Luang Prabang's new duo, Big-T, is soon planning to release their debut album.

Thongvan Philavan (Noy) and Chanthaphone Xayvongsan (Tui), have come together to bring a new flavour to Lao pop.

Both of the singers have different backgrounds and entertainment experiences- Noy wanted to make his own album ‘Big Bird' but couldn't after Fanfam records owner in Luang Prabang, Mr Khanthong Duangdeaun, decided to bring together the duo.

Tui was one of four members of the Action Four, also produced by Fanfam, which had only one album released in 2003 before the band's members went in their own direction meaning the end of Action Four.

“The band had to end up doing their own thing, because some of us needed to study in Vientiane , so we never got around to a new album,” Tui said.

The pair's first album has quite a pop feel to it and will be released this September. The polished 10 track album has a bunch of sweet songs, according to Noy.

“Our album is almost ready to go, so we sent it to Australia for editing,” said Mr Tui.

Tui is now in his final year at the National University of Laos's Faculty of Engineering and Architecture.

He said that it wasn't easy to make the album, because it took a lot of time away from his learning, especially traveling to the recording company in Luang Prabang province.

“I needed to really sort out my time so I could study and meet up with Noy for practice,” Tui said.

Over the summer break Tui finally had the chance to spend a lot of time on the album with Noy and the company.

His old band, Action Four, was quite successful and had a few hit songs on his hometown's radio station.

But Noy is quite fresh to the field; he sang in his hometown in 2003, and then in a hotel in Vientiane the following year when he moved down to the city.

The boss of the recording company recognised that Noy has quite a talent for performance and asked him to help train the other singers and performers in the company.

Apart from singing, Noy, also has a Lao restaurant business in Chieng Mai province of Thailand , in cooperation with a Thai friend.

“The boss chose me as a presenter because I'm a brave person and I like acting and speaking on the stage,” he said.

By Viengsavanh Phengphachan
Vientianetimes