Cells score four prizes at Lao Music Awards

Hard rock band, Cells, won four categories of the first Lao Music Awards, held at the National Culture Hall on Saturday.

The band took out the prizes for best album, most popular song and best rock song, and Cells' vocalist Athisak Rattanavong won best songwriter of the year.

Prizes were awarded in 14 categories. The most popular artist of the year was awarded to Ting Phailavanh, while Aluna Thavonsouk and Tone Aniluth won the best female and best male artist awards.

Other winners included Secret (best duo or group), Bidalak Si-akkhaphom, known as Touly, and Khannakhon Xayakham, known as Cream, (best new artist) and LOG song E-Yang Ka Dai (best hip hop or R&B Song)....more info>>

The best pop song was awarded to Khuam Houseuk Bok by Aluna Thavonsouk, best country song went to Khoy Nong Mayam by Bounleua Valideth and best folk song to Lam Siphandon by Viengphou Nounim.

Best song producer went to Soulinthon Khounsathon (known as Mee) and Manoxay Keonakhon (known as No).

The Lao Music Awards is the first event of its kind to recognise successful Lao songwriters, performers and producers.

The Ministry of Information and Culture's Fine Arts Department Acting Director General is Mr Xaysavath Singnamvong. He said he was proud to host the event and hoped it would promote the growth of art and culture in Laos , particularly the music scene.

“This will become an annual event and will help to raise the standard of the music industry in Laos to equal footing with the international entertainment scene,” he said.

Celebrations for the Lao Music Awards began at the National Culture Hall on Saturday morning and attracted more than 5000 people throughout the day and evening. Events during the day included games, activities and a music and dance competition.

The awards ceremony took place in the evening and artists walked a red carpet into the venue. It was broadcast live on Lao TV and featured performances by Tone Anilouth, Cells, Meduzia, LOG, Sam, Nalin, Aluna, Ting Phailavanh and B-Hero.

Organisers presented a special prize to Mr Sisana Sisane, to honour him for promoting Lao art and culture. Mr Sisana is a song writer and a past Minister of Information and Culture.

Winners in each category received a uniquely designed vintage record player incorporating the Lao national flower dok champa (frangipani), and gift sets from Tigo and Close Up toothpaste.

By PHOONSAB THEVONSA
Vientianetimes

Well -known recording studio Valentine Music is set to delight fans with performances by a fabulous line-up of artists on February 14 to mark their 5 th birthday.

The free concert will kick off at 7pm on Thursday at the Lao-ITECC, and feature their latest and greatest artists as well as some old favourites, including Ting Phailavan, Touly, Lady, Secret, Boxer, Funny Girl and Easy...more

“Our studio, founded in 2003, has produced numerous albums by Lao artists, and greatly expanded the repertoire and diversity of our music scene. Our main objective is to continue to develop and promote local music and support aspiring young singers,” said the Director of Valentine Music, Mr Phoutthachanh Paphasala.

“During the past five years of hard work we have also been involved in many social activities, including holding concerts to support education, and the promotion of better health awareness amongst teenagers.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to gather together old and new singers, and there will also be some special surprises for concertgoers on the day.”

“This concert will unfortunately not be as big as last year, because we are currently very busy recording albums for some of our new artists, and working on a music contest that we plan to hold soon. Also a number of artists are busy with their exams and don't have the time for rehearsals,” explained Mr Phoutthachanh.

One of the latest albums released by Valentine Music is a VCD by Ms Bidasak Si-akkhaphom, also known as Touly, and the album, packed with pop-dance hits, is shaking up the local entertainment scene.

Her performance this Thursday will include many of the songs that have made her famous, including ‘Just Say Hi' - a popular love song on FM radio at present.

Ting Philavanh will also star in the Valentine's Day line-up, singing numbers from her second album ‘The Real Me', including the pacy ‘My Boy' and her emotional ballad Vao Ma Pheua Yang (Why did you say that to me?).

Other bands on the bill include Secret, Boxer, and Easy, who will contribute their harder style for local rockers, as well as a number of other surprises the company has in store for the crowd.

“Straight after the concert, on February 17, we will hold a song contest at the Talat Sao Shopping Mall, in which nine finalists will compete to become one of three selected best singers,” Mr Phoutthachanh said.

“These winners will work closely with our company and develop their voice and performance styles. We will then record and produce an album with them, after signing recording contracts, and together we will produce some more fantastic music for the public.”

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA

Vientianetimes

Photo: Ting Phylavanh and Ardsana Jantarsi, member of OVerdance.

The queen of Lao pop star: Ting Phylavanh and Ardsana Jantarsi, the member of Overdance, became the highlight of the 1st Laos Festival in Japan 2007.

This is the first ever Laos Festival 2007 in JAPAN and it is an ideal occasion to further promote Lao culture and tradition in Japan and strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and Lao PDR as a member of ASEAN.

　The Laos Festival2007 is a part of the series of the events to mark the commemoration of the 40th Founding Anniversary of ASEAN in Japan. Tokyo Kokusai Gakuen High School is also the fifteenth anniversary.



As expected, the event will feature Lao food, music, dance, products and a flea market. Proceeds will go to funding being raised by the Tokyo Kokusai Gakuen High School to build a school in a rural area in Laos.

To watch video clips from this event, click at the link below

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