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What are you guys looking forward to most?

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On Sunday, March 3, 2013, I was given the opportunity to interview one of Cambodia’s top female pop stars, Meas Soksophea, via video chat about her upcoming projects. Read about what she has in store for us all!

Peanutt: How are you doing? Have you been busy lately?

Phea: I’m good! Oh, I’ve been super busy. Always on the go.

Peanutt: How was your 2012 USA tour? Did you enjoy it?

Phea: It was so good! It was a very happy time for me. I really enjoy performing for my fans. It made me really happy to see that I have supporters overseas. I think about them all the time. I miss them all so much!

Peanutt: I heard you have a new, all original song coming out. Is that true?

Phea: Yes! It’s true! During my USA tour I also got to work with Khmertree, a Cambodian-American music production in California. We produced an all original Khmerican influenced song and will be releasing it very soon.

Peanutt: Oh, that’s awesome! What is the song called? And what is it about?

Phea: The song is called, “So Selfish.” It’s about a woman who was hurt by her first love and she’s learning how to let go and move on. She is trying to be stronger and trying to forget him because he’s a bad guy, but it’s hard because he is her first love. Who can really forget their first love? It’s very difficult, but she is doing everything she can to live for her and make herself happy.

Peanutt: Is this the only song that you have or will be doing with this production?

Phea: This is just the beginning; the first song to a fresh start in my career. We have lots more in store for everyone! Maybe even a full album.. hehe ;)

Peanutt: Is there a release date for your single yet? Where can we get it? And is there a music video?

Phea: The song will be sold on iTunes. I do not have an exact date for it yet, but it will be coming out soon! We are still in the process of working on the music video, but yes, there will be one.

Peanutt: Awesome! I look forward to seeing what you have in store for us! What do you want to accomplish with this new, all original single?

Phea: I want to show my culture and the music industry here in Cambodia that we have the capability to produce original music. And I want my fans and those who do not yet support me to listen to this song and help support it because we have been working extremely hard to produce it – to be original, to bring something new to the table. But most importantly, I really want to see other Cambodians, no matter where they are located in this world, supporting one another to help us all move forward. Please help support us all by purchasing the original tracks. Without everyone’s support, we won’t move forward. My producers and I have been working very hard and hopefully all of our hard work does not go to waste. I would really like to see these gaps close, whether it is the gap between Cambodia and Cambodian-Americans or the generational gap. We should all be supporting each other as Cambodians.

Peanutt: I was going to ask you if there’s anything you want to say to your fans and prospective supporters, but I think you’ve made it clear as to what you want accomplished. And I agree with you. We can’t move forward very far, if our own people don’t support us and if we keep putting us down. I mean, I suppose we could go on without them, it’s possible, but what use would it be to move forward alone?

Phea: Exactly. I really want to see Cambodian people working together hand-in-hand to help each other grow.

Peanutt: Well, Phea, thank you so much for taking time to answer these questions. I really look forward to listening to your new songs and seeing what you have ready for us. And I wish you all of the best for 2013!

Phea: Thank you and thank you to everyone who has always believed in me and have always supported me. I really appreciate every single one of you! I want to wish everyone good luck, good health, and success. Take care! And keep an eye out for my new work! Thank you again!

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As a Khmerican, I really hope we can all work together to support this project. This could be the start of something really great for our culture. We can help close all those gaping holes, bridge our communities, embrace our culture, as well as help our music industry move forward.

Check out the trailer to Meas Soksophea’s new single, “So Selfish,” produced by Khmertree here on YouTube 

-Peanutt Ngeth 

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Cambodge - BATTAMBANG by Jean Pierre 87 on Flickr.