Yab Moung Records

Yab Moung Records (YMR) was established in 2012 and was Cambodia's first alternative music label. Yab Moung was founded by Myles Hallin (Myley Rattle) and Tom Reichelt in collaboration with several Khmer punk and metal bands, namely: Sliten6ix; The ANTIfate and No Forever. Tom Reichelt left in 2014, after that Timon Siebel & Samphors Un, two long time supporters, became major shareholders with Myley Rattle and began to run the label on the ground as a collective with various Khmer artists. The label has been partially rebranded since 2015 and is currently run and owned collectively by a group of dedicated Khmer alternative musicians with various roles within the organisation. Yab Moung Records has a studio which is located in the Kandal Province, just outside of Phnom Penh, which is also run by a collective of, predominantly Khmer, musicians and artists.
About
Yab Moung Records is Cambodia's first and only alternative music label focusing largely on punk, metal, hardcore and rock music. It was the first organisation to promote Khmer metal, punk and alternative music within Cambodia. YMR is also responsible for the recording and production of the first metal and hard-core tracks ever released in Cambodia and recently has released a music video for the first Death Metal song in Khmer ever released. Yab Moung Records, in partnership with the Phnom Penh's original punk venue Show Box, hosted its official launch concert which included a line up of the original bands that drove the alternative music scene in Cambodia, as well as the showing of Cambodias first all girl punk band, Count Us In,. Yab Moung Records has been pinnacle in hosting and encouraging Khmer contemporary creative expression and organising various alternative music performances throughout Cambodia. According to YMR's social media outlets the label aims to "encourage Khmer creative expression and alternative music" throughout a variety of forums, primarily using street level advertising, social media and free releases,. YMR is an independently run record label with a collective decision-making process. There is a unique alternative music scene existing within contemporary Khmer society, this is particularly apparent in Phnom Penh. The music coming from this movement is unique in South East Asia in terms of its style and drive, which is probably partly resulting from Cambodia's contemporary history, specifically the lack of direct influence within the alternative music and art scenes resulting from the Khmer Rouge Genocide. Despite an emergence of new artists, Khmer alternative music and art in remains relatively marginalised within Khmer society.
Yab Moung is collectively run, and was initially tied in closely with community-run music and art workshops called the CAM Projects, originally started and funded by Show Box and Timon Siebel, now funded by MAP and other community organisations and relies on the work of shareholders, collaborations with musicians and artists and volunteers. representing Yab Moung Records include or have included: Sliten6ix, Reign in Slumber, ANTI-fate, No Forever, Nightmare AD, Doch Ckae, Count Us In, Pork Belly Tin and Phnom Skor and Vartey Ganiva.
Aims
Yab Moung's Mission Statement is to encourage the development alternative Khmer music, to create accessibility and provide a platform for Khmer alternative music, art and creative expression.
Name
'Yab Moung' roughly translated means 'pain in the ass' or 'annoying' in Khmer. The name was chosen collectively by Khmer alternative musicians and the labels founders
Origins
Khmer Music has a rich and unique history peaking in the 1960s before the Khmer Rouge Genocide. In the opening years of the 21st Century original alternative music began to emerge in Cambodia's capital of Phnom Penh. At this time Yab Moung was founded by Myles Hallin (aka Myley Rattle) and Tom Reichelt with the support and motivation of several Khmer alternative bands including Sliten6ix, The ANTIfate and No Forever. Yab Moung Records was started at the same time as the establishment of Phnom Penh's first cross-cultural, Khmer accessible, alternative venue, which was called “Show Box” Phnom Skor and Doch Ckae,

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