 Fans explain what is holding back the Lao music scene Thippaphone Suliyaphon, 15, a second year student in upper secondary school, said: "I like many singers like Unicon, Ting Phailavanh and Awake. I think that they sing wonderful songs, I like the words and their voices. I enjoy listening to songs on the radio or I may buy them on CD. I love going to concerts, however the tickets are expensive. And my friends at school like to sing Lao songs and, when we have free time, we will sing Lao songs instead of Thai songs. I think that many people like Lao songs. The National Culture Hall has been full every time I have been to a concert. And the tickets are always sold out. If Lao songs were promoted properly I think they would sell well in other countries." Ms Phimmaphone, 25, a resident of Anou village, said: "I think Lao music can break Lao people's hearts, especially the teenagers. In the past they liked listening to songs from other countries. However, now I hear them listening and singing more local songs than other songs. I listen to the teenagers in my village. Every evening I hear them playing guitars and singing Lao songs in groups. Also, when there is a party, they play Lao songs. Sometimes when I walk along the street I hear people play Lao songs. Also when I listen to the radio, I am always hearing listeners beg the DJ to play Lao songs. For these reasons I know that Lao songs are becoming very popular in the country. I like many songs and many singers. I think they sing as well as singers from other countries. I hope that Lao songs will soon be popular in other countries." Ms Philavanh, 18, a resident of Phanmenh village, said: "In the past, Lao music was very traditional, but at present it is developing. Now there are some new ideas about song writing; the songs match the situation, and the singers' dress is modern and comfortable. I think that they are trying to improve all the time. So in the future Lao songs can compete at international level and we can export our songs to other countries. Right now I see that many people are tuning in to listen to Lao songs a lot. Most of the listeners are teenagers. Sometimes I drive in the car and listen to the radio. Or when I go to a CD shop and I hear an interesting song I will buy it. I am very happy that Lao people have many kinds of songs to listen to; it gives the music consumer a choice. This is a new step for the Lao music industry, and I think that soon Lao music will interest people in other countries." Ting Vongphachan, 17, a local singer, said: "At the moment my music is popular among local teenagers. They can sing my songs. I notice that when I am on stage many fans sing along with my songs. Modern Lao music is developing because of the availability of CDs. Singers try to develop themselves and producers now produce and market the music to match customer demand. A few people still can't accept modern songs. Presently modern songs are difficult to export. I think that most people in our country know our singers as well as their songs but I would like our songs to be known in foreign countries as well. We should find a way to promote Lao songs to other countries. I believe our songs can be exported to other countries; they might not be international quality but we can learn, step by step. I think that our singers have to improve their stage dancing and style of dress to match the professional, international level. One final thing, I would like those people, who still don't accept modern songs, to try to open there minds and accept that their are many styles of Lao songs." Mr Kinnaly, Phompanya, 15, a resident of Phonkheng village, said: "Lao music can compete with foreign music. Most people now listen more to Lao music and less to music from other countries. There are many kinds of songs I can listen to at anytime or in any mood, when I am sad, or happy. I think that the producers do their job very well right now as they can market their songs throughout the country. I think it is not difficult to move the hearts of Lao people who live in other countries if there is the promotion. I don't want the authorities to enforce too many limits when they see that local songs are popular. Even if they ban music, if people like what it says and if it relates to their lives they will become customers." Tui Chanthaxay, A local DJ, said: "I think that modern Lao music at present cannot approach the international levels or be exported to other countries. We try to produce music that Lao people will want to listen to it instead of music from other countries. If we want to produce Lao music that we can export we will have to improve it and make it a symbol of Laos. So when foreigners listen to Lao music they will recognise that it is a Lao song. For example, pop or rock music might be mixed with local musical instruments keeping a distinct Lao flavour. I think that we need more time, and we need more developed ideas in our song writing before we can step up to international level." Mr Anny Sengdara, 20, a resident in Vientiane, said: "I think that at present there are some songs that could be exported to other countries, especially America, because many Lao people send CDs or VCDs to their relatives abroad. If there are investments I think Lao songs could be a successful export product." |
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