Cambodian Space Project - 2011 A Space Oddyssey

FOR FANS OF: Cambodian 60's Psych Pop, Dengue Fever, Smiths, Kinks, Strokes, Shangri-la's.  Srey Thy The Cambodian Space Project's lead singer was born into war and poverty. Thy spent the first 10 years of her life moving about the frontlines of conflict (post Pol Pot) with her father, a tank driver, and has never had the opportunity to go to school.  She has an enormous repertoire of songs, mostly memorized and improvises many of her vocals. Today, Thy is  at the forefront of a revival of Khmer rock'n'roll, she writes original and witty lyrics in the style of the Chapei masters such as Kong Nay (Also her teacher and recruited to record for Peter Gabriel's Real World Label in the 1990's). The best example of this songwriting style is her story about trying, repeatedly to get visa for herself and the CSP to tour France in 2010 . The track called Have Visa No Have Rice tries to explain how even in France it's hard for a Cambodian to eat ! Before having a visa, I had to go to the French Embassy. Unexpectedly and nervously, I was granted the visa. Comfortably, I could fly to France and discover Paris. After my arrival, I was a bit sad because I couldn’t eat their food. They had bread and pizza while I could eat only rice.  The Cambodian Space Project have already had a busy 2011 on the back of their debut single released in mid 2010. In January they toured Australia playing alongside the likes of Grinderman & Phillip Glass. This was followed by a short tour of Southern China in February and then of to Austin's SXSW in March followed by dates in Colorado, Seattle & Portland. The band then returned to Cambodia for Khmer New Year in April and will then be travelling overland to Europe and playing dates on the way June through to  August finishing up with festival dates in the UK.  Press quotes : “If you’ve ever heard any of the Cambodia Rocks compilations, or just want an out-of-body experience, you’ll find this perfect”. Soundsxp.com //  “It really is as far away from the formal western music industry as you can get. Totally free of any concern about what's fashionable or who's doing what or whether there's a record company or agent looking at you. It Feels Like A Frontier” South China Morning Post  //  “A breath.....nay a blast of fresh air” Mark Coles / BBC World Service World Music Show  //  “Those who know Dengue Fever will find a familiar sound, though this, while staying with a retro rock sound, leans toward a more organic sound. Lead singer Srey Thy performs beautifully as the group revives a '60s rock style at once Cambodian and appealing to western ears.” Dubmc.com  //  “The tunes are Cambodian & Western 60′s psychedelic rock and pop blasted in to 2010. It’s already a collector’s item in my eyes, I love it and so will you.” Invisible Agent  //

Tracklisting:  

1. Snaeha Doc Toek Kmom - Love Like Honey 2:57
2. Chom 10 Kae Theav | Wait 10 Months More 3:53
3. Ban Juarp Pros Snae | I've Met My Love 2:53
4. Mean Visa Kmean Bai | Have Visa No Have Rice 2:29
5. Chnam Oun Dop Pram Mouy | I'm Sixteen 3:14
6. Tek Tum | Big Water 3:39
7. Pros Kangaroo | Kangaroo Boy 4:21
8. Rom Chong Vat A Go Go | Dancing A Go Go 3:22
9. Kolos Srey Chaom | Love God aka Venus 3:19

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