FEATURED INTERVIEWS 07                         

Dengue Fever

Los Angeles based Dengue Fever is unlike anything you have heard before. Their fresh approach to music, uncommon pop/world sound and Chhom Nimol's hauntingly sweet vocals are absolutely fantastic and is garnering very well deserved critical acclaim. Frantik takes a moment to talk to Paul and Senon of Dengue Fever about their soon to be released third-full length and what the biggest misconception is about Dengue Fever.

Gian: You're third full length CD is set to be released on January of 2008. You guys are obviously putting in some work on this one and the world and I are extremely excited to hear the new stuff. What went into making this album as far as production, songwriting, and basically just putting everything together?

Senon: We Tracked to a Studer 24 track machine, the thing is like having a lovely friend who wants your music to sound lovely. we really wanted a deep low end on this album for Nimols vocals to soar over. we decided to take the basic tracks back to my studio, The Compound, and upgrade our gear so we could chill, and make the record we wanted to with no time constraints...this really helps the writing process because we were doing a fair bit while recording. we also were able to make some jams into songs and record more tunes then we needed, kind of like a ceramicist, we may pick up a couple pieces of clay and make something else later.

Gian: Was there a certain type of feel or direction that you guys wanted to get across with your soon to be released album rather than just busting out the old formula? In other words, was there anything that you guys did different this time around for this album, to make it an instant classic Dengue Fever album?

Senon: I think classics are made with the intent of being contemporary. we really like taking what we love and making something new or timeless. as we all know we were initially heavily influenced by 60's psych rock, but now we were more concerned with making an album that was us and the sound that we make together, an album that our fans will know is Dengue Fever and nothing else, a record that is now.

Gian: I must say, you guys play some interesting shows and there's not a lot of bands that can achieve that type of variety of shows. What do you guys think contributes to you guys playing such a wide array and such a variety of shows?

Senon: A lot of people are into music that comes from all over the world, they can feel something from our tunes because Chhom Nimol sings in Khmai with soaring other worldly melodies. the fans of dance and rock can get into it because our live gigs are parties, there's a hard grove and a little distortion and delay don't hurt either.

Gian: I myself think that it's an advantage that Ms. Nimol sings in Cambodian and she does it beautifully well, as been told by my Cambodian friends and I myself, feel that it's fresh and eccentric. Do you guys ever think about that singing in a certain language might become a disadvantage at some point because of the language barrier or is this an advantage?

Senon: We think Nimol singing in any language is an advantage . Nimol wanted to sing in more English on the new record, so we do. i think it is the sound of her voice with the music and the overall vibe of the band that shines through. we will continue writing songs in Khmai and English, 'cause that's what our background is....we may be singing in Spanish soon, 'cause we live in L.A.

Gian: Now I haven't gotten the chance to see the documentary as of yet but am definitely planning to catch it as soon as it becomes available. Why was it so necessary to make a documentary of your first shows outside of the U.S. aside from the fact that it was the first time a western-based band performed Khmer Rock in Cambodia since Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge took over in 1975?

Senon: The Making of our film Sleepwalking Through the Mekong was only necessary in getting our band to Cambodia, it allowed us to raise Money to make the trip possible. only later while making the film, hanging out, playing gigs and finding out more and more about the genocide during the pol pot regime, learning to the extent the near complete annihilation of the pre-Khmer rouge Cambodian Culture and music do we start realizing how important our film is to the Cambodian people who see it and to all that don't know about their history and realizing there is a lot more to know and a lot more to learn. Cambodian history has many things the world needs to remember.

Gian: Aside from Nimol, what did the rest of the band learn from the travel overseas and what did you guys find most interesting about Cambodia?

Paul: Experiencing the culture first hand definitely gave those of us who had never been there a better understanding of both Nimol's background and the atmosphere that created Khmer rock n roll. Getting a feeling for the Cambodian people, their warmth and strong sense of brotherhood was really impressive.

Gian: With all of the different personalities and different backgrounds in your band, how do you guys make it work and how did all of you guys come together in the first place?

Paul: We were all friends in a six degrees sort of way so when we were forming it was just a matter of reaching out to friends we thought would be interested in the project. No one person in the band is an egomaniac which makes it hell of a lot easier to get along. We argue but at the end of the day we are family. A good stew requires more than one ingredient, we have six good ingredients.

Gian: So how does Dengue Fever spend their time when not making music or out on tour? Relaxation? Hobbies?

Paul: When not touring, we scour the Northwest in search of Big Foot. We have seen him once but we have smelled him many times. We also are building a space station that will transport rock n roll back to Venus where it all originated.

Gian: Let me ask you guys. What do you guys think of the current music scene and where do you guys think that music is headed to nowadays?

Paul: We are experiencing a major tide change and haven't come out the other side yet. With technology landing in the laps of the masses so many good things can happen and so many bad things can be recorded and promoted. I have faith that there will always be a group of people who want diverse, earnest music and there will always be a group of people who will provide it.

Gian: As musicians living in a digital world, what are you guys' thoughts about the current war of digital downloading vs. physical purchase?

Paul: There really isn't much of a war but rather a slow process of channeling people away from stores and onto web sites. The people who started buying music in record stores and enjoy artwork and liner notes will probably continue to do so. The amount of stores available will dwindle considerably until hopefully artwork and liner notes will be offered with digital product. What we do need is a better format than MP3s which are not good quality and are a step back from cds which are still stuck in a 16 bit format. Of course, if the average consumer doesn't care or notice than we will be stuck with the lowest common denominator. Demand better quality, damn it!

Gian: What is the biggest misconception about Dengue Fever?

Paul: That we were born of Earth.

Gian: Dengue Fever loves__________________________.

Paul: Your mama, peanut butter cups, and free weed after a booty shakin' show!

Gian: Thanks Guys!

To get more info about Dengue Fever and where they'll be playing next, please log onto their myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/denguefevermusic Make sure to pick up your copy of "Venus On Earth" when it hits the stores this January 2008!