Lay Phyu

Lay Phyu လေးဖြူ
Lay Phyu performing in May 2013
Background information
Born	(1965-05-19) 19 May 1965
Origin	Inle, Shan State, Myanmar
Genres	Hard rock, heavy metal, soft rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, music producer
Instruments	Guitar, drums
Years active	1992 - present
Labels	Iron Cross Entertainment
Associated acts	Iron Cross

Lay Phyu (Burmese: လေးဖြူ, pronounced: [lé bjù]; born 19 May 1965) is a Burmese rock vocalist/guitarist. He rose to fame with his debut album Gandarya Lamin (Desert Moon).^[1]

Biography

Lay Phyu was born on 19 May 1965 in Inlay Lake, Shan State, Myanmar along with his younger brother Ah Nge. He attended and graduated from Mandalay University with an English Major where he met Y Wine, one of the aspiring singers from the Iron Cross Music band (a renowned rock band in Myanmar). He eventually joined the "Iron Cross" band, which was originally founded by Saw Bwe Hmu, a famous guitarist and songwriter. Later, Chit San Maung became the lead guitarist after Bwe Hmu died. Later Ah Nge, Myo Gyi and Y Wine joined the new aspiring band.

Since his early career days, Lay Phyu became successful in his first album "Gandarya Lamin" (Desert Moon) and helped define the genre of Burmese rock music. Much of his music was inspired by bands such as Nazareth, Metallica, Van Halen, Scorpion, Dream Theatre, and Bon Jovi. Lay Phyu first started his path to fame when he covered English songs in Burmese. Later on, as he gained confidence and popularity in his music career, he began to compose a few of his own music. Most were still copy songs Together with his Iron Cross associates, Lay Phyu has given a fresh boost to Myanmar's Music Industry.

Charity and outreach

In 2008, when Cyclone Nargis struck the South Western regions of Myanmar, Iron Cross as well as many other famous artists formed a collaboration of songs as to raise funds to help victims rebuild their livelihoods. An organization from California sponsored the charity and published a song called "Hands with love" .The collaboration then proceeded to perform "Hands with love" by written by Raggie, raising awareness to Myanmar locals of the damage that natural disasters can cause to people's social, economic and environmental factors. The same annonymous sponsor published and performed a song "a yay ma kyi bue" ( Not the end of the world ) in the same year, dedicated towards his twin daughters he had lost.

Iron Cross controversy

Several criticisms have been made of the band's theme that revolved around the term "Iron Cross". The fact has come to a shock to international viewers of the time by the Band's theme of Nazism with design arts of Eagles, swastikas, medals and especially the band's name itself. However, these influences are of innocuous origins and the band members were much unaware of the social taboo the subject of Fascism was. However, this trend has caught hold into much of Myanmar's youth culture, with items such as Storm-trooper stylized motorcycle helmets and other Nazi-themed accessories being marketed.

Lay Phyu in USA

Lay Phyu shot a new music video in Ocean City, MD for his new upcoming album. The video was shot in late 2012 by Burmese director Danyar. The title for the track is called "Kyo Hnint Dawt". Release date for this video is not yet known. Another song, Yote Thein Pay will also feature footages of recording sessions and 2012 USA Tour.

( Photos from the set)

Discography

Solo albums

1. Gandarya Lamin(Desert Moon)
2. Pinle Aw Than(Cries of the Sea)
3. Gandarya Pinle Lamin Aw Than (Live)
4. Gita Myitzuri (Music Entity)
5. Power 54
6. Kabar Thit Tayy (Song of New World)
7. Kyein-Za(Curse)
8. Thargaung(The Prey)
9. Einmet Kabya(Dream Poem)
10. Leitpya (The Butterfly)
11. Mummy Mya (The Mummies)
12. Khana Lay Mya (The Moments)
13. Bay of Bengal (BOB)
14. Diary - Single (music) (Released at 27-10-2013)
15. Diary - Album (Released at 27-12-2014)

Collaborations

1. 95 Myanmar Billboard Top Hits
2. Saw Bwe Hmu Amhattaya (2)
3. Do Ye Chit-Thu Mya Ne
4. Saung-Nay De Chit-Thu-Mya
5. Chit-Thu Dway Ye Di Mhattan
6. Madi Nhit Sone-Mhat-Mya
7. Iron Cross Band Unplugged
8. Iron Cross Band Acoustic
9. Tay Myone Nget Ye Hnit Nar Se (2)
10. Yarzu Thit
11. LMN
12. We Love the SEA Games (2013)

References