Fine Faii

Singer gets a solo sound

By Tatat Bunnag, Wasita Cespedes and Husnee Ngaskul
Photographs by Varuth Hirunyatheb and courtesy of Yes! Music

After popular rock band Am Fine broke up a few years ago, 25-year-old singer Nathatai Saengpetch, better known as Faii Am Fine, embarked on a solo career.

Over the years, Faii has become well-known for her strong, powerful voice and her sad songs about heartache. After singing several hit songs for various TV dramas, Faii released “Tee Yak Tam Jing Jing Kue (What I Really Want to Ask)” under her own name with the RS subsidiary label, Yes! Music. The new song sees Faii moving away from her usual rock ballad sound toward a blend of pop and R&B. The singer also has a flashy new look with purple hair to match her new sound.

Student Weekly recently caught up with Faii at RS headquarters to chat about her new song, her new look and her growing fan base.

Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your new single, “What I Really Want to Ask”?

Faii: It’s my new single released under the name of Faii Am Fine. I know that people have probably been familiar with my name since I was with Am Fine, but the music is quite different on my new solo song. The lyrics are still about love from a woman’s point of view, like before.

Student Weekly: The song is about a girl meeting her ex-boyfriend and asking if they can get back together. Have you ever experienced a situation like that?

Faii: No, not really. [Laughs.] Usually when I’ve broken up with my boyfriend, we’ve become good friends. We have a good talk and a nice goodbye. I always knew there’d be no use getting back together again.

Student Weekly: How would you describe your new sound?

Faii: Obviously the rock guitar sound has gone. My new song is mellower, but still very soulful. It’s more difficult for me to sing this type of music, because I have to concentrate on the details of the melody, rather than just shouting like I used to. But I like my new style a lot. I guess it’s because I’m a bit older, too.

Student Weekly: You seem to have attracted a lot more fans since you changed your look. Why did you decide to dye your hair?

Faii: It started with my personal curiosity. Last year I didn’t have any new music to release and I just got bored with my life. I wanted to cheer myself up, so I went to a salon and dyed my hair a bright red colour. And it worked, because since I posted photos of my new look on my Facebook, the number of fans following my page went from 20,000 to a million within few months! Since then, I’ve changed my hair colour to pink and purple.

Student Weekly: Who mostly inspires your singing style?

Faii: My musical heroes when I was younger were powerhouse singers like Christina Aguilera, Beyonce and Celine Dion. But when I joined Am Fine, I didn’t get to sing in that style. With my solo work, I feel like I can go back to my roots.

Student Weekly: You’ve also been hosting the music TV show, The Mixer. Is it true that you’ve always wanted to work as a TV host?

Faii: Definitely! I graduated in Communication Arts with major in broadcasting, but I never had an opportunity to do that kind of work until recently. I couldn’t believe my ears when I was offered the job. I feel so honoured and will try to do my best.

Student Weekly: When can fans expect your next full album?

Faii: I’ll release a new single every two months or so, but I’m not sure when my full album will come out. I have to discuss my future plans with the label. In the meantime, I home my fans enjoy “What I Really Want to Ask.”

 

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