Leng Pleng

This weekend sees the launch, in Ta Jet Commune in Siem Reap, of a new NGO, Lovely Hearts Arts Academy, who aim to provide vocational based education and training with a focus on arts, technology and agriculture, filling a perceived gap in the sector.  In attendance will be Khmer Australian pop singer/songwriter Satiya, just back from his second tour of Europe, who is setting up the Lovely Hearts music programme.   From Paris, Satiya was good enough to answer some of our questions.

For many barang who read LengPleng, contemporary Cambodian pop is a bit of a mystery.  What music has influenced you as you have developed as an artist? Artists from the Khmer Golden Era such as Sinn Sisamouth, but also western artists like Michael Jackson and Babyface.

Your YouTube page describes you as a Cambodian Australian born in Battambang – do you think of yourself as having two homes?
Cambodia is home to me but I consider myself lucky to be living in the best of both worlds. I grew up in Australia with my heart in Cambodia. In Cambodia I can really connect with the people and the motherland through music. Australia has shaped me into the person I am today – I learned the western way of life while maintaining Khmer culture in my heart.

How do you see the development of Cambodian music in the future, both for yourself and your contemporaries?
Cambodia music continues to flourish because the new generations are like sponges, soaking up all influences.  They love to explore and learn new ways to do music in order to please the ears of their generation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Satiya has also found the time to co-found and act as Music Operations Director for 802 Angkor Crowne Music and Movie Productions.

This weekend’s activities in Siem Reap include a fundraising karaoke night at Siem Reap Homie Pub on Friday night and an open house on Saturday at Lovely Hearts where Satiya will be taking a break from a busy schedule at the SEA Games to meet the students and present his ideas about the coming music programme.  Details for making donations to the NGO can be found on their Facebook page.

Find out more about Satiya at his YouTube channel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: supplied