Entertainment agency Krueng Kao Group has officially launched with 34 acts under its management, spanning popular bands such as Three Man Down, TaitosmitH, Tilly Birds and Little John, as well as new upstarts.
The group is helmed by Ohm Puntapol, the frontman of the now-disbanded Cocktail. Ohm was the former head of GMM Music unit Gene Lab, before parting ways in March.
At a launch event in Bangkok, Ohm outlined the company’s new priorities, and shed more light on the new company’s structure.
Krueng Kao will be taking over management of current and former Gene Lab acts. It has promised to allow its artistes greater say in creative and management matters.
Ohm says the company sees artistes as co-investors with the company and external parties. He says: “One (party) might invest money and provide ideas and a behind-the-scenes team, but the artiste is also an investor.”
Here are other things that went down at the company’s first press conference on 29 April:
One group, three labels…
While Krueng Kao is the overall managing company, its acts will be split into three labels:
– The flagship and largest label is Bridge, which touts itself a “space to nurture and empower artists to go beyond all musical boundaries and meet their fullest potential”. Bands and soloists under Bridge comprise: Tilly Birds, Three Man Down, The Darkest Romance, Asia7, Jigsaw Story, Hard Boy, Adora, Nineokmai, Qeetha, Famoso, Dena Eupraset, fit aroon, M Daosai, Ossey, AyeJay, Miller, as well as Par-T
– 9 Arkkhan is led by TaitosmitH frontman Jai Itkron and comprises bands TaitosmitH, Little John, Manutsawee, Samarn, Manop, Vijitrchon, Gandharva, and Pinkie. The label aims to “curate the next generation of social-voice artists who reflect the spirit of the times”.
– MACHg features a new generation of Thai contemporary folk artistes, “presenting a redefinition of Thai country and folk music”. The label is helmed by folk star Kong Huayrai, and comprises up-and-comers Prang Prangthip, Mai Patcharee, Gollky Gavisara, Noom Jaisaen, Chachom Saowakhon and View Valnika.
…and a new label coming soon
At the event, Ohm also revealed the group’s fourth label, a collaboration with Be On Cloud. Called Ennead – a reference to the Egyptian mythology of a group of nine gods – the label will be home to the winner of the talent show Academy Fantasia.
New acts join the fray
There were also several new acts added to the Krueng Kao stable, including several high-profile bands.
Rock legends Flure is making its comeback, joining the Bridge label. Also joining the label is former Wayfer Records band AYLA’s.
Contracts and copyrights
Only three Krueng Kao bands – Three Man Down, Tilly Birds and TaitosmitH – still have existing contracts with Gene Lab, with the rest having moved over.
Under an agreement set out in April, the three bands cannot terminate their contract prematurely, but will be allowed to be fully managed by Krueng Kao when it expires.
