Weekly Wrap - Commencing Thursday the 11th June 2015

Leng Pleng is pleased to report that hardcore Phnom Penh-based rockers Sangvar Day have been back in the studio recording a full-length set of brand new material. Lead singer Robin Narcisco is full of praise for 60 Road Studios – a new recording complex and record label based in Siem Reap: '...the studio it's incredible; top-notch equipment and space. If you are thinking of recording, that's the place to go! ... recording wise, album is 90% there... It might take some time before tracks are ready, but you'll be among the first to have them' – cheers Robin, we are looking forward to hearing those songs! While waiting for the new Sangvar Day release to drop, check out the band's Soundcloud page to hear the EP they recorded last year in Phnom Penh. 

Sangvar Day lay it down at 60 Road, Siem Reap. pic: 60 Road Studios Facebook

Alexandre Scarpati is the director of The Music and Art School of Siem Reap. In addition to being a professional musician playing trombone, bass and trumpet, Alexandre has a classical music licence and followed jazz courses at the Montpelier conservatory. The school was set up last year to provide high-quality music and arts education in Siem Reap and has 80 enrolled students (http://artschoolofsiemreap.com). Alexandre got in touch with Leng Pleng to let us know about a crowd-funding project he has set up to fund new equipment for the Music and Art School. Sounds like a very worthy cause to support! Find out more about the project at the www.ulule.com project website and and via the school's official website.

Steve Cannon is a very accomplished jazz trumpet player based in Thailand. Steve has forty years of experience in the music industry – working as a studio session musician and live concert player in Los Angeles and Portland, Oregon. Originally from Southern California, the expert soloist now plays regularly at the prestigious 'Living Room' jazz club in the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok. His performance repertoire ranges from 'straight ahead jazz to toe tapping Latin rhythms, and smooth sultry ballads' (http://www.stevecannon.net/blog). Steve Cannon will be performing a one-off concert at Doors Phnom Penh tonight (Thursday). He will be backed by a 'dream-team trio' of Phnom Penh-based jazz musicians comprising of Phil Javelle (piano), Seb Adnot (upright bass) and Ritchy Boisson (drums).

Jungle Rockers: Pervez, Sonny and Brent rocking Le Jardin

Euan Gray – pic: www.kenedgar.com

Euan Gray and Scott Bywater are two erudite Australian gentlemen and both hugely talented and experienced singer-songwriters. One can always rely on either of these guys to put on a great show. Someone at Farm to Table must have good taste, for they have invited Euan and Scott to kick off Acoustic Fridays – a new regular live music slot taking place on a weekly basis. The al-fresco Phnom Penh venue was known as Le Jardin in a previous life. It has now been remodelled as an organic, eco-restaurant. Euan Gray will open proceedings this week with a solo set of 'relaxed and soulful' acoustic covers and originals, using his looper effects pedal to spice things up a little bit. Scott Bywater will be playing a set of original songs at Farm to Table on the 19^th June.

B.B. 'Beale Street Blues Boy' King,
with 'Lucille' in 2008.
pic: http://www.bbking.com

Jeffro Sills is a blues guitar player from Chicago, now living in Phnom Penh. The experienced fret-master spent decades perfecting his craft in Chicago music clubs - where the hours are long, the standard is high and the audiences know the difference between hokum and hill country blues! Jeffro will, this weekend, be heading up a special blues band put together to pay tribute to the recently departed music legends B.B. King, Ben E. King and Percy Sledge – as well as the late Albert King. Phnom Penh musical heavyweights Lewis Pragasam (drums), 'Big' Chris Hilleary (bass), Jeff Sleeman (guitar), Ken White (harmonica) and 'Scoddy' Bywater (guitar, vocals) make up the sextet, with special guests to include Detroit's own 'Smokin' Kenny Smith. The band will perform, for one night only, at Sharky Bar this Friday. Let the good times roll!

This artwork is awesome! http://www.kinglychee.com

King Ly Chee are a hardcore punk band from Hong Kong. Having toured for the past fifteen years and recorded nine albums, the band are a major component of the Asian rock music scene. Their current Asian tour consists of ten gigs in nine different cities, across six different countries... in ten days! ...now that's hardcore! The Cambodian date of the King Ly Chee tour will take place at Showbox in Phnom Penh on Wednesday night. The show looks set to achieve ground-shuddering, legendary status with the announcement that renowned Cambodian head-bangers Sliten6ix will be re-forming to support King Ly Chee at this gig! We truly hope that the modestly-proportioned Showbox can contain such an epic pairing of hardcore heaviness. Should be a great night. Check out the excellent King Ly Chee website for songs, photos and lots more information about the band.

Cambodian raggamuffins Dub Addiction are on a two-month hiatus at the moment. Check out their very latest music video below, filmed last month at Links Music store in Phnom Penh.

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

JOE WRIGLEY

Post Script: a preemptory word regarding gigs taking place on Friday the 19^th June: Leng Pleng has heard through the grapevine that some music events are being cancelled on this, the scheduled day of mourning for Senate President Chea Sim.