THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Virtuoso Tik Shiro steps into the digital age

Virtuoso Tik Shiro steps into the digital age

During the pandemic, his showbiz activities came to a standstill due to lack of sponsorship. Since live concerts are prohibited, Tik has seized the opportunity to try his hand at an online business.

Multifaceted artist Tik Shiro might be nearing 60, but he remains as active and creative as ever. Tik, whose real name is Manaswin Nantasen, has been wearing many hats -- as a drummer, singer, composer, producer and painter -- for decades.

As the entertainment industry struggles to cope with the fallout of Covid-19, Tik, who has worked in local showbiz for over four decades, has diversified into an online business, selling sun-dried gourami from Bangbor, Thailand’s popular fish farming district, in Samut Prakan province.

The creative artist caresses his new brand “Rak Salid” like he would an art project. He has created a unique package and pattern with the fish, giving his product a distinct identity. Normally, farmers slide the fish into three strips. But his product is different.

“We slide it into 4 stripes. When you deep-fry the fish, their shapes will transform into flowers or pandanus pudding. They are beautiful and easy to eat with chopsticks,” Tik explains.

During the pandemic, his showbiz activities came to a standstill due to lack of sponsorship. Since live concerts are prohibited, Tik has seized the opportunity to try his hand at an online business.

Besides selling “Rak Salid” online, he also sells his paintings online.

During the lockdown period, Tik has been engrossed in painting, cooking and learning about online business. Here are five questions with the creative artist-cum-businessman Tik Shiro:

Q: How has your life changed in the music circuit since you have been working for over four decades? And how has the pandemic affected showbiz?

A: In the new era, artists/musicians present their works online and on digital platforms. It’s not easy [to achieve success], but the online platform is a new digital market for many young musicians. However, the young Thai rapper duo, Sprite x Guygeegee, made history for Thais by reaching No. 89 on Billboard Global with their popular hit “Ton”. As a Thai musician and producer, I’m so proud of them.

While I was a commentator at ‘The Voice Thailand Kid’, I met a lot of young talented musicians and singers. Unfortunately, many of them did not continue in music for many reasons.

I try to support them as much as I can. I love kids, I want to support talented musicians who can compose their own songs, so they can step forward.

I prefer to support emerging artists who have no contacts with any music companies. Overall, their parents should support them, too.

I have been in the local music scene since 1973, but I have never stopped creating. I have a good team, so I run my own music studio as a platform to share the same interests and work together. We have been promoting many talented artists.

During the pandemic, our band was temporarily separated. Covid caused joblessness. Our drummer sells Shabu, while the bass player sells durian and shrimp paste fried rice. Others make chilli paste, fried chicken and desserts for their living. Some are successful with their new jobs, while some are not doing well.

Q: You also sell art online, how’s your business doing so far?

A: When Covid-19 first spread in Thailand early last year, I stayed home for 4-5 months to create paintings. Net idol Pongsuk “Nui” Hiranyaphruk, the founder of online media “Beartai”, introduced me to the online art market. Then I joined the selling of art as NFTs [Non-Fungible Tokens] through blockchain-based technology in the cryptocurrency world. Now I’m selling my second version on his platform.

Traditionally, artworks are for sale at leading auction houses like Christie’s. For example, Vincent Van Goh’s masterpieces are auctioned at 2,000 to 3,000 million baht. However, selling art through the auction process has limitations. Meanwhile NFTs could revolutionise the digital fine art market.

New technology like VTR can help take viewers on a virtual gallery tour. Collectors can purchase artworks anytime and anywhere. These new technologies are very quick.

Q: Did new technology affect your generation?

A: I have no problems with it. With the speed of technology, the world is changing. Previously, the cryptocurrency world introduced bitcoin, NFTs and Ethereum through blockchain-based technology. Many of the young generation are eager to learn new things and participate in these new technologies. Traditional trading by using gold and US dollars is now being challenged by digital trading.

Traders can trade by themselves without an operation fee when it is done via the banking system. The digital revolution is changing the behaviour of customers and trading systems.

Q: How is your life going on now?

A: The pandemic affected my job a lot. I had planned a talk show about my life and works, as well as that of my fellow artists, on YouTube. But the project could not happen. My restaurant review on YouTube is temporarily closed, as many restaurants are closed.

I started broadcasting on Facebook about my cooking. Every morning I show how I make my breakfast. Normally I did not cook for myself. But the more I cook, the more I learn and the more skills I have. One of my favourite recipes is pork and eggs stew. I try to export, but the pandemic has made it more complicated to achieve the goal.

Covid also taught me a lesson: We have to think about a second job.

As a musician, I still compose songs. I just finished composing a tune about the pandemic called ‘Let’s be vaccinated’. I plan to release it soon when all vaccines will be available in the Kingdom.

Tune in to my page Tik Shiro to update about my musical work as well as my fish products. Help support me, so I can keep walking.

Virtuoso Tik Shiro steps into the digital age

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