How did you two start doing the show?
Pairoj: We first began around two years ago. At first Kartoon started off with her solo shows when she was five. After she was on Dan Dara, part of At Ten’s famous talent show on Channel 3, she was invited as a guest to many TV shows, game shows and events.

Why did you decide to do the show here at the hospital?
Pairoj: Well, we didn’t think it would be this way, but when an organizer contacts us, we go and perform; so it’s really our job now. Sometimes we also go to shows outside of Bangkok and even weddings and birthday parties. It’s something we are happy doing and I think we wouldn’t do anything else.

Kartoon, when did you start playing violin?
Kartoon: My dad taught me when I was three years old. I can also play piano, guitar and drums. In the future, I would like to learn the flute and ukulele.
Pairoj: I’m a violin teacher. I teach in school, at student’s houses and also at home. After teaching Kartoon, I noticed that she picked it up really fast and obviously had a gift. She could remember all the notes from books and even began transcribing chords from famous songs.

How much do you charge for performances?
Pairoj: It depends on the particular show. This one pays B3,000, but at other events outside Bangkok, it can be up to B30,000. Sometimes, we also do it for free.

Has Kartoon been in any contest before?
Pairoj: Yes, she has been in many contests and won many. Recently, she competed in a contest on Phuying Tueng Phuying [a TV program], where she had to hula hoop while playing the violin.

Do you ever feel tired?
Kartoon: Never, because I have so much fun and I don’t get lonely. I feel like there’s always someone beside me and it’s like playing with a friend. Also when there’s a lot of audience, it pushes me to perform to the utmost.

What are your dreams?
Kartoon: My dream is to be like Vanessa Mae [Thai-Singaporian violinist].
Pairoj: My dream is to see Kartoon take her musical skills to the national stage. She needs to practice hard.

How does your wife help with the shows?
Pairoj: She is our personal manager. She takes care of the schedule and Kartoon’s clothing and makeup. Sometimes when the schedule is tight, she has to feed Kartoon in the car while reading a map to figure out where we’re going next. Interview by Rattikarn Suwithayaphan

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Spec: 8.9- and 10.1-inch screen | 3MP camera with flash and 2MP web camera | Wi-Fi+3G | Android 3.0 Honeycomb
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LG Optimus Tab 3D

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Motorola Xoom

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Price: B21,900 for 32GB Wi-Fi, TBA for Wi-Fi+3G

As a child: I always had a problem with any kind of authority.
In your pocket: I’m afraid I can’t answer that question without my lawyer present.
Never leave home without: Jesus.
Stupidest trend: Wobblers. Just kidding.
Favorite audience: Anyone who is willing to listen to music without prejudice.
Happiest moment: Getting engaged to my fiancé.
Best gig you’ve ever been to: JB and Dark Angel at Café Democ in 2002.
In 20 years: I hope I will still be Djing.
All time fave song: “For all of us” by PFM.
On a night out you: Pass the dutchie on the left hand side.
Last lie: I would never do such a thing.
Rule for life: Be like Nike and “just do it”
Day job: Teacher.
First Job: DJ.
Idol: Satan.
(Would like to be) remembered as: A guy that played really good music.

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How was the shoot?
Exciting, of course. For three years since Academy Fantasia ended, I have been mostly involved in music. I’ve only recently had a chance to act in TV shows and in this movie. It was a totally new experience, particularly the movie, because of the acting itself, the Northeastern dialects and the fact that I played the lead. I also had to ride a buffalo. Even though I love animals, it was still difficult. For example, when everyone was ready, I got my lines right, the emotion was there, but the buffalo would simply turn around or eat the grass.

Are you similar to your character in the film?
We’re rather different actually. I’ve never lived in Isaan, so I needed to learn about his motivation. And some things surprised me. I was like, ‘Really, he did that because of that?’ I suppose the one thing that lets me identify with him is the sincerity we both have.

Are you proud of the movie?
The screenplay received the top prize from the Thailand Script Project. There’s the romantic relationship between the two main characters, His Majesty’s sufficiency economy concepts and the conflict between two fathers. We also have a top comic cast like Mom Jok Mok and Runglawarn Tonahongsa. Also, the landscape of Roi-et is really beautiful.

What did you learn from this shoot?
I learned that Thai-farang weddings are not only about money. If they love each other, it’s more about the heart. Kanyanun Sunglaw

How did you first get together?
Min: We used to be in the TU Folk Song Music Club at Thammasat University. After we graduated and started working, we realized that the fun had gone and we needed music back in our lives.
Joe: There are actually 11 of us in total.

Why did you choose the name?
Min: It comes from “alumni,” but that was too plain, so we changed it to “Alarm9.” It’s also about waking some members up at 9 o’clock so they can make it to our meetings at noon!

Why did you pick “Too Much, So Much, Very Much” as your opening song?
Min: We believe that we’ve got talent, but we were afraid that we wouldn’t get that much attention, so we chose a fun and well-known song to cover.
Joe: First, we just wanted to make a single, enjoy the single, and then have someone listen to it. So we started by doing a cover.

What changed after the feedback from YouTube?
Min: We’ve had lots of work come in. The first day the clip went out, a friend who owns a pub called us to go and play.
Joe: We were invited onto many shows—like Chao Doo Woody. It was a real shock because it was our first time on TV and everything was live, but it was fun. We also have to adapt a lot. Managing our time and being energetic for both our day jobs and practicing the music after work.

What are your plans, apart from doing covers?
Min: First I want Alarm9 to become a production house and let someone else do the marketing, because we don’t have any investment.
Joe: It’s a pity that many talented juniors and friends we know may have to work in a career far from music or not what they love doing. We feel that what we do today could give them a new, better option.
Pomme: We understand that our routine won’t make that much money or last long, but we want to prove that you can live a normal life and still enjoy doing music after work.

What is about making music that you love so much?
Note: It’s not only the music, but it’s the moment making music together with friends.
Nath: Being able to present songs from our perspectives, like making it darker, brighter or even turning a sad song into a fun song.

Can you give any clues to your fans about your next MV?
Min: You’ll be amazed by the song Note has picked, the concept and the MV’s lead actress. It will be out right after Songkran. Interview by Rattikarn Suwithayaphan.

Watch their videos now at www.youtube.com/alarm9group

1. Mayisell, B3,800
2. Louis Vuitton, B73,200
3. Crumpler, B5,290
4. Mink, B450
5. Mayisell, Herring Bone, B7,500
6. Sneaka Villa, B650

Essentials

Sneaka Villa. Trendy Zone 2/F, 226/7 Siam Square Soi 2, 089-168-6336. BTS Siam
Timo Editions. B3,000 at BOYY store, G/F, Central Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., BTS Chit Lom
Crumpler. 2/F, Seed Camera, Pantip Plaza, Petchburi Rd., 089-966-4440. www.seedcam- era.com
Louis Vuitton. G/F, Gaysorn, 02-656-1010. BTS Chit Lom
Mink. http://tiny.cc/e7d1e, 088-871-7520 Mayisell. www.mayisell.com, 087-795-0041