I’ve wanted to work in music since I was in the fourth grade. I started out listening to rock, such as my favorite band, Orchestra. I saved up all my money to buy tapes. I loved collecting as much as listening.
Being sent to study in the US was a culture shock. My parents were concerned that I’d gone too far with my rough years as a teenager in Thailand. I didn’t pay attention to my studies at all.
When I reached a small town called Worcester in Massachusetts, I realized I was a minority. I was alone, sad and quiet, and I became more isolated. But I learned to communicate and understand myself much better.
Loneliness pushed me to dedicate my energy towards my studies. I ended up winning academic prizes every year and started having more friends who wanted me to be their tutor.
You only live once, so follow your dream. That’s what my teacher told me when I was convinced I should study business, but deep down, I wanted to study music. I then applied to study music engineering at Berklee College of Music and graduated three years later.
Sometimes it’s all about timing. I got back to Thailand during the Tom- Yum-Koong crisis. The band Modern Dog were looking for a bass player. I was introduced to them by my senior friend. That’s how I got a job.
I’m not a talented songwriter, but I was surrounded by talented people like Nop Ponchamni [P.O.P.], Tong Montien [P.O.P.], Boyd Kosiyabong and Po Yokee Playboy.
I told myself, if I want to be better, I need to work ten times harder. I used to wake up early to write songs every morning and let P’Boyd have a look at them. Being around these amazing people, I felt like I wanted be just like them.
Life has ups and downs. The hardest part of being a musician for me was when I tried to form the band P.O.P. (Period of Party). We didn’t get paid for six months because our label, Bakery Music, really had no money. I was discouraged, but I managed to get through it.
Starting a new project is always difficult. But with BOYKOR it feels like I have returned to being a kid and I’m starting from scratch.
Life is more complex when you grow up. I decided to stop Groove Riders because we had different needs in life. It got to the point where we could no longer keep it together as a band; we needed to let it go before everything crashed.
I love doing things that are not repetitive. People may say I’m greedy, as I do so many things in music—producer, solo artist, songwriter, so many projects. But I see it as a way to push myself. If I’m only working on one thing, I feel like there is something missing.
I’ve been in the music industry for 16 years and have noticed a lot of changes. The thing that’s had the most impact on the music industry is technology. Artists need to adapt. It’s not about downloads, it’s about you and your audience.
Performing live is an experience that can’t be replicated. In a concert, the audience and the artists share a special experience, and it can never be the same again.
Have no regrets. After 20 years of my mom asking, I finally returned to help our family business [a Toyota distributor and automotive logistics company]. I wouldn’t say I’m good at the job, but it’s helped me realize I have other abilities besides singing and being a songwriter.
Becoming a dad turned the world upside down. I’ve had to see things from a totally different perspective. It’s really difficult and I had to adapt myself a lot—it’s hard to find personal time now.
Being a father is a precious experience. I know these moments won’t stay with me forever and if I don’t cherish them and make the most of it while I still can, I will later regret it.
I still want to work. I have plenty of music projects. I feel like I still haven’t shown the best of me. I still have the capacity to develop. I can still sing better than this!
Everything is temporary, including our bodies. As a Buddhist, this is my belief. All you need to do is walk slowly to find your eternal sunshine.
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