Dengue Fever, Winter, Summer Twins, Roya

For those trainspotting at home, the Los Angeles based Cambodian and American band DENGUE FEVER (www.denguefevermusic.com) released their first album, (2003’s self-titled debut) with no idea how it would be received. Was Khmer-rock, or the very idea of covering lost classic Cambodian songs, even something that would resonate with music fans? Would anyone in the indie community want to hear songs in Khmer? Would anyone in the world music community want to hear psych or garage rock? More than a decade and four additional releases later, the band is about to embark on their longest tour ever with the equally inspiring Tinariwen, and with more national and international tours coming, the answer to that question is an emphatic YES.

In fact, the reaction to Dengue Fever’s music was so strong in the early 2000s that the band’s sophomore album, 2005’s Escape from Dragon House was an attempt to steady the waves their debut caused by expanding their boundaries writing original material. All the while, they still needed to keep the key elements of their debut intact. Oh, and could you dance to it? Again, an emphatic and resounding “Yes!” from the sweaty bodies and revelry at shows from Europe to Asia, Russia to Brazil, and from the United Arab Emirates to Australia & New Zealand.

Today, partly because of those first two albums, Dengue Fever are recognized for their trademark blend of sixties Cambodian pop and psychedelic rock. Later, albums like Venus on Earth, Cannibal Courtship and the lesser known In The Ley Lines, cemented the band as true global pioneers who are constantly evolving their sound forward. By 2013, with the formation of the band’s own label, Tuk Tuk Records, Dengue Fever began the process of taking control of their legacy as the vast majority of their catalog reverted back to the band. In 2017, Dengue Fever are set to release deluxe edition reissues of their first two albums with bonus tracks, expanded liner notes, upgraded artwork and new packaging. The reissues of their debut release and their sophomore album will be released on March 31 in North America and May 26 for the rest of the world.

DENGUE FEVER’s newly established independence as both label owners and artists marks yet another chapter in the continual evolution of a group unlike many other bands in the Los Angeles music scene. Their eponymous debut was packed chock full of ‘lost’ Khmer covers, the band paid homage to Khmer rock, a hybrid of Vietnam War-era surf, psych and classic rock performed by Cambodian giants like Ros Sereysothea, Pan Ron and Sinn Sisamouth.

The band’s sophomore release (the critically acclaimed sophomore follow-up, Escape from Dragon House) found them writing and performing original material in earnest. Amazon.com named Dragon House the #1 international release for 2005, and Mojo magazine named it in their Top 10 World Music releases of 2006.

In 2008, their third release Venus on Earth quickly became the band’s best-selling album. It garnered praise from both critics and fans the world over. In fact, Venus found support from iconic musicians such as Peter Gabriel, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, and Ray Davies, who each made mention of the bands impressive sound in the press.

Their fourth record, In The Ley Lines (2009) was recorded live at Real World Records studios. Packed with reworked titles, a driving live set and an introduction by Peter Gabriel (!), this is likely the least known and least explored in their catalog.

DENGUE FEVER’s fifth release, Cannibal Courtship (Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group), was released in April 2011 and found the band expanding beyond their usual comfort zone and experimenting with new sounds.

DENGUE FEVER’s most recent album, The Deepest Lake (2015) put the band in the proverbial driver’s seat with no outside entity contributing to the project. This was 100% their project – conceptualizing recording, manufacturing, and releasing it via their own label. Again, the band pushed their boundaries, adding elements of Cambodian hip-hop, Latin grooves and Afro percussion to their familiar sound.

The roots of DENGUE FEVER began in the late 1990’s with a 6-month trek through Southeast Asia by Keyboardist Ethan Holtzman. Returning to Los Angeles with a suitcase crammed full of Cambodian cassette tapes, Holtzman and his brother Zac, who had discovered the same music while working at a record store in San Francisco, reunited. The brothers soon bonded over their love of vintage Cambodian rock and in 2002 founded the band with saxophonist David Ralicke (Beck/Brazzaville), drummer Paul Dreux Smith, and bassist Senon Williams (Radar Brothers). Shortly thereafter the members were on hot pursuit for the ideal Cambodian chanteuse to complete their outfit. After a short period of musical courtship that began at a Cambodian nightclub in Long Beach, CA, Chhom Nimol joined the band when she realized the guys shared a genuine passion for the music and culture of her homeland.

That passion is a cross pollination of Khmer rock, garage rock, psychedelic rock and the British Invasion sound that has pushed the band to heights they could only dream of in 2002. DENGUE FEVER as performed in front of thousands of fans at such noted music festivals as WOMAD (UK, AUS, NZ), WOMEX (Spain), Melbourne Festival (AUS), Glastonbury (UK), Bumerbshoot, (USA), Transmusicales (France), Roskilde (Denmark), Electric Picnic (Ireland), Peace and Love (Sweden), Treasure Island (USA) among many others. Their songs have appeared in films such as City of Ghosts, Jim Jarmusch’s, Broken Flowers, The Hangover 2, the Showtime series, Weeds, the HBO’s hit series True Blood (who named an entire episode after one of their songs) and featured the band’s music, CBS’ series CSI: Las Vegas and numerous independent documentaries.

With band profiles in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Mojo, Uncut, Magnet, Wired, NPR’s “Fresh Air”, Radio Australia, KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” and World Café Live, the time is truly ripe for at least another decade of breaking down more musical barriers. With bonus tracks, new liner notes, new packaging and upgraded artwork of course!


Winter is a dreamy indie rock band whose sound was conceived in Boston. Beginning as a
collaborative effort between Samira Winter and Nolan Eley, their first recordings culminated into the
2012 EP entitled Daydreaming. Following the release, Samira’s relocation to Los Angeles brought on
the recruit of additional members Matt Hogan (guitar), Justine Brown (bass), and Garren Orr (drums)
to create a band that would manifest her ultimate dreams.
The quartet released their first full-length album, Supreme Blue Dream, via Lolipop Records in 2015.
The aptly titled album floats on with a youthful sense of nostalgia and romanticized segues into
adulthood. Touching on not one, but two languages (English and Portuguese), this bi-lingual group of
dreamers do their part to lay us down softly while keeping listeners eager for each tune. Winter
aspires to connect others with their inner child by making blissful, beautiful and ethereal pop music.


Summer Twins is a band I started with my sister years ago.
But it's actually a lot more than that... It's a world we've created and a lifestyle that we live.

Justine and I grew up doing everything together, including starting our first band. As teenagers and outcasts at our school we were inspired by groups like The Ramones and The Donnas; their kinship and attitude that made being in a band seem so cool. At age 13, I picked up the guitar, and Justine, 15, taught herself to play drums. After learning some covers we began writing songs and were soon spending our school nights rehearsing in our parents’ basement and playing gigs. Our band was our safe haven in the treacherous world of high school.

After graduation all our friends moved away to college while we stayed in our hometown, Riverside, CA and attended community classes. While feeling left behind, I was not lost. Writing songs and playing shows felt natural to me – I never had to question it. So I kept doing it.

With Justine by my side and a few friends as our backing band, we played our first Summer Twins show in the basement in 2008. Our music was an exploration of modern indie with vocal harmonies inspired by ‘50s doo-wop and ‘60s garage. I poured myself into my songs, writing about love, heartbreak, and growing up.

As the leader of the band, I also discovered an exciting new identity in which I could dream up crazy ideas and bring them to life. Why not parade through the street before the show? Why not build a giant life-size paper boat to be photographed in? Why not stage a giant pillow fight in the middle of a field for a music video? Through the Summer Twins lens, anything could be made into art and “what ifs” became our own dreamy reality. As long as I had my band, I had a purpose and I felt like anything was possible.

Though our dreams were big, our early years were a blur of countless late night drives, playing to half empty rooms. Still, I was determined we would go somewhere, though I didn't know where. Slowly but surely we worked our way into the Los Angeles and Orange County music scenes, gaining the attention of fans and indie label, Burger Records.

The Burger Records boys were big dreamers too. With their help we released music on cassettes and vinyl, toured the country DIY-style and gained a following with music lovers around the world, landing our first tour in Japan - a dream come true!

With a few albums and many years hard work, we’ve built a following of dedicated fans and have garnered some amazing opportunities. But it hasn’t been easy as we trudge forward. Justine and I are now living in Los Angeles, working harder than ever to balance side jobs while fulfilling our dream of playing music full time. Like a lot of artists out here, we’re figuring it out as we go.

I can’t say that I’d still be playing if I didn’t have my sister by my side. After nearly a decade of playing in Summer Twins, Justine has found her own voice. As a multi-instrumentalist she started writing and recording her own music. Easy Love is the name she goes by and we’re now a band too, with Justine front and center, and a few friends and I backing her up. The music has a ‘90s vibe to it, with contagious pop melodies.

In addition to our two bands, we’ve also joined up with our friend, Samira, who we met through the LA music scene. We’re now playing and touring in her shoegaze-pop group, with Justine on bass and myself on guitar. Oddly enough, the band is called Winter.

Playing in three bands can be a lot to balance but I can’t imagine living any other way. Having support from one another is imperative with the current climate of the music industry.

As I grow and change over the years, Summer Twins continues to evolve with me. Our lineup is always changing, our aesthetic always morphing, but we’ll always be striving to make the best, most honest work we can. Songwriting is my therapy – my way of life and my way of coping with life – and the more I commit to it, the more I see how it can heal and inspire other people too. Summer Twins is a dream world in which I’ll keep on living. Anyone is welcome to join.

– Chelsea


Who is Patsy and what’s up with her Rats?

Patsy is Patsy Gelb, formerly of Scavenger Cunt and occasional collaborator of her father, Howe Gelb of Giant Sand. Her Rats consist of main-squeeze Christian Blunda (erstwhile Billy Jeans of Mean Jeans) and a rotating door of rock ‘n’ roll vermin-for-hire.