“The Journey to Part II” (there’s no shortcuts to success) was released. The book focuses on “Dreams” searching within us and the courage to follow them, only then do we find the true meaning of life.
4. 4
Dream
It is my belief that we all have within us many dreams and passions wait-
ing to be discovered. However, because life has other considerations like
money, time, resources and other obligations, we seem to hold back our
heart’s desires. We seem to have stopped searching for our life’s passions.
Then, what is the purpose of life? What are we born to do? Ultimately, how
do we achieve happiness?
To reach such dreams may take years. Some people spend their entire life-
time searching for dreams. The vast majority, however, give up.
I live out my dreams by singing with my heart.
The success that I have enjoyed is not simply related to number one hit
songs, record album sales, or awards. Rather, success has graced me all
along this road and it really started from the first day. Simply put, success
is the mere fact that I followed my dream and my passion. I have been so
fulfilled and happy. To those who have found your dreams, do not give up
and do not betray your own heart!
The places I have been, the things I have seen, and the people I have met
have influenced and inspired my ways of thinking. These experiences have
in turn shaped the way I write and the way I sing. They have also stirred
many deep feelings and emotions I will share with you.
Please join me as the dreams and passions that have become Aluna: The
Journey to Part II unfold.
6. 6
My Dream with Singing
I have always been surrounded by music and I have always loved to sing.
People often ask who my music idols are and I respond, “they are my mom
and dad.” In fact, they are the first people who opened up my world to
music.
During my childhood, I’d often hear my dad singing with his guitar; my
mom would sing along in her free time. They loved playing songs created
by legends of the 60s and 70s like Elvis, Cliff Richards, The Beatles, and
The Carpenters among many others. Those early experiences were so cool.
Every now and then, I carry some of those old songs with me and sing
along. Some people are surprised by my knowledge of old songs.
Because my dad was a musician and singer, he always had instruments
around our house with which to practice. The first musical instrument that
I touched was the guitar. I was only five. At that age, it was much bigger
than my body and too big for me to hold, so I held it downward on my lap
and played. I was always curious about how musical instruments produce
sounds and how those sounds turn into different keys and notes.
The guitar, keyboard, and the harmonica were my favorites. With my mind’s
empty canvas, I tried to differentiate the sounds, keys, and notes from only
my senses. I did not learn the musical notes, however, and never had a
professional training because it was too expensive. My childhood memory
with music was so wonderful and peaceful that I knew that I’d always want
to be around it.
8. 8
Though I had been surrounded by music from a young age, I never thought
of becoming a professional singer—that dream never existed. During my
teenage years, I really focused on school because my goal was to get a
scholarship to study abroad in Australia. I achieved that goal and
graduated.
My life appeared to be fulfilling: I earned a bachelor’s degree in Business
from a university in Australia and worked at my family’s business, the
Thavonsouk Resort. Still, I was longing for the next adventure in my life.
Many questions arose. After the degree and work, did I really need a mas-
ter’s degree? Many of my other friends were pursuing advanced degrees at
that time. What was next for me? I only knew that I yearned for something
new to make me happier. In 2002, I decided to “look for myself” (I heard
this term from movies, but never fully understood it). I took three months
off from work during the low season at the resort to travel to Europe. That
trip changed my life forever.
During the early morning of June 21, 2002, I took a bus to visit some mu-
seums in Paris, France and suddenly noticed there was a special event. I
heard music along the road, and I saw people spontaneously come out and
play music. They sang about everything using their guitars, saxophones,
trumpets, harmonicas, and accordions. They were everywhere—on road-
sides, in the Metro, and on almost every corner I walked past. I was so
happy to be in this amazing environment. I felt like I was brought back to
something familiar, but also something that I was missing for some time. It
was great to hear music again.
10. 10
I realized afterward that the morning event was Europe’s “Fête de La Mu-
sique” (The Music Festival). Musicians from all around the world come to
celebrate this festival.
I saw Lenny Kravitz, Sheryl Crow, R.E.M., Bryan Adams and many more fab-
ulous artists. It was so inspiring! I was about to celebrate my birthday a few
days later, and I truly felt that witnessing this event was one of the most
precious gifts ever. It was the answer to my dream’s questions. I tuned
in and silently listened, and in that moment, I felt like a bolt of lightening
struck me—it was in that moment that my dream was born. I said to myself,
“Yes, why don’t I create music? Why don’t I sing?!”
There are many ways to realize your dreams and true passions.
Free your mind and look deep down in your heart,
because sometimes ideas don’t come right away.
Part of the journey is to develop and grow by following your passion.
If I can do it, you can also do it! The first step is believing in yourself.
13. 13
Discovering my dream was just the beginning of the journey. There were moments when
I worried about balancing my job at the resort and the singing. Audience acceptance
was another worry. It’s never easy being in the spotlight. Many questions lingered until
the ultimate question rose, “Aluna, if you don’t sing, will you regret it for the rest of your
life?” The answer was a resounding “Yes, I would regret it!”
I had a clear answer and took the first step. I have a lot to share through my music and
lyrics. Even though obstacles would always test me, I never gave up because this is my
true passion.
“ALUNA,” my self-titled debut album came out in early 2005. It was the initial success
of my dream. “ALUNA” has become a name that many Lao people are familiar with, as
a result of my first single “Thook Ha Na Thi.” The single was the start of my work and
initial recognition by the press as well as an emerging number of Lao music fans. The
success of the first album gave me opportunities to travel and meet many talented and
interesting people during concert tours in Laos and beyond.
17. 17
The gift of music and the gift of song have given me opportunities to travel,
to see the beautiful nature of my own country and to experience the beautiful
faces and smiles of pure Lao hearts along my way.
I participated in many concert tours with Indee artists and with other sponsors
and I love them all. The most impressive one for me was the concert tour
around Laos from the north to the south with Tango, a telecom company.
It may have been because it was the longest road trip I had ever taken (19
days), or because it was a small team full of energy. The team members were
effective and cheerful. Or it could have been because it was the tour with the
smallest stage ever. The special part was the passion of the crowds singing,
dancing and participating in games and other activities led by Tango. I was
the sole artist traveling with three people from the Indee team and ten people
from Tango.
I got a call from Tango, asking if I would like to join the tour around Laos.
Without a second thought I said, “Yes”. I was so excited! It meant, I first had a
chance to meet my fans and secondly to visit places I had never been. (At that
time, the farthest I’d ever been outside of Vientiane was Vang Vieng). We had
our first concert at the market of Thakhek, Khammouan Province . It was so
much fun and the fans varied, from kids in grade 2/3 to grandmas and vendor
ladies around the market. I still remember the great drink from the fruit juice
lady, the Num Oy+ (sugar cane drink) after the concert finished. It was very
sweet of her and has become a great “thank you” memory. We toured from
Thakhek to Seno, to Bolikhamxai (Paksan) and on to Savanhnakhet. We then
went to the very south of Laos to Salavan, Pakse, and Attapeu. We extended
the tour down to the beautiful Khong Island and came back up around the
mining areas in Gnommalad, Nam Theun and Sepone.
21. 21
3rd of November, ‘05.
Writing from Vang Vieng.
The 19 day tour passed by so quickly. It was the 19 days on the road - up
and down, miles and miles away from one town to another without even one
traffic light (so nice). I loved every single turn of it. I loved every place I’ve been
and people I have met. I kept saying to myself that I am a lucky child of the
universe; this is the experience that money can’t buy.
This trip did not just take me to meet the fans, but it also allowed me to
experience the beauty of Laos. It was in the faces of the people I met, in our
culture as well as in our natures.
In spite of the hard work from the concerts, my team and I always managed
to fit our little time to enjoy each town and place that we went to. We would
always check the markets out for some unique items/products or souvenirs
(mainly food ^_^), and of course we would not miss the main attractions and
the nature of each town/village.
I love the falls in the South. There are many amazing water falls around this
area of the country - both hidden ones and the well known one, like the great
waterfall Konphapheng. It is another stunning set of nature. She is so elegant,
her sound is so strong and loud like all voices from all the rivers combined.
This was my first time visiting the stunning Konphapheng as well as the
amazing historical site, Vat Phou Champasack, which is now a World Heritage
Site. Walking around this ancient place kept me wondering how big and strong
were our ancestors? How on earth could they have carried all the big, big
stones and rocks to construct such a well designed architecture? Is it true
what they say in myths that people in the past were giants, who possessed
magic? Um... definitely, something to think about? These unrevealed and
Xayabouly
Luangprabang
Vang Vieng
22. 22
unproved things around the world.
On my way out of Vat Phou, in my heart I said “Thank you for leaving us such
an incredible piece of art. Thank you. I am so proud to be your child. Thank
you.”
My most personal sweet and romantic memory of this trip was in beautiful Don
Khong Island. It was a late Friday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. when school was
finishing and the high school kids were rushing to join our concert stage. The
rainbow was gliding on the sky along with the pouring rain, but that did not
stop the crowd from staying and playing with us at all. Even though it rained,
they were still there, the kids were still there singing with me. “Thook Ha Na
Thi” was their favorite song. Because of the energy of the crowd, I decided to
go on with the concert, until I got an electric shock from the microphone. So
then we really had to stop! That is a precious memory I keep with me.
After the two long days of work with singing, playing games, and giving prizes
to the crowd, we had a wonderful “small” party for our team at our hotel along
the Mekong river (so nice!). I had my acoustic guitar (used for writing more
songs in my second album), which allowed me to serenade everyone. We sang
and sang and sang till the stars and the moon heard us and seemed to shine
and joined us, sending their reflections on the Mekong. Everything else was
pitch dark… so nice, cool and so romantic. We sat there and some of us were
just lying down there till late. We then stopped the guitar, and listened to the
movement of the river and the sound of the nature serenading back to us.
It was sad to leave as I always say … it is hard to say good bye, but we had
to go. The next morning, we packed up and left. I turned back to look at the
balcony where we sat the night before and hoped I could come back here again
someday.
Our next venues would be Xayabouly, Paklai and Luangprabang up north.
Vientiane
Savanhnakhet
Pakse
Attapeu
23. 23
I am in love with the great, great mountains from the north as to the water falls
in the south of Laos. I find them very incredible. The weather was quite cold in
Xayabouly and Paklai, but the great welcome of the crowd just warmed me up
and I had a wonderful concert with them. We moved down to Luangprabang
four days later to have a big concert at Dern That Luang. I was so excited.
The character of the north crowd was quite cute, quite conservative. Though
they did not dance and scream out loud, they had their own way to show their
happiness during the concert. I could see it from their gestures, their eyes
and their smiles. As soon as the concert was over, I tried to sneak away from
the team who were ready to celebrate the end of the trip by night in the well
known night club of Luangprabang.… but I went to bed instead (^_^ zzzzz….
zzzzz….) coz I wanted to be able to get up early for the alms giving in the
morning. By 6 a.m. the roads were quite busy with both locals and travelers
giving-alms to more than a hundred monks. After paying respects to the
monks, I went for some early breakfast Luangprabang style, having Kao Peak
Kao+ (rice porridge)…hum…yum!
The tour was really something ^_^. I felt so loved and I was so happy to be there,
to see the people outside of Vientiane. We brought laughter and happiness to
each little town we visited, little towns that hardly had any entertainment apart
from the TV at home.
The 19 days passed so quickly! Happily we made our way back to Vientiane
safe and sound … and here I am resting in Vang Vieng (in my little comfort
zone). With renewed energy, I am working and focusing more on my second
album. And every now and then I have re-toured the towns that I visited on
my first tour. I never got bored because every time I feel like it is my first time.
And always, always, always I am excited to go back to see them again!
26. 26
Along my path, there have been a lot of bonuses and the US tour
was one of them. This was something very far from my thoughts.
I didn’t believe it would happen for many years, but as it turned
out it happened very quickly.
ໃນເສັ້ນທາງສາຍນີ້, ຂ້ອຍຮູ້ສຶກວ່ າ ມີຮາງວັນພິເສດຕື່ ມໃຫ້ກັບຊີວິດຂ້ອຍຫຼາຍຢ່ າງ
ແລະການໄປສະແດງຄອນເສີດຢູ່ ອາເມລິກາ ກໍເປັນກຳໄລຊິວິດອີກຄັ້ງໜຶ່ ງ,
ພຽງແຕ່ ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ ຄຶດວ່ າ ມັນຈະເກີດຂຶ້ນໄວປານນີ້.
Seattle
Minnesota
Chicago
New York
Utah
Las Vegas
San
Francisco
Los
Angeles
USA
27. 27
1st of August 05, was when my trip to the US started.
My first concert in the US was confirmed in Seattle, but for some reasons,
there seemed to be no seat left on the plane for me to fly out there.
Seven days before the concert started, I still had no plane ticket to Seattle
(panic!). So, I then had to change my destination point to Los Angeles.
The long flight was not that bad, not too bumpy. I woke up one time, and
by 11 p.m. I was there in LAX, the airport (I am in LA whoooo hooo***)!
ວັນທີ 1 ສິງຫາ 05, ການເດີນທາງໄປອາເມລິກາ ໄດ້ເລີ້ມຂຶ້ນ.
ການສະແດງຄອນເສີດຄັ້ງທຳອິດທີ່ປະເທດອາເມລິກາຂອງຂ້ອຍ ແມ່ນເລີ້ມຕົ້ນທີ່ເມືອງຊີອາເຕິນ, ແຕ່
ຍ້ອນເຫດຜົນອັນໃດກໍຕາມ ໃນເວລານັ້ນບໍ່ມີບ່ອນນັ່ງເທິງຍົນ ເຫຼືອໃຫ້ອາລຸນາເລີຍ. ຍັງເຫຼືອເວລາອີກ 7ມື້
ກ່ອນການສະແດງ ຂ້ອຍຍັງບໍ່ໄດ້ປີ້ ຍົນໄປຊີອາເຕິນເທື່ອ (ເລີ້ມກັງວົນແລ້ວຕອນນີ້) ດັ່ງນັ້ນ ຂ້ອຍຈຳຕ້ອງ
ໄດ້ປ່ຽນເສັ້ນເດີນທາງ ໄປລອສ ແອນເຈີລິສ ແທນ. ເປັນການເດີນທາງທີ່ມ່ອນພໍສົມຄວນ ຂ້ອຍຮູ້ເມື່ອຄີງ
ພຽງເທື່ອດຽວ. 11 ໂມງກາງຄືນ ຍົນກໍລົງສະໜາມບິນ ແອລເອ (ຂ້ອຍຮອດ ແອລເອ ແລ້ວ!)
28. 28
L.A
It was a good holiday (before the Seattle
concert) in LA … a lively city. When I
think of LA, I think of movies, movie stars,
Hollywood and all of the famous movie
making studios, most of which I visited.
I visited all the trendy attractions from
Melrose Place to Beverly Hills 90210 and
Universal Studios. And of course, no trip
to L.A. would be complete without stopping
for a visit to Hollywood, Mann’s Chinese
Theater and the Walk of Fame on Hollywood
Boulevard.
ເປັນການພັກຜ່ ອນທີ່ ດີ (ກ່ ອນໄປສະແດງຢູ່ ຊີອາເຕີນ) ແອລເອ
ເປັນເມືອງທີ່ ເປັນຕາຢູ່ ຫຼາຍ ເວລາຂ້ອຍຄຶດເຖິງແອລເອ ຂ້ອຍ
ຄຶດຮອດຮູບເງ ົາ, ດາລານັກສະແດງ, ຮໍລິວູດ ແລະບໍລິສັດຜະ
ລິດໜັງ-ລະຄອນ ທີ່ ລ້ວນແຕ່ ຢູ່ ເມືອງນີ້. ເຊິ່ ງຂ້ອຍກໍໄດ້ໄປ
ທ່ ຽວເບິ່ ງບ່ ອນຍອດນິຍົມຂອງເມືອງນີ້ ເຊັ່ ນ ຖະໜົນເມວໂຣສ
ເພລສ ແລະຄຸ ້ມເບເວີລີ, ຫ້ອງສະຕູດິໂອ ຂອງບໍລິສັດ ຢູນິເວີ
ໂຊລ. ແນ່ ນອນຖ້າບໍ່ ໄດ້ໄປຮໍລິວູດ, ໂຮງລະຄອນຈີນ “ແມນ”
ແລະຕາມຮອຍທາງທີ່ ມີຊື່ ສຽງຂອງຮໍລິວູດ ບູລິວາດ ກໍ່ ບໍ່ ຖືວ່ າ
ມາຮອດ ແອລເອ, ແມ່ ນບໍ່ ?.
29. 29
Seattle
My first US concert was in Seattle. I and other Lao singers from around the
States played the concert. I remember how they announced each singer’s
name and where they are from. Most of them were from LA, Chicago, New
Jersey, Florida… and then they announced “ALUNA, from Vientiane Laos”
and that brought a high to the crowd as they screamed and shouted to
cheer me on (thank you ^_^). I did five songs, three from my first album
and two songs in English, with one solo on my acoustic guitar. It’s been
almost four years and I still remember this concert perfectly.
In Seattle, apart from the great support from the Lao fans, my aunt and her
daughter from Canada, whom I had not seen for 12 years also turned up to
support me (it was a great surprise … thank you).
ການສະແດງຄອນເສີດທຳອິດຂອງຂ້ອຍ ແມ່ ນຢູ່ ເມືອງ ຊີອາເຕີນ ກັບນັກຮ້ອງລາວທີ່ ມາຈາກລັດອື່ ນໆ. ຂ້ອຍຈື່ ໄດ້ດີ
ເວລາຂະເຈົ້າປະກາດຊື່ ຂອງແຕ່ ລະຄົນ ແລະ ລັດທີ່ ຂະເຈົ້າມາ ສ່ ວນຫຼາຍຈະແມ່ ນ ແອລເອ, ຊິຄາໂກ, ນິວເຈີຊີ, ຟລໍ
ຣິດາ ຫຼາຍໆລັດ ແລະເມື່ ອຂະເຈົ້າປະກາດຊື່ ອາລຸນາ ຈາກວຽງຈັນ, ປະເທດລາວ ສຽງຮ້ອງດັງກ້ອງຂຶ້ນ ເພື່ ອໃຫ້ກຳ
ລັງໃຈຂ້ອຍຍັງຈື່ ເວລານາທີນັ້ນໄດ້ດີ ຂອບໃຈຫຼາຍໆ. ເຖິງຈະຜ່ ານມາສີ່ ່ປີແລ້ວ ຂ້ອຍກໍຍັງຈົດຈຳພາບນັ້ນຢ່ າງບໍ່ ມີ
ຈືດຈາງໄປເລີຍ.
30. 30
The TV producer for the Seaw Talk; one of
the most well known Teen TV show on the
LAO Cable in America
ອາຣຸນສັກ Steve Arounsack
Steve Arounsack and I met at my very first big
concert (Lao & Thailand Friendship in 2004; hosted
almost 7000 people). He came to film the concert
and interview me.
And could it have been destiny or was it possibility
that Steve saw something in me? Or maybe he
just had no idea what he was getting himself into.
Whatever the reason, he contacted me the next day
about touring in the US. Again, without a second
thought, I said, “Yes.”
Through Steve, I met many talented Lao musicians
and singers. Also those kind-hearted people have
now become a group of true friends in the US.
ອ້າຍສະຕີບ ອາຣຸນສັກ ທີ່ ຂ້ອຍພົບຢູ່ ງານຄອນເສີດມິດຕະພາບ ລາວ - ໄທ
ໃນປີ 2004 ແມ່ ນຜູ້ທີ່ ຕິດຕໍ່ ໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ໄປສະແດງຄອນເສີດຢູ່ ອາເມລິກາ.
ຂ້ອຍກໍ່ ບໍ່ ໄດ້ຄິດຫຍັງຍາກເລີຍຂ້ອຍຕອບຕົກລົງ.
ຈາກການຮູ ້ຈັກອ້າຍສະຕີບ ໄດ້ເປີດໂອກາດໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍພົບພໍ້ສິລະປິນນັກຮ້ອງ
ລາວທີ່ ມີຄວາມສາມາດຢູ່ ທີ່ ອາເມລິກາ ແລະພ້ອມທັງໝູ່ ເພື່ ອນໃໝ່ ໆ ທີ່ ໃຫ້
ທັງຄວາມຮັກ ແລະກຳລັງໃຈສະໜັບສະໜູນການຮ້ອງເພງຂອງຂ້ອຍເປັນ
ຢ່ າງດີ. ແລະພວກເຂົາເຫຼົ່ ານັ້ນກໍ່ ໄດ້ກາຍມາເປັນກຸ່ ມໝູ່ ອີກກຸ່ ມໜຶ່ ງທີ່ ຂ້ອຍ
ມີຢູ່ ອາເມລິກາ
31. 31
ATHENIAN: a sea food restaurant
where Tom HANKS had lunch
(during his staring in “Sleepless
in Seattle” - my all time favorite
romantic movie).
THE FIRST Starbucks Coffee @ The
Pike Place Market
TALAT Vientiane: so cool to see
a Lao Sign here… and they were
selling Aluna CDs as well!
ອາເທນຽນ ຮ້ານອາຫານທະເລ ທີ່ ທ໋ອມ ແຮ໋ງ ເຄີຍມາກິນເຂົ້າ
ຮ້ານກາເຟ ສະຕາບັ໋ກ ຮ້ານທຳອິດຂອງໂລກ
ຕະຫຼາດວຽງຈັນ ຂ້ອຍດີໃຈທີ່ ໄດ້ເຫັນປ້າຍຮ້ານເປັນພາສາລາວ
ໃນນັ້ນມີ ອາລະບຳ້ ເພງຊຸດທຳອິດຂອງ ອາລຸນາ ຂາຍພ້ອມ
“Aluna Chilling time in Seattle”
32. 32
San Francisco
SF is a town on the vertical side. Hills
after hills I walked … up and down to
see the beauty of the place. It forced
me to take off my high-heeled shoes or
I might have been rolling down this
75 degree hill. I couldn’t believe I was
here … San Francisco; the city of my
dreams.
I enjoyed the cable car/tram very
much around Nob Hill & Russian
Hill. We then drove up to the Golden
Gate Park to see the bridge, but the
weather was quite cold and cloudy so
I only got the misty view of it.
ເມືອງທີ່ ຕັ້ງຊັນ ອ້ອມໄປດ້ວຍເນີນພູສູງຊານຟຣານ
ຊິສໂກ ເຮັດໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍຟ້າວປົດເກີບຍ່ າງ ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ໄດ້
ຝັນໄປ ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ມາຢຽບເມືອງນີ້, ເມືອງໃນຝັນຂອງ
ຂ້ອຍແທ້ໆ ຂ້ອຍເຫັນທາງຄ້ອຍລົງມາຈາກພູ ທີ່ ມີ
ລົດລາງໄຟຟ້າກຳລັງແລ່ ນຢູ່ . ຂ້ອຍໂດດຂຶ້ນໂດດລົງ
ລົດລາງໄຟຟ້າເພື່ ອທ່ ຽວຊົມໂພນຣັດເຊຽ. ຫຼັງຈາກ
ນັ້ນກໍໄດ້ໄປຊົມຂົວ ໂກລເດັນເກດ ແຕ່ ອາກາດກໍ
ບໍ່ ເປັນໃຈ ຂ້ອຍເຫັນຂົວບໍ່ ຄັກປານໃດ.
33. 33
Chicago
The Millennium Park, Chicago
ຫຼັງຈາກພັກຜ່ ອນ ແລະທ່ ອງທ່ ຽວໃນຊານຟຣານໄດ້ສິບມື້ ຂ້ອຍກໍໄດ້ມີ
ເວລາຂຽນເພງ, ກະກຽມວຽກສຳລັບການສະແດງຄອນເສີດ ຢູ່ ຊິຄາໂກ. ເຊິ່ ງ
ຂ້ອຍຈະຕ້ອງໄດ້ກຽມໃຫ້ພ້ອມ ເພາະຂ້ອຍເປັນນັກຮ້ອງເອກໃນລາຍການນີ້.
After a ten day vacation in San Francisco, I started
preparing myself for my next concert in Chicago. This one
was harder as I was the main act.
35. 3535
My 2nd Concert. The
Venue was Akitnas
Restaurant. A lot more
people turned up than
we expected. It was a
two hour concert of fun
in this very cozy and
intimate atmosphere
where I could get close
to the audience (I love
this kind of concert).
We sang, ate, played
games and danced
together to my Lao
and English songs. I
included acoustic
style as well as the Lao
traditional songs,
where I got people up
to do Lum Vong, the
Lao traditional dance
circle. The concert was
a great opportunity
for me to get to work
with the local band
IBU, made up of two
Filipinos and one Lao
with an R&B sound …
very impressive.
36.
37. Surprises always came during each of my concerts. This time it
was Be, my best high school friend (whom I had not seen for five
years). Be flew in from Indiana. I nearly cried when we hugged.
After the concert, I sat and chatted with all the fans and signed CDs and
posters until 1:30 a.m. It was a great night ^_^ and I was so happy!
ໃນແຕ່ ລະຄອນເສີດຂອງຂ້ອຍມັກຈະມີສິ່ ງທີ່ ເຮັດໃຫ້ຕື່ ນເຕັ້ນຢູ່ ຕະຫຼອດເວລາ ແລະເທື່ ອນີ້ກໍ່ ແມ່ ນການເດີນທາງມາ
ຂອງໝູ່ ຄົນໜຶ່ ງ ເພື່ ອມາເບິ່ ງຄອນເສີດຂອງຂ້ອຍໂດຍທີ່ ບໍ່ ບອກໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍຮູ ້ມາກ່ ອນ. ເບ້ ແມ່ ນໝູ່ ສະໄໝຮຽນ
ຕອນມໍປາຍ ທີ່ ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ ໄດ້ພົບພໍ້ມາເປັນເວລາ 5 ປີ ເດີນທາງມາຈາກລັດ ອິນເດຍນາ ເພື່ ອມາເບິ່ ງຄອນເສີດຂອງຂ້ອຍ
ເວລາທີ່ ໄດ້ພໍ້ເບ້ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ເຂົ້າໄປກອດແລະເກືອບມີນຳ້ຕາຍ້ອນຄວາມຕື້ນຕັນໃຈ.
ຫຼັງຈາກຄອນເສີດໄດ້ສິ້ນສຸດລົງຂ້ອຍໄດ້ໃຊ້ເວລາມ່ ວນຊື່ ນຢູ່ ກັບໝູ່ ແລະ ແຟນເພງເພື່ ອເຊັນຊີດີ
ແລະ ໂປດສເຕີ້ຈົນເຖິງ 1:30 ຕອນເຊົ້າ.
40. 40
I hunted for all the main attractions in Manhattan. Shopping in the China Town, the
famous golden bull, and Wall St. We then went to witness the World Trade Center Area,
which is now Ground Zero. We also enjoyed the view of Manhattan from the top of the
Empire State Building.
The next day, we were at Central Park, my favorite skating rink from many movie scenes
like “Serendipity”. In Times Square, I checked out the Broadway Theaters & MTV studio.
Day three, a friend of mine, woke me up very early to be on time to wave in front of
the famous NBC TODAY SHOW studio. My friend loves Matt Lauer, the TV personality so
much. He even tried to sneak in at the back of the studio to meet Matt in person. I, on
the other hand, paid more attention to the behind-the-scenes production of the Live
Show, watching the team run back and forth.
We then took off to the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. Later that afternoon, we escaped
the busy life and rushing hours to explore Greenwich Village, where we discovered
many cool quiet corners with art galleries, cafes and coffee shops. I loved it so much,
especially with the street entertainers taking over the center fountain to amuse the dog
walkers, skateboarders, musicians and chess players who made full use of the park.
ຢູ່ ທີ່ ນິວຢອກ, ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ເລາະທ່ ຽວໄປຕາມສະຖານທີ່ ຫຼັກໆເຊັ່ ນ: ໄປຊື້ຂອງຕ້ອນຈາກຄຸ ້ມຄົນຈີນ, ໄປຖະໜົນວໍສະ
ຕີດ ທີ່ ມີສັນຍາລັກຄືໂຕງ ົວທອງຄຳ. ແລະອີກສະຖານທີ່ ນຶ່ ງທີ່ ພາດບໍ່ ໄດ້ນັ້ນກໍ່ ຄືຈຸດຕັ້ງເກົ່ າຂອງຕຶກເວີເທຣເຊັນເຕີກ່ ອນ
ທີ່ ຈະໄປຊົມທິວທັດຂອງເມືອງແມນແຮັດຕັນ ຈາກດາດຟ້າຕຶກແອມພາຍສະເຕດ. ມື້ຕໍ່ ມາພວກເຮົາໄດ້ໄປແວ່ ຊົມເຊັນ
ໂທຣພາກເຊິ່ ງແມ່ ນສວນສາທາລະນະ, ບ່ ອນທີ່ ຂ້ອຍມັກກ່ ອນໝູ່ ແມ່ ນລານສະເກັດທີ່ ຖຶກນຳໃຊ້ເຂົ້າສາກໜັງດັງໆ
ຫຼາຍເລື່ ອງເຊັ່ ນ: Serendipity. ຫຼັງຈາກນັ້ນພວກເຮົາໄດ້ໄປທີ່ ທາມສະແຄວເພື່ ອແວ່ ຊົມ MTV studio.
ມື້ທີ່ ສາມ ເບ້ໝູ່ ຂອງຂ້ອຍໄດ້ປຸກໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍລຸກແຕ່ ເຊົ້າເພື່ ອໄປທີ່ NBC studio ເພື່ ອເບິ່ ງລາຍການ Today show
ທີ່ ມີຊື່ ສຽງໂດງດັງຫຼາຍໃນປະເທດອາເມລິກາ. ຕອນນັ້ນຂ້ອຍບໍ່ ເຂົ້າໃຈວ່ າເປັນຫຍັງຜູ້ຄົນຈຶ່ ງຕ້ອງໄປຫຸ ້ມເບິ່ ງການ
ຖ່ າຍທອດສົດຫຼາຍຂະໜາດນັ້ນ.
ເບ້ໝູ່ ຂອງຂ້ອຍເອງກໍ່ ແມ່ ນຢາກພໍ້ກັບຜູ້ປະກາດຂ່ າວທີ່ ມີຊື່ ວ່ າ: Matt Lauer ເປັນທີ່ ສຸດ. ແຕ່ ໜ້າເສຍດາຍພວກ
ເຮົາບໍ່ ມີໂອກາດຊໍ້າ. ຈຸດທ່ ອງທ່ ຽວຕໍ່ ໄປຂອງພວກເຮົາແມ່ ນໄປເບິ່ ງເທພີສັນຕິພາບໂດຍການລ່ ອງເຮືອ. ແລະໃນຕອນ
ສວຍຂອງມື້ດຽວກັນພວກເຮົາໄດ້ແວ່ ໄປຄຸ ້ມ Greenwich Village ຢູ່ ບ່ ອນນີ້ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ຄົ້ນພົບສະຖານທີ່ ທີ່ ໜ້າ
ສົນໃຈຫຼາຍໆບ່ ອນເຊັ່ ນ: ບ່ ອນວາງສະແດງຮູບພາບ, ຮ້ານກາເຟທີ່ ໜ້າຮັກ ແລະ ກິດຈະກຳຕ່ າງໆ ທີ່ ຢູ່ ຕາມຖະໜົນ
ຫົນທາງບໍ່ ວ່ າຈະແມ່ ນສິນລະປິນທີ່ ເປີດການສະແດງສົດຢູ່ ຫັ້ນ ຫຼື ນັກສະເກດບອດທີ່ ໂຊຄວາມສາມາດຢູ່ ໃນສວນ.
41. 41
Day four in NY we decided to explore Niagara Falls. They are far more than a
natural phenomenon. We jumped on the Amtrak train to Rochester, which was
quite a long way. The phrase “khauw hoo suek bork” struck my head! It came
from the impression of the trip in traveling and touring so far … basically from
a thank you feeling for the fans.
ມື້ທີ 4 ຢູ່ ນິວຢອກ, ພວກເຮົາຕັດສິນໃຈໄປເບິ່ ງນໍ້າຕົກ ໄນກາຣາ… ດ້ວຍລົດໄຟສາຍ ແອມແທຣກ ທີ່ ແລ່ ນຫາ
ເມືອງ ໂຣເຊສເຕີ. ເປັນການເດີນທາງທີ່ ດົນພໍສົມຄວນ, ພວກເຮົາ (ຂ້ອຍ ແລະເບ້, ໝູ່ ຮັກຈາກ ລັດອິນເດຍນາ) ໃຊ້
ເວລາໃນລົດໄຟ 6 ຊົ່ ວໂມງ, ໃນເວລານັ້ນຂ້ອຍໃຊ້ເວລາທົບທວນເຖິງຄວາມປະທັບໃຈຕ່ າງໆຈາກການເດີນທາງ,
ຄຳວ່ າ “ຄວາມຮູ ້ສຶກບອກ” ກໍເກີດຂຶ້ນໃນຄວາມຄຶດຂອງຂ້ອຍ! ແທ້ໆແລ້ວມັນເປັນຄວາມຮູ ້ສຶກທີ່ ຢາກຂອບໃຈແຟນ
ເພງ ແລະໝູ່ ເພື່ ອນທຸກໆຄົນທີ່ ໃຫ້ກຳລັງໃຈແລະຊຸກຍູ້ເຮົາມາຕະຫຼອດໃນການເດີນທາງທີ່ ຍາວໄກນີ້.
43. 43
The Minnesota concert came
unplanned while I was in NY. I got
a call from my manager in Chicago
telling me that the Lao community
there wanted to have a concert there.
Of course, I said, “yes.”
My third concert was in St Paul (MN).
The number of people who turned
up to support me was around four
hundreds.
At this point, the VOA (Voice of
America) contacted me for an in-
terview. I was so excited. It was such
a nice interview and a nice chat
with sis Vannasone, the report-
er. We shared a lot of interests.
You can follow the interview on
http://www.alunafanclub.com
ຄອນເສີດຢູ່ ລັດມີນິໂຊຕ້າ ເກີດຂຶ້ນແບບ ບໍ່ ໄດ້ວາງແຜນ,
ຕອນທີ່ ຂ້ອຍກຳລັງທ່ ຽວຫຼິ້ນຢູ່ ນິວຢອກນັ້ນ ຜູ່ ຈັດການ
ຂອງຂ້ອຍໂທມາຫາແຕ່ ຊິຄາໂກ້ ບອກວ່ າຄົນລາວ ຢູ່ ມີ
ນິໂຊຕ້າ ຢາກໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍໄປຮ້ອງເພງຢູ່ ພຸ ້ນ… ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ ໄດ້
ຄຶດຫຼາຍເລີຍ ຂ້ອຍຕອບທັນທີວ່່ າ ‘ໄປ’.
ຄອນເສີດຄັ້ງທີ 3 ທີ່ ເຊັນທ໌ພອລ (ລັດມີນິໂຊຕ້າ). ຖື
ວ່ າມີຜູ່ ມາຊົມມາໃຫ້ກຳລັງໃຈອາລຸນາ ຢ່ າງໜາແໜ້ນ,
ປະມານ 400 ຄົນ. ໃນເວລາດຽວກັນ ຂ້ອຍກໍໄດ້
ຮັບການຕິດຕໍ່ ຈາກລາຍການວິທະຍຸ ສຽງອາເມລິກາ
ເພື່ ອສຳພາດ. ຂ້ອຍຕື່ ນເຕັ້ນຫຼາຍ ແລະການສຳພາດ
ເປັນໄປຢ່ າງມ່ ວນຊື່ ນ ນັກຂ່ າວ ເອື້ອຍວັນນະສອນ
ກໍເປັນກັນເອງ ພວກເຮົາລົມກັນຫຼາຍເລື່ ອງ ເພາະເຫັນ
ວ່ າມີຄວາມເຫັນຫຼາຍຢ່ າງຄ້າຍຄືກັນ.
ສາມາດເຂົ້າໄປຟັງສຽງສຳພາດໄດ້ທີ່
http://www.alunafanclub.com
44. 44
Vegas. This glamorous, sleepless town was next on my list. It’s the brightest
town with all kinds of entertainment. Here, I stayed with a very lovely Lao
family who are good friends of my LA cousin. I did not reveal exactly who
I was. They did not know that I was a singer until one of their young boys
recognized me and asked, “Hey sister, are you Aluna, the singer?” I could
not be silent when he was so sure and even had my album. I was somewhat
embarrassed when he told his mom and everyone else. I ended up signing
the CD for him. One interesting thing he got to me was when he said,
“Do you know that your songs make me wanna learn more Lao?” I have
always kept that statement with me. It is so powerful to know that my work
touches people’s minds and can inspire them in a wonderful way. That is
everything to me as a song writer and a singer.
ຢູ່ ທີ່ ເວກາສ, ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ພັກເຊົານຳຄອບຄົວຄົນລາວທີ່ ໜ້າຮັກອີກຄອບຄົວໜຶ່ ງ ເຊິ່ ງຮູ ້ຈັກຮັກແພງກັບພີ່ ນ້ອງຂ້ອຍທີ່ ຢູ່
ແອລເອ.ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ ໄດ້ບອກຂະເຈົ້າວ່ າຂ້ອຍແມ່ ນໃຜ ແລະຂະເຈົ້າກໍບໍ່ ຮູ ້ວ່ າຂ້ອຍເປັນນັກຮ້ອງຈົນວ່ າມື້ໜຶ່ ງລູກຊາຍຂະ
ເຈົ້າໄດ້ທ້ວງຂຶ້ນ “ ເອື້ອຍແມ່ ນ ອາລູນ້າ ທີ່ ເປັນນັກຮ້ອງແມ່ ນບໍ່ ? ” ຂ້ອຍບໍ່ ກ້າຕົວະ ເພາະທ້າວນ້ອຍນັ້ນ ມີຊີດີເພງ
ຂອງຂ້ອຍຢູ່ ຂ້ອຍກໍເລີຍໄດ້ແຈກລາຍເຊັນພ້ອມ. ປະໂຫຍກໜຶ່ ງທີ່ ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ຍິນ ແລະ ເຮັດໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍຮູ ້ສຶກພູມໃຈ
ແມ່ ນ “ ເອື້ອຍຮູ ້ບໍ່ ວ່ າ ເພງຂອງເອື້ອຍເຮັດໃຫ້ນ້ອງຢາກຮຽນພາສາລາວຕື່ ມ ” ຂ້ອຍຈື່ ຈຳຄຳເວົ້ານັ້ນຕະຫຼອດມາ.
ມັນເປັນຄວາມຮູ ້ສຶກທີ່ ດີ ແລະມີຄຸນຄ່ າຫຼາຍເມື່ ອໄດ້ຮູ ້ວ່ າຜົນງານຂອງເຮົາໄດ້ມີສ່ ວນກະຕຸ ້ນເຮັດໃຫ້ຄົນລາວລຸ່ ນໃໝ່
ທີ່ ຢູ່ ເມືອງນອກມີຄວາມສົນໃຈຢາກຮຽນຮູ ້ພາສາລາວຕື່ ມ. ມັນມີຄວາມໝາຍຫຼາຍຕໍ່ ຂ້ອຍເຊິ່ ງເປັນທັງຜູ້ແຕ່ ງເພງ
ແລະນັກຮ້ອງ.
Vegas
46. 46
The trip to Utah State was really special to me.
I went to Zion Canyon and that was such a
wonderful trip. Amazing…. It was the most
amazing landscape that I’ve ever seen! And this
whole time when I was walking around Zion
National Park, I asked myself, “What was I doing
in NY when I should have come here sooner,
camping and waking up to this heaven?” And it
is a heaven! I will come back for more next time!
49. 49
Seattle
MN
Chicago NYUtah
LV
SF
LA a
b
c d
e
f
g
h
Thank you for your love and support along this journey. Your faith and belief in me
have done a lot for my soul. They have pushed me to reach for something better and
encouraged me to achieve something beyond what I thought I could.
Your love, words and tips are the gifts you have given. They will be with me always.
In the days ahead I’ll think of these wonderful days and memories. Everywhere I go,
I will think of where I’ve been and who I have met. The power of love teaches me and
frees me inside. This power of love is huge and amazing. It lets me hear the music
from my soul, discover peace of mind, and know who I am – the qualities in me that
are loved by you.
Everywhere I go, I think of you, and every song I sing, I sing for you, my dear true
friends and fans. This path of my life has shown me an amazing journey about how
beautiful life can be.
This trip was a marvelous journey and I know the camera cannot capture everything
I have seen, the places I have been, and the people I have met. But they are always in
my heart and mind.
Knowing you all means more than just meeting new friends. You are more like family.
I feel so loved and lucky to have your love and support. Though I traveled alone, I
never felt lonely.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Aluna!
53. 53
ジ
ャ
パ
ン
Japan
I am in my contemporary Lao dress performing acoustic on “Jum Pa Moung Lao” song.
Our very own Frangipani, the national flower of Laos is on my guitar!
The audience included the members of the Lao Embassy,
the Lao Ambassador to Japan, Mr. Keola, and the Lao & Japan association members.
Also there were donors from the Asian Education and Friendship Association (AEFA),
who are sponsoring school projects for Lao kids around the country.
54. 5454
Late in August 2006 I had my first time
performance of my song Hai Pai Doy
Dee with Gypsy Queen, a rock band
from Japan. After the song finished,
I heard screaming, shouting and
clapping. I felt I had done my job well.
And then Aki San, the lead of the band,
asked me if I was ready to perform in
Tokyo the following month, September
of 2006. I did not think twice. YES
was the next word in the conversation!
And the Japan tour became a reality.
プルメリアから桜へ
Frangipani to Sakura
56. 56
Japan was one of the main destinations I dreamt of when
I was in my teens. I had heard many Japanese pop bands,
groups and seen their series and was somewhat addicted to
their music. And then you dream of seeing the actual places,
the towns and cities, and experiencing the atmosphere, cul-
ture and character of Japan. Kawaii = cute!
JAPAN:TOKYO
58. 5858
The 2nd concert
“Spirit of Asia Concert”
@ Y2k Roppongi on the 7th of Oct
2006 in Japan for Aluna
ຄອນເສີດ ຄັ້ງທີ 2 ສຳລັບ ອາລຸນາ
“ງານດົນຕີຈິດວິນຍານແຫ່ ງເອເຊຽ”
ຢູ່ ຣົບປົງງ ິວັນທີ 7 ຕຸລາ ປີ 2006, ຍີ່ ປຸ່ ນ
62. 62
ຄອນເສີດ ຄັ້ງທີ 3 ຢູ່ ຍີ່ ປຸ່ ນ
ເພື່ ອສະເຫລີມສະຫລອງ ເມືອງແຝດ
ວຽງຈັນ-ທາຮະຣາ
ວັນທີ 7 ມີນາ 2007
The 3rd Concert in Japan
to celebrate the twin cities
Vientiane - Tahara
7th of March 2007
T
A
H
A
R
A
C
I
T
Y
田
原
市
63. 63
About 300 people from Tahara-City turned up for the concert. I performed 12 songs; including our
very own famous “Yen Sa Bai Sao Na” song by A Jarn Boua Ngen SAPHOUVONG. Along with this, I
brought the Lao traditional Lum Vong Dance in circle on the stage and encouraged the audience to join.
The whole hall stood up and followed the dance pattern beautifully. It was an unforgettable moment
and a magical picture I will always keep in my mind. I am so proud that I could be a part of this wonderful
cultural exchange and show our beautiful Lao culture to Japan. This experience has been a great
motivator pushing me to keep promoting Lao arts and try to achieve more at the international
level.
ປະຊາຊົນຂອງເມືອງທາຮະຣາ ປະມານ 300 ຄົນໄດ້ເຂົ້າຊົມຄອນເສີດ. ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ຮ້ອງທັງໝົດ 12 ເພງລວມທັງເພງທີ່ ມີຊື່ ສຽງຂອງ
ພວກເຮົານັ້ນກໍ່ ຄືເພງເຢັນສະບາຍຊາວນາໂດຍອາຈານບົວເງ ິນຊາພູວົງ ພ້ອມກັນນີ້ຂ້ອຍຍັງໄດ້ນຳການຟ້ອນລຳວົງຂອງບ້ານເຮົາໄປ
ເຜີຍແຜ່ ຢູ່ ເທິງເວທີຄອນເສີດນີ້. ຂ້ອຍໄດ້ຊັກຊວນໃຫ້ຜູ້ຊົມພະຍາມຮຽນຟ້ອນລຳວົງໄປພ້ອມກັບຂ້ອຍ, ມັນເປັນວິນາທີທີ່
ໜ້າຈົດຈຳແລະບໍ່ ອາດລືມເລືອນເມື່ ອຂ້ອຍໄດ້ເຫັນການປະກອບສ່ ວນຂອງຄົນໝົດຫໍທີ່ ໄດ້ລຸກຂື້ນພ້ອມໃຈກັນຟ້ອນລຳວົງໄປພ້ອມໆ
ກັບຂ້ອຍ,ຂ້ອຍພູມໃຈຫຼາຍທີ່ ສາມາດເປັນສ່ ວນໜຶ່ ງໃນການແລກປ່ ຽນວັດທະນະທຳລະຫວ່ າງລາວແລະຍີ່ ປຸ່ ນຂ້ອຍມີຄວາມປະທັບ
ໃຈແລະຈະເກັບພາບເຫຼົ່ ານີ້ ໄວ້ໃນໃຈຕະຫຼອດໄປ. ປະສົບການຄັ້ງນີ້ແມ່ ນຊຸກຍູ້ໃຫ້ຂ້ອຍຢາກນຳເອົາສິນລະປະ ແລະປະເພນີອັນດີ
ງາມຂອງລາວເຮົາໃຫ້ອອກສູ່ ສາຍຕາຂອງໂລກໃນໂອກາດຕໍ່ ໆໄປ.
64. 64
“My radio interview with TBS, J-Wave 81.3
FM~ASIENCE SPRIRIT OF ASIA and IChi FM at
SHIBUYA & SYONAN FM (You can follow the
link below to listen to my interviews:
http://www.alunafanclub.com”
@ YELLOW KNIFE STUDIO recording
(Miryo and Kimino Kanashimika Bukuo
Kaeru) with Gypsy Queen
My 1st Album
Japanese Version with BMI music
65. 65
This wonderful experience of three concerts
in Japan created for me a deep friendship with
the Gypsy Queen Band members and left me
with a wonderful memory of the Japanese
fans’ warm and wonderful hospitality.
Kob jai = Arigatou gozaimasu …thank you
from my heart!
この素晴らしい3回の来日
コンサートの経験を通じ、
Gypsy Queenのメンバーの方
たちと親交を深める事ができ
ました。また、日本のファン
の皆さんに温かく迎えていた
だいて、とても素敵な想い出
となりました。本当に心から
感謝しています。どうもあり
がとうございました。
69. 69
My love for singing comes from a deep appreciation for music and arts .
This passion has helped me develop my natural voice, something which
I consider a gift. Even back when I could only dream of singing in the
spotlight, there was no special technique to my singing. I just sang purely
from the heart. Even after my first album, while I was busy promoting
and touring between 2005 and 2007, I still felt like there was something missing. I could
never call myself a professional singer because I was never professionally trained. In
May 2007, I found Ajarn Rodj; he had more than 20 years of experience in Thailand’s
music scene. He teaches the “Speech Level Singing Technique” by Seth Riggs. According
to him, I was the first Lao student in his class.
The power in each of our voices is an amazing gift and also an individual talent. But
how many of us know exactly how to project our voice effectively without destroying it
or decreasing its ability? Everyone’s voice is different. There are singers out there who
can go on singing all day long but I’m not one of them. Ajarn Rodj taught me to sing
properly; he taught me how to use my voice in a unique and special way. He is a kind
and caring teacher, he shared many fascinating singing stories with me.
After the training, I began to notice subtle things about the character and personality
of my voice. I learned how to take care of my voice properly and answer many nagging
questions like how much rest do I need before a big concert? Should I eat a bit before
stepping on the stage? What is it that works best for me and my voice? What sort of
songs and keys best suit my voice? One day, out of curiosity, I asked “So, how long do I
need to keep studying singing?” Ajarn Rodj replied, “As long as you still want to sing.”
(Find out more of what he meant from www.alunafanclub.com).