Making a splash

 

3.2.1 cheer up

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb

Did you know

Hyuna from K-pop group 4Minute is Gavin’s favourite singer.

Last year, local pop trio 3.2.1 — Chatchaya Songcharoen (Poppy), 19, Gavin Duval, 22 and Jirayut Phaloprakarn (T.J.), 22 — released their phenomenally successful single “Rak Tong Poed Naen Oak (Splash Out),” which featured popular look tung singer Baitoey Rsiam. The song’s video has now attracted more than a staggering 100 million views on YouTube.

Recently, the top group returned to the pop charts with their fun new hit, “Chaiyo (Cheers),” a dance song with sarcastic lyrics about some of the unjust elements of Thai society.

Student Weekly recently met up with 3.2.1 at the Kamikaze label office to chat about their songs and about the importance of YouTube.

Student Weekly: How do you feel about being interviewed by media from Taiwan, France and Germany?

T.J.: I feel happy. When we wrote “Splash Out,” we didn’t expect it to become known internationally, especially in Europe. We also have fans in the US.

Poppy: The media representatives were really interested in our music. They gave us compliments and were very nice to us. I was really surprised. We didn’t expect to be known by international media.

Student Weekly: How was the Kamikaze Dance Neramit Concert last October?

T.J.: Kamikaze concerts are always fun. This year the show focused on dance music, so there were no slow songs. We performed our latest single, “Cheers,” for the first time at the concert. Our fans responded well to our performance. They sang and danced along with us. It was great fun.

Student Weekly: Have you ever performed overseas?

Poppy: We’ve performed in Laos and Cambodia several times. The venues were jam-packed and our fans there really liked us. They even followed us around when we weren’t onstage.

T.J.: When we had a meal at a restaurant, they recognised us and played our songs. They made us felt like they were happy to see us because we don’t get to play there often.

Student Weekly: Do you think that some of the lyrics in “Cheers” are inappropriate?

T.J.: No. We intended to use words that have double meanings to make the song entertaining. Without that, it would have just sounded like some philosophy.

The song mentions reaching goals, victory and facing difficulties, so we used the famous song “Maha Roek (Auspicious Time)” in the intro to make listeners feel vigorous.

Student Weekly: Poppy, how did you feel about acting in the video as a participant in a beauty contest?

Poppy: It was a new experience. I’d never played that kind of character before and I didn’t expect to take part in a beauty pageant! [Laughs.]

Student Weekly: T.J., is it true that you like to play golf?

T.J.: Yes. When I play golf, I spend four or five hours on a golf course with couple of people, so it’s good for conversation. Playing golf also makes you use muscles throughout the body. I had to go to hospital three times because muscle pains. I had physical therapy for a month because I hadn’t used some of my muscles much before.

Student Weekly: Do you think that all the views on YouTube help your songs to be successful?

Gavin: Yes. YouTube is important because it allows viewers to access to our videos worldwide.

Poppy: I agree. The views tell us how many people know about us. It also helps us to improve.

T.J.: YouTube is a medium that can make an ordinary person famous.

Student Weekly: How do you deal with your studies, since you’re all so busy with your music careers?

Gavin: I only have two semesters left before I graduate. If I can’t attend class, I ask my instructors for extra homework.

Poppy: After finishing a run-through for a concert at midnight, I had to study at home until four or five in the morning for an exam at 7 am. It was tough because I hardly slept. But I love both work and study.

Student Weekly: T.J., as a music producer, how do you see the future of the Thai pop music business?

T.J.: I can’t predict the future, but I think the music business will always have its ups and downs. We’re now in a period where actors are probably more popular than singers.

Vocabulary

  • phenomenally (adv): in a very great or impressive way
    staggering (adj): so large, shocking or surprising that it is difficult to believe
    sarcastic (adj): using words that are the opposite of what you mean in order to be amusing or to make fun of something
    unjust (adj): not deserved or fair
    compliment (n): a remark that expresses praise or admiration for somebody
    respond (v): to do something as a reaction to something that somebody has done
    venue (n): a place where people meet for an organized event, such as a concert, sporting event, conference, etc.
    jam-packed (adj): very full or crowded
    inappropriate (adj): not suitable in a particular situation
    philosophy (n): a set of beliefs or an attitude to life that guides somebody’s behaviour
    auspicious (adj): showing signs of being successful in the future
    vigorous (adj): active, determined and full of energy
    pageant (n): a competition for young women in which their beauty and other qualities are judged
    therapy (n): the treatment of a physical problem or an illness

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