In a heartfelt journey back to their childhood dreams, two renowned Thai artists, Varn Thanakrit and Atom Chanakan, share their inspiring stories in the segment "Varn Thanakrit X Atom Chanakan: Dreams of Yesterday, Happiness of Today" on Thai PBS. Set to air on March 22, 2025, from 21:30 to 22:20, the program will delve into how support from family and society shaped their aspirations. Both artists have crafted their paths to success despite the challenges that come with pursuing a career in the competitive music industry.
Varn Thanakrit, also known as Thanakrit Panitvittayakorn, first gained recognition when he participated in TrueAcademy Fantasia Season 2 in 2005. His dazzling journey in the Thai music industry began after he successfully navigated the realities of a competitive market, which saw him signing with True Fantasia for five years. During his tenure, he released numerous songs, acted in television dramas, hosted TV shows, starred in theater productions, and even worked as a DJ before making the significant leap to GMM Grammy's GMMA label in October 2010. Varn's career only blossomed further when he moved to Spicy Disc in 2014, where he released his debut single, “Mars.”
Despite Varn's success, his journey was not devoid of hardship. Reflecting on his earlier days, he recalled, "Back before competing in AF, I did music and sold CDs at Fat/Cat Fest." This echoes a universal theme among artists—the persistent fight for their dreams, which is often braised with nostalgia.
Parallelly, Atom Chanakan, who began composing music in 6th grade, intensified his passion for music during high school at Bangkok Christian College. Fully committed to his dreams, he decided to compile his original songs into demo recordings to share with music labels while in university. Fate stepped in when he met Ammy the Bottom Blues, who guided him to submit his demo to Sanam Luang Music. However, obvious odds delayed his signing due to the lack of resources to produce quality songs.
As luck would have it, Atom's fortunes changed when the band Apartment Khun Pah signed with the same label, allowing him to work alongside Bol—Kan Ruji Narong—a talented senior who listened to his demo. This breakthrough led him to write songs for popular artist Burin Boonvisut in 2015, alongside promising collaborations on various projects.
Since his official debut in early 2015, where his single “Please” hit several radio charts, Atom has furthered his dreams successfully. Notably, in 2023, he was introduced as a new artist under Love Is and later returned to White Music, where he had previously found success.
Their story is not just one of individual aspirations; it reflects a larger narrative about the importance of encouragement from family and friends in the artist’s pursuit of their dreams. Both artists reminisce about how their families showed support and how their longing to become successful musicians stemmed from their upbringing. Varn's style, for example, is heavily influenced by his childhood musical tastes and the people in his life who encouraged him to pursue music.
Going beyond reminiscing, their collaboration will also feature a musical performance that resonates deeply with their fans. In fact, during the program, Atom will cover the classic song “Nang Rong” by Poom Phuang Duangchan. This performance is expected to capture not only nostalgia but also a heartfelt connection with the audience.
The engagement with the audience is a key aspect of their stories, as both Varn and Atom seek to connect their journey with their fans’ experiences. Both men remind us that the dreams of their youth often distance themselves from the realities of adulthood—a struggle yet to be resolved as aspirations give way to responsibilities.
As they often say, pursuing a dream is not just about the destination; it’s about how you navigate the journey, facing doubts and embracing moments of sadness along the way. Their stories serve as a beacon of hope for aspiring artists worldwide who resonate with their pursuit for success and happiness.
Catch "Varn Thanakrit X Atom Chanakan: Dreams of Yesterday, Happiness of Today" on Thai PBS to witness their remarkable stories unfold. It's not merely a segment of music; it’s a celebration of dreams, hard work, and the transformative power of art!
