Wall Leader: "Over the past 30 years, there have been times when I felt tired and frustrated"

"I used to think "Fire-Lighting Hands" was the last live show of The Wall"

During its 30-year journey, The Wall has had its ups and downs. As the only person following the band for that long, have you ever felt tired or depressed?

- The journey of The Wall has now been 30 years. Three decades, for a human life is not long but for a band, it is truly a memorable milestone. Because I think, there are few bands that have existed for so long in Vietnam.

Honestly, there were times when I felt tired and discouraged. Any job or field, when there are stages that are not as expected and do not bring me inspiration but only deadlock, makes me want to give up, leave it.

Musician, Guitarist Tran Tuan Hung - leader of the band Buc Tuong - in a conversation with Dan Tri reporter.

Is it true that when Tran Lap passed away, he was also at his most tired and depressed?

- During his lifetime, Mr. Tran Lap was the "soul" of Buc Tuong, as he took on many important roles. Therefore, when mentioning Buc Tuong, many people remember him without knowing who the people behind him were and what they did.

Tran Lap is no more: We lost a composer, lost the main singer, lost the person who connected the media with the audience. And so, what is left of The Wall!

I was very sad, lost, and disappointed when Tran Lap passed away, and with that thought, The Wall had to stop for a while after Tran Lap passed away.

I also thought that the live show The Wall and Friends - Hands that light the fire on the evening of January 16, 2016 would be the last music night...

But then, why can the group still continue? That is the passion and great love that I and the members have for The Wall . For me, when it has been attached to my whole life and become something great and meaningful, I cannot give up.

That's why I used to compare myself to a builder, a protector of the name The Wall and its value.

On the journey that The Wall has been and is going on, Tran Lap has always been present beside us. I am not looking for someone like Tran Lap, if I did so I know it would be the wrong choice. Because the audience will compare that person to Tran Lap.

That's also the reason I invited Pham Anh Khoa to collaborate on the last 2 albums of Buc Tuong - a person with a strong personality and a unique voice.

I used to consider myself a builder, a guardian of the name The Wall and its value.

Musician, Guitarist Tran Tuan Hung

You yourself later took on the position of leader, guitarist and composer. With your new role, did you ever face pressure or difficulties?

- It was then that I realized I lacked so many things and needed to learn to do well. I started practicing composing, practicing public speaking, practicing making plans and connecting with my brothers.

Thank God everything went smoothly and I can rest assured to continue the new journey with The Wall and my brothers.

Looking back on the 30-year journey of The Wall, what are you most proud of and what do you regret, have not done yet, and want to do?

- What I am most proud of is having the immense affection of generations of audiences. They not only see us as a favorite band but also as a friend, companion and more.

Overall, I don't regret anything. Because, whether in the past or present, I have always done my best. Ignoring some unfinished things, instead, there are many goals to conquer ahead.

I used to think "Fire-Lighting Hands" was the last live show...

9X friends, Gen Z children now also like and come to The Wall

A lot of members left, some new members appeared. How did you help the group adapt and start over, while still keeping the spirit of The Wall?

- Of course, those who are in the Wall team will always have to understand that spirit and understand the values ​​that they are working for.

Like soldiers in the army, when wearing the military uniform, one must always be aware and responsible for it.

To have a way of thinking, behaving and operating according to the band's criteria is also an honor that all members of The Wall who have played and are playing feel and understand.

Maintaining a band is difficult because of the many musical personalities and personalities of each person. We need to understand each other and agree on principles when working.

In that process, for any band, arguments or conflicts are inevitable. The most important thing is to know how to resolve them to find common ground.

Musician Tran Tuan Hung is proud that over the past 30 years, The Wall has received the love of audiences of many generations.

Many people say that the age of The Wall is increasing but the age of the members is decreasing. Is this your ambition to rejuvenate the team?

- That's not the band's criteria. In 2024, we had a change in members when Guitar Bass Minh Duc quit playing for personal reasons. Luckily, Tang Xuan Kien appeared and fulfilled this position very well and interestingly, he was younger.

We set out the criteria: Must have good ability, be aware of playing in a big band. At the same time, they must have team spirit in activities, life, as well as awareness of performance and related activities.

Talking about the audience of The Wall, in the past 5-6 years, the number of young audiences, in the 9X, 2K age group, accounts for 70-80%, not the 7X-8X generation anymore. I noticed that even though they are young, they still sing The Wall's old songs as well as newly released songs.

It proves that the band is on the right track and has influence, not just limited to the 8X and 7X audiences like before.

The leader of the band The Wall said that, compared to before, the life of the rock band is much better.

You once said that the income from rock was not enough for you to do anything. In recent years, as the music scene has changed, has this changed?

- In Vietnam, people do not think that playing rock can make a living. Rock music is not the choice of the majority and brands, especially the cost of running a rock band is very high. In addition to the reason of having many members, the musical equipment system also costs a lot of money.

Therefore, the salary received when performing will have to be divided into many categories, not only to ensure the members but also to maintain the quality of the musical instruments.

I still think that, compared to before, the life of a rock band has improved a lot. I feel that my achievements and activities have been recognized appropriately.

People see Buc Tuong's music as a friend.

Recently, a 19-year-old fan of Buc Tuong shared his story of how he changed from a rebellious, playboy youth into a useful person thanks to Buc Tuong's music. Have you heard many stories like that?

- Stories like this are often encountered on the band's fanpage or through messages sent to the group or me personally.

That is also what I am proud of what Buc Tuong has done over the past 30 years. People consider Buc Tuong's music as a friend they can lean on, confide in, help them become stronger, overcome difficulties and change themselves.

That is truly a happy thing for those who do art and music, it is the most valuable and meaningful gift - more than any praise or award.

According to Tran Tuan Hung, Tran Lap put into the songs of Buc Tuong thoughts about life, society, and fate.

Besides the bright, positive meaning, some people also think that The Wall's music is a bit philosophical. Do you think this is correct?

- Actually, it is true, it comes from Tran Lap's thoughts when composing the first songs. He put into the songs of Buc Tuong humanistic thoughts, philosophy of life, thoughts about life, about society and about fate through the image of a banyan tree growing strongly, despite having gone through many storms.

Most importantly, not only describing a phenomenon or an event, Tran Lap's perspective is always positive.

That also affected all the band members as well as their later compositions when Mr. Tran Lap was no longer around. Later, Buc Tuong still looked at things, events, and phenomena in an optimistic way, always bringing others ideals and good thoughts in life.

Can you reveal the programs to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Wall?

- The 30th anniversary celebration of The Wall was held at the end of March in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These were music nights for everyone to look back on The Wall's journey. Music is the key element to connect, guide and create emotions.

The show will definitely feature Tran Lap in some way, but I don’t want it to be a memorial concert for him. Because he is always in everyone’s hearts. Lap will appear in every song, every moment of Buc Tuong and the audience during the show.

Also this year, we plan to carry out even bigger programs.

Thanks for sharing!

Tran Tuan Hung (2nd from right) and members of Buc Tuong, singer Anh Khoa at the album launch event "Balance" in Hanoi, 2023.

Photo: Nguyen Ha Nam

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/thu-linh-buc-tuong-30-nam-qua-nhieu-luc-toi-thay-met-moi-chan-nan-20250314185509590.htm