We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
supported by
circler
circler thumbnail
Expat Eclectica: Mariah
Expat Eclectica: Mariah thumbnail
/

about

Yol Aularong (Khmer: យស អូឡារាំង [jɔːh ouˌlaːˈraŋ]; also romanized as Yos Olarang) was a Cambodian garage rock musician, and a leading figure in that country's rock scene of the 1960s and 70s. He is presumed to have been killed during the Cambodian genocide that took place under the Khmer Rouge between 1975 and 1979.

Aularong was from a family of notable Cambodian musicians: singers Sieng Vanthy and Sieng Di were his aunts, and classical violinist/composer Has Salon was his uncle.[1][2] His father was a member of Cambodia's diplomatic corps and he spent some of his childhood in France.[2]

Embarking on a music career, he stood out from the typical Cambodian pop music of the time by focusing on self-expression and social commentary. His public persona was that of a "bad boy" who flirted, sang sarcastic songs about everyday life, and claimed not to care about money or fame.[1] The Guardian called him "a certifiable maniac" and The New York Times described him as "a charismatic proto-punk who mocked conformist society."[3][4] The 2015 documentary film Don't Think I've Forgotten, which profiles Aularong, recounts an exchange between Aularong and the prince in which he said "You're a prince, I'm not, but we will all die so who cares, let's have a drink."[5][1]

As with many of his contemporaries, a great deal of the information about Aularong's life, as well as his creative output, was lost during the Khmer Rouge regime. He was last seen shortly after the Khmer Rouge seized control in April 1975 and ordered all residents of Phnom Penh to evacuate the city. He left with his mother, but his fate is unclear.[5] In an interview for Don't Think I've Forgotten, his aunt speculated he was likely killed.[1] A member of the Cambodian royal family who knew Aularong explained that as a non-conformist musician with western influences, Aularong was likely targeted for imprisonment or execution immediately.[4] Though what happened to him is uncertain, according to the Huffington Post, "his name survived as a sort of codeword for the younger Cambodians to identify themselves as a way of keeping their culture alive."[5] (Wikipedia)

credits

from Songs of the City of Four Faces - Cambodian Pop Music of the 1960's, released August 19, 2020

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

metal postcard records image

metal postcard records Sydney, Australia

Metal Postcard Records is an independent record label based back in Sydney and influenced by the likes of Fast Records / Factory / Postcard / Island / Stiff and Bill Drummund's wonderful Zoo records

We believe in new music from around the world ... not world music ! ... more

contact / help

Contact metal postcard records

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

metal postcard records recommends:

If you like Cyclo, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now