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Music Bossa nova babyBy Suwitcha Chaiyong, Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb Lula breaks through with a new sound
Two of the songs featured on the album, Took Ka Ta Na Rod (A Girl in the Front Seat) and Wae La Mai Chauy A Rai (Time Cant Cure), have received plenty of airtime on mainstream radio. Back in 2002, Lula went by the name Tookta as one half of the popular duo 2 Become 1. After a few years, she got tired of the pop life and turned her back on the spotlight.
Last year she renamed herself Lula and made her showbiz comeback, singing Khop Fah (Horizon) and Ruek Do Ron (Summer) on the bossa nova compilation Bossa Blossom 2. Lulas love of bossa nova developed into a strong desire to introduce the style to Thai listeners. Like her music, the 27-year-old singer is sweet and laid back. She told us about her new name, her bossa nova sound and her work on Urban Lullaby. Student Weekly: Why did you change your name to Lula? Lula: When I say Tookta quickly, it sounds like Lula. The music team for Bossa Blossom 2 also called me Lula, so I decided to use that name for my bossa nova album its like an alias. Student Weekly: Many Thai music fans arent familiar with bossa nova. Why did you leave 2 Become 1 and take up this style?
My albums producer, Ton Sofa, told me to listen to a bossa nova album, and right away I felt that it was what I wanted to sing. Student Weekly: What is it that you like about bossa nova? Lula: The music is laid back, with complex rhythmic patterns. The singer sounds like theyre just having a conversation. Its very charming. Student Weekly: Whats the difference between singing pop and singing bossa nova? Lula: Bossa nova requires more technique than straight pop. I have to use a lot of air in my voice, which means using more skill and energy. Student Weekly: Why did you name your album Urban Lullaby? Lula: City living is very busy and stressful. We hardly have time to relax.
Student Weekly: Does lullaby mean that you intend to lull listeners to sleep? Lula: Maybe the song Nite My Love could do that, but the others are just meant to soothe listeners and make them feel good. Student Weekly: Is it true that you shot a music video in Paris? Lula: We shot all of the music videos in Paris because its a big city, like Bangkok. Bossa nova is originally from Brazil, but Urban Lullaby has more of a French style, blended with pop, swing and jazz. Student Weekly: Did you like Paris? Lula: Its chaos, just like Bangkok. Everybodys in a rush and nobody cares about anybody else. But I enjoyed seeing the art style known as Art Nouveau. It features really graceful, curvilinear designs.
Lula: He introduced me to the music of French bossa nova artist Clementine, so I asked him to be my producer. Hes great at finding the right balance between being artistic and being commercial. Student Weekly: Are you surprised how well listeners have responded to your bossa nova songs? Lula: No. Our songs are different from standard pop songs, but theyre still catchy. Student Weekly: What are your expectations for the album? Lula: Id like to just do my best and introduce bossa nova to a new audience. If listeners think that my songs are beautiful, thats enough for me.
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The Thai music scene is dominated
by light pop, but there are plenty of listeners who are willing to accept
something new. Kanyarat Tiyapornchai (Lula) has just released a bossa nova
album called Urban Lullaby, which has become a big hit on the pop scene.
The
first bossa nova album was 1959s Chega de Saudade by Brazilian artist Joao
Gilberto.
Lula: I was bored with pop music. Pop can
reach a large audience, but most of the albums sound the same. 
When I listen to bossa nova, its like I escape
and loosen up. This album puts listeners in a good mood and helps them
to relax.
Student Weekly: How did you get Ton
Sofa to produce your new album?
