Phnom Penh-based band, Krom, has become the first ever Cambodian band to be nominated for the prestigious Grammy Awards, the highest honour anyone can ever receive in the music industry – and the band is not nominated in just one, but two categories!
Formed by singer and guitarist Christopher Minko, an Australian living in Cambodia, Krom is a five-member band consisting of sisters and vocalists Sophea Chamroeun and Sopheak Chamroeun, guitarist Jimmy Baeck and bassist James “Mao” Sokleap.
According to Cambodia Daily, the band is nominated for the Best World Music Album category for their third studio album, “Mekong Delta Blues”, and also the Song of the Year category for one of their tracks titled “Lil’ Suzy”, a sad song about prostitution and sexual slavery.
Unlike other bands, Krom, which means “group” in Khmer, plays a unique blend of Delta blues sound with traditional Khmer, and covers sensitive topics like prostitution, slavery and human trafficking.
“Of course Krom is honoured if we can even partly contribute towards the growing international recognition of the cultural and artistic renaissance in Cambodian culture,” said Minko, guitarist of the band who sometimes provides vocals.
“We also hope that this will open up international touring potentials for Krom and are now in planning with our label for performance tours of Europe, USA, Canada and Australia.”
(Photo source: Krom - Phnom Penh Facebook)