THAMA: “Although everyone in the world speaks different languages, they are still connected in some way.”

After two and a half years, THAMA returns with his latest full-length album WOOOF!, featuring 12 new tracks. The R&B/Soul singer-songwriter whose stage name stands for “These Hands Are Making Arts” has been working diligently to create music that connects people together.

We found out more about THAMA through his own words as he talks about how his latest album WOOOF! came to be, and about the journey it took for him to be able to put out music he truly enjoys.

Q. Congratulations on the release of WOOOF! Could you tell us the process of creating this album? Is there a specific story that you are wanting to tell through this album? 

Thank you! I had a lot of fun making songs with my friends over a year and a half. I got a lot of inspiration from traveling, and I hope my music conveys good energy to listeners. 

Q. Which song on WOOOF! was the most fun to write, which song was the most difficult, and which song would you recommend first for new listeners? What are the reasons for each? 

All the songs were fun to write, but "Baby I Know" was a memorable one. Joon's Second Life started playing around on the guitar during our five-minute break session and everyone else joined in, and that's how the song was created. 

The most difficult song was "You." After SUZANNE sent me the song, I remember having a hard time singing it because I got very emotional while singing it from her point of view.

I recommend listening to the whole album in order from [track] one to twelve! The album was made to be heard that way! 

Q. What does your creative process look like when working on albums versus working on stand alone singles? 

I work on singles and albums thinking of them as one organism. The difference is that with singles, I immediately incorporate thoughts and images that come to mind into the song, but when working on an album, I work on the songs as if I were writing a diary, recording down thoughts I've had for a long time or things that gave me inspiration. 

Q. The first track of WOOOF!, “Voices,” stood out to me. It made me wonder if you are someone who is extroverted and is curious about how other people live, or maybe someone who takes solitude in knowing many people exist at the same time. What significance do all the voices heard in “Voices” have for you? 

The track "Voices" simply narrates the emotions I feel when I’m in a different city. Although everyone in the world speaks different languages, they are still connected in some way, so I had "Voices" in multiple languages to make it feel a little more intuitive. 

Q. When your first dream of becoming a pilot didn’t work out the way you thought it would, what was the mental process for you stepping into the music scene? How did you navigate those emotions and how do you think you’ve changed now as an artist? 

My dream of becoming a pilot was vague, and my music career progressed so naturally that I could not even pinpoint when it exactly started. Music is not a professional element, but something that has always been with me since I was young, so it has always been an important part of my life. 

Q. What sort of music did you grow up listening to and which specific artists influenced you and your music direction? 

I enjoyed listening to all kinds of music, such as Queen, Chris Brown, 2Pac, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, and Elton John, and when I grew older, I was greatly influenced and inspired by D'Angelo's music. 

Q. In an interview you did four years ago you stated, “One (an artist) should express what he sees, I consider myself to be one as well.” For the music video for “Baby I Know” in particular you worked with an extensive creative direction team. What factors did you take into account and what input did you have for the visuals of your album, and how important is it for you that people are able to visually understand what type of artist you are? 

The director came up with the main ideas for the music video, and I think he wanted to express the vibes of the ‘70s and ‘80s soul music that I was influenced by after listening to my album. I may have slightly conservative values, but for me, listening rather than visual understanding seems to be the most important factor when it comes to my music. 

Q. Who are some of your favorite visual artists, or photographers that you want to work with in your career? 

I’ve enjoyed listening to Dinner Party's music and watching their music video, and I wanted to work with the director, JUPPI JUPPSEN. I contacted him and he willingly agreed to join in on the project, so I was able to work with him on the "Bump It Up" music video. 

Q. Are there any goals you are setting yourself for 2024? 

I don't have specific goals for 2024 yet. I just plan to continue making music and enjoy it as I am now. 

Q. I listened to you for the first time through WOOOF! and was thoroughly impressed and blown away by your artistry. What words do you have for people who are discovering you recently? 

Thank you. I'm glad that the world is getting smaller. I hope that my album will leave a lasting impression that you'd occasionally listen to rather than a temporary one for those who are discovering my music for the first time. 

Q. Do you have any final words for the people reading this? 

Thank you for reading my interview! I am working hard in Korea right now, but I hope I have a chance to see you in your country someday.

On behalf of The Kraze, thank you to THAMA and his team for the opportunity to conduct this interview! Check out WOOOF! now on Spotify and other streaming platforms.