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The Cambodian Space Project story reads like some kinda cosmic prophecy foretelling a cataclysmic event. The stratospheric rise of Cambodia’s most renowned music export has caught those witnessing the spectacle of this cosmic cross-culture rock band (CSP) by surprise, not least its founding members.
In a strange twist of fate, co-pilots Kak Channthy and Tasmanian guitarist Julien Poulson met in a dimly lit KTV and embarked upon a mission to sing back to life the lost divas and rock legends of Cambodia’s golden age of rock’n’roll, all but wiped out by the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime. This extraordinary band has been at the forefront of an astonishing cultural revival in Cambodia.
The CSP has created a sound full of vibrancy, a heady trip through ethnic Khmer styles, psych-rock, motor city funk and Motownesque pop to the new – totally spaced-out – grooves of Southeast Asia today. No, it’s not a scene from Kill Bill. It’s The Cambodian Space Project, equal part ‘60s Cambodian rock’n’roll and trippy psychedelic Khmer soul.
Since 2009, The Cambodian Space Project has been on an undulating orbit of planet earth. Performing shows in more than 24 countries, wooing audiences in venues ranging from remote villages through to major arts centres and festivals worldwide. In 2018, Channthy was killed in a tragic road accident. Founding members Bong Sak – a farmer, drummer and former child soldier, bassist Bun Sophea, and guitarist Julien Poulson vowed to carry forward The CSP in homage to the legacy of Kak Channthy “the barefoot diva of the Cambodian rice fields”, and began again as the CSP Mothership, in tribute to the lost artists of Cambodia’s Golden Era such as Sinn Sisamouth, Ros Sereysothea and Pan Ron.
Take a listen to some of The Cambodian Space Project below:
Ahwin debuting with a rocksteady classic in Khmer @ Fish Island Records
The Boat - Kak Channthy, Paul Kelly and The Cambodian Space Project
The Passenger - The Cambodian Space Project
Today, CSP performs Cambodian dance hall hits from the sixties to present day. It’s hot, it’s spicey, and it’s an exhilarating experience! much like a Cambodian soup full of raw, wild, exotic flavours. The bands 6th album The Golden Phoenix is CSP at its shape-shifting transformative best – an electrifying mix of psychedelic funk, ethno-garage, and Khmer rock and soul… shut your eyes for just a moment and you’ll swear you’re in a Bruce Lee Movie.
"They’re a great band, the singer is amazing, really beautiful, the guitars really jump out at you, very affecting, great stuff." – NICK CAVE
“They are a great band who write hook heavy songs and play the holy heck out of them on stage.” – TIME OUT
“Tracks like “Chnam Oun Dop Pram Mouy” are just begging to be used to soundtrack the next Tarantino movie” – UNCUT
Support for the night is still to be announced. Doors open at 7:30pm and tickets can be purchased below:
The Cambodian Space Project Tickets, George Lane, St Kilda | TryBooking Australia
See you there :)