Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your childhood impacted your musical direction?
A: I was born in a small town in Thailand called Chiang Mai. I think I grew up in a very musical family and that really guided my passion for music. My mother played some folk guitar and she also loved jazz. My sister played the saxophone for a while and was actually pretty well known although she eventually stopped. The influence from my sister made me pick up the saxophone when I was around 9 years old. I continued playing for about 3 years but figured it wasn’t the right instrument for me because I am a very shy person and I hated to be on center stage. I stopped playing for a while and, when I was 15, I remember seeing a video on youtube of a person playing bass and I thought, wow 4 strings and just your fingers AND you can be at the back of the stage. This is definitely my instrument. Ever since then I have been playing bass and I never wish to stop.
Q: How are you planning on growing your fan base and sharing your music with the world? What message do you have for anyone who is about to discover “Tong Cherd”?
A: I am planning to be very active on my social media and make more content with me playing bass and talking about “CAFF”. There are some things that I do on the bass and in “CAFF” that I would love to share with the world and also explain the idea and technique behind to people who are interested. For the message I would say, you better get ready to get awestruct by what a funky groovy beat with an amazing solo by Augie Bello and yours truly can do to you.
Q: Who is the most inspiring artist for you right now? And where do you find inspiration for making music?
A: I take a lot of inspiration from older music. I am a big 70s and 80s music person and the songs from those era really inspire me and make me play how I play. I would say that “The Beatles” really shaped how I think about song writing and how I approach the bass. In the technical area I would say that “Casiopea” the japanese fusion band taught me a lot. With newer artists, I would say I love music from Tom Misch, Vulfpeck, Raqual Rodriguez to name a few.
Q: Can you tell us about the story or message behind the song, “CAFF.”?
A: I just wanted to make a song that had a fun funky vibe and also featured the bass. I want more people to see what the bass can do and show that it can be more than an instrument that plays a supporting role. Incorporating the melody with the bass was one of the biggest things with “CAFF” and I am really happy with it. Of Course there is also the funky slap solo, you can never go wrong with that!
Q: How would you describe your sound in one word for potential listeners?
A: “Energetic” would be the word I’d pick.
Q: Did you face any challenges while writing or recording “CAFF”?
A: The hardest part was probably the parts for the other instruments. I came up with the melody first on the bass so I was not really thinking as the bassist. It was a challenge at first to change my mind from a songwriter to a musician who is playing those parts to a song.
Q: What is the message of your music? And what are your goals as an artist?
A: I want people to enjoy instrumental music. I wanted to have a sound that is more on the “pop” side so that it would be easier for people to get into instrumental music. I feel that there were many great instrumental songs in the past and I want this generation to have something like that of the older funk music too. I think my biggest goal now is to get my music to reach as many people as possible so they can understand and come to love instrumentals.
Q: Who is your dream artist to collaborate with? (dead or alive)
A: I would love to someday collaborate with either Tom Misch or Cory Wong. I do love songs with lyrics in them and I feel that Tom does it amazingly with his writing style and playing style. At the end of the day I am a bassist so I am a supporting part of the band and I feel that Cory is one of the best rhythm guitarists of our generation. It would mean the world to me to be able to jam and funk it out with him.
Q: What is your advice for people interested in pursuing music as a career or for those trying to enter the industry?
A: Never give up. People who you see that are successful now never gave up and believed in their music. Sometimes it will take time but that does not mean it won’t catch on. Persevere even through tough times and harsh critics, at the end of the day, only you can make the music you make and have the sound you have. Keep doing it and pushing it until it’s heard.
Q: If you could go back in time and give a younger you some words of wisdom, what would they be?
A: This is a fun one. I think I would probably tell myself to start listening to The Beatles from a younger age so I can get even more of that Beatles egen in me earlier!
