Singer Thu Minh "Cannot betray self-value"

In recent years, you have lived mainly in Singapore, only occasionally returning home to participate in personal projects and major programs. Do you think traveling between the two countries is inconvenient for your current job?

It will definitely be more convenient in Vietnam, so I still come back to perform regularly, as well as accept shows to tour in many other countries. When I am in Singapore, of course it will be affected, but not too much because nowadays it is easier to work and communicate via the internet; and I gain more than I lose. Now I do not live for myself alone, but also have children and husband, so living in Singapore is a good choice for all 3 family members, so as not to disrupt. My son is now 9 years old, and has been studying in Singapore for several years now.

So do you have to try harder to maintain your singing career in Vietnam?

I don't use the phrase "need to make an effort" anymore, but I will "play" with singing to make life more enjoyable. I will do whatever project I like. Now, if I try too hard on my voice, people will say "overdo it". Nowadays, people don't like to listen to voices that show off their range, pitch, technique, or clarity... like before, because listening like that makes people tired. Audiences now like to listen to emotions, whispering and confiding, without needing to "breathe" too much. I understand the market completely, but unfortunately, singing like that is like betraying yourself.

I think a lot. That's why I think I still have to be myself, even though I have to restrain myself, balance everything to be more "trendy", each song only shows a little bit of skill. I have to understand that each time, each decade will be a different trend. But of course, I will try to find people, programs that have the same "taste" as me, so that I can appear to sing in places where I have value, true to my value.

I want to maintain my form and passion to stand on stage for as long as possible. But that doesn't mean I have to try too hard. I don't need to prove anything to anyone after nearly 30 years in the profession, because everyone already knows Thu Minh's ability ( laughs ).

But many people still think that Thu Minh is still "fiery", still has fierce energy, and still likes to "prove" her superior ability?

"Fierce energy" does not mean "energy to prove". I have fierce energy because of my personality and nature, I am always enthusiastic and passionate in everything. As I get older, I appreciate this life more and more; and I think I have to give it my all while I still have a lot of energy. Because clearly the path I take is shorter than the path of young people, the younger generation now.

Therefore, I think that with what I have been through, the experiences, the joys, the sorrows, the successes, the peaks of glory…; then using the word “effort” in the past would be more appropriate than the present. I have passed the time when I had to strive to build a position and a name. Now I just need to “enjoy” to enjoy a gentle, stable way on the path of my career.

You said you plan to release a new album this year to surprise everyone. So what direction and color will it be?

Please let me keep it a secret before releasing it. Honestly, I have many ideas but I am still looking for young, skilled, and suitable collaborators to work with me. I am waiting for the next opportunity in the profession, like Nguyen Hai Phong and Vo Thien Thanh who came to me, creating breakthroughs with memorable milestones in their careers and mine, through unforgettable dance songs such as Thien Dang, Chuong Gio, Bong May Qua Cuc, Duong Cong, Bay, Taxi...

Are you looking for a "new relationship" and not thinking about a "reunion" with your two previous colleagues?

Previously, I also intended to work again with these two extremely talented veteran producers. But I think we have achieved most of our glory together, now each of us has taken a different step, a different branch in our career. My direction now is to have the resonance of two generations, so I will seek out young people. This resonance will be better than just one generation playing together; and I want to close the gap between the two generations. Now, young producers are "taking control" of the game, we should also listen to understand what is happening in the music market.

How can a veteran singer like you grasp the current "trend" to keep up with the music market where many young faces are appearing?

For the past 3 years, I have been groping and researching the market, just like learning and updating. That is my main goal. But I only use the word "play". I play to test whether my thinking is still sharp. When making a series of covers of new songs by Hoang Thuy Linh, My Tam..., I collaborated with young producers. We supported and advised each other, and they also restrained my "ego", to help the song be different, singing in a style that fits the lifestyle of Gen Z youth, but still has its own unique features. I am very happy that the audience welcomed it warmly.

I also self-produced the Muse It - Sing Chat Show with 15 episodes broadcast on YouTube last year, singing with 15 guests, most of whom are Gen Z musicians, including: Noo Phuoc Thinh, Truc Nhan, Erik, Trung Quan Idol, Vo Ha Tram, Thao Trang, Hoang Dung, Trong Hieu, Myra Tran, Mew Amazing, Sofia, Ali Hoang Duong, FB Boiz... I believe that no matter what generation or time, the first thing when collaborating together is to have "artistic qualities" - the artist must have his own personality, ego, and color; and when strong, they will automatically attract each other, will have a common voice to create resonance. After this show, I am very confident and energetic to do many new music projects, just waiting for the right person to come and get started.

I had two periods: when I was young and just starting out like you guys now, I always protected my ego, and later when I became famous, I always imposed my opinions on my colleagues. But now all that is over; and this is the third period - the current period: I want to resonate the egos of excellent individuals, without distance from each other, by sharing, exchanging experiences, and learning together.

Will Thu Minh "dissolve" or "integrate" when joining hands with young people?

I integrate, not dissolve. No matter how music changes in any era, no matter what technology or trends, in the end, the emotional factor is still the most important, so no matter who I collaborate with, I only hope to bring this to the audience. The appeal of the human senses from that song right from the first moment is very important. A good song, a good singer must do this.

I realize that my most unique and strong point, which is a little different from other singers, is that I cannot be sentimental. All songs, no matter how "emotional" or how sad the song is, through my voice and performance, the song still brings a "rising energy", "full of fire", not leaving negative sadness or autism for the listener. That is my intention in music, the energy in my heart is like that, so I will sing like that.

No matter how sad, miserable, or disappointed I am in life, deep inside me is always an abundant source of positive energy. At my age, it is impossible for me to always be "booming" on stage forever. But at this time and through the Hozo Super Fest 2023 program within the framework of the 3rd Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival, I feel that my performance is still good. I sang the hit ballad " Yeu minh anh" but still played well from low to high range; and within 45 minutes of vibrant non-stop music, I still sang well, without losing strength. That is the energetic image that I want the audience to remember forever in Thu Minh.

Do you really want the audience to see Thu Minh as "the Thu Minh type" before, or as a singer who is always innovating and updating trends?

People don't waste time building a monument for themselves to then destroy it, right? The audience only calls me "the queen of dance music" and I want to maintain this position in Vietnamese music. To stay in shape and agile with dance music, I have to exercise and maintain a strict diet, not "indulge" in pleasures.

I am not the best dancer, but I have the most suitable and "hot" dance voice. Even though I go on stage without a dance troupe, I alone can "spread the fire", still "carry" the exciting performance with the response of a large audience. It is very difficult to "build" like that, so I still keep my own style; and will update with more modern and new trends.

I am proud to be diverse and loved by audiences with heroic revolutionary songs, old love songs, young ballads and especially with vibrant dance songs considered "national songs" that everyone can sing along to such as Bay, Duong Cong ...

Why don't you do a dance music live show for yourself in the near future? Do you think you're lacking something right now, or is it not feasible to do a show given the current economic conditions?

Because I don't like it and don't have the need. Up until now, I have never liked doing live shows to prove my class or to look for the so-called "live show of a lifetime". If I did a live show just to sing "really well", "burn" really happy with live performances with the band, then I might find it more convincing. Like the performance at the Hozo show recently, with only 1 performance outfit, singing with a real band, the "artistic" quality burned on stage without any frills.

I'm afraid of doing a live show where I have to prepare everything according to the script, constantly change clothes, have tricks, dance every move with a dance troupe of dozens of people on stage... Artists do shows so hard, worry about so many things. But I just want to sing. If a show producer or program, TV show takes care of all the organization, Thu Minh can go right away to sing with all her heart and emotions.

So a singer who seems very " fashionable " and trendy like Thu Minh, but in essence she still only wants to follow the "realistic school"?

It's always like that. Why? When anyone chooses a career, they have a philosophy of life, pursuing what they want for their soul. Of course, in this ever-changing life, things will happen that make us feel happy or crushed, and from there we may change our opinions and dreams compared to the beginning. But basically, the desired foundation is still there. With my career, singing requires real talent, even in the age of voice correction technology, looking (performing) more than listening. For me, a singer who stands out in the profession and is respected still has to sing well in front of the audience, there is no other way.

What I'm worried about now is that in this era of "fast food" music, the method of producing and releasing MVs is easier than before with many social networks spreading, everyone is chasing the latest trend, causing the lifespan of songs to pass too quickly. Therefore, I think I need to make music more seriously, with better quality and value so that music and songs can linger and survive over time.

Currently, you did not accept the first season of game shows like "Beautiful Sister Who Makes the Waves" and you do not want to do live shows either. So what else do you want, or do you have any plans to continue pursuing this career?

I just think I've passed the stage of competing in a certain program. As for live shows, I still want to do them, and there will definitely be a day when I'm lucky enough to meet a creative team that creates an excellent new album, making me want to promote and introduce products and good songs to the public. Like before, I had almost finished preparing the Diva live show project, but suddenly Covid-19 came and ruined everything. Now everyone knows that idea, and it's past its time, so I can't do it again. Everything is said before it's done, so I just need to sing in programs with passionate, enthusiastic audiences, satisfy my passion, and burn myself out like Hozo , then I'm very happy.

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