Later I base myself in the backof a cyclo with one of Pan Ron's biggest fans, Srey Thy, singer withthe new ring The Cambodian Space Design and the band's founder andleader, Australian guitarist Julien Poulson. Srey, upon finding out thatmy son's relatives are from Buri Ram in Thailand's lower Northeast,launched into several stirring renditions of kantrum hits, whichCambodians call "Khmer Surin" music.
We were on our way to a birthdayparty for the band's Breton accordionist, during which I met therevolving personnel of this strange music collective. The band playscovers of Khmer rock'n'roll from the later '60s to early '70, when PhnomPenh was a regional entertainment centre, but with a multinationaltwist. Many of the great Khmer musicians of the period perished duringthe genocidal Khmer Rouge regime but interest was revived with theCambodian Rocks compilations of the '90s, and so by the US-basedKhmer/US band, Dengue Fever. Unlike Dengue, though, The Cambodian SpaceProject is really based in Phnom Penh.
Julien said that he originallywent to Cambodia to do about music documentaries but was so taken withthe talking ability of Srey after he saw her sing in a karaoke bar, thathe decided to set up a band. Cambodian, French-Cambodian and Frenchmembers make up the balance of the band. Interest was generatedimmediately, not just among the exile population but also among localCambodian music fans. In the only a year, the set has played over 200gigs in Cambodia, as well gigs in France and Hong Kong. In the new year,the ring will jet off for its first major tour that will encompassAustralia, Europe and the US. Total global domination can't be far way.
The band's first recording hasjust been released, a 7" vinyl maxi-single that features, on the A-side,a killer version of Pan Ron's hit, I'm Unsatisfied. The B-side featuresa catchy song written by Srey called If You Go, I Get Too. Julien saysthat he noticed that Srey is a natural songwriter, so the band usuallyplays a mix of covers and self-penned songs. He says that the single isthe first vinyl to be released in Cambodia since the early '70s.
Here's how he describes theglobal process: "The i was recorded in Cambodian at CambodianLiving Arts - a little studio which boasts a compendium of mics donatedby Peter Gabriel. It was mixed by Lindsay Gravina of Birdland Studios inAustralia. The mixes were sent to London, then the masters sent viaRough Trade to the Czechoslovak Republic. We picked up our 'band copies' from alittle record store in Bretagne, France called Rockin' Bones. Around-about kinda production but very rewarding to establish this vinyl inCambodia. not too many turntables here but the vinyl's thick enough tomash chilli and chop vegetables in the village kitchen."
I've only heard an advance copyof the band's debut album, the style of which, in displacement from theoriginal Khmer goes something similar The Moon's Apsara Rides The CosmicGolden Swan-Goose. Groovy.
The album's standouts are adistinctive cover of Pan Ron's I'm Sixteen, which features some greatblues harp and the two Srey penned songs, Kangaroo Boy (great forpogo-ing to and I anticipate will go down a force in Australia) and HaveVisa, No Rice. It's a fun album that is probably to enhance the band'sinternational profile.
The Cambodian Space Project isnot the low lot to rediscover and play '60s/'70s Khmer rock'n'rollbut it is the beginning one based in Cambodia. If you liked all those greatCambodian Rock compilations and Dengue Fever, you'll certainly enjoy TheCambodian Space Project, several members of whom are stretching theirwings to fly into Bangkok to work on Xmas Day.
The Cambodian Space Project work at the WTF Bar on Sukhumvit Soi 51 on Dec 25 at 9pm. For more information, call 02-662-6246.
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