Sunflower fields, sunrise drives, and waves crashing along the shore, LANDOKMAI's music feels like a summer vacation you won't ever forget. Full of "dream-pop vibes" and "vintage sounds", the Thai duo creates a scenic soundscape that you just want to live in.
Hailing from the land of smiles, LANDOKMAI comprises long-time friends Ant and Upim who've making music together even before the duo was officially formed. Be it YouTube covers or small bar gigs, the pair have always shared a love for music and now, they get to share it with the world.
Formed in 2018, LANDOKMAI have been releasing an array of dreamy pop singles that have resonated with listeners across the region. Most recently, the duo have partnered up with one of Thailand's biggest acts Whal&Dolph for their track 'Last Celebrate'.
BANDWAGON TV
Bandwagon caught up with Ant and Upim to talk about their musical beginnings, their favourite artists and what it was like working on their latest single.
Hi LANDOKMAI, introduce yourself to us!
ANT: Hello, My name is Ant. I started playing instruments from I watched the Japanese anime, K-On.
UPIM: Hi, My name is Upim. I started taking singing classes seriously when I was in 10th grade because I had to take an entrance exam for music high school. From there, I learned how to sing and now, that I am in the faculty of music.
What motivated the both of you to come together to form LANDOKMAI?
ANT: We played together all the time even when it’s just a casual cover or at a bar or restaurant and we got very good feedback from everyone. Then one day, Upim asked me to help her make a song for her final exam and then we started to form our band.
The name of that band, we thought it for a very long time. Our first song has a natural and beautiful vibe, so I finally named it ‘LANDOKMAI’ after Upim’s name (in Thai means a flower field) and then presented the name to Upim.
Could you describe each other in one sentence?
ANT: Upim is a handcrafted lover.
UPIM: Ant is an old person in form of an adolescent.
You often describe your music as having “dream-pop vibes” and “vintage sounds”, what exactly does that entail?
ANT: Actually, I think that the important component that gives LANDOKMAI dream-pop vibes is the lyrics. In the music part, we make it to support the lyrics because sometimes, we don't pick up dream-pop sound but we use vintage vibes sound instead.
One of your most popular songs is ‘Please Be True’ which you released last year. Can you tell us what the song is about and why you think it resonated with so many people?
LANDOKMAI: Actually, we think that there are many factors that ‘Please Be True’ resonated with so many people like lyrics, melody and sounds. We think that everything goes together so this song comes out beautifully.
You just released a new track titled 'Last Celebrate' featuring Whal&Dolph. Could you tell us more about the song and what was it like working with Whal&Dolph?
LANDOKMAI: We are so excited because Whal&Dolph is a band that we’ve known for a long time. We used to cover their songs on our YouTube channel too. We look up to them very much and it’s a very special opportunity that we have this collaboration.
The final process of this song came out more perfectly when we Whal&Dolp came to jam and support us.
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Who are some other artists, both locally and internationally, you wish to collaborate with in the future?
UPIM: This is a question that I never dared to dream about (laugh).
Artists that we want to collaborate with the most, if in Thailand, are Penguin Villa, Solitude is Bliss, or Phum Viphurit but for international artists, there are many bands that I couldn’t name all in this interview.
What is your favourite part of being part of LANDOKMAI?
ANT: Touring many provinces in Thailand.
UPIM: My most favourite part of being ‘LANDOKMAI’ is being myself. Every moment is a moment of creativity and getting to express me through writing lyrics, making music, or even on stage. Every moment of being an artist is my favourite part.
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What is your biggest dream for the band?
UPIM: We used to dream big, like being super successful artists but, for now, we want to have our own concert. It doesn’t have to be a big concert but yes, LANDOKMAI’s concert.
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Outside of music, what do you guys enjoy doing?
UPIM: I enjoy clay molding, I think it is very fun. Two other things, I enjoy are being an actress and being a writer.
Share with us any upcoming plans you have for your music.
ANT: We have plans to release a new song next year and we have plans to do a small album that has all English lyrics. Please stay tuned and please follow ‘LANDOKMAI’. Thank you!
Listen to LANDOKMAI's 'Last Celebrate' featuring Whal&Dolph here.
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