‘pami’ Pamiga Sooksawee has made a return to solo music-making, after a short but meaningful stint in Mainland China.
She joined the Chinese idol survival show The Coming One 3, and made her debut in the girl group SIS in 2020. Shortly after, the group disbanded and she returned to Thailand.
Now, pami is signed to Juicey (the same label behind James Alyn) and recently released her first track with the label, out of nowhere, a mellow piece that showcases her evocative vocals very nicely.
ChaPop speaks to the 26-year-old on what inspires her, how her stint in China was like, what’s to come.
Congratulations on the release of your first EP! Could you talk about what your inspiration was?
First of all, thank you for giving this EP love and attention!
This EP, titled “Out of Nowhere,” started from recordings on my phone. These songs just came to me, reflecting how I felt at the time. I picked 6 favorites from around 50 recordings in my voice memos. Each song on the EP gives off very different vibes and situations, like a mixed salad, power bowl, or yogurt bowl. I think my inspiration came so suddenly depending on my mood, which is why the EP is named Out of Nowhere.
How was the music-making process for the first EP?
I first came up with the melody and lyrics. Some songs feature strings and piano, while others are fully produced with a DAW (digital audio workstation). Since I’m new to the music production industry, I invited my friends to help me finish the project. The vibes during the making were so casual and relaxing.
I went to the producer’s house, and they just grabbed a guitar, played it, and I went along with the music they came up with. We recorded it live. For example, the song called “Your Way” was recorded with no BPM, just me and my producers playing guitar. It was pretty organic and real.
How did you get into music?
I have loved singing ever since I was a child. I’ve participated in singing contests and school bands. I enjoy listening to Western music as well as music from many other countries. I used to have thick A4 paper files filled with song lyrics that I liked to read since we didn’t have social networks or easy access to the internet at that time. My first instrument was the ukulele, then the guitar, but now I have really fallen in love with the piano. P.S. I’m not very good at any of them.
You’ve been in the Chinese music industry as part of a girl group. How was that experience?
It was something I’ll never forget. The competition was really high at that time. Despite all the sweat and tears, it was also full of joy and excitement. The perfect words to describe the feeling after being there are “mature” and “disciplined.” I also made good friends there, who are now lifelong besties.
How did your time in China shape your music direction after you returned?
To be honest, I was crushed. I was lost and consumed by my ego at that time. I didn’t know what to do and ended up getting sick because I was focusing on the numbers rather than the quality and my main purpose for doing it.
But now I’ve realised how much China has shaped me. I remember when I joined a singing competition show for 3 months. I was surrounded by so many talented individuals who came with the same purpose: “Making music and singing our hearts out.” I still hold onto those memories and some friendships to this day. I remember the passion I had, which led me back to singing and writing songs.
What’s next for pami?
I’ve been writing so many songs lately. There will be some singles coming out this year, and surely, the road leads to an album. So please, please stay tuned!
You can follow pami on Instagram and Tiktok. Her single ‘out of nowhere’ is available on major streaming platforms.
