home "You live in Phnom Penh... And you live in New York City..."
Dengue Fever's rising up...
Sf-like cross-over
Interview with the Dengue Fever
Halfways between Long Beach and Phnom Penh, the Dengue Fever releases a new album, Venus on
Earth. The band confirms its roots, especially speaking about surf music, but with an eye
on world music tradition. A mix that makes me think on sf. Just listen to them and say
I'm wrong! That's why the Uchronicles has decided about this interview.
Hello DF and welcome on The Uchronicles. Where does your inspiration come out from?
Wine, woman, and whiskey. That and all music that transcends space and time.
It's been written that you focus on the music that was played in Vietnam during the war in the '60's. Is this true?
Actually it's music that was written in Cambodia during the Viet Nam war. We used that as a template to start from but we
have added our own influences into the mix over time.
How did you decide to mix together pop-rock and Asian music or Asian atmospheres?
It was a natural mix of what the band was listening to at the time.
Myself, I find your music rather close to the style of bands just like B52's. Do you think to owe something to them?
The link would be that both the B52's and the popular Cambodian song writers of the 60's were influenced by American surf music.
I would say we all owe something to the Ventures, the Beach Boys etc...
Does Frank Zappa mean anything for your inspiration?
Several members of Dengue Fever are influenced by Frank Zappa but it was never a conscious decision to use
his influence in our music.
There is also a psychedelic nuance in your Venus on Earth? I'm thinking especially of Seeing Hands.
Yes, that is something we intentionally strive for. Nothing over the top but we like to live in the 4th dimension once in a while.
Another influence I can hear on your music is the genre called "garage". Am I wrong?
You are right. It comes from the 60's style of rock n roll.
Chhom Nimol's splendid vocals have intrigued and fascinated me and all of my friends. Did you, Chhom, start singing in your
home country?
I did. I started singing traditional Cambodian songs with my family who are also performers.
Still for Chhom - and the others: How did the band first meet and decide to make music together?
The band all knew each through mutual friends or from playing music together at other times. Nimol, was found
singing in Long Beach, California by Ethan (farfisa) and Zac (guitar). She was singing in dinner clubs to pay her rent.
I got the idea that there may be a special thread connecting the songs in Venus on Earth, a kind of story. The tracks blend very well together with each other.
Can this record be seen as a sort of concept-album?
There is no preconceived concept other than trying to put a group of songs together that share a common thread of either tones or feel.
Did you ever play in Italy? Could you figure to do it?
We have not played in Italy yet but would love to. Most of us have been there and we all agree it's a beautiful country with great people. I'm sure we will
make it there soon.
What are you working to after Venus on Earth?
We will be touring on and off for the remainder of the year to support Venus on Earth. When we aren't touring we are planning on recording new material that can
transport all of us to the center of Venus where the woman are beautiful and everyone loves good music.
