Around the World in 4 BPM

During the four years of Khmer Rouge’s horrific reign of terror, 1.5 million civilian deaths overshadowed the rise of Cambodia’s rollicking and unique music scene. Developed before the Communist movement began its destruction, the genre — a mashup of Eastern flavors and our very own rock ’n’ roll — is...

By Raina McLeod

April 30, 2009

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During the four years of Khmer Rouge’s horrific reign of terror, 1.5 million civilian deaths overshadowed the rise of Cambodia’s rollicking and unique music scene. Developed before the Communist movement began its destruction, the genre — a mashup of Eastern flavors and our very own rock ’n’ roll — is so vibrant it’s difficult to imagine torture and iron-fisted rule playing out against such a soundtrack. L.A.-based band Dengue Fever for years has been blending ’60s Cambodian pop with a potpourri of world music, and now the group has forayed onto the silver screen with the rockumentary Sleepwalking Through the Mekong.

This Monday at 8 p.m., watch the band’s journey through Cambodia. It marks a homecoming for lead singer Chhom Nimol, and for you it will be a celebration of how music can transcend culture and continents.
Mon., May 4, 8 p.m., 2009

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