An interview with Our Shame

You serve as the producer and singer-songwriter, and Isaan serves as the percussionist for the electronic synth-pop band Our Shame. Why were you inspired to form the group?

Our Shame: We both love many different genres of music very much. In the beginning, we were creating acoustic pop songs, but then we realized there was so much more we wanted to explore. I am a huge fan of electronic music, while Isaan is a huge fan of rock and alternative styles.

One specific moment that influenced us was when I received a very special guitar from one of the legendary guitar figures in Thailand. I felt inspired to respect that instrument while still staying connected to my love for electronic music. That made me wonder what could happen if we combined folk-inspired sounds with electronic elements. From there, our sound began developing into something folky, electronic, and experimental.

You blend folktronica with left-field pop in your music. Why do you enjoy blending the genres together?

Our Shame: We enjoy catchy, pop-driven sounds, but we also deeply respect unusual sonic twists and unexpected textures. We always want to experiment and create something that feels surprising.

That is why we were drawn to folktronica, because it allows us to combine singer-songwriter elements with more creative and cinematic sound experiments. For example, I like using traditional instruments in ways that make them sound almost unrecognizable. I have created beats from piano sounds, vocal chops, and long droning textures from guitars or vocals. I find it fascinating when an acoustic instrument can become something you would never expect.

At the same time, we do not want to stop within one specific genre. Especially on our second album, the music becomes very diverse because we focus more on telling a story than choosing a genre first. We begin with what we want to express, then allow the sound to develop naturally.

In your songs, you also blend spiritual elements with modern-day technology addiction from an East Asian perspective. Why is it important to include spiritual elements alongside contemporary ones?

Our Shame: As technology becomes more advanced, people often feel more lost. That is when spiritual ideas become very important, because they offer comfort, rest, and a sense of resonance.

We live in an era shaped by AI and rapid technological change, and many people feel existential anxiety because of that. We want music to serve as something beautiful that can accompany people through both uncertainty and growth.

We also both come from backgrounds in the technology sector, so we understand that world closely. At the same time, that experience made us realize how necessary music and art are. Without art, life can feel too mechanical. Music helps connect the rational and emotional parts of being human.

You are promoting your second album, Hidden Album. How did you work together to write and produce the album?

Our Shame: Hidden Album was intentionally designed to feel very diverse, almost like a visual album. We think of it like the photo album on your phone — filled with many different moments, memories, and emotions. That idea shaped how we wanted the album to sound.

You can hear many styles across the record. Some songs begin with jazzy elements, then shift into UK garage rhythms, while others lean into retro pop or folk-rock influences. That diversity reflects how people collect different kinds of memories in life.

Our first album focused more on modern social issues and larger outside ideas. With Hidden Album, we turned inward. This album begins more from personal moments, individual experiences, and desires.

How would you describe your performance style during live shows?

Our Shame: From a sonic point of view, our performances feel cinematic. We move between pure acoustic guitar sounds, droning synth textures, rhythmic sequencers, and dramatic percussion. It feels like watching a movie, with intros, rises, falls, and plot twists.

Because we are a duo, our performances are also very flexible. Sometimes it is just the two of us in very small venues, and other times we expand into larger shows with additional musicians and visual elements.

Our live performances always adapt to the environment, but we try to keep that same emotional arc no matter where we play.

What does it mean to you that you are performing together at South by Southwest?

Our Shame: It means a great deal to us. For one of us, this is a first time in Austin, and the city has made a very strong impression. Everything feels vibrant — the people, the atmosphere, and the openness to creativity.

What stands out most is how naturally music, film, and new ideas all exist together here. There is a feeling that creativity is everywhere.

Performing here also created an immediate connection with the audience. Even though this is one of the biggest showcase festivals we have ever attended, once we stepped on stage and saw the audience, the nervousness disappeared.

Instead, there was a sense of calm and clarity, like we had something meaningful to share. That atmosphere made the experience feel very special.