Thailand

The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band

A contemporary band started by two DJs who specialised in obscure music from across the continents, their lineup appropritely includes a phin lute player, as well as a khaen (a large harmonica instrument constructed from bamboo) player. They are an absolute joy to behold, from review: “They are backed by bass and drums, for a rousing debut album that mixes traditional Thai styles with echoes of folk-rock, blues and dub. There are passages of driving, hypnotic improvisation backed by sturdy western bass riffs.” Listen to them jamming out below, another great live performance here, and check out their bandcamp here.

Khun Narin

A contemporary band based in the rural provinence of Phetchabun, Khun Narin first gained global acclaim when one of their impromptu improvisational performances (see below) went viral on Youtube. With a wide range of instruments and a fluid line-up, their sound is very much driven by their improvisational outlook, with the band regularly playing at backyard parties and parades. They now have numerous studio recordings, see their bandcamp here.

The Petch Phin Thong Band

Playing “rhythmically funky pop tunes driven by khaen (bamboo mouth organ) and phin (lute) riffs”, The Petch Phin Thong band were one of many playing in the North Eastern music scene that blossomed in the 60’s and 70’s. Listen to ther track Soul Lam Plearn below, limited amounts of their work is available on Youtube.

Angkanang Kunchai

Playing in the 60’s and 70’s, from a review: “To unfamiliar ears, Angkanang Kunchai can sound like the Thai answer to The Velvet Underground. The songs weave between psychedelic rock rhythms and quiet Thai folk. The quieter moments leave room for Kunchai’s charming raspy voice, which effortlessly transitions from high vibrato notes to fast-paced talking and back. These melodies were written at a crucial time when the folk styles of Molam and Luk Thung were being mixed with western rock and Latin influences. ” Listen to her track Teoy Salap Pamaa below, and a yotube playlist of her work here.

Caravan

Playing soft psychedelic folk, Caravn were a political band writing songs critical of the dictatorial regime in Thailand as part of the democracy movement of the early 1970s. As one review puts it, their music is “uplifting and powerful even for those who don’t understand Thai.” Listen to the track Khon Phu Khao below, and a best of album here.

Thepporn Petchubon

Thepporn Petchubon was a late 70’s artist playing in North-Eastern Thailand. The Thai genre Luk Thug Isan is weaved into his sound alongside psych and funk influences, for a unique and groovy sound. Listen to his song in Pa Gun Tor below, a playlist of his work is available here.

Johnny Guitar



One of the first Thai guitar bands, they mixed Thai folk with the Thai pop genre a go go. Their sound mixes between upbeat grooves, and psychedelic dreamy tunes, with surf guitar throughout. Listen to their aptly named song Bangkok by Night below, most of their recordings are on Youtube.

Chak Mak Pai

A band for whom I can’t even find a full recording of anywhere, the video below is only half of a song before a different band is played, but it’s that good that I’m including it. From the video description: “A sleazy slice of 70’s funk with hints of latin, the two vocalists, better known as protagonists of a certain type of movie back in the day, make lewd allusions over 3 minutes of percussion driven heat!” If more of this band exists I’d like to know.

Cambodia

Ros Sereysothea

An artist often referred to as one of the greatest Cambodian singers andone of the most popular artists of the psychedelic/garage rock scene in 1970’s, Cambodia Ros Sereysothea recorded hundreds of songs in a sadly short lived career. Her music is a mixes many of the sounds of this scene, with doses of garage rock, surfy doo-op and psychedelic rock riffs, with high pitched, soulful vocals. Listen to her song Chnam oun Dop-Pram Muy below and to a collection of her work here.



Yol Aularong

One of the more obscure artists within the late 60’s early 70’s Cambodian scene, Yol Aularong is described as “a charismatic proto-punk who mocked conformist society”. That attitude definitely comes through in his 60’s garage punk sound, which has an element of 13th Floor Elevator’s to it. Listen to his song Yuvajon Kouge Jet below, a Youtube complied collection of his work here.

Pan Ron

As one review puts it: “Pan Ron would’ve been the 1st lady of Khmer music in the 60’s and early 70s if it had not been for the magic of Ros Sereysothea.” Playing solidly groovy music, Pan began her career in the late 60’s and throughout her career incorporated all range of styles from psychedelic rock, to jazz, folk, cha cha cha, amongst others. Like many artists of her time, her career ended tragically when the Khmer Rouge came to power. Listen to her song Rom Twist below and a compilation of her work here.

Liev Tuk

Not much exists as to a bio of Liev Tuk online, but as an appropriate description of his sound puts it; “Funky Cambodian 60’s garage rock with raw vocals that sound like the Southeast-Asian cousin of James Brown and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.” Listen to his track Rom Sue! Sue! (Dance Soul! Soul!) below, Youtube compiled playlist here.

Sinn Sisamouth

Named the “King of Khmer music”, Sinn Sisamouth is widely considered alongside Ros Sereysothea as the great artist in the Cambodian music scene of the late 60’s/early 70’s. Sinn’s career spanned from the early 1950’s until the mid 70’s, playing traditional Khmer music infused with western 60’s styling’s, to create his legnedary distinctive sound. As with previus artists, his career was tragically cut short in the mid 70’s, but his legacy lives on, with a documentary on him (The Elvis of Cambodia) released in 2015. Listen to his song Kal Oun Neang Rom below, and a compilation of his work here.



Cambodian Space Project

Part of a contemporary scene that is rediscovering the psychedelic sounds from the golden age off Cambodian rock. Their combination of high pitch, saccharine vocals with psychedelic surf guitar certainly takes much inspriation from the golden age, but higher production and often slower tempos mean they aren’t simply a reproduction of bygones. Their songs often theme the poverty and struggle experienced in the upbringing on their lead singer, and have even incorporated poetry into songs. Listen to their song Whisky Camoda below, bandcamp here.