Similar to Sex and the City, the Like Me’s consists of four females, half of which are Cambodian and the other half Filipina. With different talents and varied ages, they complement one another to form a unique sound. The R&B/Alternative/& Pop Southeast Asian American band is much like the Cambodian Alliance for the Arts since they target both a global and domestic audience to accomplish their mission; to empower and to heal. Just like any crew or organization, the band was established through common experiences and interests. It was due to painful, personal breaks-ups that the ladies formed a common bond and decided to empower and unite themselves as the Like Me’s. It often takes an accident of fate to bring people together, but from this chance occurrence, new beginnings arise…
The all female band focuses on performing songs that bring back Cambodian classics (Sva Rom Monkiss) from before the Khmer Rouge era. They sing songs in Khmer, English and French. As a Southeast Asian all female band, they hope to inspire the younger generation both in Southeast Asia and in the western world. By providing an outlet for the Southeast Asian community, the Like Me’s are making history, one country at a time…now they are on their way to Cambodia!
With constant laughter and happiness the divas joined me for a Skype interview. The band members; Helena Hong, Loren Alonzo, Laura Mam and Monique Coquilla (from left to right in above picture), seemed to be both nervous and excited. I spoke with them about how they got started, how they are as a band, and how they feel about their upcoming tour in Cambodia on February 13th. Lead singer and guitarist Laura Mam explains how the Like Me’s got started. She hopes that fans can similarly find empowerment and healing by turning to art:
The Like Me’s got together through heartbreak. I mean all of us by different people. But thanks to those people, we got together. We made music together. Then we found our healing process in each other. We found ourselves through music. It was incredible because we spent time expressing ourselves. Being honest with our music and sharing it. In the end, we created a lifetime friendship due to the broken hearts. So really our message is about empowerment and healing. In other words, finding yourself by digging deep, finding who you are, and actually having the courage to express it in whatever form that isn’t violence or drugs. You can actually take that energy and put it into something you actually love in many art forms.
Who is in the band (Name, instrument play, nationality & age)?
Like Me’s: Laura Mam- Guitar & Vocals (Cambodian, 24), Monique Coquilla- Drums (Filipino, 25), Loren Alonzo- Keyboard (Filipino, 24), Helena Hong- Bass (Cambodian, 31).
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