I was taking a leak when the idea of Big Mountain festival hit me. At first we planned to do just a small music event, but peeing might be one of the most relaxing moments and my mind was clear. Why would I do it small when I can make it big?
Bangkok already has many music events but they usually end up with a similar lineup. It’s time for event organizers to come up with something unique and original. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a big concert. It can be a small, intimate gig but it needs to be fresh enough to draw the audience’s attention.
I believe it’s smaller bands that make a difference. Big names like Groove Riders, Moderndog, T-Bone and Tattoo Color will always be playing festivals, though. After all, they’re headliners and people are willing to pay to watch them perform.
We should create more space for budding artists to show off their talents. There aren’t enough small and medium-sized venues for them to play. And if they play pubs then they have to cover hit songs and rarely get to play their own music.
I am not good at following other people’s ideas. I prefer to be the one who comes up with a project and then invites others to join the fun. It works better for me that way.
There were times when things weren’t as fun as I thought they would be. When I did DDT [a music magazine], for example, though I enjoyed the editorial part of the job, I realized that I am not good at advertising, sales and distribution.
To think outside the box causes more headaches because there’s no tried and tested pattern for you to follow. You are the first to do it. But I love tackling new challenges.
I am not afraid of making mistakes. It’s important to learn from them and make sure they don’t happen next time.
Generation gaps are not a problem for me. I am 42 and I work with many teenagers. But I get along well with them because we still speak the same language.
But every time I go to a reunion, I am like, “Are these people really my friends? They are so old.” (laughs)
I do get annoyed when I see some teenagers who are frivolous, short-tempered or who simply loaf around doing nothing. But I understand them because I was like that once. I used to be hot-tempered, especially when I was behind the wheel. I swore a lot and always gave the finger.
Before, when you wanted to know something, you asked your elders. Now you just go online. But if everyone wholeheartedly believes Wikipedia, or has more faith in Google than in their teacher, then something must be wrong.
I am from a bohemian family. Growing up, I was surrounded by all kinds of arts and entertainment. My family used to run a bookshop, so I got to read lots of books. My mom loved watching movies, my brother played music and my dad was a traveling projectionist, running a nang klang plaeng [open air cinema] in rural provinces. I got to tag along with him from time to time.
I try to spend as much time as possible with my family. I am usually busy with work but I am lucky that my family understands me. Whenever I can, I bring my daughter to work or to a concert I’ve organised. I want her to see what I am doing just like when my dad brought me to work.
Before I leave home each morning, I think of the fun the day has in store for me. It’s a good way to motivate myself.
Walk the middle path is my motto. It’s a Buddhist way that I think can be applied to everything in your life.
I am such a slow writer. It takes me ages to finish one article because I reread and rewrite it over and over again before handing it in. You know, once a story is published, it remains forever. That’s why I spend lots of time polishing it. In fact, writing is contrary to my nature. I’m not that meticulous or detailed. I am spontaneous and like to do things on impulse.
I want to open a noodle shop. I love noodles and I always try to locate yummy noodle stalls. I think it’s an intriguing food. Think about it: when you have noodles with your friends, you order the same thing, sit at the same table, but the noodles in each bowl taste different because you season them differently.
Politics is sometimes even more hilarious than a Mum Jokmok comedy and is sometimes even more scary and disgusting than a horror film.
I am addicted to Bangkok. It has everything I want, making it a perfect city for a lazy person like me. That’s why I rarely travel.
