What’s in a name? ‘Cambo’ provides a location. Examine for a moment the noun/verb ‘jam’: to wedge in tight; a sticky spot; sweet and spreadable, and gathering together to make music. Are these some or all of the reasons Cambojam is one of the longest-running international-style music outfits in Cambodia, particularly in their home base of Siem Reap?
In the middle of 2012, two key members returned to their homelands – a singer to the Philippines, bass player to France – allowing the French/Belgian/Japanese core to take a rest. Not much of a rest: before long a new wave of Siem Reap musicians appeared to fill the gaps and the caravan is now rolling again.
The reformed 2013 line-up for this year’s high season boasts eight players: drums and percussion; bass and guitar; keyboards, a trombone and a suitcase full of singers, plus an engineer and stage technician, carrying Asian passports from Cambodia to Japan, and across Europe from Russia to the Netherlands.
Fabien (boss; lead guitar; wine expert; made in France) explains the development of the band: “When we formed in 2007 with two guitarists and a singer, all acoustic, there were no bands to be found playing in Siem Reap. Now we play acoustic/electric/eclectic, covering jazz; folk; pop; reggae; funk, rock and hard rock.”
Along the way they’ve gigged in bars, restaurants, hotels and even a Pub Street residency where the bar’s stage was the front of a travel agency after it was closed for the day. “We started with fun as the main concept and that is still the main guideline. It’s a small town and almost everyone wanted us for a night, so we play more, we play better and then we play and play.”
Philippe (drummer/percussionist; hypnotiser; made in Belgium) remembers the earlier days of the band, when the small population in Siem Reap meant that musicians who wanted to play with others had to have an open mind: “It was the only way to play with other people! And it means everyone has brought along their own songbook. We now have a very, very large and adaptable repertoire and we can play for garden parties to hotels to Pub Street.” Fabien adds: “We have changed the song list so often that we are able to adapt ourselves, at a snap, to whatever the audience is after.”
And what of the transience of the audience? There are pros and cons, says Philippe. “Of course the high turnover means there is no pressure or need to constantly re-invent. We play night after night and every night the audience is different.”
A dramatic difference this time around is the presence one of the new singers, Thea (living apsara; made in Cambodia). “We’ve always wanted to include Cambodian musicians, but they were hard to find. We are excited to welcome Thea. She sings in English, but we now have the exciting opportunity to add Khmer songs to the set list.”
WHO: Cambojam
WHAT: Acoustic/electric/eclectic jazz; folk; pop; reggae; funk, rock and hard rock
WHERE: Shintamani Made In Cambodia market, Siem Reap
WHEN: 4pm – 9pm (exact time TBC) on the first Saturday of every month
WHY: “We started with fun as the main concept and that is still the main guideline” – Fabien