Tracing back twenty years ago, a young man educated abroad released an album in the Thai music industry. Everyone unanimously agreed that the lyrics, melody, music video and even the artist himself were quite strange. Two decades have passed and the songs in that particular album are still played concurrently with present-day tunes, for example, “I’m not an extraordinary person.” But now this extraordinary person has made a comeback after two decades in a more peculiar image of sunglasses and a new hairstyle. Petch Osathanukrah, the voice in this album tells us about his long hiatus in his career and about his true self. Today we get the chance to know him up close and personal. As a young boy... “I didn’t show much interest in school and was quite a dreamer as a young child. I was in a world of my own but I knew in my heart that I had talent in art bottled up inside me, just waiting to be released to the world. I couldn’t draw so I couldn’t figure out what it was In art class, my teacher would let us draw vases and I just felt bored. I realized it was because I liked creating new inventions and didn’t like to imitate others. When I went to the States, I found out that they gave opportunities for us to show our skills and it wasn’t until my art teacher came around and told the class that, “He’s better than me.” “I began writing and playing music since I was in high school and composed my first song when I was 12 years old, named the “Pie Maker.” I played a few chords on my guitar and became so excited that I had to call my mother to listen.” “It was never an obligation to work in the family business but after studying business, I helped out selling pharmaceutical products at Osotsapa. I knew it wasn’t me so I moved to work at SPA Advertising. I then worked on my songs and released my first album, “It’s a normal thing.” “It was considered new in the country’s music industry. I initially made my songs simple, with the least instruments, namely the guitar or piano and then gradually added a bit of this and that to create an electronic theme. I guess it’s still contemporary because people still listen to my songs. I began to recognize myself that if I try too hard; I wouldn’t succeed in composing any songs. On the other hand, whenever I shout nonsense from the top of my lungs, my train of thought lunges out the best ideas.” “Many people wonder of course, why I disappeared after releasing only one album. It proceeded through the stages of mass marketing in a big music company and it was fun for a while. But it was during the era of handsome and beautiful teenage artists entering the industry who couldn’t really sing, so I felt it wasn’t my time anymore. My favorite artist is John Lennon, who would rather sing the songs he composes and that’s similar to me. Twenty years had passed and I encounter my true music fans who themselves have pursued singing careers or creative jobs. For me, it’s not the number of people who like my songs, but rather who they are and how they appreciate my songs. They gave me inspiration to give it one more try. Let’s Talk About Love “If you really listen to my songs, you might find there is a little sarcasm laced to present day society but it all ends up to be about love. Even with this new album, Let’s Talk About Love, it pretty much revolves around the subject of love. I worked hard and like all the songs in this new album. I didn’t expect anything in return but I have to admit that I didn’t want anyone else singing the songs I composed.” The Power of Now “I am not a person who stays still, and the more I feel restless and confused I become, the more I rely on the Dharma teachings. Whatever I experience in life that gives me no answers, I feel that that is grief. I turned to Dharma since I was abroad because I felt that things became clearer to me. If I am able to see things around me as emptiness, I can empower the tranquility where objects are without names, age or longevity.” “But the root of the problem occurs because I am not living in today but in my mind and should be in the now. If done, we would be able to see the big picture. My analogy is when I’m on a train but I hop off on the platform and am able to see the train go by and let go until it disappears from sight.” “If asked the reason why we came to earth, I would have to say it’s to explore and find who we really are and no matter how much chaotic it is outside, you are able to maintain still inside.” I think you’d have to agree with me when I say that we had the opportunity to get to know Petch Osatanukrah at another level – up close and personal.