Playback Field Recordings: Dengue Fever

For the latest installment in our Playback Field Recording video series, Playback Editor-in-Chief Erik Philbrook and Deputy Editor Lavinia Jones Wright sat down with Cambodian pop/rock band Dengue Fever, who visited ASCAP's New York City "living room" to discuss their unique musical hybrid and perform a song from their acclaimed new album, Venus on Earth.

Dengue Fever is a six-member band from Los Angeles who combine Cambodian pop music and lyrics with psychedelic rock. They were formed in 2001 by brothers Ethan and Zac Holtzman after Ethan was inspired by a trip to Cambodia. Lead singer Chhom Nimol, a well-known Cambodian performer, was discovered performing at a nightclub in Long Beach, California as Ethan and Zac were searching for a vocalist. Zac performs vocals and guitar, while Ethan plays the Farfisa organ. Also in the band are bassist Senon Williams, drummer Paul Smith, and David Ralicke on brass.

Their self-titled debut album was released in 2003. All lyrics on the earlier albums are sung in Khmer, while their third album, Venus on Earth, introduces some songs in English. The Los Angeles Times calls it "Sexy and eclectic…world music for the cool kids."

Their second album, Escape from Dragon House, was released in 2005, and contained many original songs. It will be re-released on limited edition colored vinyl on August 26th, 2008. Escape from Dragon House was one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005.

Playback Editors Erik Philbrook and Lavinia Wright recently met Dengue Fever at ASCAP where they talked about their formation and inspirations, and performed a tune exclusively for ASCAP. The band is currently on tour this summer playing numerous shows on both sides of the Atlantic.




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