The Storytellers: Tagu Jams Live Recording Session

The Storytellers' songs are youthful, unpretentious and radiate a vibrant energy. Their music flows naturally, rooted in their personal experiences as young men and their reflections on life. Listening to their melodies, you're transported to a more peaceful time when harmony and coexistence were the norm. Their lyrics evoke vivid images of diverse cultures and the majestic vistas of the mountains. Even the story of how they came together as The Storytellers is a heartwarming tale, adding another layer of depth to their music.

Bassist Zaw Lynn, guitarist Khun Thu Ra, and drummer Ko Pai have known each other since kindergarten in Taunggyi, Shan State, where they sat together in every class. Taunggyi, one of the biggest cities located in the Eastern part of Myanmar, is a place steeped in music and culture. And it has been the backdrop for The Storytellers' journey. Zaw Lynn and Khun Thu Ra got into music first, writing and performing music together during their highschool and university days. The turning point came in 2014 when they decided to bring their childhood friend Ko Pai into their band as a drummer. Ko Pai, up to that point, had never played drums before. His family's frustration with his video game habits led them to buy him a second hand drum set, which became the catalyst for forming the band. With that drum set, The Storytellers found their rhythm and began crafting the sound that defines them today.

After that fateful day, they practiced as a band for just three weeks before diving into a music competition during the Pa-O National Day celebrations in Taunggyi. Khun Thu Ye’s late father, U Khun Mya Aung—a former musician himself—was one of the judges. In a bold move, they decided to perform one of his poems in the style of punk rock. Their tribute to U Khun Mya Aung’s support for their music and their Pa-O origins can be seen in their music video for “Thakarit Nit 1000”. It features U Khun Mya Aung inside a century-old monastery, adding a unique depth and intrigue to the visuals.

Since 2016, their music has made its way to Yangon and other big cities in Myanmar, and they’ve produced four records: 4712 (2017) [Note: Taunggyi is located 4712 feet above sea level.], Elephant Corridor (2020), Para-Dolphin (2022, EP), and their latest, A Chain Yan Ta Yar Khayee Thal (2023, EP). Listening to these albums chronologically, you can hear their growth as both human beings and musicians. With age and experience, they have become more mature, their lyrics deeper, and their melodies softer.

What began as a teenage band has now blossomed into a decade-long journey. Though they’ve been together since childhood, the recent political crisis of the country has pushed them out to different parts of the world, with each member pursuing careers in different places. Yet, as The Storytellers, they continue to weave their personal experiences into their music, crafting songs that resonate far beyond their own lives.

This live session was shot and recorded on 19th March, 2023, during one of the hottest summer Yangon has ever had. It's a minor miracle that we were able to capture this performance despite the oppressive heat and power cuts. But it was worth it. Get ready to experience the vibrant spirit of The Storytellers and the youthful energy that defines them.

SET LIST

00:00 Mee Chit
02:40 Band Intro
03:12 Patwunjin Ga La Nachaung Ngin Myar
06:29 Sate Shi Lat Shi
11:58 Thakarit Nit 1000
15:30 Credits

THE STORYTELLERS

Zaw Linn
Khun Thu Ra
Minn Aung Pai Soe

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The Storytellers on YouTube: @thestorytellersmusicband

● Fresh independent music from Myanmar ●

Established in 2013, Tagu Films is an independent film production house from Myanmar. For a decade, Tagu Films collaborated with various Myanmar independent musicians to produce music videos and live recording sessions. Tagu Music, established in 2023, is a new step towards producing more Myanmar music contents, such as Tagu Jams, that capture the vibrant local independent music scene.

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