From catwalk to concert

GIRL GROUPS are something of a rarity in Myanmar and the few that have got together tend to disappear after just one hit. 

Supermodels, Myanmar’s very own three-member girl group, is determined to stand the test of time.

Their debut album came out in 2012 and the music videos were launched just last month. Myanmar Eleven recently caught up with the three gals – Su Nandar Aung, Khaymar, and Pan Ei – who offered a rare insight into their recipe for success.

 

HOW DID “SUPERMODELS” COME INTO BEING?

The three of us became friends while attending a modelling course at Ma Moe (Tin Moe Lwin)’s Talents & Models. We did a lot of modelling together in fashion shows. We are all interested in music and decided to form a girl group just as K-pop was taking hold here. 

 

WHAT DIFFICULTIES DID YOU FACE WHEN YOU WERE STARTING OUT?

There were many problems but none of them was a big deal. Some fans are critical of us because we look like K-pop groups but I believe we stand out with our own style. Originally we wanted to call ourselves ‘Bebob’ but ultimately opted for ‘Supermodels’ during a charity concert in Rakhine State in 2011. It was a big concert and broadcast on TV. Our fans find it easy to recognise us by this name. ‘Supermodels’ is a song composed by Thar Thar for our group. As it is an upbeat song, we tend to perform it at all our shows.

 

WHAT KEEPS YOU TOGETHER?

Friendship as well as sharing the same ideas and interests. We believe mutual understanding, empathy and a sense of fairness are the most important values and they have certainly kept us together. We always decide together on every agreement.

Each of us has our own rights and the right to carry out solo activities. We are doing just that. But we are in it for the long haul. The group activities are separate. And we don’t have any contracts between us.

WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE?

We have performed many concerts in recent weeks. We just released the music videos for our debut album early last month. We are also working on our new album. And in addition to the group activities, we each have solo commitments.

 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SECOND ALBUM.

The album will feature two solo songs by each member plus six group songs. As they are solo tracks, we can play around with them. Most of the group songs are upbeat – the kind our fans like. We have just started work on these songs.

 

HOW DOES FASHION COME INTO THE EQUATION?

Music is the most important thing. Fashion is important too and I think for girl groups, fashion probably accounts for 70 per cent of the mix. Fans want to see the way we dress and dance. That’s why we have to take better care of what we wear. As for presentation, we give priority to upbeat music. Choreography for the dance numbers is designed by Jade Dragon dance group.

 

PLEASE SAY SOMETHING TO YOUR FANS.

The support of our fans adds to our strength. Their support and advice matters a great deal to us.