Srirajah Rockers
The perfect track to celebrate the arrival of summer, from the Srirajah Rocker Soundsystem: Si Phan Don / Lovers Rock.
Reggae, born in a small island in the Caribbean, resonates with and touches people all over the world, no matter their race, gender or culture. Reggae sees no border or divisions between us and that is the deep magic of reggae!
How did your band come together?
"Our band started from us, three kids from Sriracha who developed an interest in reggae in 2003. We chose 'Srirajah' as the name for our band, paying homage to our hometown. We were inspired by the film 'Rockers: It's Dangerous' (1959) and its portrayal of reggae music, culture, and lifestyle. We delved into genres such as reggae, dub, lovers rock, rocksteady, ska, and the sound system. Until now, we have evolved and expanded our journey, entering our fifth generation and until today, it has been approximately 20 years of our dedication and growth."
How would you describe your sound and what are your influences?
"The freedom of thought and spirit, being your own true self, expressing your own true identity, the value of life and living, rebellion against the Babylon system, appreciating the nature, peace and serenity, the sound of music, birds, wind, musical instruments, ants walking, cats meowing, and the sound of your heart."
What connections have you found between reggae and music from Thailand?
"The core concept of both reggae and Thai music embodies the liberation of thought and spirit, offering individuals the freedom to express their unique voices and ideas. Both serve as a bridge across generations, uniting people through shared ideals and dreams that leads toward peace and serenity."
Can you tell us a bit about the reggae / dub / sound system scene in Thailand today?
"In Thailand, the deep-rooted reggae scene began to take shape only recently. Initially, many people perceived the Rastafarian colours (green, yellow and red) and dreadlocks as fashion statements. However, over time, the original sound of reggae, once a fusion of various influences, has become clearer and more defined. Today, there is a widespread understanding of what reggae truly represents, what it offers, and what one can derive from it. This clarity has been achieved through unwavering dedication and a long-standing commitment. reggae transcends competition; it is rooted in respect, love, and collaboration."
Reggae is a political art form. What issues are important to you?
"Nowadays we are overwhelmed with an abundance of information, so vast that it becomes nearly impossible to process. It can lead to misconception and misunderstanding of social, political, cultural and traditional perspectives. This gradual erosion has led successive generations down a path of decline. The new generation is often poised to exploit, while the older generation may exhibit more self-interest or resistance to change, which can be perceived as selfishness. There is a pervasive desire to emulate others rather than embrace one's true self, and money has become the highest good. The relentless competition for resources has escalated into economic and political conflict, forming a seemingly endless cycle of struggles."
What does Thailand today mean to you?
"It is important because it is my hometown. My heart is here; many of my loved ones are here, and also many of my fans are here. My soul, spirit, and body are here as well as my dreams are here where my hopes are."
Thank you Srirajah Rockers!
For more, their Bandcamp is here. The IG for the band is here and for their sound system here.