'Sabaidee'…First of all, I would like to ask all Thais out there for their love and support. My name is Lang-Sitthiprasert Kaewjaras. I am a 20-year-old from Laos, currently in my final year at the National University of Laos's Faculty of Economics. I am the only child in my family.

My dad is 66 years of age and his name is Dang Kaewjaras. He used to work at the Laos Ministry of Foreign Affairs before he resigned to work for Laos Airline. He has since retired. My mum, Sawatsri Kaewprasert, is now 59 years old and runs her own beauty salon. She hardly has any rest because she has so many customers!).

I never thought I would enter the entertainment business even though I had the opportunity several times in the past. I had a pretty straightforward childhood. My mum tells me I wasn't any trouble when she took me to the temple on Buddhist holy days. A lot of people came and talked to me when my mum took me out as I looked different, as if I were half-foreign...more news and photos>>


I think I am tall because I liked drinking milk. My mum says I hardly drank water, only milk and milk. She says that I drank several liters of milk a day. I was lucky to enjoy drinking milk, otherwise I would have been much shorter than this!



I never thought I would enter the entertainment business even though I had the opportunity several times in the past. I had a pretty straightforward childhood. My mum tells me I wasn't any trouble when she took me to the temple on Buddhist holy days. A lot of people came and talked to me when my mum took me out as I looked different, as if I were half-foreign.





I think I am tall because I liked drinking milk. My mum says I hardly drank water, only milk and milk. She says that I drank several liters of milk a day. I was lucky to enjoy drinking milk, otherwise I would have been much shorter than this!

Source: http://whoweeklymagazine.com

Versatile Lao artist, Aluna, who is good at music composing, singing, and playing many music instruments, debuted her first album in 2005, is now coming back with her latest album entitled "Aluna part II". In the album included not only Lao songs, but also english songs, that condensed with many tunes and energy. The album is planed to release in May, this year.

After releasing the first single of her song "Kuam Hou Seuk Bork" to many Lao TV channels and radios, she got a very good welcome from her fans and her song climbed up to the top 10 popular Lao music charts even before her full album released...more info>>

The style of the music in this album is similar to the first album that is pop and R&B. However, the sound mixing and the CD recording is far better than the previous ones. Sam, the singer in the same company, is the producer and supervisor for Aluna in this album.

Aluna revealed that there are many differences between the first and the second album. In the first album, most of the songs are composed based on other people's idea, plus a small part of her own experiences. But in the second album, all of the songs are inspired by her own idea and experiences she got from her life.
She spent more than 2 years to complete this album and she will manage the marketing of this album by herself.

The song "Kuam Hou Seuk Bork" in this album will have 2 versions. The first version is very relaxing while the second will have more power on it.

Finally, Aluna encourages all of us to support her new album by buying only the original CD in order to support her and other artists to produce more quality products for Lao society.

Translated by TT

Source: ecom

Well known Korean pop idols Paran melted spectators' hearts on Saturday at celebrations in Vientiane to mark the first anniversary of Tigo, a mobile phone operator.

The exciting concert took place at the Lao-ITECC in front of a crowd of more than 7,000 fervent spectators, with free games, activities and give-aways.

The concert kicked off with some of Vientiane 's top acts, such as Idols, Punky Dolls, LOG, Overdance, Moderndance, A Pact, Nalin, Aluna and Sam, and hard rock groups Uluvus and The Cells before the appearance of Korea 's grooviest band.

The audience raised their voices like a siren and the ground before the stage shook when Paran appeared for their provocative song and dance act, and greeted the audience with a burst of Lao...more info>>

The band played hit songs from their first two albums, such as Five Steps, First Love and others before the concert had to be stopped because of strong winds on stage.

Tigo staff gathered on stage to blow out candles on their birthday cake in between acts.

The name Paran (which means blue in Korean) is an acronym comprised of the members' stage names. The band has five singers: Joo Jong Hyuk also known as Ryan, Yang Seung Ho or Neo, Lee Soo In or P.O., Choi Sung Wook or Ace, and Kim Jae Sub or A.J., who also raps for the group. They are all aged between 15 and 23.

“We are so happy and exited, because this is our first time in Laos , and it is great to perform in concert to commemorate Tigo's first anniversary,” said Ryan at a media conference at Green Park Hotel on Friday.

The band's first album was entitled I Hold My Breath , and came out in September 2005. Their follow up release was called Beyond the Blue Sky , in September 2006.

“Since I've been here one night, I only have two impressions: one is that the weather here is better than in the Republic of Korea now, where it is still cold, but here it's neither very hot nor cold, which is more comfortable,” said Ace.

“Besides that, Laos still preserves a lot of its nature. I saw green mountains as our flight came across from Vietnam , and now I can also say that here it is peaceful and there is very little traffic.”

“Another thing is the warm welcome we're received from people here, especially the smiles of the Lao women which make me want to stay longer,” Ace said.

Before the band arrived in Laos they toured countries such as Thailand , Taiwan , Singapore , Vietnam and Indonesia .

This is the second time the Millicom Lao Company has brought a Korean band to Laos . In December they presented one of Korea 's most famous girl bands, Baby Vox Re.V, to perform in concert to welcome in the International New Year.

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA
Vientianetimes
http://samakomlao.blogspot.com

Eric B, whose song Jop Jop Kan Pai (The End of Love) is now popular on the radio waves in Vientiane, has set back the launch of their self-titled album from March to April.

Managing Director of Modern Music Company, Mr Oudalai Nusyhalad, said that the change of plans was because the album is not completed yet and half of the group, Mr Eric, or Air, is in the US and unable to return for a concert.

“Eric B is the newest hip hop act from our company. There are two lyricists - Mr Eric and Ms Phouvilai Seng-akhom, also known as Noy. The forthcoming album also features a performance from rapper Lair who is in the band Laoster,” Mr Oudalai said...more >>

“The two main reasons for the delay in the album and concert are that we want to launch the audio CD and VCD at the same time, and we have had some problems during our work, which has wasted time. Another problem is that Eric, and also Lair, are unavailable due to work commitments and they asked to move the launch back so they can be here,” he said.

“We are still working hard on the album, with only about 5-10 percent to go. So now we can plan for a special event with a launch concert in April to coincide with the Pi Mai Lao celebrations,” he said.

The album features 12 songs, all of them recorded and produced in Vientiane . Many of the songs reflect the social lives of young people and mix both Lao and English lyrics.

The rappers have already released two singles, You My Girl and Jop Jop Kan Pai, both currently hitting the airwaves in Vientiane.

Eric B and the company started work on the album in 2006 with extensive song production from Sam and Mee, who helped in the writing and creating of the album and videos.

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA
Vientianetimes

This photo, published on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, shows Hong Kong singer and actress Gigi Leung (L) and Sammi Cheung at a Hong Kong airport, waiting to set off on their charity journey to Laos.

BEIJING, Feb. 20 -- Hong Kong singer and actress Gigi Leung and Sammi Cheung embarked on a charity trip to Laos on Tuesday, on a mission to draw attention to the nation's malnourished children through a 30-hour outdoor experience.

The Hong Kong-based publication Tungstar reports that the pair will live a primitive life during the campaign, camping in the fields and eating wild game for food...more info>>

"I have brought everything that may help me, including a pillow and a nightgown," Leung said nervously of the potential survival challenges.


Photo: Gigi Leung

As part of the 30-Hour Famine campaign launched by the international organization World Vision aimed at fighting hunger, the trip is expected to draw more celebrities eager to use their star power to enact change.


Photo: Sammi Cheung

Leung and Cheung are two of the project's three ambassadors in Hong Kong.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)

Photo: An artist's 3D depiction of the Lao Music Awards prize.

The first ever Lao Music Awards will be held this summer in the capital, to promote the work of the local music industry and to acknowledge the wealth of quality Lao songs, singers and songwriters.

Sengdara Communications will work closely with the Ministry of Information and Culture to organise the first ever Lao Music Awards.

“We will present awards for our best songs and artists, as well as those working behind the scenes, during this, the first annual music awards in Laos,” Sengdara Communications Creator, Mr Vannasy Phonchanheuang, said yesterday...read more

“Winners will each receive a unique prize combining traditional design with an international flair – a vintage record player or gramophone, combined with a dok champa (the Lao national flower),” Mr Vannasy explained.

The Lao music industry has grown significantly in recent years. While just a decade ago listeners could hear only traditional folk songs and country music, today the burgeoning industry has given birth to many other genres, including pop, rock, r&b, hip-hop and dance.

“The award will be a catalyst for further development of the Lao music scene, because it will encourage artists and record companies to produce quality music, both in traditional genres and more contemporary styles,” the Acting Director General of the Fine Art Department, Mr Xaysavath Singnamvong, said.

Through the continued support of the government and private sectors, the local music industry continues to grow in leaps and bounds, he noted.

“There are still, however, only a few people who consider music to be their main career. This is due to a lack of support and national acknowledgement. The announcement of the 2008 Lao Music Awards is therefore an historic event,” he said.

Mr Vannasy added that the event aims to target all Lao singers, artists and composers, to encourage the development of musical talent to its fullest degree and raise the stature of musicians as valuable assets, and very real stars.

It is hoped the awards will not only encourage those already in the business to strive to produce the highest quality music for the enjoyment of fans, but also inspire anyone with the talent and aspirations to aim for stardom.

Awards will be given in 13 categories, including best album of the year; best song of the year; best male and female artists; best group or band; best traditional Lao song; best country, folk, pop, rock and hip-hop songs; and best producer and composer.

“We will have a press conference soon to announce further details, and to request that all recording companies send nominations for the awards,” Mr Vannasy said.

By Souknilundon Southivongnorath
Vientianetimes