Weekly Wrap - Commencing Thursday the 2nd April 2015

“The whole album was recorded and mixed in my own home studio in Phnom Penh, 'Kinski’s Mad Lab'... The whole process took us about one-and-a-half years... A good album needs time to sleep and wake up again in order to come to real greatness.”

- PROFESSOR KINSKI

Dub Addiction's latest album Khmer Dub Empire is currently rocking the Kingdom of Wonder. This week we caught up with band-leader, vocalist and producer Professor Kinski. Read the Leng Pleng Q&A to find out how the new album was created, the special formula that makes the Dub Addiction sound... and what happened when the band played to prison inmates on Reunion Island!

A very busy pre-pre-Khmer New Year weekend is in store on the Phnom Penh music scene. While a Grammy-award winning performer will hit The Rock, rising Cambodian superstars will entertain at the Olympic Stadium. As always, we will try and pick out some of the highlights to guide you on your journey around the traps.

Euphoric musicianship on Thursdays

Euphoria Band comprises of some of the best rock musicians playing in the Kingdom today. Formerly known as 'Cookies N Cream', this quartet of young players from The Phillipines angle their choice of repertoire towards the funkier, r'n'b side of the pop covers market. The group is lifted above the level of most workaday bar bands by the contributions of the bassist and drummer. These guys have an incredible groove and perform some technically amazing stuff on their instruments without ever descending into gratuitous showboating... and they can sing at the same time. Catch Euphoria Band every Thursday at Sharky Bar Ladies' Night.

Evrywhr: bringing the curtain down on his Cambodian movie this Friday

Evrywhr is U.S. singer-songwriter Michael Jefferson. Michael and his team have spent several weeks travelling around the country making a movie entitled Evrywhr In Cambodia, documenting the star's journey as he has immersed himself in the culture and the music of Cambodia. Two years ago, Evrywhr was a joint-recipient of the grammy award for 'Best Gospel Album' for his work on 'Gravity' by hip-hop artist Lecrae. Evrywhr In Cambodia will come to a grand conclusion with the filming of a special show this Friday night at The Rock in Phnom Penh.  

Evrywhr has been rehearsing for the show at a secret city rooftop location with a hand-picked band of ace Cambodian musicians - including Phea from The Cambodian Space Project, Kannika from Kok Thlok and Peter from Oscar Band. A host of other great bands and artists will also be performing at the one-off event on Friday, including Nikki Nikki and KlapYaHandz. We will be particularly excited to check out the debut performance of RATS: a new group featuring  Tin Hoeurn of Sliten6ix, Sam Rocker of No Forever, Alan Ou and RJ Marshall. Check the event Facebook page for ticketing information.

Nikki Nikki will also be performing at the Olympic Stadium this weekend as part of the Cambodian Cuisine Festival. A number of acts will entertain the crowds over the two-day event organised by NGO Pour un Sourire d'Enfant (PSE), to take place on Friday and Saturday from 5pm. Get yourself over to the Stadium to catch great Cambodian acts to include Jimmy Kiss, Nen Tum, Kok Thlok and Tela Martin. Ticketing and other information via PSE Facebook page.

Also on Saturday, Miss Sarawan Band will be nervously hoping that the rainy season does not kick in until after their open-air set at FCC – The Mansion. Twin-sister Cambodian singers Lay Mealea and Lay Mealai will be joined by a full band including Bunhong Cheak on alto saxophone and clarinet.

Lap Steel - sounds good to me!

 After such a busy weekend, we will need somewhere with live music on Sunday afternoon, in order to relax and consume lots of calories. We are rather spoiled for choice this week, with Lewis Pragasam's Drum Jam going strong at the LYLA Center and Scott Bywater rumoured to be making a home-coming appearance at Sunday Sundowner Sessions at The Alleycat Cafe. This Su ndowners session could be the last chance (for a while) to catch Mr Dave Cox before he journeys back to the UK. Dave has been showcasing his extraordinary Nashville-style lap steel guitar sounds around Cambodian venues for the past few months. Leng Pleng wishes him well on his travels.

Over at Links Music Store, an 'after-party' gig for the Evrywhr in Cambodia and Cambodian Cuisine Festival musicians may prove to be a good opportunity for star-spotting.

Whatever you're up to over the next few days, stay safe out there and... see you around the traps!

JOE WRIGLEY