AsiaLIFE

They may only be in it for the fun, but almost a year and half after formation the Mekong Pirates have proved themselves to be one of the most professional bands in town. Words by Nora Lindstrom.

Back after a six-month hiatus, the Mekong Pirates showed last month that they still have what it takes to get Phnom Penh grooving. Armed with five new original songs, the band had the crowd heaving at a recent gig at the Chinese House, with some of the audience even spilling out onto the street. “It was our first gig for a long time, and the ambience was great, it was a really great party,” says drummer Michel Ghigo. He is one of the original members of the band, which was formed in September 2008 following the split-up of a previous ensemble.

The name was a group effort. “We actually spent a few days on it,” says Michel. “We had many suggestions but time after time Mekong Pirates came up.” The name stuck, though Michel notes that dressing up as pirates for gigs is completely optional. The intention now, as then, is simply to have fun. “We all work here and want to play as a hobby after work, to balance our lives here,” Michel explains. When the Pirates first came together there were only a handful of members, but with time the group has expanded. Now audiences can listen to as many as a dozen pirates on stage.

Sporting a long, plaited beard, the band’s keyboardist and occasional clarinet player Regis is the real pirate of the band, according to Michel. “Twelve people being together is not easy, so we need to train,” Regis notes. The group rehearses once a week, the band members so committed to their art that they even get together at odd hours in the late evening.

Though finding a rehearsal time suitable to all may be a challenge, having so many musicians together has its advantages. “With twelve you have a real mix of inspiration,” says Michel. He describes how new songs are born through a collaborative effort where each member contributes their own art to the initial melody. “It’s very friendly, everyone can bring what they want,” he says, adding that having a few more experienced musicians on board helps in fine-tuning the songs.

“It’s difficult to say what kind of music we play,” says Michel. “It’s a sort of Khmer-French reggae.” All of the band’s songs are originals, save for one or two Manu Chao covers. Most are sung in French, with some tunes in Khmer, mainly thanks to the band’s Cambodian singer Srei Mom. “It’s good to have a Khmer voice for the balance,” says Michel.

So far the band has played at a variety of locations, including the FCC, Gasolina, Equinox, Wat Botum Park, Abacus in Siem Reap and a street festival in Kampong Saum. In addition to the recent gig at the Chinese House, Michel considers the gig at Wat Botum late last year opening for French band Ceux Qui Marchent Debout as the most memorable. “The place, the light, the sound, the smoke... that was special,” he says, adding that he would love to play on top of Bokor Mountain in the future.

Seldom has a gig by the Mekong Pirates failed to attract a crowd, and Regis says many have suggested the band make an album. The group has already experimented with recording some of their songs at the CCF’s cinema, but the studio conditions were not good. “If someone gives us money then we can find time to make a record,” he says.

Others have suggested the band go on tour, but both Michel and Regis seem uncertain as to whether this is the way they want to go. “It’s all just for fun,” Michel emphasises, adding that members of the band get together outside of rehearsal hours too. “It’s quite rare really for such a big group to get along,” Regis notes. Thankfully for the audiences they do, and on stage exude a joy of playing that is utterly contagious.

The Mekong Pirates will play the FCC on Jan. 16.