Singer Tung Duong: If there are still shortcomings, there is still a need to make efforts.

Present in Ho Chi Minh City to launch his new album Vol.1: The Voice - Timeless, singer Tung Duong shared with SGGP Newspaper about his musical life. The male singer humorously said that he is no longer young enough to be an "older brother" and his looks are average. However, he affirmed that he has never stopped learning, creating and challenging himself with art.

REPORTER: Releasing a vinyl album with changes in the way you sing immortal songs, what kind of impression do you hope to make?

Singer TUNG DUONG: For me, Vol.1: The Voice - Timeless is not only a recreation of the golden moments of Vietnamese music through classic works but also a dialogue between the past and the present. I want to preserve the quintessence of my singing and show the difference in the approach to songs that have existed for decades. The songs have had many recorded and performed versions before associated with big names, but I do not let myself be swept away by established styles. I exploit the emotional depth of the songs through personal experiences, originating from my own thoughts, inner feelings from life, from inspirational journeys over the years.

With this album, I want to honor the works, the authors and highlight the role of the orchestra - the silent people who help the singer shine. The album is also a reminder to myself of the true value of singing, of emotion and art - things that seem simple but are gradually being forgotten in today's digital age. Therefore, I choose a simple singing style, not ornate, not "possessed" like before. In each era, artists have their own personality and creativity. If you have listened to Tung Duong's album, you will surely feel the difference in the way of singing, vibrato, and harmony. So any comparison is unnecessary.

You shared that every time you do a new project, it is a test of your courage. What challenges did you encounter while making this new album?

The most difficult part was choosing the song list for this album because the Vietnamese music treasure has so many good works. Meanwhile, the vinyl record only has 8 songs. Regarding this product, I admit that it is not perfect, for example, there are some notes that are a bit too fresh, a bit too young, but I still decided not to use digital technology to influence it. For me, the imperfections are the motivation for me to try harder. However, I always keep my own style, never "cutting the plow in the middle of the road".

Tung Duong is known as an extremely perfectionist, who values ​​perfection. But recently, he shared that he no longer wants to be confined by the desire for perfection. Why did that change happen?

Through my singing experience and many “battles”, I gradually understood that humans are a mixture of emotions - depending on the time, external influences and moods, we have differences; not to mention health problems. Humans are not machines, so they cannot be perfect. The more we try to be perfect, the more we see flaws. As long as there are flaws, we still need to make an effort. If we are too perfect, “our feet don’t touch the ground”, then what is there to try for? If we think we are enough, we think we are good, that is really scary because then there is no motivation to try.

When you read news about colleagues having problems singing off-key on stage, how do you sympathize?

It is quite normal for artists to make mistakes on stage. I also make many mistakes, but usually only I or my colleagues and professionals know, the audience probably doesn't notice. Like in 2017, due to my busy singing schedule, my vocal cords were affected and couldn't recover in a short time. A month before the live show Heaven and Earth, I was so stressed that I lost my voice, and by the second song I was hoarse - something that had never happened before.

How much energy must it give you to regularly collaborate with young artists?

Working with young people, I receive renewed energy, rejuvenate myself. That is why I do not hesitate to work with young people, even those of different music genres. I myself am quite receptive and follow young talents, so I can create effective "handshakes" for music projects. However, I absolutely do not follow young people, I always have many creative projects of my own.

You once wanted to bring Vietnamese music to the world . Do you have any plans or ideas to do this?

After being honored at the International Special Awards - Music Awards Japan 2025 (MAJ 2025) - the largest international music award in Japan, I really want to work with artists around the world, but due to geographical distance, language and many barriers, I am currently unable to fulfill this wish. Hopefully there will be more opportunities in the future.

“Young artists have their own worldview, sometimes writing lyrics that are very real and challenging themselves. That is why many cases of “blowing the whistle” by authorities against some young artists whose songs were created from immature and reckless moments are really necessary. In the past, I also wanted to open my own limits when performing songs, but then I understood that whatever I want to spread to the community must be truly beautiful and meaningful. I hope that artists always aim for positivity when creating and performing,” Tung Duong shared.

Performed by TIEU TAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ca-si-tung-duong-con-khiem-khuyet-la-con-can-no-luc-post822543.html