Dengue Fever
January 8th at the Independent, San Francisco

Who knew that traditional Cambodian pop and psychedelic, indie-rock would make such damn good bedfellows? Evidently, Ethan Holtzman did. On a trip through Cambodia, the LA-based guitarist heard popular Cambodian singer Chhom Nimol sing in a karaoke bar and subsequently convinced her to come to the States with him and sing for his band. The result is a surprisingly coherent, fascinating sound that translates into an energetic, enthralling concert experience.

Taking the stage in a show-stopping cocktail dress and sparkling heels, Nimol had the sold-out crowd eating out of the palm of her hand right away. The pint-sized vocalist comfortably shifts between Khmer—her native language—and English, while shimmying and slinking around the stage with an effortless confidence and grace that even the most seasoned rocker would appreciate. Her easy style and boundless swagger stands in stark contrast to her guitar-playing cohort. Holtzman sports a beard that’s half Rasputin, half homeless guy. He—along with the rest of the sextet—spent the show’s duration bouncing around the stage with reckless abandon.

Besides their infectious enthusiasm, the group’s other four members—Zac Holtzman (organ), Senon Williams (bass), Paul Smith (drums), and David Ralicke (saxophone, trumpet)—provided both a solid backbone and sonic flair that supported and highlighted the group’s two front people. Ralicke’s versatile brass work and Zac Holtzman’s flowing melodies play especially integral roles to the band’s exceptionally original style.

The set’s stand-out numbers came, unsurprisingly, near the end. The crowd—which, for the most part, kept dancing for the entire hour-plus show—most boisterously responded to fantastic back-to-back renditions of  “Tiger Phone Card” and “Sober Driver”, two wonderful duets between Nimol and Zac Holtzman from their breakthrough LP, 2008’s Venus on Earth.

As the group left the stage to rapturous applause, it was clear that there is still a place for truly original music that isn’t afraid to take chances. Where their career will go from here is anyone’s guess, but on this night, they certainly converted a lot of people, myself included.

Watch: “Tiger Phone Card” [at youtube.com]