FORD TRIO, a three-piece band from Thailand, define their sound as "Neo Thai Funk," exploring endless sonic possibilities through vibrant, energetic funk grooves. From blues, funk, and psychedelia to international collaborations and the shared rituals of live performance, they continuously reinvent themselves through their music and on stage.

Journeying together since their university days, this close group of music-loving friends has stayed true to their roots, carrying their creations to audiences near and far. Performing in Hong Kong for the very first time, they invite everyone to let loose and share in the pure joy and freedom of the moment—just like old friends.

1. How would you describe FORD TRIO’s music to someone who has never heard you before? What kind of sound or atmosphere do you hope to create through your music?

- “Neo Thai Funk” is how we describe our music right now. We’re a funk band from Thailand, exploring new possibilities with our sound while staying rooted in the funk music that has grown and developed here in Thailand.


2. What artists, bands, or records have had the biggest influence on your music? Are there any musical influences that might surprise your listeners, or any records you keep returning to when looking for inspiration?

-Our biggest influence is probably Prince. He’s a funk hero for us. he could sing, play, produce his own albums, and put together amazing live shows. He’s someone I really look up to as an artist, especially in the way he created such an iconic sound of his own. He also worked incredibly hard and kept releasing music constantly. Even today, I still feel like he’s somehow underrated.

For live shows, I’d have to mention Maggot Brain by George Clinton’s Funkadelic. Every time I listen to that album, it almost feels like I’m leaving my body. The sound is so raw, and the whole atmosphere takes you somewhere else. That’s something I’d love people to experience when they see us live too.

Another album that really inspired me is Khruangbin’s The Universe Smiles Upon You. It made me want to bring Thai folk melodies into our own music. When I first heard it, it sounded so fresh, Asian folk melodies over soul and funk grooves, with these dreamy psychedelic guitars playing melodies that felt familiar to Thai ears. That album really inspired me and gave me the confidence to experiment more and try bringing new sounds into our music.

Apart from that, listening to a lot of soul and funk has naturally shaped the band’s sound over the years, artists like Stevie Wonder and Vulfpeck, as well as blues-influenced guitarists like John Mayer. All of these influences have slowly become part of what FORD TRIO sounds like today.


3. What usually inspires the themes and emotions behind your songs? When writing music, do you tend to draw from personal experiences, observations of everyday life, or more abstract ideas?

-Our songs are mostly about life, love, and change. We also talk about the things people have to carry through life - being under pressure, feeling oppressed, and finding a way to let out all that pain and emotion.
Most of the inspiration comes from personal experiences and things I’ve been through myself. Life isn’t easy, and writing songs has always been a way for me to deal with my feelings. It’s kind of like therapy for me.


4. What does performing live mean to FORD TRIO? Do you approach live performances differently from recording in the studio, and is there anything you enjoy exploring on stage that might not be captured in your recordings?

For me, a concert is a sacred space. I think of it almost like going to the cinema. It’s more than just playing music in front of people, it’s about connecting with each other through music.

To me, playing live is completely different from working in the studio. In the studio, we can take our time to think, build a concept, and work on something until we’re happy with it. But a live show is all about what’s happening right in front of you, in that exact moment.

Experience might help you predict some things, but there will always be surprises. You just have to be ready enough to improvise, react, and go along with whatever happens.

5. How has your music been received by listeners outside Thailand? Do you notice any differences between playing for listeners at home and performing for listeners in other countries?

-Actually, the reactions honestly aren’t that different. Our live shows tend to connect with people through groove and riffs more than lyrics, so when the energy is right, language and cultural differences don’t really become a barrier. People can just feel the music and enjoy the show together.

One of our most memorable experiences was playing at Ziro Festival in India! The crowd was dancing from the very first kick of the show all the way to the last song haha , and somehow, some people could even sing along to a few of our songs! After we finished the set, the crowd kept chanting one of our riffs over and over again. That moment really stayed with us. It made us realize that even when we come from completely different places, music can still connect everyone in the same way.


6. You’re heading to Hong Kong for your very first show here! What are you looking forward to most about this show? And what kind of image or impression do you have of Hong Kong as a city?

-I’m really looking forward to seeing everyone’s reaction to our show (and honestly, I’m a little curious if people will be confused by us or not, haha) We’d love to get everyone singing along, even if you have no idea what the lyrics mean. Hopefully by the end of the show, it’ll feel like we’ve become friends, like you can trust us, let loose, and just have fun together.

Personally, I’ve always been fascinated by Hong Kong at night. The streets, neon lights, tiny shops, and all those buildings packed so closely together, I’ve only really experienced that through films, so I’m excited to finally see and feel it in real life.

And of course, I really want to eat dim sum, sit in a traditional tea house, and try as many local desserts as I can! :）


7. Finally, if you could leave listeners with one thought about what FORD TRIO represents today, what would you want them to understand about the band beyond its music?

- FORD TRIO is kind of like a small club of people who have dedicated themselves to playing music. We’ve been on this journey together since our university days, and in many ways, it feels a lot like life itself. So many things have happened along the way, good and bad, changes we expected and ones we didn’t, but somehow, everything has brought us to the version of FORD TRIO that we are today.

For me, being a Thai band, making music with Thai lyrics, and getting the chance to take that music to places where the language and culture are completely different from ours is probably one of the most exciting things about being a musician. It still feels a little crazy when I think about it, haha. But I think that’s also what keeps us going, seeing how far this little group of friends and our music can travel.