Dengue Fever

Dengue Fever is a Los Angeles-based group active since 2001. The band forms around Ethan Holtzman and Zac Holtzman, with Chhom Nimol, David Ralicke, Paul Dreux Smith and Senon Williams. Its sound is rooted in psychedelic music, with genres including indie surf, pop rock, psychedelic pop, psychedelic rock and surf rock.

Formation and early development

The band’s roots begin in the late 1990s, when keyboard player Ethan Holtzman spends six months travelling through Southeast Asia and returns to Los Angeles with Cambodian cassette tapes. Zac Holtzman has also discovered Cambodian music while working in a record store in San Francisco. The brothers reconnect over their shared interest in vintage Cambodian rock and form the band in 2002 with saxophonist David Ralicke, drummer Paul Dreux Smith and bassist Senon Williams. Soon afterwards they look for a Cambodian singer to complete the line-up. Chhom Nimol joins after a musical courtship that begins at a Cambodian nightclub in Long Beach, California, when she recognises the band’s commitment to the music and culture of her homeland.

Style and repertoire

Dengue Fever is known for combining 1960s Cambodian pop with psychedelic rock. Its approach also draws on Khmer rock, garage rock and the British Invasion sound. The band’s early work includes Khmer covers as well as original material, bringing together music associated with Cambodian artists such as Ros Sereysothea, Pan Ron and Sinn Sisamouth with a contemporary rock format.

Albums and label work

The band’s self-titled debut appears in 2003 and is built around previously obscure Khmer covers. Escape from Dragon House follows in 2005 and marks a move into original songwriting. Venus on Earth arrives in 2008 and becomes the group’s best-selling album. Cannibal Courtship is released in 2011 through Fantasy Records and Concord Music Group. In 2013, the band forms its own label, Tuk Tuk Records, and operates as both artist and label owner. The Deepest Lake, its fifth full-length album of all-new material, reflects a broader palette that includes Khmer rap, Latin grooves, Afro percussion and layered horns, alongside extended psychedelic jam sections.

Reception and recognition

Escape from Dragon House is named Amazon’s number one international release for 2005, and Mojo places it in its top 10 world music releases of 2006. Venus on Earth draws praise from critics and fans and receives public support from Peter Gabriel, Kirk Hammett and Ray Davies. The band’s music appears in films and television series including City of Ghosts, Broken Flowers, The Hangover 2, Weeds, True Blood and CSI: Las Vegas, and in several independent documentaries. Dengue Fever also appears at festivals including WOMAD, WOMEX, Melbourne Festival, Glastonbury, Bumbershoot, Transmusicales, Roskilde, Electric Picnic, Peace and Love and Treasure Island.