Down to Earth

Internet idol releases song for you

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

YouTube is always a good place to find new stars. Patravee Srisuntisuk (Earth) is the latest local singer discovered via the site by a producer from White Music, which is a subsidiary label of GMM Grammy.

The 23-year-old singer set up her own YouTube channel, called Wishes on the Earth, before releasing her debut single “You You You.” The song also features Ammy from the band The Bottom Blues.

Aside from being an Internet sensation, Earth is known from playing the character Nice in the popular TV show Hormones the Series. In contrast to her easy-listening pop songs on YouTube, Nice sings with the rock band See Scape in the series.

Student Weekly recently met up with Earth while the young singer was promoting “You You You.” She told us all about her music and her character in Hormones the Series.

Student Weekly: What makes your Wish on the Earth channel different from other YouTube channels?

Earth: I can just be myself. Every channel has its own style. YouTube is a medium where we can choose how we present ourselves. If we do it in a fun and fearless way, viewers will stay interested in the channel.

Student Weekly: How do you feel about being called an Internet idol?

Earth: It took me a while to get used to it. When somebody mentioned an Internet idol, I always imagined a gorgeous person with a chic personality, which isn’t like me. I just sing on YouTube. When I started posting videos, I didn’t expect to attract many viewers or to be called an Internet idol. But it sounds like a compliment.

Student Weekly: What made you want to learn the guitar?

Earth: I was interested in playing guitar when I was in junior high school. I had friends who played guitar, so I asked them to teach me. At that time I was in a singing club because a teacher told my parents that I could sing well. That inspired me. I found that I loved singing, and I wanted to sing and play instrument by myself.

Student Weekly: Is it true that you sold your first, self-composed album at Fat Festival?

Earth: Yes. I wrote songs when I felt emotional from things like having a broken heart or failing a test at school. Writing songs was like a form of therapy. That album was called Earth Tone Melody, and it featured nine songs in a variety of different styles.

Student Weekly: What was the idea behind the sound effects on “You You You”?

Earth: I talked to the producer about how the song should refer to somebody lying on their bed at night but unable to sleep. We decided to add noises from a bedroom, like the sound of a light switch. We used sounds that we created ourselves. For example, for the clapping sound I had to clap my hands until they turned red. It was fun.

Student Weekly: What’s it like to release your debut single?

Earth: It has been my dream. I always wanted to get to this point. It’s a new beginning and I feel good.

Student Weekly: How do you feel about playing a rocker in Hormones the Series?

Earth: I’m not a rocker at all, although I grew up listening to rock bands like Big Ass and Bodyslam. I can’t sing like that.

I performed with See Scape at Big Mountain Music Festival 5. Before the show, I saw Big Ass play and I wanted to perform like their singer, Jeng Daycha. But then I found that I shouldn’t try to sing like somebody else. Now I sing rock songs in my own way.

Student Weekly: Do TV viewers react to your performances differently to your YouTube fans?

Earth: People know me more than before. I’ve received both positive and negative comments about my singing as a member of See Scape. Some people can’t take my singing on rock songs. But I feel stronger after dealing with all the feedback.

Student Weekly: What was it like performing at Asian Music Found in Japan last year?

Earth: The festival was held in Fukuoka. I was there as an indie artist from Thailand. It was my first performance in public, so I was very excited. Even though the audience didn’t understand the language, they moved along with my songs. I had a good time seeing that there are no language barriers when it comes to music.

Student Weekly: What are your hopes for “You You You”?

Earth: I don’t expect much. I’m happy just to release a single and have fun in a record studio. I don’t expect to have a chart-topping song. I just hope that what I produce in the studio can reach listeners and make them smile.

 

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