i-want-more

Cambodia rocks

Some time back, I eulogised about Cambodian pyschedelic rock music, as heard in a cool coffee shop in the hipper-than-thou Williamsburg district of Brooklyn. On Tuesday evening I went to see a fine band who are bringing this sound to the people: Dengue Fever. They are are group of alternately beardy and baldy Angelenos gentlemen with a beautiful Cambodian singer up front. It shouldn’t be effective but it really was fun, in fact one of the best things I’ve seen for a long time. Last song of the night was the amazing ‘Chnam oun Dop-Pramp Muy’ (I’m Sixteen), originally recorded by Ros Sereysothea.

I’d heartily recommend that you read this about Sereysothea. The next time you find yourself feeling sympathy for Doherty, Winehouse, or another such musician whom feels they have been victimised, think of this courageous woman, who was married into the Khmer Rouge under duress by Pol Pot and was then ‘disappeared’, like so many others.

The Bank Holiday weekend started well. On Saturday I popped to Brighton to visit Ms. Magee and beau at their spacious new flat for a housewarming barbeque. We had a very pleasant time chatting to people about stuff that didn’t really matter. Sunday and Monday were so wet and drizzly it was hard to conjure up enthusiasm to do anything: I did manage to net up our blackcurrant bushes on Monday night, which I have to say, was the last thing on earth I wanted to do at the time. I’m pleased it’s done now though.

Following a quiet few months, things are beginning to gather pace now that it is technically summer. We have three gigs (Gong, Yellow Magic Orchestra and My Bloody Valentine) and a classical concert (Satie) to go to in June, plus lots of birthdays and requests for general get-togethers are coming up.

Other stuff:
I am becoming increasingly bewildered by the half-assed attempts at a line-up for the Mighty Boosh festival. Strictly for the hardcore fan I suppose, which is fair enough.

Happy 15th anniversary, Bust magazine!

posted by deafdisco @ 10:58 am