2019 07 03 FCCT Sounds of Isan – Molam Music

Sounds of Isan – Molam Music
Isan, Thailand’s vibrant northeast region, is home to 22 million people, most of whom are of Laotian ethnicity but describe themselves as Thai Isan, or khon Isan. The region boasts one of Thailand’s most vibrant traditional and popular genres of music, known as molam. Whatever Isan people are doing, either side of the Mekong River, molam will be an important part of it.

With its strong beats, rhythmic tunes and soulful lyrics traditional molam music has been performed at village festivals and rituals, at social events like weddings, temple fairs and even for healing the sick for centuries. The music, which has its origins in musical temple sermons, is a narrative folk art that features molam (master singers) and the iconic instrument of the genre, the bamboo free reed-mouth organ, the khaen, as well as ching (temple bells), the phin (Isan lute) and the sor (fiddle).

Traditional forms of molam were steadily transformed as Thailand modernized from the 1950s onward, and ensembles and bands began to use Western instruments and arrangements. Dramatic and popular forms were created and the music was recorded and distributed as popular music. As a result, molam can be found in its traditional forms and in popular styles that have evolved in step with dynamic changes in Thai society.

In recent years a Thai molam band, Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, has been making a name for itself and performed all over Europe. The band will also play at Fuji Rock Festival in Japan later in July. Another band, Khun Narin’s Electric Phin, has landed itself a record deal with a US-based record label.

Where is this iconic musical form going now?

Experts who will join a panel to discuss molam music and perform some of its styles include:

Dr. Jarernchai Chonpairot, music specialist, College of Music, Mahasarakham University

Dr. Gridthiya Gaweewong, artistic director, Jim Thompson Art Center

Arthit Mulsarn, curator, Jim Thompson Mobile Molam Bus Project

Viraya Sawangchot, specialist in popular music and senior fellow, Social Enterprise Leadership Center

DJ Maft Sai, owner, Zudrangma Records, Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band

Moderator of the panel is John Clewley, Bangkok Post’s World Beat columnist, correspondent/photographer for Songlines (UK) magazine and contributor to the Rough Guide to World Music