Back in 2015, the single ‘Where Do We Go’ not only solidified the status of Thailand’s indie sweetheart for Fwends, but it also inspired a Bangkok bar’s name called after their tranquil tune.

Formed in 2013, the dream pop quintet consists of frontwoman – May Chucheewa on lead guitar and vocal; Tong Sarun on rhythm guitar; Korn Varasarin on bass; Fahsai Piyakorn on keyboard; and Ake Panupong on drums, who all were former members of another alternative band from Bangkok called Cloud Behind.

Before Fwends came into the spotlight, they have fed the local indie scene with a string of EP releases between 2015-2018. Treated like a series of emotional letters penned to friends, these tracks are sonically complex with the layers of flickering chords and hazy synths.

After the release of the 10-track album ‘Day and Night’ at the end of 2018, Fwends has become one of the festival and indie music venue magnets drawing the attention of fans who would like to soak in the dreamy vibe live from their shoegaze-pop debut. Also, earlier this year, Fwends’ frontwoman debuted her solo project mononymously named as ‘Chucheewa’ with the launch of a pair of electropop singles that stand out with May’s unique reedy voice dressed in cotton candy dream.

Listen to Night and Day by Fwends here: https://spoti.fi/2MyN0TM

Bangkok Music City offers a look at hot, rising Thai artists!

Gym and Swim

The synth-pop quintet continues to conquer Asia! Gym and Swim will be kicking off 2019 Asian tour this week following the sweet success of their legs during 2016-2018 in some Asian cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Busan, Taipei, Chiayi, and Hong Kong.

The group is actually an ultimate collaboration of Thai indie powers that evolved from a side project in 2013 consisting of five members of five different emerging indie bands: ‘Chalerm’ from Seal Pillow, ‘Pokpong’ from Plastic Plastic, ‘Turk’ from The Leprosy, ‘Hob’ from Detail, and ‘Mad-Mee’ from Merry Go Round. The alliance was intended for the ‘Bed Room Studio Project’ – a music competition organized by ‘Fat Radio,’ – a renowned local indie radio station. Ever since then, the fivesome’s side project has always been lined up on many music festivals in Thailand.

The international rise of this Bangkok-based band has gradually increased since the release of ‘Seasick’ in 2016. With the striking David Hockney-inspired album cover, the band’s debut full-length album filled with upbeat surf-pop tunes captured the attention of music lovers all over Asia. Those playful groovy tracks were eventually performed live at Clockenflap – an annual music and arts festival in Hong Kong as well as one of the best music festivals in Asia – with Gym and Swim being the only Thai band performing at Clockenflap 2017.

To date, their colourful melodies are still having a moment in Asia, especially in Taiwan. Apart from an upcoming concert in Taipei this 2nd June, Gym and Swim recently released ‘Don’t Leave Me Behind’ – a brand-new single featuring Taiwan’s 落日飛車 Sunset Rollercoaster. Filled with wistful tone and an accompaniment of a saxophone solo, this track taken from their new EP ‘Amazing Pingpong Show,’ is truly an emblem of the band’s invasion of Taiwan’s music scene.

Listen to Don’t Leave Me Behind by Gym and Swim here: https://bit.ly/2JKnuZx

#ThaiToast #BangkokMusicCity

Thai Toast – Fwends

Fwends

Thai Toast – Gym and Swim

Gym and Swim