Before the “flower punk” band from Atlanta, Georgia, bust out their psychedelic rock tunes on stage with (what we hope will be) a theatrical performance, Black Lips guitarist and vocalist Cole Alexander speaks to us about their debut gig in Bangkok.

You guys are on the road a lot. Have your travels influenced your music?
Yeah, we hear music from different places and incorporate it. Our song “Hippie Hippie Hoorah” was based on our travels in France, for example.

What is life on the road like?
It’s fun! We are like wimpy cowboys. Once we started a telephone hotline and had fans call us on the road—we gave amateur psychiatric help.

You’re known for your raucous shows and wild, on-stage antics. Have things ever turned nasty at a show?
Sometimes in self-defense, yeah, but always for entertainment and good fun in the end, however it may turn out.

What’s the craziest thing you or a member of the audience has done?
I got head-butted by an audience member, and one girl fingered herself onstage, but that’s not usually how it goes down.

How does the term “Flower Punk” define the band’s identity?
It means we are like satanic hippies.

Who inspires you musically?
Sroeng Santi, Amanaz, The Fugs, The Swamp Rats.

What’s playing on your iPod at the moment?
Halim El-Dabh, Luigi Russolo.

If you could tour—or even just jam—with anyone, who would it be?
I would jam with the country artist Bill Anderson.

What was the first album you ever bought as a kid?
Nevermind by Nirvana.

Is this your first time in Thailand and is there anything you’re especially hoping to catch while you’re here?
First one, yes. I want to try amazing street food and find old, rare Thai records on 45 and 78rpm.

What can we expect to see on stage?
High-energy, 60s-style punk.

Where else in the world are you looking forward to playing that you haven’t yet?
Iraq.

What’s next for you guys?
We play Coachella this summer in California, and we will then do some recording.

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How did you guys start out?
Noah's tape is the music created and produced by a single person, me, and played live by a full band composed of Tao Nuttakorn (Keyboardist), Tom Swasdikula (bassist) and Chris Pilara (guitarist and percussionist). We are all friends, and that's how we began to play together.

What inspires you musically?
I get my inspiration from things I observe around me. Sometimes from my own experience or sometimes just things happening to others that affect me. The music I make is what I like. Not having a label or any kind of artistic management gives you the freedom to only create what you like.

What else are you listening too apart from your own one?
Alternative bands like Radiohead, Portishead, Patrick Watson, Grizzly Bear, Get Well Soon, The Faint and also classical music and blues.

What is the most difficult thing about being a self-produced band? What’s the best part about it?
Doing everything on your own can be very difficult and a bit discouraging from time to time, but when you make something you're satisfied with, it's the best feeling, cause it's true to yourself.

You’ve been playing at some parties like the latest Popscene indie night, which is your favorite gig?
Lots of good moments. We played at Stone Free Festival in Saraburi. It was a great event organized by Panda Records in an amazing field surrounded by a cliff. The atmosphere there was just perfect and a bit magical. We had a great time.

How do you feel about opening for Black Lips?
Oh very excited.

Can we expect to see your full album soon?
Not full album but EP, yes, in mid- 2012.

 

Click here to catch up with their music and updates.

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Before the Silverlake music festival kicks off this Saturday, we speak to Brandon Boyd, frontman of the legendary American rock band Incubus, about his latest release and the upcoming show.

What took place in the five-year gap in album releases?
In no particular order and without saying who did what, the activities that took place in that time frame were as follows: Children, unpacking, school, solo albums, reflection, panic, serenity, travel for pleasure, and the use of one toilet for an extended period of time.


Each band member has grown tremendously during the hiatus, with music studies, solo albums and much more. How did this play into the production of the new album? What were some fresh, new, creative ideas that band members brought back?
Thank you for the observation! I think that if we were to use the analogy of building a house as compared to writing a song, this time around, the tools we used to erect this creative structure were different than ever before. Hence the dramatic shift in sound and themes of If Not Now, When?


Your latest album, If Not Now, When?, is quite a shift in style. What inspired you to that?
Most likely the fact that our tools had changed, but also that lovely little fact about our band that has remained constant after 20 years of making music together: We don't want to write the same song twice. And we like the idea of challenging our audiences.


How was the response from your fans?
As always, the response is mixed. It's a beautiful thing!

Any plans for doing the hard sound style like your early days again?
We are trying to “plan less" at this point in our career.

What are you looking forward to seeing the most on this visit?
I look forward to being witness to love and music in a time of strife and madness.
 

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Voted as the top national act in the German Club Charts, Christoph Göttsch (aka Malente) returns to Bangkok for an exclusive gig at Glow.

As a child: I was unbearable
First job: Delivering newspapers
Rule for life: No rules
Path to inner peace: I haven’t found that
Can’t leave home without: My laptop
Listening to: Good music
Reading: Books about good music or society
Stupidest trend: Any form of fundamentalism
Most annoying thing you have to encounter everyday: Cloudy, rainy and grey German weather
Hum this tune in the shower: I never do
Best gig you’ve ever been to: Wouldn’t be fair to pick one. Doing this for almost 13 years
Last lie: A minute ago
Would like to be remembered as: A dope and foremost open-minded DJ and producer
In 20 years: Same same

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Ahead of his upcoming concert at Cosmic Café, we speak to May-T Noijinda, guitarist of Bangkok busiest alternative outfit Moderndog, about his latest collaborative album with Ornaree Chularatana.

How did the project come about?
I have worked with Orn since her first album Natural High with Bakery Music where I played a guitar solo in the song “Friend” and also joined her in concert. At the time I didn’t think of doing an official collaborative project like this as we have kind of different musical styles. But since I did a project with Prai (Independent singer and song writer) last year, I feel more open and that there are some other styles that are worth trying out. When Orn started doing her new album, I was thinking about her and talked to her about working together. Then a lot of melodies kept popping up in my head. That’s how we started.

What’s the concept of this album? Will it sound like Moderndog or Ornaree?
It’s a little bit hard to explain. I wanted to make it in Orn’s way, but I came up with a harder sound that’s more grungey. And since Orn also wanted to try something new, we kept pushing for another sound. Plus we have Ju, the drummer from Abuse the Youth, and Bird, guitarist from Desktop Error, joining in. So the sound of this album has the style of us all.

Was it similar to working with Prai?
The similarity of both projects is my musical style; and Bird also played guitar on the second album of Prai’s project. But the rest is different from the start: the music for Prai is more like a soundtrack, there’s a certain space between the music and the lyrics. The music is like a landscape, we leave some space to let the audience use their own imagination. But for Orn, the tracks are full of energy, with a hard sound, sophisticated melodies and just really fun live. Orn was there all along, since the music arrangements, so the music and lyrics go perfectly together.

What’s next for you?
I’d like to collaborate with a full orchestra, jazz style or even do a totally instrumental album. But at the moment I’m still busy with the band and the Orn and May-T project was just launched.

You also had a solo art exhibition last year.
Yes. Painting is another side-project of mine and my previous work was shown in Chiang Mai recently. Now I’m also working on a new exhibition.

What about Moderndog?
We haven’t come up with a proper plan for our next album yet. Plus we’re still busy touring. I think after our fifth album, Moderndog needs to change. So, it’s like we’re now searching for new inspiration and looking for new musical direction.

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As we usher in the Year of the Dragon, BK heads to China Town to talk to the families behind some traditional Chinese businesses. We find out how a new MRT extension and reluctant siblings are creating an uncertain future in Yaowaraj.

The Coffin Shop

Started by the owner’s great grandfather who emigrated from China, the Tia Heng Coffin shop has been open for 78 years. City regulations mean they no longer make their own coffins, while changing funeral customs have caused a real drop in business, but the biggest threat seems to come from the new MRT Line.

Current Generation
Prapaporn Euajitthaworn, 54

How have things changed?
We used to make all the coffins by ourselves. But now we have to stop making them at the shop because of city regulations barring businesses from creating noise or dust in densely-populated areas. We now have to order coffins from out of town.
This is a real family business right?
Yes, I used to run the place then my eldest brother took over. He went to run his own business four years ago, and my younger brother quit his job to take over. We are a really Chinese family so we still stick to the rule that the business must only go to sons.
What does the business entail?
We serve as an advisor for families wanting Chinese traditional funerals. Some of our clients buy their own coffins decades in advance. We let them keep them in our shop. We have one that’s been on hold for 14 years.
How is business?
It’s not as good as it used to be because traditions are disappearing. Now more people cremate their relatives instead of burying them like the old Chinese families did.
Does your business have a future?
Yes, but we might need to change our tactics. Our competitors wait at temples and hospitals for potential clients mourning recently deceased loved ones.

Next Generation
Saengchai Khunvisetpong, 48.

How did you get involved in the business?
I’ve been around the business since I was a kid, but I wasn’t involved. I was manager of a bank and had worked there for 19 years when I was called back by my family to run the business.
Do you like it?
I can’t say that I like it, but it’s in
my blood. It is my duty, as I am the son. I have to take care of the family business.
Does your business have a future?
I’m most worried about the rental agreement with the landlord. We are not sure when they’ll take the shop back. This building is really old, nearly a hundred years. They could decide to tear it down to develop the area because the MRT is going to open a station here. We’ve already bought another shop near Yaowarat to continue our business in case the landlord takes this one back.
Do you want your children to take over?
Definitely. But I have a feeling that they might not want to. They are young and still studying. They might want to do something else.

The Grocery Shop

Originally established more than 50 years ago by the current owner’s grandfather, the Yan Wo Yun Ta Sun grocery store sells hard-to-find imported ingredients from China, Korea or Japan. They’ve survived in a constantly changing market, but the next generation is undecided about taking over.

Current Generation
Joengsak, 54, and Woranuch Tangsombatwisit, 43.

How did you get involved in the business?
Joengsak: It was originally established by my grandfather, then my dad took over. He finally asked me back to help out about 25 years ago.
How have things changed?
We’ve been through a lot, like the emergence of the department stores’ grocery sections. We had to transform ourselves from just a grocery store to selling items that others won’t sell—like special salt soya beans, chili paste from China or instant noodles from Korea—and sell direct to restaurants instead of waiting for clients to walk in. We also created our own brand of soy sauce, too. It’s called Ta Kee Yan Wo Yun or Dek Uan (fat kid).
Who takes care of the business?
Joengsak: It’s mostly me and my wife, but I let my children help out with the accounts and sales to get them used to it.
Does your business have a future?
Joengsak: It does, but we need to continually change. We can’t just sell the same items we used to sell. We have to keep an eye on what’s popular.
Do you want your children to take over?
Joengsak: It’s up to them. I won’t force them to work here. I’ll let them do what they want.
Woranuch: I do. I don’t want to force them, but I have three daughters and we definitely need one of them to continue the business.

Next Generation
Torroong, 21, and Kwanwanas Tangsombatwisit, 16.

How long have you helped with the business?
Torroong: Since we were young. Mom and Dad let us help them and teach us what’s involved in running the business.
What are you doing now?
Torroong: Studying ICT at Silpakorn University.
Kwanwanas: Studying in grade ten. I’m not sure what I want to study at university.
Do you want to do something else outside the family business?
Torroong: Yes, I do. I want to work somewhere else to use my knowledge and gain more life experiences. I’m not sure about taking care of this business but I plan that I might help my parents with the advertising to make more people aware of us. I have no problem taking care of that but I want to do something else, too. I might continue my degree or work somewhere else for a while.
Kwanwanas: I don’t know. I haven’t planned anything yet.
What do you enjoy about the business?
Torroong:
It’s good working with newer clients, but some of the older ones treat me disrespectfully because they just see me as the daughter of the owners.
Kwanwanas: It’s good that I’ve learned how to run a business, while my friends just study or sit around at home.

The Decoration Shop

Things remain tough for this family, despite switching from making traditional clothing to Chinese decorations and sacrificial offerings, but at least Ussanee Sae-kang has two loyal childrens who are happy to keep the business going for another generation.

Current Generation
Ussanee Sae-kang, 66.

How did you get involved in the business?
My husband’s parents used to make traditional Chinese clothing for people in Yaowarat. As times changed, I switched to sell shoes or some newer-style clothes. It went well until the first malls arrived in Bangkok and I got really sick. I couldn’t walk. We used all of our money to treat me. When I finally beat the illness, I donated all of my stock and started selling Chinese decorations and sacrificial offerings. We are near a Chinese temple, so it is a good location.
Who takes care of the business?
It used to be only me. But now my daughter and son are helping me. My other children have families and work elsewhere.
How is business?
It’s just good during the festivals, like Chinese New Year or ghost or spirit Festivals. We have to save up then for other times of the year.
Do you want your children to take over?
Of course. We built it together, so I want them to take care of it.

Next Generation
Thanyada Sarapan, 39, and Kampol Kittithammawut, 33

How long have you helped with the family business?
Thanyada: About eight years. My brother and I used to help my mother when I was young. But I went away when I got married and worked for C.P. as a manager. I finally quit and came back to help out when I had a child and my mom couldn’t take care of the shop alone. My brother was still studying at the time, so I had to take over for him.
Kampol: I just started helping about two years ago after graduating from university. I studied advertising. Now I have to learn how to sell because selling Chinese decorations is all about belief. You have to remember everything that relates to the festivals, like people who were born this year must worship this thing to make their life better.
Do you want to do something else?
Thanyada: Now I don’t want to, but I have to eventually because at the end of the day, this business will go to my brother. I might open a shop somewhere else. But it’s quite hard because people always think you have to buy decoration stuff at Yaowarat.
Kampol: I want to take care of my family business. I don’t want to do something else. Now I have to learn how to sell it well. I even studied how to read Chinese to better explain items and their meanings to our customers.
Do you want your children to follow you into the family business?
Thanyada: It would be hard because the business might already belong to my brother’s family.
Kampol: I do. It’s our business.
Do you like working with your family?
Thanyada:
I like it. The only hard thing in running this is finding good, reliable workers.
Kampol: It’s good that we have the family feeling at work. I can see my mom and my sister every day. If I worked elsewhere, I wouldn’t have time to be with them like this.

The Tea Shop

Originally started in China, this centuries-old family business has now grown to cover Taiwan and Thailand, where they’ve been in wholesale and retail business for four generations. These days they run a number of tea shops including Ew Kee Tea. While the children are happy to continue the business, they face an uncertain future due to potential changes to the area brought about by the new MRT extension.

Current Generation
Dandit Watthanamaneenin, 66.

Who is involved in the daily business?
It’s me. I’m the one currently in charge of the branch here in Bangkok. We have other branches in Taiwan, but this is where I am based with my wife and three kids.
Does your business have a future?
It’s OK. But we are uncertain of our location. We’re currently waiting for the landlord’s decision on how they would like to manage the area after the MRT’s completion at the nearby Wat Mangkon Kamalawat station. We consider selling tea a long-term business. It would be a sad thing if we have to relocate from Chinatown, though. It’ll definitely affect our business operations, as our shop has had clients here for nearly fifty years.
Do you want your children to take over?
It’s really up to them.

Next Generation
Andrew Wang, 25.

Do you and your siblings help out with the family business?
I’m quite preoccupied with my own projects, while my brother just graduated from university and my sister still in high school, so we’ve been quite inactive. But that doesn’t mean we’re not supportive.
Do you like it?
I’ve never really been a big fan of tea, I’m a coffee addict. However, I’ve recently noticed a growing appetite and appreciation for tea, so as my interest grows, I believe I’ll be more involved.
What do you do now?
I’m a hip hop artist and producer, and I’ll be doing artist management in Shanghai. I also design and have my own clothing line, Luxlivin, and do online marketing. I am exactly where I want to be at the moment.
What is your plan for the future?
Anything can happen. I will definitely devote more of my time and energy into the family business once I’ve fulfilled my projects. I feel like this is one of those family responsibilities a sensible son has to live up to—it’s almost like an inheritance. I even have plans on developing the tea catering side of the business, as well as transforming the tea shop into a more creative/multifunctional tea bar without compromising the quality and original image of the brand. But nothing is certain until we know what our landlord wants to do.
What’s good about working in a family business?
It’s much easier to communicate with each other and sustain trust. There’s no office politics—no one’s trying to undermine anyone else. The badside is it’s difficult to scale up the size of the business unless there are more people to delegate the workload to.
Do you want your children to be part of the family business?
If my children happen to have a strong passion for the business, then I’d definitely encourage them.

Food Stall

The Je Gung food stall has been serving the hungry residents of Yaowarat with classic Chinese dishes from bird’s nest soup to fish maw and coffee for over fifty years. Like others in the area, they are unsure what the planned redevelopment might mean for their business.

Current Generation
Meeju Techa-anantpipat, 82.

How did you get involved?
I was born in Yaowarat. My Chinese parents sold clothing but when I got married, I had to help my husband’s family sell bird’s nest soup. It became hard to find quality bird’s nest, so we switched to selling fish maw soup, guaytiew lord and coffee.
Who takes care of the business?
My eldest daughter and her sister, who is in charge of the coffee stall.
How is business?
It’s OK. We can make a living.
Does your business have a future?
We’re not too sure about the development plan for Yaowarat after the MRT station is built. We might not be able to sell on the street anymore.

Next Generation
Thipmanee Techa-anantpipat, 52.

How did you get involved in the business?
I have helped my mom sell food since I was a kid. I also realized I wasn’t good at studying, So I decided to come take care of the business after grade 7.
Did you ever want to do something else?
I don’t have much education and this is the only thing I know. It can support my family. That’s all I know.
Do you want your children to take over the business?
I don’t have any but I do have nephews and nieces. All I want is to get them the best education they can. I won’t force them to do this. Still they come out to help on the weekend because it’s the busiest time.
What do you enjoy about the business?
It’s tiring, but it also makes me proud that I can take care of all my family members.

THE THREAT MRT Extension at Yaowarat

Project: MRT Hualampong – Bangkae – Putthamonthon Sai 4
Distance: 21.8 kilometers
Timeline: 2011-2014
Stations planned: 15 (Wat Mangkon Kamalawat, Wang Burapha, Sanam Chai, Itsaraphap, Tha Phra, Bang Phai, Bang Wa, Phet Kasem 48, Phasi Charoen, Bang Khae, Lak Song, Phutthamonthon Sai 2, Thawi Watthana, Phutthamonthon Sai 3 and Phutthamonthon Sai 4)
Construction issues: The route of the line from MRT Hualampong to Bangkae runs along Charoenkrung Road (Wat Mangkorn Kamalawat station), and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) are currently negotiating to expropriate the land. The exact location of some of the station entrances and the development plans for the area as a whole have still not be confirmed.

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For years, the news reporter-turned-politician Mallika Boonmeetrakul, 38, was best known for her work with high-profile members of the Democrat Party, like MR Sukhumbhand. These days she’s making headlines thanks to her suggestion to block social networking sites in a bid to stop the spread of lese-majeste content—and for kicking Puea Thai’s bad boy MP Karun Hosakul.

My family has taken part in local politics for a long time. My grandfather was a head of a village in Payao province, and my dad became a member of the District Administration Organization (DAO).

Back then I felt nothing towards politics. It was just the way of life for my family. I never thought that I wanted to be a part of it.

I wanted to be a reporter since the eighth grade. I also had another passion to be a national athlete.

One of my dreams came true when I got on the national cycle team in 1993. I went to many competitions, including the Asian Games at Hiroshima, but I never won any medals.

I started working part-time as a writer for various publications while studying. Then I became a finance reporter at the Thai Financial newspaper.

After working for years, I realized the field that I wanted to work in most was political reporting. The opportunity came in 1997 when ITV was recruiting new reporters.

I built my brand as an investigation reporter. I investigated the corruption in politics and the police. My program called Sor Nor ITV (ITV Police Station), which investigated the police taking bribes. I managed to take down some superintendents and the deputy director of the police because they were caught taking bribes. Many politicians knew me from this coverage.

I never have a fear of death or anyone while being an investigative reporter. Mallika is all about freedom and liberty. I will go as far as I can. It’s my philosophy.

I always express what I feel. It’s my character. I even had fights with editors or producers when they tried to cut or soften my content. For everything I have done, I have worked 100% with my spirit and good conscious.

I swear I’ve never dreamed of being a politician. I even despised them.

I changed my mind in Thaksin’s era. I saw the weaknesses of journalists in reporting the truth. Those who run the media have power. It’s dangerous. It would be good to be part of the system to get rid of bad people, and being a politician is a good position.

Thaksin asked me to join his party, but I turned down the offer because I saw a lot of his misconduct. I finally agreed to join Sanan Kajornprasart’s party but I lost the election.

I felt OK when I lost two elections as a Democrat member. Even though I wasn’t an MP, I could still effect change. As an assistant for ministers, I actually think I accomplished more than some MPs. Anyway, I still want to win an election. It’s the top goal of a politician to be an MP. I would be more proud.

I didn’t intend to block Facebook or Twitter. It was just a sarcastic comment, in response to a lack of law enforcement of the lese-majeste law by the government. There is a lot of offensive content on the Internet, and officials just keep saying it’s too hard to fight.

I admit it’s impossible to block social networks these days. But if some day we don’t have them, we should learn to live with other social networks, too.

We should make Mark Zuckerberg and the YouTube owners realize their inventions are weapons, too. The Cyber Warrier group that I created will monitor them all.

I’m addicted to social networks. I post messages and am online throughout the day. Sometimes I also feel bored that they lack of flesh-and-blood. So I stopped playing for three days, but then I came back.

Kicking Karun Hosakul was an emotional accident. It’s not a big deal, this person is meaningless to me. I kicked him that day because he acted like an asshole. He stood over the head of my ex-boss, Bangkok Governor M.R.Sukhumbhand Paribatra. I told him so, but he shouted back at me and also used his hip to bump my leg. I was really pissed off, so I just kicked him.

I would kick anyone who did that, even if it wasn’t Karun.

I have no problem working in a male-dominated field. I have even been told that I have too strong a character.

I totally love to watch romantic Korean series. I watch every popular series, like Coffee Prince. I love how you have no idea what will happen next, unlike Thai lakorn, where you can always guess.

I already achieved my biggest dream, which was being a reporter. That was my goal. Whatever I get after this is all a bonus.

I always set up goals and check up every three months and ask myself, “Did I achieve it yet?” It’s a good way to live your life. It also makes me proud when I achieve that goal, even if it’s just a tiny thing for someone else.

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The Opposition Member of Parliament for Aljunied talks to Kurt Ganapathy about politics, football and the best way to unwind.

My secondary school testimonial said, “Sociable and friendly, Pritam got along well with his school mates. He was not shy and was always ready to make new friends, experience new things and meet challenges.”

What I remember most is playing soccer with my mates. We played up to three times a day with a plastic ball. Scoring goals for the class and house teams are endearing memories of a fitter life left behind!

I probably developed an interest in politics in my first year of university or thereabouts. The Workers’ Party mirrored my own attitude and vision to the type of opposition politics I would like to see in Singapore. Rational, responsible, respectable.

Connecting with the people is very important. It’s our Party’s bread and butter, and it keeps us rooted to ground issues and realities that affect Singaporeans.

Workers’ Party MPs do not have a philosophy of opposing for the sake of opposing. We scrutinize government bills and ask questions for the benefit of Singaporeans. You can expect us to continue along these lines in future.

What have I learnt from my first parliament sittings? Be prepared for anything!

I think there’s a perceptible demand, regardless of policy, for a government that’s transparent and accountable to Singaporeans—not in words, but in deeds.

Our longstanding, elite-underwritten, government-knows-best attitude has become an albatross around our necks insofar as the political evolution of Singapore is concerned. There is a lot of room for improvement in the areas of transparency and accountability.

I sense some movement in this direction, but in my view, it’s too fitful and indifferent at the moment.

I have a feeling of great pride in representing Eunos. It’s been demanding, but personally satisfying. There is a deep history to this ward, which has seen some very close electoral contests over the decades.

I’d like to play a modest role in Singapore’s political evolution.

Singapore’s political evolution is in the hands of Singaporeans. Decisions taken at the ballot box are a reflection of the wishes of the people.

I don’t like dealing with liars.

I don’t think much ill can come from asking people to do their very best and not to sweat the small stuff. I should remind myself of my own advice every now and then, too.

Live a full life; an honest life.

For unwinding after a long day, spending time with one’s better half is top of the list. It’s also quite amazing what a relaxing walk, conversation or drink (either alcoholic or non-alcoholic!) can do for you.

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The Franco-Argentine artist and designer, born in 1955 in Buenos Aires, was first exposed to carpentry by his late grandfather, and created his first chair at the age of seven. Terry Ong talks to the legendary artist about starting out and the origins of his iconic works.

How did you get into sculptures?
As a child, I had a grandfather whom I loved dearly. He was a Frenchman who had migrated to Argentina after WWII who had a passion for carpentry and had set up his own workshop. I would spend hours with him on the weekends there, as I loved that place. Years later, I made a trip to Paris to meet my relatives, and had some defining encounters. In the Rodin Museum I discovered Henri Laurens’ work, which had such a profound impact on me that I decided to become a sculptor. Then I met Jorge Michel, who became my real sculpture mentor. He was making benches. I was fascinated by his work and technique, which he passed on to me. Still, I forbade myself from doing benches, which I considered his domain.

But you started making benches after that...
As time went by, I realized that this object was a recurring theme in my life: I collected and questioned it. The chair is a fetish object for a designer and I have always been involved with design; it also a fetish object for an architect, and I have always been involved in architecture... hence the arrival of the Thonet chair in my work.

Why the Thonet Chair?
Because from the moment I decided to introduce the notion of design in a work of art, I felt a need for an iconic object. And the Thonet chair is the first known product of industrial design. Before 1850, when the chair was created, there was no notion of design, as it’s known today. I thus chose this very object and not any other that would be considered more fashionable.

If someone who has never seen your work asks you what you do, what do you say?
Thanks to the new technologies today, I’m able to use my iPhone and show a picture of a spaghetti bench that lets my interlocutor figure me out by himself. Giving him all the elements enables him to answer his own question. Fundamentally I am an artist, and as such I want to question society from both an art and design perspective.

Pablo Reinoso Solo Exhibition runs through March 3 at Art Plural Gallery.

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The London-based quartet have revived early ‘90s pop from the likes of Pavement, Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. through gems like “The Wall” and “Holing Out” from their self-titled debut last year. Patrick Benjamin chats to guitarist Max Bloom before the group’s Laneway debut.

In your teens, you were the bassist of indie pop sensations Cajun Dance Party—how’s that different from Yuck?  
We were only 15 when we started Cajun Dance Party as a fun school band project, but it all became too serious and out of hand when we were signed to make a record. I guess we said all that we wanted to say musically in that one album. I wanted to be more than just a bassist which is something I get to do in Yuck.

What's the writing process like?
Daniel and I are the main writers. He usually comes up with the lyrics and vocals while I conjure the arrangement and record instrumentals. Having said that, it's a loose working relationship because we do switch roles.

What usually attracts you to a song?
Personally, I don't usually give a damn about the lyrics, I have always been Into music like Grandaddy's. You don't need words to hit you on an emotional plane.

Which band would you like to emulate?
Sparklehorse is a great band to live up to. Not only do they make emotional records, but they are also challenging to produce.

Your debut album was a splendid ‘90s throwback, any idea how the follow-up is going to sound?
I'm not going to try and explain how our next album is going to sound, but it will definitely be a clear difference. Our tastes have changed a lot since the first album was recorded, and I guess different things give me shivers now as opposed to back then.

What can expect at the Laneway gig?
Expect four people looking really indifferent onstage. Just kidding. We play quite differently live to how we sound on record. You'll have to come and see us to find out what that means exactly.

Yuck plays on February 12, Laneway Festival, Fort Canning Park.

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