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YONLAPA: The Sound of Freedom, Experimentation, and Thai Roots
Emerging from Chiang Mai with a sound that drifts between dream pop, rock, psychedelic, and groove, YONLAPA has built their identity on freedom, experimentation, and the roots that shape their everyday lives. Their music carries both dreamy and melancholic tones, shifting from heavy and powerful to soft and easygoing, while always reflecting the culture and surroundings that inspire them.
Joining Budweiser’s Music Is Yours To Take
Now they join Budweiser’s Music Is Yours To Take, presented by Hypebeast in Bangkok this October. The event celebrates music and culture in Southeast Asia, and for YONLAPA it’s a chance to share their journey and bring their energy to a new stage.
Shaping Their Sound and Story
Read our full conversation with YONLAPA and see how they are shaping their sound and story. 1 of 22 of 2
HB: YONLAPA: A Blend of Music, Culture, and Self-Expression
YONLAPA will be a part of Budweiser’s Music Is Yours To Take presented by Hypebeast, an event where music, culture, and self-expression collide. How does your music embody this blend of different creative elements?
YONLAPA: A Mix of Styles and Spirit
YONLAPA: I think music and culture are the foundation for every musician, and everyone comes with their own roots. Our music reflects a mix of the styles we love, as well as the spirit of Chiang Mai, which naturally shapes the way we live, think, and create.
Explaining YONLAPA’s Sound
HB: How would you best explain your music to someone who’s never heard YONLAPA before?
YONLAPA: Our sound is a blend of dream pop, rock, psychedelic, and groove. Some songs are heavy and powerful, while others are soft and easygoing. What matters most to us is keeping the freedom to create and letting each song find its own meaning.
Finding Balance in Emotions
HB: YONLAPA is known for its unique blend of dreamy and melancholic sounds. How do you find a balance between these two emotions when you’re writing and producing your music?
YONLAPA: Each of us is very rooted in our own ideas, so when we create, we experiment with different sounds until we all feel it clicks. Whether it’s the lyrics, chords, or rhythm, we aim for everything to carry the emotion in the right way.
The Key to Growth as Musicians
HB: What’s the main factor that has contributed most to your growth as musicians?
YONLAPA: Definitely our love for listening to music. We’ve all been obsessed with discovering different styles since we were kids, and even now we keep drawing inspiration from the artists we love to spark new ideas.
Influences from Thai Culture and Daily Life
HB: What unique elements from Thai culture or daily life do you think unconsciously influence your music?
YONLAPA: Mostly the way we live, our surroundings, and the city we’re in. Those things really shape our perspective and the way we try to tell stories through music. 1 of 22 of 2
Overlooking the Creativity and Diversity of the Thai Music Scene
HB: What’s one thing about the Thai music scene that you feel most people often overlook?
YONLAPA: The creativity and diversity. The scene has always been overshadowed by mainstream pop culture, so a lot of indie communities stay small. We hope one day there will be more space for us to grow and step into the mainstream.
Inspiration Beyond Music
HB: Beyond music, what inspires YONLAPA: whether it’s fashion, film, visual art, or anything in between?
