Lula does her first solo show
Kanyarat Tiyapornchai, better known as Lula, has been Thailand’s Bossa Nova Princess since 2008. That was the year she exploded onto the scene with her debut album, Urban Lullaby, which included the hits, “Tukata Na Rod (A Doll in the Front Seat)” and “Talay See Dam (Black Sea).”
Her distinctive voice and the fact that she was singing a style of music that was new to Thai audiences made Lula stand out from the crowd. She has gone on to win many awards in the kingdom. And just last year, Lula gained international recognition for her talents, when she received the Best Asian Artist Award at the Mnet Asian Music Awards, run by the Korean Music TV station, Mnet.
This year, to celebrate a decade in the music business, the singer has been very busy. Her new single, “Rao Mai Ruejak Gun (We Don’t Know Each Other),” has passed 3.5 million views online. And the star is also preparing for her special show, Lula First Solo Concert: Little Miss Lullaby.
Before Lula hits the stage on June 9 at GMM Live House, CentralWorld, S Weekly caught up with her at White Music to talk about the show, her latest single and her experience as a coach on The Voice Kids Thailand.
What was it like to become so popular so quickly?
Lula: The success was unexpected. I wasn’t prepared for the limelight at all. I thought Urban Lullaby would be my first and final solo album. I remember performing at a Fat Radio event in Chiang Mai. More than 1,000 people queued up to take photos with me. The line was so long, I thought I was going to faint.
Have you ever had an accident during a performance?
Lula: Yes. I wore high heels while performing at a university in Hat Yai. As I walked down the stairs to leave the stage, I tripped and fell to the floor. I felt really embarrassed. I didn’t wear high heels for a long time after that. I’ve only begun to wear them again recently.
Which was your most memorable show?
Lula: There have been a few. One was the Big Mountain concert in Khao Yai. The weather was cold, but nice. It was packed and everybody sang along to all of my songs. Whatever I asked the audience to do, they did it. It was unforgettable.
Why did you decide to name your upcoming concert, Little Miss Lullaby?
Lula: Little Miss describes me, because I’m petite. Lullaby is from my first album. People say my singing makes them feel relaxed and peaceful.
What can fans expect to see at the show?
Lula: The show will be divided into two parts. The first focuses on the Lula of 10 years ago. This part will be lively and beautiful like a dream. The second will introduce fans to another side of Lula. I’m quite boyish in real life. This part will include jokes and other fun stuff.
Can you tell us about the new single, “We Don’t Know Each Other”?
Lula: It’s about a couple who stop talking to each other after breaking up. It’s something that many people can relate to. Viewers have left many comments on YouTube about having had similar experiences. That made us feel that we’d picked the right theme.
How did you feel about being a coach on The Voice Kids Thailand?
Lula: I enjoyed the experience. At first, I hesitated to accept the offer because I’d never been a coach before. I finally decided to give it a try because I’ve been in the industry for years and I like kids. Some of them were natural-born talents. Others had been pushed very hard by their parents.
