Sophea is a singer, trained in classical Khmer opera and dance - but now, the lead in a band called Krom that sings Mekong Delta Blues.
Sophea grew up in The White Building. It's likely called that ironically, as it's a decrepit slum, rich in living culture.
"Once I'd learned, I realised that what I was doing was crucial to preserving Khmer culture - like the Khmer proverb says: 'no culture, no nation'," she said.
"So I feel I'm living that proverb and presenting Cambodia to the world. It is time now to look to the future. Forget our past. I am proud to be part of the new Cambodia."
Krom, whose name just means "The Band", are now contenders for two Grammies - and they've made a rare appearance in Phnom Penh.
Sophea sings love songs. The lyrics of 'Don't Go Away' are crushingly sad - it's a song of captivation and fear of being left alone.
Singer-songwriter for Krom Chris Minko says the songs are an attempt to see whether Cambodia can choose another path - rather than the one Thailand did.
"The bottom line of that equation is that the ruling elite end up selling the daughters of the nation into the sex industry so that they can line their pockets with money," he said.
Krom's new anthem extols the wonders of the land of the god kings of Angkor, and Cambodians love it. Less popular are the ballads that confront head-on, Khmer noir. Cambodians, as we know, prefer to move on.
Krom's blues are laidback - but their lyrics are raw and real, and they want the world to sit up and listen.
Channel Four
