Praput Pimpama (Opor) spent many years touring the provinces until he finally got his big break on the second season of The Voice Thailand in 2013.
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Finding his voice
Suwitcha Chaiyong
Not everybody is a fan of TV singing competitions. Some people might think that there are too many. But whether you love them or are bored of them, these shows have introduced some very talented people. A good example is Praput Pimpama (Opor), who spent many years touring the provinces until he finally got his big break on the second season of The Voice Thailand in 2013.
Suddenly, the singer was seen by a national audience and he quickly gained a large fan base. After the contest, Opor contributed to several soundtracks and released two singles, “Good Night” and “Stutter,” with indie record label What the Duck. He has since landed a deal with major label White Music, home to such top talents as Peck Palitchoke, Pop Pongkool and Atom Chanakan.
S Weekly met up with the 30-year-old who told us about his new song “Tong Ham (Forbid)” and his experiences in the music business.
What does The Voice Thailand mean to you?
Opor: It opened the door to a whole new world. Before The Voice, I had no idea about the realities of the music industry, from recording the programme to doing interviews. I learned so much from doing the show.
Have you always been interested in music?
Opor: Yes. When I was a kid, my parents played music in the car and I loved to sing along. In primary school, when the teacher asked for a volunteer to sing in front of the class, I was always the one who’d get up, even though I was quite shy. And in junior high school, I sang in a band called Solid with my friends.
How did you develop your singing skills?
Opor: I actually learned a lot from the Internet. And I’d sit in the car when I wanted to practise my singing so that I didn’t annoy the neighbours. I later started playing guitar and sang along with the scales so that I’d remember the notes.
How do you feel when you’re onstage?
Opor: It’s strange. I’m shy and don't have confidence in most things. But I love music, and when I’m onstage, I’m doing something that I'm good at. I feel nervous but I can’t wait to perform.
What was it like playing small venues around the provinces?
Opor: It was different from what I imagined being a singer would be like. For around a decade, I performed every night at all kinds of venues and events just to make enough money to get by.
Can you tell us about the first song you wrote?
Opor: It's called “Restart.” It’s about a guy who’s in love with a girl, but they’re both scarred by bad breakups. He wants her to forget about the past.
What inspired you to write “Forbid”?
Opor: My mom kept calling me, asking how I was. I was very busy and irritable so I wasn’t nice to her and I told her to leave me alone. So she said that she’d try to stop herself from worrying about me. Later on, when my girlfriend started treating me the same way, I understood how hurt my mom must have felt.
How do you feel about singing on TV soundtracks?
Opor: I enjoy it. The producer will tell me about the song and the show. Then I try to figure out how I can relate to the song through my own experience.
You have a radio show on 88.5 E-D-S Everyday Station. Do you enjoy being a DJ?
Opor: Yes, it's helped me to improve my verbal communication. In the past, I found it difficult to express myself. At the radio station, the co-producer helps me decide what to say. I’m interested in sport and technology, so I can talk fairly comfortably about these topics. I write down what I want to say. I do the show five times a week, so I’m getting better all the time.
