How did you guys get started?
Mek: The classical music scene in Thailand is pretty small, so we’ve known each other for 16 years. We all went abroad with the same goal that once our musical ability was strong enough, we’d come home to pass on our knowledge to the next generation. Hopefully, our students will be even better than their teachers. We contacted Rama IX Art Museum Foundation to tell them our idea and they decided to support our band project.
Many people today feel that classical music is old and out-of-date; what do you think?
Palm: We understand many people think it’s boring or hard to understand. But what people don’t know is that classical music has so much variety and is the base for all types of music. There are upbeat pieces, as well as very abstract compositions. We play songs that were composed 400 years ago but we pick what we think will click with Bangkok audiences. We want to show that this type of music is good for you. It helps refine your soul and puts you more in touch with your senses.
Can classical music attract a younger crowd?
Dan: We play for everyone. We want Bangkokians’ ears to hear a different tune. We take our music very seriously but don’t want to make it too serious for the audience. Now we’re working on the Bangkok Heart Classics project and playing mini concerts at schools like the Foundation for the Blind under the royal patronage of H.M. the Queen. We go to public places like Suvarnabhumi Airport and just start playing. We also play classic Thai songs like Carabao’s “Bua-Loi” and songs from Bodyslam.
What’s the reaction been like?
Palm: Very good. We’re quite used to being in the public eye now. We focus more on keeping the atmosphere upbeat by joking around like normal guys do. The important thing is to show people that we’re here to enjoy ourselves, so there’s no stress to it at all.
What’s the greatest experience you’ve had performing so far?
Dan: We played in front of the Bangkok Bank headquarters disguised as an AC technician, office worker and motorcycle taxi drivers—schoolboys, security guards and other people all gathered around to listen! This erases that image of serious musicians in penguin suits playing in concert halls. We want to break the old rules that audiences must keep quiet and wait till the end to clap politely by encouraging people to cheer or dance along like at a rock concert. We think it helps narrow the gap between the performers and listeners.
What’s your next move?
Mek: We truly believe there is space for our music to grow. It’s not that Thais don’t like classical music, they’ve just never actually listened to it before.
