Phum Viphurit (Feb. 2019)
The wonderful, truly unique aspect to Phum Viphurit and his music is the fact he uses it as a learning tool, for both his inner self and the world around him. Being someone who’s moved around a lot, someone who’s felt stability is a far off dream, music has become a foundation. Art, as a whole, has centered the often crazy and constantly shifting life of Phum, bringing inner peace where it is so thoroughly needed.
With every song, a theme of youthful innocence and freedom is thoroughly established. Phum builds an atmosphere where none are judged for their oddities or confusions, where instead they’re celebrated. It is, in truth, a sonic nirvana of acceptance that is greater escapism than a listener can ask for.
But yet again, it is a learning process. Every morning and every night, Phum Viphurit is learning the ins and outs of the human existence, sharing lessons with those who care to listen. And while he may not have all the answers, in many ways hoping never to have them all, he knows his ability to create, and share is stronger than any existent youthful confusion.
Our First question as always, how’s your day going and how have you been lately?
It’s been a chill day, I’ve been really good, thank you.
To begin, you have a fantastically unique style that references the early part of your life and general memories. Did you find the way you grew up and those around you to be essential to your artistic development?
Definitely, yes. I think we all are affected by our surroundings one way or another. I always found myself in a place surrounded by many influences, whether that was being very young in Bangkok, Thailand, growing around my large extended family in the middle of a hectic city, or my later my teen years in NZ, I soaked it all in.
You’ve talked specifically about moving to New Zealand having a large impact upon your love for music, what was it about the country and your time there that had a lasting resonance with you?
The people around me. My friends to be specific, inspired a lot of the first LP. Whether that was being inspired by their story or my own stories, or things I was going through while with my friends when I look back at it all, it was the people.
Originally, what were some of the first challenges you found yourself encountering with creating music and how did you work through them to build the style you have today?
I remember just being very afraid to express the things that I felt because I wasn’t sure if being sensitive and sharing with others was the best thing to do for the hermit that I was back then. It was hard to be honest at first about how vulnerable I felt. But then I eventually let go and chose songwriting as a way to say the things I wasn’t too comfortable to say in person, and I am grateful that others can vibe and relate to it. It’s hard to trace how I developed my own ‘style’. I would simplify it as growing up and trying different ways until eventually, I vibed with what I was creating at the time.
Beyond the obvious musical influences every musician has, do you find your sound to be shaped by other pieces of art and media? Whether Films, Books, Tv etc.
I love the colors in Wes Anderson Films, also the mise en scene of it all. I also really dig Alexander Payne’s work, especially his family-centered films, it reminds me a lot of my own family.
Looking forward, you hold the ideology of always growing and constantly building yourself as an artist. Where did that belief stem from for you and how has it affected your approach to music?
Music is a gift, to consume or to be able to create it is a real joy. I just want to genuinely keep creating and always finding different approaches to convey these thoughts and ideas in my head, with hopes that someone out there feels the same or is inspired by it. This, above all else, keeps my motor running.
Would you say there are any skills or strengths you hope to add to yourself as an artist as you continue to develop and learn more of yourself? In a way, are there paths you still feel the need to explore in your music?
Being in the creative field of work is like discovering little bits of yourself every once in a while. I’d really really love to learn how to play the piano, always been something that I’ve wanted to pick up, but never had the time for.
Within the next year, do you have any new or upcoming releases that people can look forward to? And if so, do you believe it subverts or continues to build upon past releases and work?
I’m working on the second LP right now and it follows my own personal growth as a person and a musician. It’s just me figuring my way through life, yet again.
Ultimately, what do you find to be the most essential messages for you to express through your art? Is there a specific theme or concept you hope resonates with listeners?
Above all of the sonic pleasures, or the joy that it’ll hopefully bring, I hope people can relate to it and that it eases their worries. I’ve been playing around with the concept of a day’s sun cycle. How an object can cast a different shadow during the hours of a day, how it distorts, deforms and then repeats as tomorrow comes. I’m hoping to display that balance of things in my own way.
On the topic of listeners, live shows exist as the perfect way to connect with them. In your case, you’ve been all over the place putting on amazing live shows, how have you found the tour and live experience to be and how would you compare it to what goes on within a studio?
I pick the performance aspect any day. Just to see how people react off of your sound or what you’re playing is one of the most interesting and satisfying experiences, ever. It’s like a never-ending loop of two-way communication.
If funds were a non-question and there were no restrictions, where would be one place you would hold a live performance?
I think at the local playground beside the river at my neighborhood in Hamilton, NZ. It would be a chill time to sing for my mates, teachers, family and even the senior citizens in that area while they sip on some fine wine. I think since it’s a public space, it’s probably free to play there too.
Do you have anyone to shout out or anything to promote? The floor is yours!
Be on the lookout for my 2nd LP coming out this year, the singles from it should be rolling out soon. Thanks for the interview.