Except for Hong Nhung's vinyl record project "Who is Bong? " (2023), which released a digital version a year later to commemorate the 85th anniversary of musician Trinh Cong Son's birth, most artists such as Cam Van, Tung Duong, etc., have stated that they reject the digital music environment for this "stubborn nostalgia" of theirs in order to preserve its uniqueness and rarity.
Tung Duong plans to release a vinyl record of The Voice in July, featuring classic love songs by Trinh Cong Son, Pham Duy, An Bang, and others.
Photo: Provided by the interviewee
"Vinyl records are like a scent of the past."
"For me, vinyl records are a whole world of nostalgia, representing my father, my mother, my old home, where my parents sat in the corner drinking tea and reading while the record player played music... And now, it's an indescribable feeling to hold my own vinyl record in my hands for the first time, where I have the opportunity to express my most authentic 'raw' essence through live analog recordings with the band. Cẩm Vân's husky low notes and high notes are unprocessed, remaining intact as in the studio mix. Although it can't penetrate every corner of life like digital music, with its subtlety and authenticity, analog sounds can penetrate every corner of the soul and linger there for a long time. That's a place technology cannot reach or dominate," said Cẩm Vân, the owner of the album "Vết lăn trầm " (The Rolling Mark of Sadness), emotionally.
A die-hard fan of the singer of "Bài ca không quên" (The Unforgettable Song), MC Phùng Dương shared his special auditory experience listening to the LP "Vết lăn trầm" (The Rolling Mark ): "My feeling after listening to the whole album was one of astonishment and amazement. Cẩm Vân's arrangement and 'quiet' singing style highlight the simplicity yet profound contemplation of Trịnh's music." Musician Nguyễn Công Phương Nam (Vincent Nguyễn) from Germany, who arranged and produced " Vết lăn trầm," added: "Vinyl records are like a 'traditional fragrance' in music . Clearly, analog sound is richer and more beautiful than digital; it helps to distill and preserve the clarity and purity of musical feeling. For a music producer like me, witnessing the return of vinyl record playing is truly a blessing. I feel grateful to have met kindred spirits in music, to appreciate and cherish the products I'm creating, and the values I'm striving for."
Composer Nguyen Cong Phuong Nam: "Vinyl records are like a scent of the past."
Photo: Provided by the interviewee
"It's a gift, a necessity for hi-end audio enthusiasts. Artists releasing vinyl records demonstrate professionalism, aesthetic sense, and perfectionism in their music, rather than mass-producing tracks." The singer of "Rebirth " stated that The Voice will most likely be a long-term project numbered 1, 2, 3... for Tung Duong because he wants to preserve his voice at its peak in the most standard format.
"Even with vinyl records, the work of the artist and band in the studio is clearly much more arduous. Just one small mistake means starting over from scratch; it's impossible to fix. Production costs are also very expensive because printing is done abroad, the recording crew is also overseas, and the vinyl record production team in Vietnam is not yet fully specialized, nor are there dedicated studios for vinyl records. Breaking even is fortunate; we don't expect to make a profit. Or rather, the 'profit' here is the satisfaction and emotional fulfillment; it's establishing a value that needs to be preserved and shared with those who appreciate and cherish it," singer Tung Duong shared.
A digital concert storm?
"A truly large market should ideally offer a wide range of formats for both audiences and artists to choose from, depending on their taste, emotional appeal, and budget," singer Tung Duong stated. However, it also reflects the saturation of digital music, as vinyl records are clearly unsuitable for singers with limited talent. "Digital music saturation is real, and eventually, listeners and professionals will demand higher quality, instead of witnessing singers rise to prominence without genuine talent," commented musician Tran Hai Dang, Deputy Director of the Institute of Music, Vietnam National Academy of Music.
Many young people have fallen in love with vinyl records.
Photo: Vọc Records
Vọc Records - a popular vinyl record store in Hanoi - attracts many young people.
Photo: Vọc Records
Mr. Dang is also the owner of Hanoi Vinyl Records - a familiar spot for vinyl record enthusiasts in Hanoi. He said: Not long ago, his famous record store received a foreign customer who inquired about buying "classic" Vietnamese vinyl records at very high prices to add to their family library. "Vinyl records are an entire 'ecosystem' of memories for many audiophiles. Not only do they offer the highest quality in any format, but vinyl records also captivate listeners with their 'challenging ritual': every action must be performed slowly and carefully... Vinyl records aren't sold online; that's a proud 'privacy' unique to vinyl. Because the production process is so meticulous and expensive, the selected musical pieces and arrangements are naturally the creations most cherished and valued by the artists, most closely associated with their names – the 'pure gold' values of time," shared a vinyl record owner in Hanoi .
Will the return of vinyl records signal any optimism for the Vietnamese music market? The owner of the album "Vết lăn trầm" (Deeply Etched Marks) commented: "The return of vinyl records is a whole process of trying to 'keep the flame alive' by Vietnamese artists who want to revive vinyl, an attitude that affirms the fundamental values of music. We also have to thank a segment of the audience who have silently supported artists like us because perhaps, for them, vinyl records are not just music, but a place to experience authentic art, touching emotions and evoking old values..."
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dia-than-kieu-hanh-and-dinh-kien-185250603223558283.htm
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