In recent years, she has lived mainly in Singapore, only occasionally returning home to participate in a few personal projects and major programs. For you, is traveling between the two countries inconvenient for your current job?
In Vietnam it will definitely be more convenient, so I still regularly return to perform, as well as take on tour shows in many other countries. When I am in Singapore, of course it will be affected, but not too much because nowadays it is easy to work and communicate via the internet; and I gain more than I lose. Now I don't live for myself anymore, but also have children and husband, so staying in Singapore is a good choice for all 3 family members, to avoid chaos. My son is now 9 years old and has been studying in Singapore for several years now.
So do you have to put in more effort to maintain your singing career in Vietnam?
I don't use the phrase "need to work hard" anymore, but rather I will "play" with singing to make life more fun. If I like a project, I will do it. Now when I sing, if I put too much effort into my voice, people say "too much" (too much work). Nowadays, people don't like to listen to voices that show off their range, range, technique, clear words... like before, because listening like that makes people feel tired. Audiences now like to listen to emotions, whispering their feelings, without needing to be "a little greedy" or anything. I fully understand the market, but unfortunately, singing like that is like betraying myself.
I think a lot. That's why I think I should still be myself, even though I have moderated and balanced everything to fit the "trend" better, each lesson just tossing in a little skill. We must understand that each time, each decade will be a different trend. But of course, I will try to find people and programs that have the same "taste" as me, so that I can appear and sing in places where I have value, true to my values.
I want to maintain my form and passion to stand on stage as long as possible. But that doesn't mean I have to work too hard. I don't need to prove or prove anything to anyone anymore after nearly 30 years of working, because everyone already knows Thu Minh's strength (laugh).
But many people still think that Thu Minh still has "fire", still has fierce energy, and still likes to "prove" her outstanding abilities?
“Fierce energy” is not meant to be coupled with “demonstrative energy.” I have fierce energy because my personality and nature are like that, I am always enthusiastic and enthusiastic about everything. As I get older, I appreciate this life more and more; and think I have to do my best while I still have a lot of energy. Because it's clear that the path I'm on is shorter than the path of the young people, the current generation of juniors.
Therefore, I see that with what I have gone through, there have been experiences, joys, sadness or successes, peaks of glory...; Using the word "effort" in the past would be more accurate than in the present. I am past the time when I had to try to rise up to build a position and a name. Now I just need to "enjoy" to enjoy it gently and steadily on my career path.
She said that this year's plan is to release a new album to surprise everyone. So what direction and color will it be?
Please let me keep it a secret before releasing it. To be honest, there are many ideas but I'm still looking for a young, skilled, and suitable partner with me to implement them together. I am waiting for the next fate in my career, like Nguyen Hai Phong and Vo Thien Thanh once came to me, creating breakthroughs and memorable milestones in both their and my careers, through music. unforgettable dance like Heaven, Wind chimes, Shadows of clouds across the platform, Curves, Flying, Taxi...
Are you looking for a "new relationship" but don't think there will be a "reunion" with your two previous partners?
Previously, I also intended to do it again with these two extremely talented veteran producers. But it seems to me that we have achieved most of our glory together, now each of us has a different step and branch in our career. My direction now is to have resonance between 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 that young producers are taking over the game, we should also listen to understand what's happening in the music market.
How can a veteran singer like you grasp the current "time" to keep pace with the music market where many young faces are appearing?
Over the past 3 years, I have been exploring and understanding the market, as well as studying and updating. That's my main goal. But I just 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, sing in a way that suits the lifestyle of Gen Z youth, but still has its own characteristics. It's great that the audience warmly received it.
I also produced the show myself 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 working together is to have "quality". art” – the artist must have his own personality, ego, and color; And when they are strong, they will automatically attract each other and 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 start working.
I had two periods: when I was young and new to the profession like you guys are now, I always protected my ego, and later when I became famous, I imposed my opinions on my colleagues. But it's all over now; And this is the third period - the current period: I want to resonate with the egos of excellent individuals, without distance from each other, by sharing, exchanging experiences, and learning together.
Will Thu Minh "dissolve" or "integrate" when shaking hands with young people?
I blend in, but there's no way I can dissolve. No matter what era music changes, no matter what technology or trend, in the end the emotional element is still the top priority, so whoever I cooperate with, I only hope to bring the audience fake this. The appeal to the human senses from that song right from the first moment is very important. A good song, a good singer must be able to do this.
I realized that what is most unique and my strength, which is a little different from other singers, is that I cannot be sentimental. All songs, no matter how "lovely" or how sad the song is, through my voice and expression, that song still brings a "rising energy", "full of fire". ”, does not leave negative sadness or autism in the listener. That is my intention in music, the energy in my heart is like that and I will sing like that.
No matter how sad, miserable, or disappointed I am in life, deep within me there is always that abundant source of positive energy. At my age, there's no way I can always be "cool" on stage forever. But at this time and through the program Hozo Super Fest 2023 As part of the recent 3rd Ho Chi Minh City International Music Festival, I think my performance is still good. I sing the hit ballad Only love you still plays the vocal range well from low to high; and within 45 minutes of exciting non-stop music, I still sang well, not exhausted. That is an energetic image that I want the audience to linger forever in Thu Minh.
Do you really want the audience to see Thu Minh as "Thu Minh's type" before, or as a singer who always innovates and updates trends?
People don't waste time building a monument for themselves only to destroy it, right? The audience only calls me "dance music queen" and I want to preserve this position in Vietnamese music. To stay in shape and agile with dance music, I have to exercise and maintain a disciplined diet, not "indulge myself" in hobbies.
I'm not the best dancer, but I have the most suitable and "burning" dance music voice. Even though I went on stage without a dance company, I still "spread the fire" alone, still "balanced" a vibrant performance with the response of a large audience. It's very difficult to "build" like that, so I still keep my own style; and will update with newer, more modern trends.
I am proud to still be diverse, loved by the audience with heroic revolutionary songs, old love songs, ballads of youth music, and especially vibrant dance songs that are considered "national songs". Can also sing along Fly, Curve...
Why don't you do a dance music live show for yourself in the near future? Do you think you're missing anything at the moment, or is it just not feasible in the current economic conditions to make a show?
Because I don't like it and don't need it. Up until now, I have never liked doing live shows to prove my class or looking for the so-called "live show of a lifetime". If I did a live show just to sing "real" and "burn" really well with live performances with the band, maybe I would feel more convinced. Like performing at a show Bring it Recently, with just one outfit, singing with a true band, the "art" burned out on stage without any coloration.
I'm afraid of doing a live show where I have to prepare everything according to the script, constantly change clothes, have to have tricks, and dance by memorizing every move following a dance crew of dozens of people on stage... Artists making shows are very miserable, I'm worried. planning everything. But I just want to sing. If a show or program or TV show takes care of all the organizing stages, Thu Minh can play right away and sing with all her heart and emotions.
So, a singer who seems to be very "fashionable" and trendy like Thu Minh, but essentially she still only wants to follow the "school of strength"?
It's always been like that. Why? When anyone chooses any profession, there is a truth in life, pursuing what they desire for their soul. Of course, in this life of many changes, things will happen that will make you feel happy or devastated, and from there you may change your opinions and dreams compared to the beginning. But basically, the desired foundation is still there. For my profession, singing is required to have real ability, even though in the age of voice editing technology, seeing (performing) is more important than listening. For me, a singer who excels in his profession and is respected still has to sing well in front of the audience, it cannot be any other way.
What I'm worried about now is that in the era of "fast food" music, the method of producing and releasing MVs is easier than before with many social networks spreading, everyone chasing the latest trends, causing longevity. of the song goes by so fast. Therefore, I think I need to make more serious, quality and valuable music so that the music and songs can last a long time and survive the test of time.
Current gameshow like Beautiful sister rides the wind and turns waves In the first season, you did not accept the invitation and did not want to do a live show, so what else do you want, or do you have any plans on the path to continuing this career?
I just thought I was past the stage of competing in a certain program. As for live shows, I still want to do them, and there will definitely come a day if I'm lucky enough to meet a team to create an excellent new album, making me want to promote and introduce good products and songs to a large audience. general public. As before, I have almost finished preparing the live show project Diva, suddenly Covid-19 came and everything was broken. Now everyone knows that idea, and the time has passed, so I can't do it again. Everything that's been said before can't be overdone, so I just need to be able to sing in shows with passionate, passionate audiences, satisfy my passion, and burn my heart out like this. Bring it then I'm very happy.
