Dengue Fever Makes Their Hollywood Bowl Debut Sunday
Photo by Kevin Estrada
LAist talked to Chhom Nimol and Ethan Holtzman to find out more about their big night.
LAist: On Sunday you are playing at The Hollywood Bowl. The lineup also features Grace Jones and Of Montreal. What do you have planned for the show?
Ethan Holtzman: It's going to be kind of exciting for us. We are going to happy Nappy G who is a really good percussionist that we play with on occasion. He is flying out from the East Coast. And we are also going to have an extra horn player. It will make our sound a little bit bigger. It is pretty exciting to play the Hollywood Bowl. Some of the best bands ever like the Beatles were on that stage. It's a big honor for us to be there.
Photo by Kevin Estrada
Nimol how do you feel about singing at the Hollywood Bowl?
Chhom Nimol: I think I am feeling that I should be afraid and then I dreamt about it last week. It's so exciting. I dreamed that I played music at the Hollywood Bowl with a different sound, a traditional Cambodian, not rock and roll. It's kind of weird. Maybe I dreamed about it because I am a little bit nervous.
How are you going to come up with the set list? Who is responsible for making the Bowl show decisions?
Ethan: We have about a half hour to play. We are going to take out strongest material and whittle it down to about seven songs. We have been playing a lot. We just got back from a month-long tour in Europe. We have an idea of what songs work the best.
How do you feel about being in the same lineup as Grace Jones and Of Montreal?
Ethan: It's a big honor to be included. It's probably the biggest show we have ever played in Los Angeles.
What's next up for the band after the Bowl show?
Ethan: This week we will play a festival in Canada are are flying to the Bowl directly from the show. After that we go into the studio. We will be recording for about a month, working on new material for the next record. On August 28, we are playing the Outside Lands Festival up in San Francisco in Golden Gate Park. We are really looking forward to doing that. There are some really great bands playing.
What is your favorite thing to do in Los Angeles?
Nimol: I like to cook. I like to like to listen to music and watch TV. And shopping. I like to look for a new dresses for shows.
Did you pick your dress for the Hollywood Bowl?
Nimol: I am so excited about that, but I am keeping it a secret. I am thinking about my dress and how it will look on stage. I have been playing in LA for a long time, and out of town, and in Europe. At the big show at the Hollywood Bowl, I want the people to look at say , "Wow! We have never seen you look this way before."
Where do you like to hang out in LA?
Nimol: I like to go to Little Tokyo to eat.
Ethan do you have a favorite place?
Ethan: I like to go to the Thai Plaza in Thai Town. It is so nice, it makes me feel like I am in Bangkok.
Ethan how far ahead do you plan your outfit?
Ethan: I still have to go shopping. We will figure it out. We have a few days.
We are looking forward to the show. What song will get to hear for sure?
Ethan: I know we will play "Tiger Phone Card".
Dengue Fever - "Tiger Phone Card"
Great, see you at the Bowl!
Tickets for Dengue Fever, Of Montreal and Grace Jones at the Hollywood Bowl
Dengue Fever:
Chhom Nimol/Vocalist
Zac Holtzman/Guitar/Vocals
Ethan Holtzman/Farfisa organ
Senon Williams/Bass Guitar
David Ralicke/Brass
Paul Smith/Drums