.

Song: “Fon [Rain]”

Artist: Ewery  
Label: Believe Records
Believe Records’ compilation 13 Songs That Lead to 2013 already caught our attention through tracks like “Lady” by 25 Hours and “Yu Tor Loey Dai Mai” by Singhtoe Numchoke. Now comes this sweet, toe-tapping single from pop four-piece Ewery. Just in time for the impending rainy season, “Fon” is a super-easy listen that looks to lift the gloom with its big hooks, sunny production values and frontman Wat’s smooth delivery. There’s a nice guitar solo, too.

Song: “Raek [First]”

Artist: Youth Brush
Label: Independent
Youth Brush is the new side-project of Wissanu “Dui“ Likitsathaporn, frontman and guitarist for the currently-very-hot indie-rockers Two Million Thanks (just announced as support act for Japanese post-rock band TOE in April, see After Hours). His first solo single, “Raek,” imitates the cheerful mood of his other band, with Dui’s trademark childlike vocals also present, but the instrumentation is much less complex; a simple strumming of the acoustic guitar giving the track the feel of a sweet lullaby.

Song:  “Sa Kod Jai”

Artist: Yaak Lab feat. Pearwa Yellow Fang (Geyster RMX)
Label: Box Records
The collaboration between electro DJ and producer Yaak Lab and Pearwa of indie darlings Yellow Fang has been given an impressive makeover by eclectic French DJ Geyster. Atop a nice disco bounce, Pearwa’s sweet vocals are complemented by synth flourishes and even some subtle vocoder, the result being an upbeat number which is fun and sexy, and readymade for dancefloors as the summer starts to heat up.

Song: “Tam Jai Chan”

Artist: Blue’s Bar
Label: Lemon Factory
After launching themselves on the public with 80s-inspired power ballad “Bod Pleng Wan Sao” last August, this duo comprising former Day Tripper frontman Wasit “Ooh” Mookdavijit and ex-Banwagon guitarist Oud Pravaj are back with another single as Blue’s Bar. “Tam Jai Chan” shows signs of progress, too, updating the template to 90s Brit-rock. Toning down the masculine posturing of the last single, the track still features some serious guitar shredding, only the pace has been picked up, the subject matter lightened, and the melody pushed to the forefront—all making for some ideal driving music. 

Your music takes in a wide range of influences, from soul and funk to dn’b; how would you describe your sound?
I’m heavily influenced by soul and funk, and also jazz. I’m not sure how to describe my own sound, but you can hear these influences mixed in a lot. I make music of all sorts of beats per minute, from dn’b to house music. One day I would be happy if people could recognize something as mine straight away.

What’s your biggest inspiration in producing a song?
It could be anything: sometimes it’s the tracks I’m listening to, or simply walking down the street, cooking or eating

From your own experience, how has the drum n’ bass scene changed these past couple of years?
I think it’s changed a lot. To be honest, I’m not sure that I like the current mainstream drum n’ bass sound. The drum n’ bass I love has soul, funk and deepness. It can be very experimental, like jazz even, if it’s a really fast bpm. But I found these qualities missing in most drum n’ bass nowadays. I’ll just continue to do what I love and believe in, to stamp it as the Makoto sound.

What’s your rule of life?
Be faithful to everything: music, people and life.

You’ve toured a lot; which city has the most exciting electronic scene?
I would say the most exciting is London as that’s where the music I make comes from, and so many people there are very supportive of underground music. I always love playing in Bangkok as I get such a good vibe. There are so many foreigners in the city and in the clubs. It’s a unique mix of Asia and the West. It’s so different from Tokyo.

What’s the best gig you’ve even been to?    
There are a few: one was in Brazil for the Skool Beats Festival. It has huge, with more than 2,000 people in front of me. It was just an amazing vibe. Even though it’s a really big festival, people just love drum n’ bass. Another was in the UK at The End club. I love that place so much. The DJ booth was in the middle of the dance floor and I remember that when I played my song “Golden Girl” for the first time ever, people just went crazy.

What’s your music guilty pleasure?
The moment I hear amazing music and I get goose bumps. I don’t really get that feeling from other things.

What’s next for you?
I’m releasing a remix album of my previous full-length record called Souled Out in May-June of this year on my label Human Elements. It features remixes from myself, Lenzman, Random Movement, Jabberloop and more. Also, I have two new tracks with [collaborator] Marky which is coming out on his Innerground compilation in April. I’m also working on a few collaborations, like with A Sides, and a new EP of 130bpm stuff for R&S sub-label Apollo Records.