Songs for television

The story of songs-for-life band Carabao was recently brought to the big screen in “Young Bao: The Movie” and now the group’s best-known songs are coming to television, lathering up the plots for a series of soap-opera dramas.

The concept of “Carabao: The Series” is the brainchild DJ and TV host Kris srepoomseth. Under the banner of his production company Flagship Entertainment, he’s come up with an anthology format that transforms 18 of Carabao’s greatest hits into small-screen stories.

“I first came up with the idea of the series five years ago,” says Kris. “I wondered why some dramas did well while others bombed and I concluded that two main factors contributed to a successful soap. The first is the  actors and actresses and the second is a plot line that the audience knows and recognises.

“Carabao has been in people’s minds for 30 years. Everybody knows hits like ‘Bualoy’ about a hard-working guy, ‘Nang Ngam Too Krajok’ about a prostitute, and ‘Sanya Na Fon’ about the promise of love. I figured that a series based on those themes with the characters played by the right actors would be popular. Now, I’m waiting to see just how well those songs have transformed into a serial.”

Anek permwongsenee, president of broadcaster MCOT, is quick to provide reassurance.

“Carabao’s songs have been converted in such a way that they reflect the lives of ordinary people and also serve as an inspiration to some of them,” he says. “I expect this series to bring high ratings for MCOT.”

The stories told through the lyrics of Carabao’s hits are just as familiar to Thai fans as the melodies and Kris uses them as a jumping-off point the series.

Seven distinguished directors have been enlisted to bring the 18 songs to television.

Prachya Pinkaew takes “Khon La Fun”, Ping Lampraperng has “3 Cha Carabao”, Komkrit Triwimol directs “Thalay Jai” and Tanwarin “Golf” Sukkhaphisit redefines “Bualoy”. The others are Note Chernyim (“Ba”), Worawech “Dan” Danuwong (“Noom Suphan”), and Winai Pathomboon who has taken on “Nang Ngam Too Krajok”, “Sanya Na Fon”, “Made in Thailand”, “Wanipok” and “Khon Jon Phu Yingyai”.

“I remember my excitement when I travelled in an elevator with Phi Ad [Carabao frontman Yuenyong Ophakul] in Khorat 20 years ago. He asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up. I told him I dreamt of being  a film director. So the song ‘Khon La Fun’ [‘Dream Chaser’] is just right for me,” says Prachya.

“The story of ‘Noom Suphan’ takes place Suphan Buri, which is where I was born,” says singer-actor Dan. “I’ve wanted to do something to honour my province for a while and this is an ideal opportunity.”

Stars of the series include Rhatha “Yayaying” Pho-ngam, Warattaya “Jui” Nilkuha, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Sarawut “Aon” Marttong, Sunny Suwanmethanon, Saharat “Kong” Sangkapricha, Boriboon “Tak” Chanruang, Kan Kantathavorn. There are also rising stars Pattdon “Fiat” Janngern from “Grean Fictions” and Sananthachat “Fon” Thanapatpisal from “Hormones”.

“I play a student working in her parents’ Thai classical dance business after graduating from an overseas university,” says Rhatha, who plays the heroine of “Made in Thailand”.

“I’m one of the couple who is forced to separate when the man goes off to Bangkok for work but promise to meet up again in the  rainy season. But neither manage to keep that promise,” says Jui, who stars in “Sanya Na Fon”.

“We play a husband and wife in ‘Rak Thorahod’,” says Sudarat “Tukky” Butrprom who is starring with her real-life lover Bubu.  “Though I would have preferred the role of the prostitute in ‘Mae Sai’, which is about a mother selling her daughter into the sex trade,” she continues.

Each episode will open with the song upon which it is based with Carabao’s Yuenyong Ophakul, Preecha “Lek” Chanapai and Thierry Mekwattana acting as narrators. They end with covers of the numbers, rearranged and performed by indie artists of Smallroom Records.

They include the Jukks who give  “Wanikpok” a punk makeover, Gene Kasidit’s techno version of “Nang Ngam Too Krajok” and a pop-jazz rendition of “Luk Hin” by When. Lemon Soup takes “Rak Thorahod”, Spoonful “Raja Ngern Phon”, and Tattoo Colour covers “Sanya Na Fon.”

“It’s hard for the younger bands to interpret Carabao’s songs,” says the indie label’s founder Rungroj Uptampotiwat. 

“Carabao’s songs have long and beautiful lyrics and a very complicated music structure. So, we decided to play it safe and keep the original structure while bringing our bands’ characters and styles to the music.”

Flagship Entertainment has invested Bt80 million in “Carabao: The Series”. It’s also planning a full-scale concert production next March at Impact Arena.

 

Stories of life

_ “Carabao: The Series” will air on Modernine at 8.30pm on Wednesdays starting August 28.