GOLDEN BANGKOK GUEST - The 'Pad Lao' Series
EPISODE 1 - Old Luang Prabang Airport
Along the way from the main airport at Luang Prabang, to get to the main town you drive past the old and no longer used airport. This place always fascinates me - every time there's a new item of trash, a different burnt out car, a new character posted up outside either lounging or - I always assume - on the verge of something nefarious... I've seen the main large-steel lettering sign disappear gradually over the years as the disuse becomes more and more obvious, and it's just the kind of place you want to stop and photograph. I figured this would be a dope little spot for a live drumtap session...
I'd love to give you the name of my onlooker friend, but my Lao doesn't stretch even that far unfortunately - we did take time for a selfie afterwards though and when I went to give him a pound we ended up in a weird enveloping-hand situation. Ah well. Next time. I really enjoyed the way he sat right-frame so perfectly, almost choreographed.
Catch the full length version of this track on the album 'Golden Bangkok Guest', my Thai-based production available on my Bandcamp page.
https://buddypeace.bandcamp.com
GOLDEN BANGKOK GUEST - The 'Pad Lao' Series
This bridge is freaky as all hell. Only cycles and motorbikes are allowed, and as a pedestrian you would probably be safer meandering among the motorised vehicles than stepping on the assigned walkway. It's a crazy precarious danger strut with loose 2x4's and foot-size gaps all over the place and concentration is a must at every step. At the end of this video I wasn't play-acting - that downward glare is so I don't Temple Of Doom myself directly into the Nam Khan beneath. It's fun as fuck though. I can't lie.
Catch the full length version of this track on the album 'Golden Bangkok Guest', my Thai-based production available on my Bandcamp page.
https://buddypeace.bandcamp.com
GOLDEN BANGKOK GUEST - The 'Pad Lao' Series
EPISODE 3 - Sakkaline Road, Primary School Playground
Some of the schools in Luang Prabang look so great from the outside, just these really neat open spaces and when they're open, the sound is amazing - a really energetic and uplifting cacophony of kids running around or messed up off sugar drinks. The spaces when they're empty though are really awesome looking, and this one in particular comes equipped with a little playpark setup at the end which I couldn't resist setting up and filming in.
As with Session 1 at the airport, I am joined by a surprise guest but this time it's a curious and thankfully tame dog, and it doesn't last long.
Catch the full length version of this track on the album 'Golden Bangkok Guest', my Thai-based production available on my Bandcamp page.
GOLDEN BANGKOK GUEST - The 'Pad Lao' Series
EPISODE 4 - Luang Prabang View
You catch me in this session fresh from the swimming pool, as the night-time was waking up and getting ready to swarm the skies and the mosquitoes began their evening death crusade. Little bastards. This place is dope, it has the most gorgeous view from all sides but this part was the least interrupted by parasols and people. I let some of the background music leak in there just as a hint to how insanely hypnotic it was. That kind of background genre-less music, like audio grey or something. But whatever - the view was ridiculous.
Catch the full length version of this track on the album 'Golden Bangkok Guest', my Thai-based production available on my Bandcamp page.
GOLDEN BANGKOK GUEST - The 'Pad Lao' Series
From a regular road, you take a few mini detours and head towards the steps which gradually dissolve into roughly-shaped mud which functions as something approaching steps, and then watch your step over the moon's surface of the edge of the Mekong (a mix of moon and desert), pay your fee at the bamboo bridge, strut - as in Session 2 - with extreme caution, and from there you have a couple of options as to where to go. With my back to the river and a fine evening heat working its way through me, this was a nice run-through under an incredible sky and a busy but steady Mekong rolling under it.
My companion this time was a fly on my glasses which my camera might not have picked up, but I maintained and eventually it bounced.
Catch the full length version of this track on the album 'Golden Bangkok Guest', my Thai-based production available on my Bandcamp page.
GOLDEN BANGKOK GUEST - The 'Pad Lao' Series
EPISODE 6 - Terrain De Tennis, Luang Prabang
To conclude my Pad Lao series, here we are at the end of the long, long road which leads to the tennis court. It's a really cool part of town, though behind the camera lies one of the most treacherous traffic situations you could dream of. Nevertheless, this spot was nice and calm and again, the sky promised something I couldn't quite determine but it looked awesome. Came equipped with a little furniture this time too. And it's little furniture too. Fun stuff.
I hope you've enjoyed the series, thank you kindly for your time and I really hope you were feeling the routines!
Catch the full length version of this track on the album 'Golden Bangkok Guest', my Thai-based production available on my Bandcamp page.
