Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Yante Beliveau (Lead Vocals)
Eric Charles (Guitar & Vocals)
Savvy (Bass Guitar & Vocals)
Donnie Fuson
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Sweet Cambodia? How long has the band been around?
Well Yante had been a solo singer songwriter in Fort Walton Florida, and a band called The Bakery. Donnie had been in a project called Beyond Tales a progressive John Mayer-ish sounding band. Eric had played in several bands on of which was named the Weekend Waves. This is Savvy's first project.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Well you see there's this river in Cambodia that everyone goes to with the intention of tubing down. On the shore of the river there's tea shops and such that serve cannabis food, mushroom teas, and opium tea. So basically people travel to come to this river to get dosed and enjoy the majestic that is the khemer country side.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Our songs start randomly wether someone brings a chord progression or a lick or even just something conceptual that might captivate our attention. Our topics range from ethics, perseverance, healing, and satire. Of course as we grow and develop, and our lives shape them selves we will experience different things.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Chon
Sublime
Nahko Bear
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
We all have had a wide range of artists that have inspired us. We all come from such different worlds of music that our forming of a band was sort of just an eventuality of finding a band.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
We all make sure to stretch the morning of and an hour before the show. Don gets about 15-30 minutes of warm up time on stage usually to do all his adjustments. Yante, Savvy, and Eric all do vocal warm ups. Eric and Savvy do 2 sets of warm ups to make sure their hands are ready.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Our EP release party was a helluva time. Savvy got to crowd surf while playing bass. Eric got his body licked as he tore through a solo. The whole band pretty much got groped and touched an insane amount. There were puddles of sweat afterwards. We held it in this remodeled loading dock/warehouse. Had the place packed, standing room only if you will.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Arctic Monkeys would be one killer rock show.
The Grateful Dead because hours and hours of jamming would be so special.
The White Stripes would also be a dream. Jack White is a monster musician.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We are just so happy to be have the opportunity to play music and spread positivity. To all those who support us on our journey, thank you it means the world to us. Much love, and stay sweet !