Anan Kantawee

Anan was born in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Surrounded by music and culture, he began playing traditional Thai music at age nine. At age twelve he became a monk, but after three years of meditation and studying buddhism, he decided to return to his guitar and began to focus on Western music, including acoustic folk country, jazz fusion, blues funk and reggae dub. Anan believes in the positivity that music can inspire and spent several years touring Thailand with his reggae band, The Ugly Bugs, spreading the love. He received his bachelor’s degree in classical music from Rajabhat University in 2009 and, in 2010, moved to New York City to follow love and continue to develop as a musician. Now residing in Portland, Oregon, Anan continues to study, write, perform and pursue his career as a musician.

How we met:

“I met PFC at a concert in New York City in 2010. In meeting Raan Williams and his wife Phattharin, who is also from Thailand, the band members and Mark Johnson, I immediately felt a connection to the people behind the PFC music. I was fortunate to work with PFC on the United Nations project celebrating 7 billion people in the world. I joined William Aura in Thailand to work on filming two songs, “United” and “A Better Place.” PFC’s work continues to inspire me to work toward change, to respect and to spread the love.”

What does music mean to you?

Music is the thread that weaves us together. It should be a positive, strong thread.

Do you have a favorite artist, album, or song?

Bob Marley