Cover Story: Jeff Satur – The true vanguard of artistic expression

"...In Thailand’s music scene today, Jeff Worakamol Satur has become one of the most talked-about artists, known for his boundary-pushing music, distinctive style, and, most recently, his captivating performances that delve deep into the essence of his characters. Across every dimension, Jeff has dedicated himself wholeheartedly to each role he takes on. Yet, reaching the pinnacle of his career has been no overnight success, but a journey of perseverance spanning nearly a decade. This past year marked a particularly momentous chapter for him, as he devoted himself to a concert tour that left an indelible impression wherever he went. His fans, affectionately known as “Khun Wan-Sao” (Mr. Saturday), turned these events into unforgettable experiences, not only for Jeff but also for all who witnessed them..."

“I’m deeply moved by the fans who travel to see my shows in various places. Sometimes, it’s our first time visiting a particular city, whether abroad or within different provinces in Thailand. We made it a point to tour all four regions of the country, performing at festivals to ensure we covered every part. Occasionally, I’d mix up the names of provinces—like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai—but what stays with me is how the audience shows up and sings along to my songs. It’s truly heartwarming. Some people come specifically to hear a particular song on the setlist, and that alone brings me so much joy. This year, having travelled to more provinces than ever, I’ve had the chance to meet new fans and see fresh faces among the ‘Khun Wan-Sao’ (Mr. Saturday) crowd in each location. Moments like these remind me why I wanted to be a singer—to connect with people in different places. For those wondering, ‘Khun Wan-Sao’ actually comes from my surname, ‘Satur,’ with ‘day’ added to make it ‘Saturday.’

Saturday is a day off, nestled between Friday and Sunday, where you don’t need to rush to sleep or wake up. It’s the most relaxed day of the week. It also holds special significance for me as it’s my mother’s birthday, so the day carries a lot of positive and heartfelt meaning. It’s also become a sort of safe zone for me, a comforting space. That’s how the name ‘Khun Wan-Sao’ (Mr. Saturday) came about. And for Saturdayss, the extra ‘s’ just adds a little flair. Looking back, I treasure every single moment. Whether it was performing concerts in South America or visiting various countries, ending up back in Thailand. Fans often organise projects during the shows, giving us moments to connect. During the benefit segment, I get to see their stories, their dreams, and the things they want to share with me. It’s the same message I want to share with them, wishing each other happiness. What’s most moving is this shared desire for happiness. While everyone goes their own way to chase their dreams, we still come together, singing and creating memories in the moments we choose to meet.”

Beyond his musical achievements, this year Jeff has also garnered attention and acclaim as a talented actor, particularly for his portrayal of "Thongkham" in the film Paradise of Thorns. His performance showcased a character entirely different from his own personality, highlighting his impressive versatility as an artist.

“The biggest challenge in taking on this acting role was time. I remember I only had about a month or two to prepare. Everyone else had gone through workshops, and I was the only one catching up. That meant I had to work incredibly hard to get into character, especially for such an intense role. Playing a gardener required me to dive deep into understanding durians. These details weren’t explicitly mentioned in the film, but having that knowledge helped me embody the character more fully. At the same time, the character was a blend of masculine and feminine qualities—elements that combined into someone entirely unlike myself. That was incredibly difficult because, as a singer, my job is to express my authentic self to the audience. Acting, however, requires shedding your own identity entirely to become someone else. It’s a completely different form of communication. Looking back, I’m proud to have overcome that challenge. I didn’t know how far I could push myself as an actor until I was actually on set. With guidance from the crew and my director, Boss, I was able to tap into a potential I didn’t know I had. It showed me that my limits weren’t fixed, they could stretch further than I imagined. This experience has been inspiring in its own way. Sometimes, we assume we’re only capable of so much, but we might surprise ourselves if we’re willing to take the leap. By daring to try, we can discover what lies beyond the boundaries we set for ourselves and perhaps even surpass them.”

As an artist deeply involved in crafting both lyrics and melodies, every song Jeff creates naturally becomes a part of him. He continues to channel his artistic abilities into new projects, collaborating with international teams.

“Ride or Die is a song I’m really attached to, like all of my songs. But if I had to pick one that feels like the beginning of many things, it would be ‘Why Don’t You Stay’. These songs introduced me to many people and sparked the journey that led me here. It was the turning point where my career as a singer really took off, both in Thailand and internationally. Even though I started as an actor, people often forget I was also the singer from 10 or 8 years ago. These songs brought back that side of me, reminding everyone that, yes, I’m Jeff Satur, the same person. It became the foundation for everything that followed. I recently worked on some tracks with a producer from Sweden, and one of the songs I wrote is ‘Ride or Die.’ The meaning behind it is similar to the story of Bonnie and Klein, about a bird without wings, needing to keep flying or it will die. The song captures that feeling. Musically, it’s also one of the fastest tracks I’ve ever made, as most of my songs tend to be slower or mid-tempo. But this one’s energetic, and I think everyone will really vibe to it.”

The stories in Jeff's music videos often hide symbolic meanings, crafted through dedicated teamwork between him and his collaborators.

“We have a plan together, and I have my team who helps me out. I'll have a creative director, Vivi, to oversee that part, and we also bring in ideas from me, from Jeen, who I often work with, or from the directors we collaborate with. I throw ideas around, and we refine them into the best idea for that moment. Each person brings their own expertise, and when we come together, it creates something I never expected. I enjoy working with a team where multiple minds come together, thinking and refining to create the best possible outcome, making the story complete. I love every music video we've created, but I’d particularly recommend the latest one, 'Ride or Die.' It’s the most exhausting video shoot I've ever been on. You’ll have to see how tough it was for yourself.”

The challenges Jeff faces in his work today differ from those in the past, as he has come to understand himself more deeply.

"The difference now lies in experience and self-awareness. In the past, I was a bit clumsy, unsure of where to start or how to use the tools at my disposal when writing a song. But over time, I've come to understand how to use these tools effectively, knowing when and where to apply them, whether in producing or composing music. However, one thing that hasn’t changed is the joy of making music. I still enjoy discovering new things, and being someone who easily gets bored, I can't stick to the same thing for too long. I’m always looking for something new to add to my music, and it becomes a fun journey. I never lose the childlike curiosity within me because it's that sense of wonder that allows me to be more creative and expand my ideas."

Jeff’s journey of self-discovery along the musical path has led him to crystallise a set of thoughts he hopes to share with everyone who is currently fighting their own battles.

"We live a life under pressure without even realising it, driven by our own expectations and those of the people around us. It's normal, no matter what career you're in. But I want people to understand that this pressure isn't real, it's intangible, just an emotion. Once we realise that, we free ourselves from the rules that society imposes. We might overcome certain things without constantly worrying, asking ourselves whether this is good enough for this person or that person, or if it’s good enough for ourselves, forgetting that the most important thing to focus on is our own work. For example, if I’m making a song, and I keep wondering whether it’s good enough for certain groups of people, the best song is simply the one that, when we listen to it, we enjoy. That’s the most important thing. Success is just a definition, but it’s not necessary for us to have it. It’s just about living a life we enjoy. We do it because we love it, not because we think about whether it will succeed or not. We put our hearts into it and create it. People often focus on the end goal, thinking they’ll be happy later, but we can be happy in the process. If success comes, we get the reward, but you can’t hold that trophy forever. Eventually, you must put it down and enjoy the success. Enjoy the failure, and learn from it. Success is celebrated, and then we move on and start again. That’s life. That’s why I say there is no such thing as ultimate success or failure. In the end, it’s only about the passion and the happiness we gain from doing what we love."

The intention for this rising artist in the coming year is to continue creating work that he loves and is passionate about, while occasionally taking moments to slow down and enjoy life.

“This year (2024) has passed by so quickly. I remember counting down last year, and now we’re about to do it again. For next year, I want to work on more diverse projects. My happiness lies in working, going out to work, and also resting more, enjoying meeting new people, and making happiness simpler. Life is already simple for me today. Just going out to buy grilled squid makes me happy, or sitting in the car watching people live their lives. Sometimes, I feel life moves too fast, and we need to find a point where we can pause. For example, looking out the window, I see people walking with a destination, but for me, it’s a moment of rest, watching others walk by happily. In the later years of my life, I dream of sitting in the car, watching others live, as a true moment of rest. I don’t need to go anywhere or be anywhere, just resting, truly resting.”

#Legend for Jeff is the legendary late singer Elvis Presley, whose performances and life inspired Jeff to follow in his footsteps as an artist.

"Elvis, for me, I learned about his history and saw how he worked. The artistry in him is so vast. Everything about him inspired me a lot, especially his stage presence. I watched his performances over and over again. He didn’t just sing or perform; he poured his soul into every show. When you encounter an artist, whether through their music or art, even if you don’t have knowledge of it, you can feel the soul they are expressing. That’s something we must preserve as artists. We shouldn’t be bound by trends because we work in an industry influenced by fads, expectations, and pressures, and what others think we should be. The best thing we can do is not let those things affect us. We should stay true to who we are and produce art that is authentic to us. That’s what Elvis taught me from watching his life. And the mistakes he made are lessons to learn from, so I won’t follow the same path, and instead, I aim to be an artist who truly communicates with people. I would love to work with Elvis. I've watched documentaries about him, and I’m deeply moved by his work. Going back to his old performances, especially his comeback, it inspired me so much, and the magic in his performance is remarkable. If I could sing with him, being there in that moment, it would make me so happy."

Creative idea and Concept/ #Legend_th
Model/ Jeff Satur
Editor-in-chief and Fashion Director/ Asst. Prof. Rewat Chumnarn
Style/ Kontorn Hams
Photography/ Somkiat Kangsdalwirun
Hair/ Chattramongkol Klamsuk
Make-up/ Rasika Tummasil
Stylist Assistant/ Junjira Wanart