Founded in 1980, Nok Lair (or “the birds”) are a band of school kids—dressed in colourful tribal outfits, the boys and girls from Chiang Mai in northern Thailand sing and play guitars, keyboards, flutes and percussion under the guidance of their professor. Folk songs, school stories and family all enter their buoyant repertoire. Their jolly, upbeat sound is fun, accomplished and inspiring. They recorded and released five albums from 1985 to 1989, becoming a national sensation—since then, a rotating roster of members has allowed the group to continue performing for over 30 years.
