***for full gig listings jump to the bottom***
Greetings:
The Deck gets things started tonight with The Argies (Argentina) plus Soselo Summer, Radioactive Death Monkey and We Are Ewe. The Extraordinary Chambers are as usual late at Oscar’s on the Corner and in Siem Reap Rod & Chema are at Harry’s & The Welsh Consulate.
On Friday in Phnom Penh, a jazz trio made up of Funky, Daisuke & Metta are at Green Pepper, then you can find Los Primos at Craft, Green Leaf Motif at Botanico and The Broken Cymbal at The Tin Hat. The Sock Essentials celebrates a special birthday at Tacos Kokopelli while Soselo Summer, We Are Ewe and Gaby Courroux are at Birdcage, Arome Khmer are at Cloud and Big D Walker is at Hideout. Going late, The Visa Runners are at Oscar’s on the Corner. In Kampot the Jampot open mic is hosted by Roberto Salgado at Karma Traders, and in Siem Reap Salazar Quartet are at Villa D and Jam-Cha is at Supernova Bar.
In Phnom Penh on Saturday Alisha is solo at Sra’Art, Green Leaf Motif are at Seekers Spirits and The Broken Cymbal at Botanico. You can also find Japan Guitar Shop at The Deck, Intan Andriana & the Blue Souls teaming up at Au Marche and Sister Srey beginning a residency at Rosewood. For the louder stuff, Stiff Little Punks return to Oscar’s on the Corner. In Kampot, Low Season Riders and Kampot Playboys are at Meraki and The Sock Essentials are at 1960 Restaurant. In Siem Reap, Jae Anne’s Soul Urge are at Arin’s and PMAC is at The Welsh Consulate.
Looking forward to Sunday, Villa Grange hosts Jazz splash with Javelle, Hess & Potter, Stu Cottom is at Bar Oz, Liam Jones is guest host at the Sunday Sundowners open mic at Tacos Kokopelli. Miss Sarawan are at Waterside and Sons Do Brazil are at The Vine, and later Joe & the Jumping Jacks are at Oscar’s on the Corner . In Kampot, Kong Boran, The Sock Essentials, The Bald Gringos and Scoddy Bywater take part in an afternoon Radio Oun live lounge at the Lotus Pond, and in the evening Low Season Riders are at 1960 Restaurant. In Siem Reap, Swing Reapers are at Villa D.
At the other end of the weekend Oscar’s on the Corner hosts an (early) metal night featuring Hexis (Denmark) plus Doch Chkae, Nightmare AD, As The Heart Betrays and Sinners Turned Saints (Thailand), then late it’s blues as usual with The Blues Conspiracy. Atlantis Metal Bar in Siem Reap hosts HEXIS and Sinners Turned Saints on Tuesday night.
Department of Bang Your Head Part 1
Mia of Get in the Penh Promotions writes:
HEXIS + Support Acts Live In Phnom Penh
Merging violent Hardcore, desolate Black Metal, brooding post-Metal and elements of Dark Ambient with bass-driven Industrial and Grind, Denmark’s HEXIS are back to Cambodian shores – they first played in Phnom Penh back in 2017 with Malaysian Death Metal band Insinner and local support acts Nightmare A.D. and Sliten6ix. Get In The Penh presents HEXIS at Oscar’s on the Corner as part of their world tour (playing countries as diverse as Timor-Leste, Japan, Thailand and Kyrgystan) to promote their latest album Aeternum, out on Debemur Morti Productions. The show will also feature Thailand’s Sinners Turned Saints, along with local favourites Doch Chkae, Nightmare A.D. and As The Heart Betrays. Monday 15 May, starting at 7 pm and ending by 10 pm – come early to avoid disappointment. Tickets are 10,000 Riel (US$2.50) per person and merch will be available for sale.
HEXIS: hexisband.bandcamp.com, facebook.com/hexisband
Get In The Penh: facebook.com/getinthepenh
Oscars On The Corner: Oscar’s on the Corner
Sinners Turned Saints: sinnersturnedsaints.bandcamp.com, facebook.com/sinnersturnedsaintsth
Nightmare A.D.: nightmaread.bandcamp.com, facebook.com/nightmaread
Doch Chkae: dochchkae.bandcamp.com, facebook.com/dochchkaecambodia
As The Heart Betrays: facebook.com/astheheartbetrays
Department of Bang Your Head Part 2
A Little Extra on HEXIS
The Asian 2023 tour by Danish band HEXIS began a couple of weeks ago in Dili, Timor-Leste, and comes through Cambodia early next week. Somewhere in the midst of the Japan/Taiwan leg of the tour vocalist Filip Andersen was able to hastily and sleepily answer some questions.
Department of New Releases
New releases last week included a new single, Karma, by Summer Lee Carlson, on all streaming platforms, and new videos on YouTube by Sochi, the songwriter from the Sochi & Stan duo that produced Cheap Charlie – Why you block me on Facebook? and If can stop, should to stop.
The LengPleng Feature
Colouring outside the lines: the slow rise of Soselo Summer
As their Facebook page notes, Soselo Summer have been “failing to meet their full potential in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for some time now.” They’ve got a bunch of gigs coming up this weekend and next, and LengPleng decided it was time to hear what they have to say for themselves – Ned, Ronan, John, Neil and Felix (Hansley was unavailable) gathered for a post-rehearsal chat in the garden at Cloud.
LengPleng:
What is the creation myth of Soselo Summer?
Ned:
When Blood Bricks broke up I wanted to start another band, and I wanted to work with Ronan because he sings like an angel in a heavenly choir. I wanted him to not play guitar but just sing, doing songs like David Bowie’s Modern Love – sailor suits, the whole thing – which was not the direction we eventually went in.
Passing Chords – a few things you may not know about
Stewart McDonnell AKA Stewie Ramone. Newly returned lead singer for the Stiff Little Punks, also a veteran of Rock’n’Roll High School, The Sharky Ramones, Stiff Little Drunks, The Lazy Drunks, and Oasis tribute bands Mad Fer It and Osmosis. A re-organised Stiff Little Punks returns to Oscar’s on the Corner this Saturday night.
Do you have a pet musical hate?
I don’t really like heavy metal and hard rock.
A private musical indulgence:
When I was a teenager I used to buy a lot of records by Vanessa Paradis, specially imported from France. She was my childhood sweetheart. She married Johnny Depp, so I was a bit jealous of him. And she dated Lenny Kravitz and I was jealous of him too. Also Enigma’s MCMXC AD, I could sit alone and play that three or four times in a row.
The year you first came to Cambodia:
Late in 2009. I came here because of women – exes chased me out of the UK. Then I met my wife.
An early music memory:
My stepfather and his twin brother – who looked like Chas & Dave – had a band called Needles and Pins. They used to do a Beatles medley that was nine or ten minutes long. When I was a kid I’d pretend I was a roadie, carrying mic stands and speakers that weren’t too heavy. After the show they’d all descend on my house and play Roger Whittaker all night long.
The last thing you had to eat:
Pad krapow.
A country you want to visit:
I’ve been to about 59 countries so far. Australia and New Zealand are off my bucket list because of insects. I’ve been to every country in Europe, I’ve been to Mexico. I would choose a South American country – Peru, to see Machu Picchu.
A book or movie you keep going back to:
The last book I read was at school, and that as All Quiet on the Western Front. A film that I’ve watched over one hundred times is Back to the Future II. I’ve seen the other two maybe 50 times, II was my favourite. I used to think I was Michael J Fox, with a denim jacket and a skateboard.
What languages do you have?
French, German, Dutch, a bit of Polish and Spanish, Khmer and English.
Your primary instrument, and when you started playing it:
I used to play a bit on the instruments my stepdad had. Bass, organ. But nothing stuck. The first time I did karaoke I sang Achy Breaky Heart at a wedding and it went down well. I used to drive for a living and would sing in the truck and practice songs I could do for karaoke.
Something people might be surprised to know about you:
I have six children.
You have a time machine and a magic ticket to one gig or festival in the past. What do you choose?
I’d love to go to the Cavern the first time the Beatles played there. And I’d go and see the great Oasis reunion concert in 2040.
A question from the last participant – how is the music scene here different from where you lived before?
Birmingham has the O2 arena, the NIA, the NEC, and then loads of little bars with really good tribute bands, there’s a lot more choice when it comes to professional bands. Phnom Penh is more diverse and more compact, but I don’t get out much these days.
Department of Mutual Support: Friends of LengPleng
LengPleng is now offering (further) assistance in promoting live music throughout Cambodia. Being a Friend of LengPleng will assist venues and musical acts in promoting direct to our growing readership: the committed live music audience. Becoming a Friend of LengPleng will get your logo into the weekly email and onto the weekly wrap page, – see below – and all your gig listings will automatically click through to a page on our website (i.e. a non-Facebook presence for those punters who don’t Facebook) for further information, photos, videos and so on. We can create a starter page, then it is yours to change as you please. Oscar’s on the Corner, Little Susie and The Deck are now onboard – Individuals may also wish to nominate a venue or band to support either anonymously or for the personal glory.
Your contributions will help us keep the lights on and upgrade the infrastructure to more reliable levels at LengPleng Towers – $25 for three months, $40 for six months and $75 for 12 months. Everything else stays free. Email gigs@lengpleng.com for further details.
Steve Porte Photo(s) of the Week
Halloween in May? Music video shoot outside Oscar’s on the Corner, Tuesday 9 May 2023
If you wish to receive LengPleng in your inbox every Thursday please send a subscribe email to gigs@lengpleng.com.
Musicians, venues, punters: if there are things you know that LengPleng should know, please tell us and we’ll do our best to tell the world.
See you around the traps.
your correspondent,
Guillermo Wheremount
LengPleng.com
gigs@lengpleng.com (mailto:gigs@lengpleng.com)
Weekly Gig Guide – week commencing Thursday 11 May 2023
** residency/weekly
For DJs and clubs, we recommend Phnom Penh Underground
Thursday
- Stu Cottom, 5 pm, Villa Grange **
- House band, 6 pm, SIM Sky Bar **
- Mediterranean vibes with Phil Javelle, 6.30 pm, Elephant Bar **
- Pristine & Ace, 7 pm, Botanico
- Antonio & The Creative Mind, 7 pm, Waterside **
- Rhythm & Soul, 7 pm, Plantation **
- House band, 7 pm, Yang Pov Riverside **
- Jam session, 7 pm, Tiki Garden (Kampot)
- The Exile, 7 pm, Pasta La Vista (Siem Reap) **
- Kevin Sysyn, 7.30 pm, Little Susie **
- Intan Andriana & Friends, 7.30 pm, The Attic **
- Art Chemistry, 7.30 pm, Hard Rock Café Phnom Penh **
- Soul Diva Band, 7.30 pm, Hotel Cambodiana **
- Rod & Chema, 7 pm, Harry’s & The Welsh Consulate (Siem Reap)
- Argies (Argentina) plus Soselo Summer, Radioactive Death Monkey and We Are Ewe, 8 pm, The Deck
- Ramy Falcon & Ng Elnarra, 8 pm, Hideout
- Phnom Penh Vibes, 8 pm, Prince Brewing **
- Open mic, 8.30 pm, Cloud
- Big D Walker & George, 9 pm, The Confidential **
- Kevin Sysyn, 10 pm, Excelsior
- The Extraordinary Chambers, 10 pm, Oscar’s on the Corner **
Friday
- Funky, Daisuke & Metta jazz trio, 6.30 pm, Green Pepper
- Los Primos, 6.30 pm, Craft
- Phil Javelle, 30 pm, Elephant Bar **
- Green Leaf Motif, 7 pm, Botanico
- The Broken Cymbal, 7 pm, The Tin Hat
- Khmer Magic Music Bus, 7 pm, Bouchon Wine Bar **
- Mina & Gravity Band, 7 pm, Metropole Underground **
- House band, 7 pm, Yang Pov Riverside **
- Jampot open mic with Roberto Salgado, 7 pm, Karma Traders (Kampot) **
- Salazar Quartet, 7 pm, Villa D (Siem Reap) **
- The Sock Essentials, 7.30 pm, Tacos Kokopelli
- Soselo Summer, We Are Ewe and Gaby Courroux, 7.30 pm, Birdcage
- (TBA), 7.30 pm, Little Susie
- Art Chemistry, 7.30 pm, Hard Rock Café Phnom Penh **
- MM Band, 30 pm, Arin’s (Siem Reap) **
- Open mic, 8 pm, Sam’s
- Phnom Penh Vibes, 8 pm, Prince Brewing **
- Arome Khmer, 8.30 pm, Cloud
- Big D Walker, 8.30 pm, Hideout **
- The Bald Gringos, 8.30 pm, KAPAL (Kampot)
- Efren, 9 pm, Beer O’Clock **
- Jam-Cha, 8.30 pm, Supernova Bar (Siem Reap)
- The Visa Runners, 10 pm, Oscar’s on the Corner
Saturday
- Alisha, 6 pm, Sra’Art
- Green Leaf Motif, 6 pm, Seekers Spirits
- House band, 6 pm, SIM Sky Bar **
- Outatime Saturdays with Phil Javelle, 30 pm, Elephant Bar **
- Mirasol, Euan & James, 6.30 pm, Ox Club **
- The Broken Cymbal, 7 pm, Botanico
- Rhythm & Soul, 7 pm, Plantation **
- House band, 7 pm, Yang Pov Riverside **
- Low Season Riders and Kampot Playboys, 7 pm, Meraki (Kampot)
- (TBA), 7 pm, Kep Natural (Kep)
- The Exile, 7 pm, Pasta La Vista (Siem Reap)**
- La Union, 7.30 pm, Le Moon
- Phnom Penh Vibes, 7.30 pm, Prince Brewing
- Alex, 7.30 pm, Little Susie **
- Art Chemistry, 7.30 pm, Hard Rock Café Phnom Penh **
- The Sock Essentials, 7.30 pm, 1960 Restaurant (Kampot)
- Japan Guitar Shop, 8 pm, The Deck
- Intan Andriana & the Blue Souls, 8 pm, Au Marche
- Sister Srey, 8 pm, Rosewood **
- Phnom Penh Vibes, 8 pm, Prince Brewing **
- Jae Anne’s Soul Urge, 8 pm, Arin’s (Siem Reap)
- PMAC, 8 pm, The Welsh Consulate (Siem Reap)
- The Bald Gringos, 8.30 pm, KAPAL (Kampot)
- Stiff Little Punks, 10 pm, Oscar’s on the Corner
Sunday
- Jazz splash with Javelle, Hess & Potter, 2 pm, Villa Grange
- Kong Boran, The Sock Essentials, The Bald Gringos, 3 pm, Radio Oun/Lotus Pond
- Miss Sarawan, 5 pm, Waterside
- Sunday sessions with Sons Do Brazil, 5 pm, The Vine
- Sundays with Stu Cottom, 5 pm, Bar Oz **
- Sunday Sundowners open mic with guest host Liam Jones, 5 pm, Tacos Kokopelli **
- House band, 7 pm, Yang Pov Riverside **
- Swing Reapers, 7 pm, Villa D (Siem Reap) **
- Sunday piano sessions with Jim Latt, 7 pm, Miss Wong (Siem Reap)**
- JunRockz, 7.30 pm, Little Susie **
- Open mic with Roberto Salgado, 7.30 pm, Funky Durian (Kampot)
- MM Band, 30 pm, Arin’s (Siem Reap) **
- Dennis, 8 pm, Can Can
- Low Season Riders, 8.30 pm, 1960 Restaurant (Kampot)
- Joe & the Jumping Jacks, 10 pm, Oscar’s on the Corner **
Monday
- Pierre, 5 pm, Little Susie
- Pu No, 5 pm, Autumn **
- Hexis (Denmark) plus Doch Chkae, Nightmare AD, As The Heart Betrays and Sinners Turned Saints (Thailand), 7 pm, Oscar’s on the Corner – R10,000 entry
- Phil Javelle, 7 pm, The Confidential
- House band, 7 pm, Yang Pov Riverside **
- (TBA), 7 pm, Tiki Garden (Kampot)
- Diego Dimarques, 7 pm, Villa D (Siem Reap) **
- MM Band, 30 pm, Arin’s (Siem Reap) **
- Kevin Sysyn, 8.30 pm, Voodoo Saloon **
- The Blues Conspiracy, 10 pm, Oscar’s on the Corner
Tuesday
- David Z, 6.30 pm, Craft
- Alli G, 7 pm, Golden Bar
- Phnom Penh Ukulele Circle, 7 pm, Bong Bonlai restaurant (YK Art House)**
- House band, 7 pm, Yang Pov Riverside **
- Metal night featuring HEXIS, Saints Turned Sinners and more, 7 pm, Atlantis Metal Bar (Siem Reap)
- Sokunthea Duk and Kevin Keo, 7 pm, Villa D (Siem Reap)
- Antonio Elchico, 7.30 pm, Little Susie **
- MM Band, 30 pm, Arin’s (Siem Reap) **
- Lone Star Saloon open mic, 8 pm, Lone Star Saloon **
- The Cosys, 8 pm, Karma Traders (Kampot)
- Temple, 10 pm, Oscar’s on the Corner **
Wednesday
*Note that Wednesday events are often not announced until early in the week – check back here for updates*
- Pu No, 5 pm, Autumn **
- Sabor Latino: Phil Javelle & & Ng Elnarra, 30 pm, Elephant Bar **
- Takeshi Trio, 7 pm, Little Susie
- Big D Walker & The Blue Souls, 7 pm, Bouchon Wine Bar
- Greg Beshers & Marianna Hensley, 7.30 pm, Voodoo Boulevard
- The Broken Cymbal, 8.30 pm, 10 May, Meta House
- Ramy Falcon & Ng Elnarra, 9 pm, The Confidential **
- SR epic open mic, 8 pm, Laundry (Siem Reap) **
- blender, 10 pm, Oscar’s on the Corner **
Coming soon:
- Danny Healy Swing 3, 6.30 pm, 19 May, Craft
- Los Primos, 10 pm, 20 May, Oscar’s on the Corner
- Antonio Elchico & Toyoyuki, 7.30 pm, 24 May, Voodoo Boulevard
- Jam-Cha, 4 pm, 21 May, New Leaf (Siem Reap)
- Stu Cottom, 6.30 pm, 23 May, Craft
- The Broken Cymbal, 8 pm, 24 May, Meta House
- The Broken Cymbal, 6.30 pm, 26 May, Craft
- Cardboard Lo-Fi, 7 pm, 26 May, Botanico
- Penh Pals, 8 pm, 27 May, Cloud
- Nestor & Lily, 9.30 pm, 27 May, Mayazon
- The Broken Cymbal, 8 pm, 31 May, Meta House
- The Blue Souls, 6.30 pm, 2 June, Craft