Bursting onto the Phangan party scene in January this year, DJ Lai Funky Budda has built the newest and finest party on the island to which he is already attracting the biggest names in the business.
Determined to put the best of everything he has learned from his vast experience into making the finest quality event on Koh Phangan, Open Air Muzix Festival.
I got the chance to get close and personal with Lai, the organizer himself. Here are some of his thoughts.
What is your connection to the Parties here?
I started being a DJ at the Full Moon party about seven years ago playing at various places including Sunrise, and Dar Club. I then moved on to becoming resident Full Moon DJ at Mountain Bar/ Kangaroo Bar for five years and as headlining DJ the last three of those years. I also had my own club in Thong Nai Pan Yai called Funky Budda from 2005- 2012 and was running AC Bar, another popular venue in Koh Tao, simultaneously.
What is the best thing you’ve ever been involved with or done?
I’d have to say Open Air Muzix Festival and starting this new venture. I’ve been to many outdoor parties but none had quality music being played where the crowd and the DJ dance as one. It feels like there’s no connection between the two. The crowd dances and the DJ plays but something is missing. So, I want to introduce to Phangan a quality party bringing the finest music with a unique jungle/beach setting to this beautiful island. In order to make that connection that everyone is looking for when they attend these parties. This party is very different to other parties in looks, feel and sound. I want to give the people of Phangan and visitors alike, an opportunity to see their favourite DJs from abroad on this beautiful island.
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What are your hopes and dreams?
My dream would be to make Open Air Muzix Festival a complete success and have some of my all time favourite DJs, such as Booka Shade or Oliver Koletzki, play at Open Air.
How did you get this far? What is your life philosophy?
I believe having patience in everything and growing with change is key. Every day is a learning day. This way of thinking has brought me to where I am today.
Why is Open Air different to the other parties?
Playing a live music set is like writing a book. There’s a story behind every set, you take your crowd on a journey, with highs and lows. My event is aimed at achieving this vision and offering something different and special to the island. There is no trance music played at Open Air because I want to offer quality music, alongside a charming feeling in a beautiful lush environment for all party-goers.
In March of this year, Open Air Muzix Festival invited Bee Lincoln and Basti Tiefshwarz from Berlin, Germany to play at the magical hidden spot in the jungle. Bee Licoln’s warm up set and Tiefshwarz’s headline set, brought the crowd of over 500 people onto their feet for a memorable night of mind-blowing beats. The music, crowd and scenery brought this magical feeling that took over everyone in attendance (present). While the remaining DJs Electrom and T Ge Cko, kept the party-goers dancing till the sun was shining. This emotion is his vision and what the organizer of the event wants to build on and display at every event that is held at Open Air, making it a night you will never forget.
Entering the party, there are food vendors lining an enchanting forest path. Coming inside you are immediately confronted with a funky upbeat deep house groove, played in the most natural setting you will find. The soft sand on the dance floor, unique to open air makes for dancing pleasure that (along with the great music and state of the art lighting and sound systems) will likely keep you dancing all night.
For those of you with a tendency towards deep house, tech house, techno, or if you just want a great party without all the madness that the Full Moon involves, this is the place to be.
To find out about Open Air Muzix Festival and our upcoming events follow us on: www.facebook.com/OpenAir.Thailand
Full interview with Lai – organizer of Open Air Muzix Festival
What is your Koh Phangan story?
I was born in Suratthani but moved to Phangan as a baby and I grew up on the island.
I went to school in Bantai and then went on to study music production in Bangkok. I have been a DJ for the last 10 years and debuted in clubs in Koh Tao and Koh Samui, such as Green Mango before playing on Koh Phangan.
What is your connection to the Parties here?
I had my own club in Thong Nai Pan Yai called Funky budda from 2005- 2012 and was running AC Bar, another popular venue in Koh Tao simultaneously. I also started as a Full Moon party DJ about 7 years ago playing at various places including Sunrise, and Dar Club.
I moved on to become resident full moon DJ at Mountain Bar/ Kangaroo Bar for 5 years. I then became the headline DJ at Kangaroo Bar for the last few of those years.
What and where have you played here on Phangan?
I played vinyls originally for 8 years then changed to CDs.
I originally played break beats and progressive house then evolved to my current style, introducing the deep house music scene to Phangan. I’ve played at Loi Lay Floating party, Voodoo/Maya, and I was resident DJ at Mountain Bar/Kangaroo Bar - Full Moon party for seven years as I said before. I also had the pleasure to play at Thaibreak 2013 in Koh Mak, alongside Domenic D’Agnelli and Chris Wood.
What is the best thing you have ever been involved with or done?
Open Air Muzix Festival and starting this new venture. I’ve been to many outdoor parties but none had quality music being played where the crowd and the DJ dance as one. It feels like there’s no connection, the crowd dances and the DJ plays but something is missing.
So I want to introduce and bring to Phangan a quality party bringing quality music and a unique jungle/beach setting to this beautiful island.
This party is very different to other parties in looks, feel and sound. I want to give the people of Phangan and visitors to the island an opportunity to see their favourite DJs from abroad in Thailand’s paradise.
What music do you carry in your record bag?
deep house and tech house - German underground beats
What do you listen to yourself when you want to unwind?
Morcheeba
Where and Who do you get your inspiration from?
Matthias Tanzmann and Oliver Koletzki are my inspirations.
Do you find Koh Phangan to be a good place for you? Where is your favourite place here?
I grew up here and have lived in Thong Nai Pan Yai for many years. I love where I live but I also love going to Haad Son Resort on Haad Son beach.
What are your next projects?
Open Air is a new project still in progress so getting it to its final stages and becoming a successful party with 1000+ people is my current goal that I’m working towards.
Your Hopes & Dreams?
My dream would be to make Open Air Muzix Festival a success and to have some of my all time favourite live DJs, such as Booka Shade or Oliver Koleski, play at Open Air.
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