Music : Singular sensation
Music
Singular sensation
By Suwitcha Chaiyong, Photo courtesy of True Fantasia
Patcha is ready to go solo
In 2005, the first runner-up of Academy Fantasia 2, Patcha Anek-Ayuwat, was outstanding on the reality show’s stage. Her powerful-yet-sweet voice never failed to blow the audience away, especially when she sang pop ballads. Though she didn’t earn top honours in the contest, Patcha has been incredibly busy since she walked off the programme’s set.
So far, the 20-year-old actress and singer has released seven albums with her fellow AF contestants, acted in the TV series Pleun Rak Nak La Fun, had a lead role in the musical Ngern Ngern Ngern, performed the Thai voice of the penguin Gloria in the animated feature Happy Feet and pitched shampoo and a contact lenses in commercials.
Recently, Patcha finally had time in her busy schedule to release her first solo album, Patcha the Miracle 6.
LONELIEST NUMBER
The title of Patcha’s album refers to her number on the reality programme. She said that she believes six is her lucky number. She laughs at the idea that it’s an unlucky or even evil number.
“My number on Academy Fantasia was V6, and I’ve been lucky,” she said. “I don’t think six is an evil number. Mine is a single six — not triple six.”
The number six has been important for Patcha, but the number one is what she’s facing as a solo act. For more than a year, she had her fellow contestants and friends around while she performed. Now she has to prove that she can handle an audience all by herself.
“I feel a bit lonely, but this opportunity has encouraged me to take more responsibility. Nobody’s up on stage to help me anymore,” Patcha said. “I believe that audiences are waiting to see me. I’ll definitely try my best.”
SINGING STYLE
On her solo album, Patcha has toned down her powerful voice. She explained that she worked hard on vocal adjustments that would make her songs more approachable.
“On the show, I mostly sang songs that demonstrated the wide range of my voice,” she said. “This time I wanted to try singing songs that listeners could hum along to. If I have a chance to make another album, I may try something different.”
UPBEAT PERSONA
Patcha, currently a fourth-year student at Mahidol University’s College of Music, has learned a lot during her brief two years in showbiz. Keeping an open mind has helped a lot, she said.
“I’ve worked on many things so far. These experiences have helped me realise that I should be like an empty glass,” Patcha said. “I’ll keep an open mind that’s able to be filled up by learning something new.” This singer also makes sure to keep upbeat attitude when she’s in the spotlight.
“I have to remind myself that many people know me, but I don’t know everyone,” she said. “Being a public figure is one of my responsibilities. I try to avoid letting people see me in a bad mood.”
Even with so much experience in the entertainment business, Patcha admitted that she still has a long way to go.
“I’ve tried a lot of things, but my skills are still basic,” she said. “Those were the first times that I had done a voice-over or acted in a play, but I want to do them again.
In the end, Patcha said that the talent she’s most famous for is the one that’s still closest to her heart.
“I’m most happy when I’m in concert,” she said. “Singing is always my favourite.”
