Phoulin Kousalivong (Lin), 24, born in Phonsavanh village, Paek district, Xieng Khouang province. He graduated from Dongkhamxang financial institute in 2006. Before fully entering the music industry, Lin used to be the member of "Raza brand" which belong to Lao-American college. In 2004, he participated in the music contest organized by the Quest college and was the winner in that time.

Later on, he separated himself from the band and established a small dancing group names: "Street brea kerz" or "B-boy dancing", in which Lin and his friend, Anousa, were the trainer for this band. One day during the practices, Lin had his right arm broken and had to stop his duty as a trainer.

Lin started to have an interest on the music and used to compose Lao song and proposed to Airsavanh, the executive of S.D music industry LTD. Finally he was accepted to be the new singer and had a chance to performe his first concert at Lao ITECC in 2004 under his first album entitled: "Rap Taohou"...more info

At present, Lin is now preparing to debut his full album called "The Zest". There are 3 members in the band: Lin, Luly and Tim. All the preparation is going well and the band is just waiting for Tim, who is now studying in Malaysia and will return home in April this year. The album is now 60% completed, in which, Lin composes all the songs and lyrics by himself.

The inspiration of Lin is from himself and one of his close friend, Bounhiep Bandith, who used to be the member of the Zest.

Lin's dream is to have his own business "CD shop" in the future. He revealed that he may not be able to rap when he gets older.

At present, the Zest joined many concerts organized by the S.D studio. Lin wants everyone to listen to his musics and he believes that everyone will love his songs as much as he does.

Source: ecom
Quick translation by Samakomlao fanclub

Three former Nangsangkhan (Miss Pi Mai Lao) girls have just released their exciting first album, and are expecting huge successes after its release on Monday.

The three young singers from the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang have spent over a year preparing themselves to record and perform for their very first video CD release.


“It is all over for our production. The first album of my life has been released and I can say I gave it my al l,” 19-year-old singer, Phouthaly Keona, said... read more >>

“I can't tell you right now how much success this album will gain, but for me it's already been a gr eat journey.”

The band, called Spikes Girls, is made up of three glamorous young singers lead by Phouthaly Keona, 19, with Vichitra Phithanong, 17, and Chintana Soupadith, 19.

Their first self-titled album has 12 songs, which are no doubt going to be hits throughout the country.

Formerly Fleshy Girls, the band released an album in 2004, but after two of the three band members moved on to study, their producer decided to form a new group, and Vichitra and Chintana were found after participating in the Miss Lao New Year (Nangsangkhan) contest.

The girls began their training in 2004, but they also needed a new catchy name, and Spikes Girls was chosen.

When hearing the name, some people may remember British pop group the Spice Girls, who still hold a special place in people's hearts throughout the world. But these three spunky young women are soon to be regarded as the new Spice Girls of Luang Prabang, and with a little more local zest than their English counterparts, the Spikes Girls also aim to retain some of their cultures and traditions.

Can you tell us a bit about your lives before joining the group, and what its like to be a Spikes Girl?

Phouthaly Keona:

I was one of the seven of Miss Sangkhan's of Luang Prabang, in 2003 before I joined.

Vichitra:

I sang lots of karaoke with my friends before joining the band. I applied to the Miss Pi Mai Lao contest in Luang Prabang in 2004, and there the boss from Fanfam Music Company heard my voice and after being a Nangsangkhan finalist, and perhaps from my heart touching song, he invited me to be one of the Spikes Girls.

Chintana:

After school we usually spend our free time doing singing training and having dan cing lessons. It hasn't been a really hard album to produce, and the video was great fun to make, because we shot most of it in the nice places around our hometown of Luang Prabang.

We have tried to fit our own style into our music, which is quite modern, and now have done one show at the National Culture Hall and the Lao-ITECC in Vientiane , as well as some performances in our province. It's all been really fun.

By vientiane times
(Latest Update May 16, 2007)

MORE than 300 people around the country have been telephoning the offices of the Lao Star Channel in Vientiane each day with their comments, according to its manager.

Since early April the channel has been broadcasting experimentally via the Thaicom satellite, and has proved popular so far among local and foreign viewers, especially those living outside Vientiane, said Mr Soulaphet Keoviengkham.

“Most people around the country can access various channels through the Thaicom satellite and the Lao Star Channel is one of them,” he said.

“We feature entertainment such as music videos, game shows, musical drama and information in the Lao language. We have been giving our phone number on-screen for feedback from viewers,” Mr Soulaphet, said yesterday... read more

After the channel went to air on April 1, staff got letters from viewers, most of which offered congratulations. Some asked about what would go on screen after the experimental period, which has not included advertising.

“At first we thought there wouldn’t be much feedback but actually there are a lot of viewers both here and in neighbouring countries who have expressed an interest,” he said.

The channel was first established in December through cooperation between Lao National Television and the Lao Ethnic Art and Cultural Promotion (LEACP) group, with investment from members of the LEACP.

“I’m the vice-president of the LEACP, and I have invested more than US$1 million (about 9,6 billion kip) in the channel to promote information on Laos throughout the country and in other countries,” Mr Soulaphet said.

The channel will begin full time broadcasting in June, with advertising. It will feature information about Laos, focusing on Lao culture and traditions – and a range of issues covering health, education, development, economics, entertainment, sports and politics.

“I did research all around the country last year,” Mr Soulaphet said. “I spent six months interviewing viewers and found that most of them were interested in watching channels from neighbouring countries.”

“We believe the Lao Star Channel will entertain viewers every bit as well as the foreign channels they can see today,” he said.

Foreign channels have more experience and presented better quality programming than local channels, and have attracted Lao viewers. He believes viewers will be pleased to tune into a high-quality local station.

“I asked myself why we can’t have better programming to attract local viewers to the information we provide. After doing my research and getting the Lao Star Channel to air at last, many viewers have been calling to encourage me to keep going,” Mr Soulaphet said.

By SOUKNILUNDON SOUTHIVONGNORATH
(Latest Update May 15, 2007)

Keota Xayyasing is now a very popular artist among teens across Vietnam, according to the top charts on many Vietnamese TV and radio channels.

Keota, age 22, is now studying Economic in Vietnam, debuted his first album in 2006. His song "Gửi làn gió" is in Vietnamese top charts for many months. To view photos and music clips from his concert, click:.


















To view his music clip, click here:.

http://samakomlao.blogspot.com

source: lao students in Vietnam