 Residents chart the rise and rise of the music industry Mr Soulysack Thamnuvong, 28, a bank officer in the Bank of Lao PDR said: "When I was in high school it was hard to find new Lao songs to sing. That's why foreign songs especially Thai songs influence us. But now, the Lao music industry has been improving a lot. Thing's have changed gradually; not only do we have a lot more Lao songs, but its quality has also improved. In my opinion, the more competition, the more improvement will help the development of Lao music to reach international standards. We need good marketing to improve music too because as you've seen overseas, when there's a new singer or album released they promote it via TV, radio and newspapers. On the other hand, I find there isn't much promotion here. I don't know why but it might be because of the budget constraints or our market is too small to do that kind of marketing. I would encourage young people to support Lao music, and the music industry should start to create its own style." Ms Soysavanh Outaphone, 19, a third year student in Economics Faculty, National University of Laos said: "If you compare Lao music now and in the past, it's obvious that it is steadily improving in terms of singers as well as styles of music. In the past, there were not many styles of music so listeners had no choice but to listen to a variety of music. In contrast, there are many kinds of music such as pop, rock, R and B and hip-hop, so people can listen to other kinds of music, not just folk as in the past. I think the improvement of Lao music has many advantages for Lao teenagers especially encouraging teenagers to use their time beneficially by playing music. It will also create more singers for a new era like this. However, Lao music still has some negative aspects particularly the filtering of foreign cultures which is causing it to lose its identity. In my opinion, Lao music currently plays a key role in society as can been seen from the audiences watching concerts in both the city and countryside. Lao music is always played in many traditional festivals. Nowadays, foreign music is not too popular in Laos because people are listening more to our own music." Ms Nadao Latdavanh, 18, a CD trader shop in Sisavath village said: "Many of my customers always ask about Lao CDs when they come to my shop, but unfortunately, I do not sell them. Actually, I would like to sell Lao music since it is becoming increasingly popular among teenagers, but I do not have much money to invest in the Lao music industry. So far, I sell only foreign CDs including music and movies even though I've heard the Government's rule, which forbids Lao people to sell fake foreign CDs." Mr Chinhdasorn Muaubanoukoon, 20, a third year student in the Faculty of Architecture, National University of Laos said: "In the past, if Lao teenagers listen to folk music, they would seem to be out of the trend or the black sheep of their group. But today if teenagers do not listen to Lao songs, they are considered to be out of fashion. They do not just know the name of songs or how to sing them, but they know composers, musicians and sometimes producers as well. That clearly signifies that more people like their music and that Lao music is upgrading step by step. With the developing of the music industry in Laos, I think that there are some points that should be addressed particularly the language. I think many Lao songs use the wrong words, like Thai words as opposed to Lao words. So I would like composers, as well as the authorities concerned to be more careful about the language we use in songs. They should focus on checking the language and lyrics before albums are released to society. I do not want to hear anybody saying that we copy foreign musicians." Ms Keota Thamnuvong, 19, a third year student in Economic Faculty, National University of Laos said: "When I see Lao singers and dancers on stage, I'm very amazed to see their abilities because they act like international professionals. They dare to show their abilities more than they have before; they are not shy or excited to perform on stage. They also use some unique words from some ethnic groups in Laos in their music, which makes the music different and more interesting. I think because of this Lao people are more interested in Lao music than before. It's good that Lao music can develop like this, but I think it still needs to improve in many ways especially the language that is used in the music. I think they should try to avoid the rhyme and content that is similar with the Thai language. I think Lao producers as well as composers should try to make them more different. Music companies should also choose singers by their abilities not just consider their beauty." |
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