Challenging the stereotype of a blind band—street-side, open hat, quaint music, pitiful—is Ionion, whose members are sight-impaired. Hack, E, Jack, and Den are now releasing an album, Ninth Side, through Here Records; their pop-rock songs are heard on Thai radio; and the band was invited to appear on the HM Blues album.

How did you get together?
E:
I was playing music when I could still see, joining school and friends’ bands. But when my sight got blurry, I went to work at the Association of the Blind, where I met Jack. He’s the association’s music instructor. We got along and decided to set up this band.

Jack: I used to be able to see. But I had an accident when I was 14. Strangely, when I lost my eyesight, my urge to play music grew stronger. Then I became an instructor here.

Den: I was born blind and I’ve been playing music for 10 years. Jack and I have been friends since school.

Hack: When I developed sight problems, I was lucky to find the association, and to meet Jack.

How badly does your blindness affect your music?
Jack:
When I finished school, I had to decide my future—whether or not to learn music to make a living. The grown-ups didn’t approve of it. People have a negative attitude towards blind musicians. But I knew what I wanted. Studying wasn’t a problem; I just had to try harder than the others. My friends helped me. For music, I use my ears and my memory.

Den: Music is never a problem; it’s my salvation.

How do you combine your different musical tastes to make a single album?
E: Basically, we all like rock music but we blend in what we like. So this album is pop-rock with punk and other things.

Hack: This album is a compromise for us. It’s our beginning; we’ll learn from it.

Why “Ninth Side”?
E:
When Thai people face a serious problem, they say it’s mued paad dan [being in the dark on all eight sides]. We like to think, even when you’re in total darkness, there must be a ninth side where there’s light. The ninth side has brought us here.

What do you expect from this album?
Hack:
It’s the work that we want people to hear. We try very hard. I hope people will give it a try.

E: I want people to buy this album because they really like it, not because they pity us. If you don’t like it, if it’s not good, don’t buy it.

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