Phnom Penh PostMy dream “is to write meaningful and original Khmer and English music that is relevant to the soulsearching of the next generation of Khmer people all over the world,” said 23-yer-old Laura Tevary Mam, a Khmer-American whose music has been reaching the Khmer diaspora through the internet. “I want to bring Khmer music back to life.”
Laura’s presence on YouTube, beginning in April 2008, has attracted millions of views, as she has used the site as a stage to perform for fans across borders and continents. She is finally beginning to receive attention from fans in Cambodia, which her parents left more than two decades ago.
“Laura’s craving to write music will offer a missing part that this country has longed for,” Said Prum Seila, a senior media student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh who did a research study on YouTube access in the Kingdom. “When I introduced her YouTube channel to my circle of friends, they became fascinated by her solo performance and the word began to spread online and offline.”
Laura’s grandfather was a Cambodian congressman in the 1960s, but she has grown up in an entirely different world with her parents in California. She was encouraged as a musician from a young age. “My father is a wonderful singer and still sings in weddings to this day,” she wrote in an email to Lift. “He taught me a lot about how to express emotion when singing, and I have always been inspired by him.” Now a talented singer, guitarist and writer, she hopes to use music to reconnect with her countrymen in Cambodia. She periodically releases new music videos through video sharing websites like YouTube and her personal blog.
The graduate of anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, sees her role as “one pillar of a bridge of communication between all of us through music and a movement of self-understanding”. She added that she hopes that Cambodian artists can revive Khmer music and help reconcile political conflicts in the Kingdom.
Releasing her music online has given her a platform to reach international audiences so that her voice can be heard around the world and the world can give her feedback. She says creativity is spurred on by the chance to perform, “and Cambodians love to perform, it’s in our blood”. The Cambodian Diaspora musician said that “it is when artists come together that creativity seems to jump. You learn a lot from being around a lot of different kinds of artists and seeing life as art; it can inspire more creativity than most people know.”
While Laura says she is inspired by Ros Serey Sothea, Cambodia’s most beloved singer of the golden era, her fame has come in a very different way. Armed with a laptop and a built-in webcam, she can capture and broadcast her performances from her very own bedroom. “YouTube changed my life by allowing me to connect with all kinds of different encouraging people. These people inspired me to write music for the people and from my heart without fear.”
Music has often helped Laura ease the pain that comes from a life spent questioning her mother and family about what occurred in the past, who they were now and who Cambodians were before the war. “I started writing my own songs because it acted as a journal for me whenever I was sad. It became my therapy,” she explained. “And finally in college, I started playing for crowds and started feeling comfortable putting these journal songs out to the public.”
Supported by her experiences as a musician, she encourages other young Cambodians to express their fears, loves and desires for the future.
“Art and pop culture is already within us. My dream is to coax this out of the youth and to inspire Cambodians to simply understand themselves and their history by expressing themselves.”
Thyda Buth says of her daughter, “When I was pregnant with Laura, I prayed to Buddha to please give me a happy beautiful child who is very kind. Buddha answered my prayers and more. Laura is strong, talented, grounded and extraordinarily bright.”
As an employee of a non-profit organisation that does conservation work at World Heritage sites, including Cambodia’s ancient Banteay Chhmar temple, Laura has also found time to continue her musical endeavours. Last year, she formed a band, Like Me’s. Her dream is “to play at Olympic Stadium in Cambodia for everyone with Preap Sovat! I want Preap Sovat to sing a song to music that I wrote. I want to bring new original music to Cambodia, music that we didn’t take from any other country. Music that is written by a Khmer heart, sung by a Khmer woman and played by a Khmer musician.”
Laura’s presence on YouTube, beginning in April 2008, has attracted millions of views, as she has used the site as a stage to perform for fans across borders and continents. She is finally beginning to receive attention from fans in Cambodia, which her parents left more than two decades ago.
“Laura’s craving to write music will offer a missing part that this country has longed for,” Said Prum Seila, a senior media student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh who did a research study on YouTube access in the Kingdom. “When I introduced her YouTube channel to my circle of friends, they became fascinated by her solo performance and the word began to spread online and offline.”
Laura’s grandfather was a Cambodian congressman in the 1960s, but she has grown up in an entirely different world with her parents in California. She was encouraged as a musician from a young age. “My father is a wonderful singer and still sings in weddings to this day,” she wrote in an email to Lift. “He taught me a lot about how to express emotion when singing, and I have always been inspired by him.” Now a talented singer, guitarist and writer, she hopes to use music to reconnect with her countrymen in Cambodia. She periodically releases new music videos through video sharing websites like YouTube and her personal blog.
The graduate of anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley, sees her role as “one pillar of a bridge of communication between all of us through music and a movement of self-understanding”. She added that she hopes that Cambodian artists can revive Khmer music and help reconcile political conflicts in the Kingdom.
Releasing her music online has given her a platform to reach international audiences so that her voice can be heard around the world and the world can give her feedback. She says creativity is spurred on by the chance to perform, “and Cambodians love to perform, it’s in our blood”. The Cambodian Diaspora musician said that “it is when artists come together that creativity seems to jump. You learn a lot from being around a lot of different kinds of artists and seeing life as art; it can inspire more creativity than most people know.”
While Laura says she is inspired by Ros Serey Sothea, Cambodia’s most beloved singer of the golden era, her fame has come in a very different way. Armed with a laptop and a built-in webcam, she can capture and broadcast her performances from her very own bedroom. “YouTube changed my life by allowing me to connect with all kinds of different encouraging people. These people inspired me to write music for the people and from my heart without fear.”
Music has often helped Laura ease the pain that comes from a life spent questioning her mother and family about what occurred in the past, who they were now and who Cambodians were before the war. “I started writing my own songs because it acted as a journal for me whenever I was sad. It became my therapy,” she explained. “And finally in college, I started playing for crowds and started feeling comfortable putting these journal songs out to the public.”
Supported by her experiences as a musician, she encourages other young Cambodians to express their fears, loves and desires for the future.
“Art and pop culture is already within us. My dream is to coax this out of the youth and to inspire Cambodians to simply understand themselves and their history by expressing themselves.”
Thyda Buth says of her daughter, “When I was pregnant with Laura, I prayed to Buddha to please give me a happy beautiful child who is very kind. Buddha answered my prayers and more. Laura is strong, talented, grounded and extraordinarily bright.”
As an employee of a non-profit organisation that does conservation work at World Heritage sites, including Cambodia’s ancient Banteay Chhmar temple, Laura has also found time to continue her musical endeavours. Last year, she formed a band, Like Me’s. Her dream is “to play at Olympic Stadium in Cambodia for everyone with Preap Sovat! I want Preap Sovat to sing a song to music that I wrote. I want to bring new original music to Cambodia, music that we didn’t take from any other country. Music that is written by a Khmer heart, sung by a Khmer woman and played by a Khmer musician.”
48 comments:
Yes,we love srey srey khmer
thank you very much ,laura !
"Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth."
"He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye."
"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it."
- Quotes from the Buddha
A true srey Khmer- beautiful, smart and talented. Please go to perform live on TV or in front of audience in Cambodia. Congratulation, Laura.
Cambodia has a daughter that we ALL can be proud of.
Ordinary Khmer
Does Laura Mam think she's Cambodian, American or both ? Well, she gotta work on her attitude. She turns me off completely.
A greatest musics and arts of cambodian songs of an old time never been vanished with the killing field of babarous Pot Pot and clan.
Laura, thanks to your dedication to bring over those very pupular songs of a famous singer: Ms.Pen Ran, if you could please sing also Ms. Ros Serei Sethea songs with famous male star Mr. sin Sisamouth...you could sing along with your partner...
My appreciation for your jobs well done.....
ta ta will screw her if she go perform in cambodia
I didn't know Buddha can answer prayer, as Laura's mom claimed.
Or did she just conveniently borrowed this idea from another faith?
Based on my readings about Buddha's life, he never claimed to have power to give life nor could he endowed a person with special gifts and abilities.
Are people just confused, and ignorantly ascribe power to Buddha which he never claimed to possess?
I don't mean to insult any faith, but please check some facts about what you believe.
Laura,
Your mom may have a beautiful talented daugher, but she is gravely confused if she thinks it is the result of Buddha's blessings.
Buddha's only claim was that he meditated his mind into obsolete.
Can such a man bless anyone?
You may need to have a heart to heart talk with your mom.
oh, get off your high horse or drunkenness already, 10:33 PM. Just go to any pagoda in cambodia and ask any monk or "lok ta achar" and see how many people a day or a month would come to pray to get rich, to keep their lovers faithful, etc. Go to the river front's preah ang dangkeur (in front of the royal palace) and see the buddhistd who go there to pray.
The same is true to some churches and preachers who think Jesus gave them omnipotent power to make people rich or healed from diseases.
Like you used the word faith, faith is different from person to person. If you are a true scholar, you should have a wider open-minded about "facts."
7:10pm's quoate:
"He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye."
The only thing I see and experience from your quote is utter confusion!
10:56pm
I think you missed my point about Buddha, who he really was. There is a big gulf between what he said about himself and what our Khmer people believe about him.
By the way, I don't claim to be a scholar. You just proved my point. People like to ascribe fact to another when he or she never personally claimed.
8:36 PM,
Laura thinks you are a prick.
10:33PM and 10:49PM,
Do you have any solid proof to prove that the soul/spirit of the Supreme Being, which was invisible, descended from heaven into mary's womb and automatically produced Jesus Crist? As for the Buddha, he did not claim to be anything other than a simple and pure human being. If you are a Khmer you should be ashamed of yourself for insulting your own ancestors' tradition and religion. If you keep insulting my religion, which you know nothing about, I will say this: you Jesus Christ was just a product Mary and a few shepherds living around her. It means Mary was raped by those shepherds. Can you practice your new f***ing religion without insulting anyone else's religiong? Go to hell, ah pleu!
correction: the product of Mary and ...
. . .you can insult some undisciplined Buddhist monks, but you cannot insult Buddhism, which has been practice by hundreds of million people around the world. You think you better than other people, ha? You don't, ah pleu. Though I am a Buddhism believer, I have watched and listened to may well-known pastors on TV. And I found that none of them have insulted Bddhism, as puok ah pleu Khmer pastors, who got lost in the dark jungle of belives.
I think Laura has inspired a lot of Cambodian women musicians. Best of luck! I'd like to see more of the Cambodian taking up the role. Laura also show some new dimension to the music we used to hear in Cambodia. There is no negatives for your coming out Laura...
This is quite a rarity for the Khmer people. I feel so much pride to see a female Khmer person representing herself, her family, and especially, her ethnic group. I had female Khmer friends from high school to college and at work. However, they are never like that of Laura Mam. I remembered attending weddings of Khmer females who were not even graduating from high school. I also remember those Khmer females who were college grads, but chose to be domestic homemakers instead. I remember those Khmer females from work who were so quiet and they simply seemed to resign to their fate of working at one job. Laura defies all of those images. She is the embodiment of a vibrant person born to LIVE and EXPRESS in this world. Yeah! Laura Mam.
We are talking about Laura Tevary Mam personality and her vision.
Please juts leave her mother in peace.
Well, Laura Mam is a modern American-Born Cambodian; she's not another old fashioned khmer woman you may have encountered in America or the street of Phnom Penh. No doubt she's talented and a rising star! Should anyone be surprised that she's being treated like a new kid on the block? You will always have critics, positive or negative;
Oh, btw, she's the kind of woman I want to marry because I can tap dance to her song :=)
1:42 AM
Sure, she'll ride like a horse, and then dump you in less than a week.
Yup, she's kind a wild Khmer-American woman that everyone would love to ride on hers.
Please leave out personal attacks, do not use profanity, ethnic or racial slurs, or take shots at anyone's sexual orientation or religion.
Dear Khmer people, what happened?
i have nothing against Laura Man, but when she sings in Khmer she sound retarded. Now I believe if you can speak or sing do it the right way. but if you know it don't sound good. don't do it.
her voice in Khmer is not for me. Sound kinda retarded and butchered the original song badly and youn accent very badly.
Youn language are so nasty.. these people are ugly/miget, eat nasty and their language sound even nastier. Laura if you're real Khmer learn to speak first before you sing. i'm waiting for your improvement before I would accept you into my world. Although your look is not that bad especially with those make up on.
Stop being the bitch and negative person3:04am will you? I see the Mex US,Thai,Youn ,Philippians and Chinese VDO music and nothing wrong with Laura singing. If you can't be any shit it is none of your business and get the fuck off ,people like you is the plain people (no taste)have nothing better to do keeping jealous with the people that do and doing good job better that you.If people like you exist more than ten Cambodia will go nowhere beside go back to the dark hole ,that is what is you want.You are so naive and obsess person.
Have a nice weekend and stop bitchy
what is is with you 3:24AM why are you defending Laura Man like defending one of your family member? Didi Laura Open up her leg for you to tast her and lick up in cunt that's why you so defensive? This is a fucking forum and if Laura is good she has to be able to take all type of criticism. There are people that like her baby accent and there are those who can't stand it. Just like you like to lick her cunt and I'll will definitely fuck her untill she scream to stop. So if you can't take criticism you need to shut the fuck up and go fuck youself with dildo? Aright!!!
Khmer people whoever using racial slur, profanity and personal attack to individual like Laura Mam are very SICK and uneducated and low life. She's not born in Cambodia but she still helping a lot to our community and we all khmers. I am very proud of her and the rest of peoples who supporting her. Laura keep up the good work.
You guys make this into such a big deal, Laura is not the only one that is talented. The are more in Srok Khmer, it just tha they haven't come out from the closet. Please stop glamourizing her too much.
4:08 AM, have those other talented khmers/cambodians show their skills and talents. it's not those talented people that are being so nasty like the losers around here. Why would they be so passionately angry with her? Laura is free to do whatever she pleases, as long as she is not harming anyone else, and that's her right. Show own talents, for goodness sake, otherwise you are just a bunch of angry, whiny losers...
It's disturbing how laura man uses uncommon Khmer words which doesn't even know their meanings nor use them on a daily basis. She's a wacked out unconcious Khmer wannabe overnight!!
and if so, what is your problem, 5:19 AM? aren't you easily disturbed?
3:38am Yes that is wrong with me because you are a mad dog,to be honest with you I know nothing about Laura but one thing that I have notice she is more khmer than you from her inner site.The Thai people they really proud of the foreign people preserve their music example Chritina and Jonut they are very famous because of westerners have Thai heart.I know you will not take any crap about Thai but this for example but you are dumb and an idiots to me is not is the Cambodia is secure for my security I will promote something similar with thousand and thousand more like Laura for my productions to get rid of ignorant ,stupid ,idiot,dumb uneducated,un-civilization,out of date and caveman like you.
So enjoy your weekend with your frustration and go to commit suicide .
5:19 you know so much khmer hoh? But don't you know khmer going to be youn slave for ever?
" Just like you like to lick her cunt and I'll will definitely fuck her untill she scream to stop. So if you can't take criticism you need to shut the fuck up and go fuck youself with dildo? Aright!!!"
Everyone, the guy who keeps posting nasty comments just alluded to the fact that he wants to RAPE Laura. He is a wannabe rapist. No one has to pay attention to his comments about accepting laura into his world because he just discredited himself by acting like a rapist. Laura should be careful of scary people like this, and people should watch out for violent people like this.
I think the Khmer community to rise above when we overpower critics like these and show them that their negativity is no longer welcome in our community. We are ready to rise, and they are not. If they will not stand with us, then they will be left behind.
"You guys make this into such a big deal, Laura is not the only one that is talented. The are more in Srok Khmer, it just tha they haven't come out from the closet. Please stop glamourizing her too much."
That's right, if you listened to her NPR interview, she talks about wanting other Khmers to start putting their talents out there too. She wants all Khmers to do well and stop being afraid, this movement is about all of us, not just one. It doesn't matter if things aren't perfect, it's about trying. We all need to stop living in the shadows because we are afraid of our own ignorance.
Seems to me like she wants nothing more than to see young Khmer people forget about ignorant assholes like the douchebag above, and stand up. She said put your heart into your work, your life, and your community again. Laura Mam wants good things for Khmer people. I know we can do it too. It's about time we had stood up again to reclaim our glory.
Oh so all of you laura man co-defendants are ready to step into the international lime light before millions of critics? We'll see what all kinds of flaws and defects your short, stubby, stankin ass got.
Laura has inspired all young Khmer woman to come out to show their potential and develop their talent. She is a testimony that an independent minded person can achieve anything if they wanted to. She is beautiful, smart, well-educated, but above all she has the personality. Congratulation Laura. Only read all the positive comments and just ignore all the jealousies that have been shown here. You are great, girl!
Laura, You're the best. God bless you and all Khmer will support you through this journey. You success is written. I'm sorry for my bashing and insulting you in some of the entries above. I was just pulling people legs in this web blog. Please accept my appology and please go and write your music and Gless you!!
11:41pm and 11:56pm,
You dwarfed minded so-called Buddhists, or defender of Buddhism are incapable of any meaningful debate without resorting to profanity and outright rude.
All your comments just proved my points you guys know very little about what you believe or what you attempt to defend.
8:26AM, you live inside your computer because you're ugly duckling ass is like the blog watch dog of this site. You must've been molested by your favorite priest multiple times to be opposing other's beliefs.
Laura please irgnor all the jealousy in this block because the y are affraid that khmer women no longer stay under man common because free spririte like you could lead you go far then them. once you go to srok khmer show your tallent may all khmer next generation copy you free spirite and no one will be affraid of men any more. all of these men are suck./
Laura all these people are on your crotch. They are acting like crabs clinging to your soiled panties on your longest period. Please help us all and tell them to stay off your crotch.
Dear Everyone,
Thank you all for your lively support! You've all inspired me to keep going. Chey yo Khmer!
Love,
Laura
We love you Laura... especially Me!! Chey Yo to your journey to sucess. God bless you!
Laura, I'm proud of you. Please don't be discouraged by some of the negative comments. Just be positive and keep doing what you can do best because you are the best, girl!
´We juts love to say, this is Miss Laura Man show.
Who care about her Khmer american accent, but she is still good enough to represent us, the young Khmer generation.
Okay now she's talented in music, singing, writing songs, et.
But it would be foolish to say that Laura is talented in quantum physics.
Anyhow I congratulate her for her achievement thus far.
Laura,
Can we spend the night together? Your pictures gives me a big hard-on and you are the only one who can pop it.
Khmer Stud in USA
Khmer stud...you might have to try a little harder than that. lol
Khmer Stud. Go Jack yourself off in the bathroom ok. make sure to close the door. Now don't get use to it ok??? LOL
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