The vocalist of an underground goth-rock band launches Thailand's first music-and-fashion magazine
"It is the first music & fashion magazine ever to be launched in Thailand," insists Suthaorn "Sign" Angkavanich, editor-in-chief and also the vocalist and songwriter of the underground gothic-rock band 8th Floor.
Rokz is certainly an impressive, if surprising, undertaking boasting full-colour pages and going on sale in a market that has seen the relatively recent demise of such popular music magazines as Music Express, Forward Mag, Metal Mag and DDT.
"That's such a shame," says the young editor, adding that she was a fan of all four of the now-defunct rags. "I think part of the reasons why they couldn't survive is that their content dealt with music only, while we are offering both music and fashion and we are the first to do that. More importantly, no music magazines have four-colour pages."
Rokz, which comes out monthly, is priced at Bt95, higher than other music magazines, past or present. Doesn't Suthaorn worry this will be a disadvantage?
"It's very expensive but it's worth it to the consumer," she argues. "But even then, it doesn't cover out outlay."
I offer the opinion that the closure of Music Express and the other publications had more to do with lack of sponsors, consumer behaviour, as well as the ever-worsening situation of Thailand's this music industry.
Suthaorn nods in agreement. "Yes, the big problem is the sponsors, who always ask whether it's a niche market then turn to other magazines that focus on gossip or fashion," she says.
"The music industry also plays a big role. If the music labels could sell their CDs or products, they would be willing to provide us and other magazines with more financial support. There are fewer imported concerts these days because of the copyright violations caused by CD piracy and file-sharing. Many legal music shops have closed down, while those selling illegal CDs still exist and are doing good business. I satirised CD piracy in the vampire-conceptualised issue of Rokz. Even my underground album has also been pirated.
"I think that Thailand should be much stricter about copyright violation, and all music labels should work in collaboration with foreign companies. I'd like our music circle to be better than it is," she comments.
For the moment, Suthaorn is faced with changing the front cover from a fashion set featuring a model with a musical instrument to a photo of a local and/or international artist. The change will take effect from the fourth issue.
"We really didn't want to feature an artist, local or international, on the cover as we want it adhere to the music and fashion concept but we need to listen to consumers and the music labels," she says.
Rokz's content is divided up into 50 to 60-per cent music, 30-per-cent fashion with the remainder covering lifestyle. The average issue runs 200 pages and includes a string of columns.
It opens with Rokz Interview, which deals with Thai artists and Rokz Focus, covering international artists from all foreign music labels. Rokz Gone Country has information from a correspondent in Nashville; Rokz Metal and Rokz Warning are written by Akavit Terahdit, editor of underground E Mag, while Rokz Oldie looks back veterans.
The fashion section has two spreads, one of them related to a song (for the first issue, the number selected was "Born to be Wild", the third headlined "Behind Blue Eyes").
"Most of fashion stories in this magazine are inspired by singers or groups," confirms Suthaorn, who has worked on Hair World and Guitar Mag.
In the lifestyle section, readers can find out about movies (Rokz Anamorefilm), places to chill (Rokz Hangout) food (Rokz Yummy), health, love and IT.
"The title doesn't mean rock music but the feeling of enjoyment or excitement. It's a play on words," she says.
And while Rokz mainly targets teens, Suthaorn says it's suitable for all members of the family.
She's hoping in the future to attract columns by musicians from universities and producers.
There's a saying that the magazine can reflect its editor. Does it apply to Suthaorn?
"Not really, because I got rid of my ego before becoming the editor. But there again, I guess Rokz Asian, which is about Korea's boy bands and girl groups, reflects me a little. I think Korean artists are great."