GeneLab leader Ohm Puntapol (the frontman of the now-disbanded Cocktail) has revealed he would be leaving the label, in a bombshell move that throws doubt into the label’s future.
In a lengthy statement posted on Facebook, Ohm he would be ending his management of GeneLab and its affliated 19 record labels.
Ohm alludes to differences in “goals and perspectives” for his departure, adding: “Our contracted work is still subject to certain limitations.”
He also revealed the organisational structure in his statement. GeneLab – and later 19 – were GMM Music affiliates that were managed by a separate, non-affliated legal entity, headed by Ohm and known as Kruengkao (or ‘half-nine’ in Thai).
The label was started as a means to ramp up parent GMM Music’s stable of artistes, with a focus on younger acts.
“(Kreungkao) would operate independently, focusing on results and allowing for continuous adjustments until the most suitable method was found (hence the name “Lab”),” writes Ohm.
While Kreungkao managed the labels, all assets – including contracts and music – are owned by GMM Music.
The move also likely means the label’s existing slate of artistes – including the likes of Three Man Down, Tilly Birds, TaitosmitH and Asia7 – will shift to GMM Music management.
It is also unclear if they will continue under the GeneLab name.
Ohm adds that independent, non-GMM Music-related joint ventures will likely remain under Kreungkao’s purview, including labels like 9Arkkhan, co-owned by TaitosmitH frontman Jai and home to rock band Little John.
Writing on Facebook, Ohm plays down any suggestion of a conflict with GMM Music.
“[The] artists we manage have gained the necessary knowledge and understanding, grown, and are now able to take care of themselves well,” he adds.
Ohm also left a message for the GeneLab artistes, stating: “To all the artists and team members who have journeyed with us, I apologise for not being able to be there to support you until the very end.
“Thank you so much for listening, understanding, and supporting this decision…seeing everyone succeed and stand strong and stable is always the joy of the team,” he adds.
