Phum Viphurit

Wurden fan Matthew Burgos

It ûntdekken fan de pulp fan wat men stribbet te wêzen rypt as de earste stap. Dan, djip dûke yn 'e hillichdommen dy't de grûnslach fan sa'n berop foarmje, folget sa. De razernij kostet it stribjen oant men harsels ûnder it fuotljocht fynt fan wat se altyd woenen wêze en dwaan. Sa'n goed makke blomlêzing wjerspegelet de opkomst fan Phum Viphurit as in húshâlding yn muzyk, alles wylst hy sykhellet it prinsipe dat beskieden begjin burgeon.

De 25-jierrige Taiske artyst hat him altyd ôfstimd op muzyk. Doe't er jong wie, hy tinkt oan syn smaak yn lieten, boarte mei syn gitaar yn syn sliepkeamer, en ferdjippe him yn in ryk dat it bêste resonearre mei syn persoanlikheid. The hobby blossomed into a full-time venture that would whisk him across the globe. Viphurit emigrated to New Zealand at the age of nine and lodged there before his first year of the University. Covering Frank Ocean for his Youtube channel and songwriting developed as a pastime before he buckled down for his film degree at Mahidol University International College in Bangkok.

The then 18-year-old scarfed the evolving musical landscape in the city, juggling with his film theories and assignments until he found himself at the doorstep of the local label Rats Records. He shipped the demo of his then sole original to the label, and after drowning into an idyllic haze from listening to his song, Rats Records signed a deal with Viphurit.Fast forward to 2014, Viphurit debuted with his first single, "Adore." Treated as a glimpse of his foreseen future, the folk-ish, upbeat song skyrocketed to a winsome starter in the music landscape worth feasting over. His crooning, deep voice narrates the lyrics, curating an atmosphere that's both chilled and head-nodding. His second single failed to chart in Thailand, but in a surprising turn of events, the Reddit community, composed of international virtual users, picked up on the song's allure and catapulted Viphurit on a long list of international concerts.

While Thailand slept on the two singles, Viphurit found his footing in 2018 when he introduced "Lover Boy." His honey-dripped singing style appears vividly throughout the production. The guitar riffs and drum beats share the limelight with his signature baritone-esque voice that courts his listeners. The cultural influences that feed his music jump right out of his single, projecting an invitation to broader international audiences. It's Western. It's Thai. It's 100% Phum Viphurit. Sûnt dy tiid, the jazzy, ballad-like, drunk pop song has been an anthem that built his monument to his loyal cult.

Viphurit has seen his music reach new heights and international success with concerts in Germany, Itaalje, Frankryk, England, Maleizje, de Filipinen, Singapoer, the Netherlands, Switserlân, Kanada, and the US. His aspiration to share his music breaks out of its shell to manifest into a full-blown endeavor where he clothes himself with what he loves the most, three-fold. While the highs have indeed taken him for a ride, Viphurit admits that he needed a short break to recharge his creative juices, energy, en optredens.

Foardat jo yn in reflektive faze dûke, Viphurit tinkt oer begjin. Foar de keunstner, sûnder in begjin, der komt neat neitiid. Sûnder in geweldige yntro nei in ferske, gjinien wol fierder harkje. Sûnder woartels of in fêste basis, men kin de wrâld net tsjinkomme. "Ik tink dat yn de snelle beweging fan hjoed, globalisearre wrâld, it kin hielendal net kwea om werom te kanalen nei ús woartels en kultuer. Wy as skeppers kinne no ynspiraasje lûke fan praktysk oeral yn in kwestje fan sekonden. It is wichtich om te fertsjintwurdigjen, as jo kieze foar, jo eigen kultuer en autentisiteit, om't it jo meast organyske wierheid en perspektyf is dy't jo sil skiede fan 'e rest," hy fertelt Blanc Magazine.

Ienris, Phum Viphurit ôfbylde in fisy board dêr't syn muzyk soe fersprieden. Hy rûn al gau op konsertplatfoarms fersierd mei syn elektryske gitaar, oanwêzigens, en stim. It ûnleauwe dat yn syn hert krûpt, jout de subtile sêftmoedigens oan dy't yn him hearsket. Gjin saak wêr't hy giet, der is in skerpe tou fan oantinkens dy't him weromkeart nei syn hûs, wêrtroch de nostalgy fan syn beskieden begjin him op syn reis omgiet.