By Vannasone Keodara
25/06/2006
VOA

Young, bright and beautiful Alexandra Bounxouei is a 20 year-old singer, musician, and composer. VOA is proud to present her second album entitled “Luem Sa,” just released this summer.

This album of Alexandra’s is considered a new kind of music - an East Meets West, a mixture of western instruments and the Lao classical Kaen- to create a kind of music that has a funky, hip hop rhythm while maintaining the Lao classical tune.

This is very fun and lively kind of music, in line with this new era. It also has both languages, Lao and English. Enjoy!

Please visit VOA for more details and to listen to the audio version of the story.

RFA Lao Program
June 22, 2006

Lao pop star Alexandra Bounxouei, 19, was born in Bulgaria to a Lao father who was studying music in Eastern Europe and a Bulgarian mother. The family moved to Laos in 1988, where she was raised. Her music, which she describes as a combination of traditional Lao and contemporary hip-hop, has earned her glowing reviews in Southeast Asia. She released her second album, titled “Forget It,” in early 2006, and first performed in Laos in 2002 to wide acclaim, and she has now performed worldwide. Currently majoring in English at the Lao American College of Vientiane, Bounxouei records and performs music with a strong anti-drug message. Following are excerpts from her interview in May 2006 with Lao broadcaster Chaleunsouk:

“My dad, Bounthavisay Bounxouei, wrote a lot of the songs [on this album], such as ‘I’d Like to Tell You’… Somsavath Songvilay with the Lao Ministry of Culture, he wrote music for me too. And I wrote one, and there is a singer who is getting ready to release an album, Sam Intharaphithak. He’s studying in Australia, and he wrote two English songs for my album. It was like a family effort, because now I have a recording studio at home. Overseeing it was my dad and my mom and me, all three. On this album there are love songs, there are songs about friends, love between friends, and songs kind of like warning songs, like ‘Narcotics.’”

“I’ll certainly shoot a music vid, and there has to be a karaoke version because so many people have asked, have called for it… I said okay, we’ll certainly do it, but be patient and wait, because I’m finishing my studies, my bachelor’s degree this coming May. I have to finish my studies first and then I’ll start laying out the concept for a music video.”

“I’m traveling constantly, to Japan, to Thailand for programs, putting on concerts in Laos, maybe going to different provinces, I have so little time to study so I have to use my time most effectively…. A lot of people have said, ‘Oh, this time you’re older, your voice has changed, it’s a more mature voice and your songs have words that show more mature thinking…than the first album.’ Because I was only 15 years old when I recorded that first album.”

“The way I see it, these songs should be popular with teens, because this album is unusual.”

For details of the story, please visit RFA Lao News and to download the audio file.

Sabaidee Pathet Lao. The camera crew went on the streets of Thailand to test how much Thai people really know about Laos, especially the younger generation.

While many Thai teenagers don’t even know what the capital of Laos is or who is the current prime minister of the country, one person they all know so well is Alexandra Bounxouei.

Here is Alexandra talking about the rumor that was circulating in Vientiane and about Lao entertainment industry at present.

Radio Free Asia (RFA) published an interviewed with Alexandra Bounxouei about her second album on June 06, 2006. Here is a translated version of the interview from Laomusic.la.

“The most popular artist of Laos, Alexandra Bounxouei has many talents and abilities. She can sing, speak many languages and plays various musical instruments.

Part I of the interview:

Alexandra discusses with RFA about her second album “Leum Sa”. Her first album was released more than two years ago. Leum Sa contains the following 11 songs:

1. Yark Ja Bork
2. Mee Thair Jao
3. Leum Saa
4. Memories
5. Hen La Bor Ai Euey
6. Wanh Tee Jao Ma Ha
7. Khid Theung Pheuan
8. Sou Phur Khuam Funh
9. Complete
10. Sabaidee Pee Mai (Happy New Year)
11. Ya Seth Thid

Included in the album is a song composed by Alexandra “Leum Sa”. Her latest work is a combination of various stlyes and includes the sound of khaen. Alexandra also informs RFA the VCD Karaoke version of “Leum Sa” will be released by the end of 2006. For more details, please listen to the audio version of the interview part I.

Part II of the interview:

Alexandra further talks about her performances outside of Laos and also discusses about her apperances on Thai Television.

Alexandra is a popular artist in Asia, especially in Thailand. She has been on concert tour in Thailand, Japan, Korea, and USA. In addition she has made 3 appearances on Thai Television shows in 2006. Alexandra was a guest on Khun Phra Chuay, Chai Ba Din Show, and was on the news coverage of Sheppajorn Lok. Alexandra’s appearance in Thailand has created an interest from a big Thai record company in her latest album.

Please listen to the audio version of part II of the interview for more details.