You Nay and Marie Chhay (née Boutier) are the reason Le Boutier exists. Both spent their childhood in Phnom Penh before relocating to Paris. Marie grew up a few blocks away from here on Abdul Carime, an area once known for its cattle-slaughtering industry. Much has changed in the neighborhood, but her memories still bring her back to that once-golden era.

Widely considered the ‘King of Khmer Music’, Sinn Sisamouth possessed a clear crooning voice which, combined with his own compositions about the pleasures and pains of romance, made him an idol. It is estimated that he wrote thousands of songs, possibly at least one for each day he was famous.

Our friends Dararath and Keang have exquisite taste and know a good cocktail when they see one. Johnny Walker Platinum is preferred as often as possible, accompanied by good friends, family, dancing, and constant birthdays.

After viewing ‘Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten’, the Le Boutier family fell for Sieng Vanthy’s charismatic stage persona. Her mod style, beaming smile, and cool dance moves truly made her an original gem. She was one of the only famous singers to have survived the war.

Many say Ros Sereysothea was the greatest Cambodian female singer that ever lived.  She had a powerful and electrifying voice with a haunting, bell-like quality that resonates in the ears and in the soul. Sothea was a tiny woman, standing only five feet tall, but she had a voice like an amplifier and she rarely needed a microphone. 

Since 2009, the Cambodian Space Project has been at the forefront of a cultural revival in Cambodia. Singer Channthy Kak and musician Julien Poulson teamed up to bring back to life the lost divas and rock legends of Cambodia’s golden age of music. Their sound is definitely for the 21st century, mashing tradition with rock ’n’ roll, rare groove, soul and trippy visuals.

Bura is more than our favorite tuk tuk driver, he is a guide and a dependable friend. Just like this cocktail, he is both exotic and comfortably familiar at the same time. Bot schweng friends!  Bot schweng.  

Not much is known about the life of Pen Ran, but all  Cambodians know her unique voice. Her career took off while recording songs for film, and then later fell in love with rock ‘n’ roll. The Monkey Dance is one of her signature songs, likely due to her contagious laughter.

Dengue Fever is a Los Angeles-based band that covers 60’s Cambodian rock ‘n’ roll songs, as well as creating originals. ‘One Thousand Tears of a Tarantula’     is a stellar example of their signature sound: a fusion of Khmer pop, pysch, and garage.

'Don't Think I've Forgotten: Cambodia's Lost Rock & Roll' is a documentary that examines and unravels Cambodia's rich musical history. Combining interviews of Cambodian musicians with never-before-seen archival material this documentary tracks the twists and turns of Cambodian music as it morphs into rock ‘n’ roll, blossoms, and is nearly destroyed along with the rest of the country.