Mars Anh Tu: I will say straight out that I will not write love songs for Tuan Hung anymore.

Tu Dua has experienced many ups and downs in life and music. After 3 decades, approaching the age of 45, he decided to "rebirth", returning to the music path as a singer with a new stage name - Mars Anh Tu. - The project 'Mars Moods' marks his return to the music path as a singer?
I just released Mars Moods, officially returning as a singer. It is an EP of 12 songs I composed, both old and new. My goal is to build a separate channel. I also want my compositions to have a longer life, the audience will see a certain angle when the "father" of the hit performs the song with a spirit of understanding every note, every story. - Why did you return to work as a singer at this time? Now is the right time, before I focused on production, since 2010 I switched to composing songs and luckily had many hits, also achieved certain success. At that time, I did not think about singing. But during the Covid-19 epidemic, I just stayed at home and sang livestream, many audiences wanted to hear Anh Tu sing. “Singer-songwriter” (artists who can compose and perform their own songs - PV) is also a trend that is widely accepted by the audience, so I decided to come back.
- Do you think this is an opportunity, a reasonable choice?

Before coming back, I also thought a lot, staying up many nights wondering: "Is it necessary? Am I still passionate about singing?" And the answer is that I still have a lot of passion for music. Besides, Anh Tu wants to create his own playground, to do what he likes. I don't like to depend on anyone, I don't want to be associated with anyone. I have my own friends, family and audience.

In the age of technology, social media platforms like today, opportunities are shared equally for everyone, including those who are new to music as long as you have a good product, a good enough idea. Of course, I am sober enough, the game of digital music can go up very quickly and down very quickly.

-Do you have many musical plans for this comeback?

Yes! Before, I used to make music just with emotion, but now if I do that, I know I will definitely lose. Therefore, I aim to be a versatile artist, but not the type who sings every night. In Vietnam, some audiences listen to music based on the crowd effect, going out a lot and listening a lot will get boring.

I don't follow that direction, I create private music nights, sometimes I only need to do a few shows a year but those who love Mars Anh Tu's voice will be extremely excited.

-I think the name Tu Dua is “hot enough” for you to sing again. Why do you need a new stage name?

I also hesitated a lot. Many people love the name Tu Dua because it is so familiar, associated with memories of a music group in their youth. But young audiences today do not know who I am, because I have not been active in the performing arts for 10 years. Even if I change my stage name, I want to keep the qualities that Anh Tu has built.

-With this decision, did you receive support from singers Tuan Hung and Bang Kieu?

I think people will support me because they understand my personality. After Holding Your Hand, I told Tuan Hung straight that I would not write love songs for him anymore. Because that was a huge peak of our collaboration and we could hardly surpass it. If there were any songs, they would only be about friendship, family, and society. And that's what I did.

Previously, the audience and the media could call me and Tuan Hung a perfect pair in music, when releasing a song it was a hit. But I think I need other challenges. Then, I collaborated with Huong Tram. That is the ego of an artist, wanting to express myself more.

-In the project 'Mars Moods', most of the hits are associated with Tuan Hung's name, do you feel pressured?

Before Tuan Hung 's hits, I felt pressured. Because Tuan Hung's arrangements were so good, bearing his name, the person who did it later like me would be at a disadvantage. I only had confidence as the father of that series of songs. Hits like Hold My Hand, I Miss You , no one can sing them like Tuan Hung, but when I sing, the audience will receive them from a different perspective.

Tuan Hung's previous remixes were also done by me and another collaborator, this time I did it completely new. I want to surpass myself so I can't make a worse remix, I can't defame my "child". I also can't make it too different from the original that everyone loved.

I remade Tuan Hung's big hit not to prove that I was better than him, but to reach young audiences so that they would know: "Ah, Mars Anh Tu is the owner of those songs". I remade all 12 songs very carefully because I was afraid of being criticized for "ruining my own songs".

-How do you accept compliments, criticisms and comparisons?

I think it’s normal. Some people say: “You’re still singing and dancing at your age, you’re only good at composing.” I accept that very easily. The only thing that matters to me is whether I still have enough passion or not! If I have enough enthusiasm, I think I’m still very young. The audience today is knowledgeable, civilized and open, but strict enough to be lenient. I don’t seek fame or have to prove how talented I am.

- So what makes Mars Anh Tu more special than Tu Dua?

Young audiences are excited about the new music and image of Mars Anh Tu. They call me the singing uncle. I think this is a good age to work because there is a lot of experience. I am aiming for more modern and youthful products. When working with the young team, I really enjoy it and learn a lot, they have a very different way of thinking, approaching the international level.

- Do you think you're a bit greedy?

Just a little bit. I think it's enough. When I was still involved in music production, everyone encouraged me to release an album, but I didn't do it because I didn't have the need. Now I'm confident that I have a production team so I don't have to swim alone. At each stage, God will give me the right arrangement. For example, this year I will collaborate with singers Tung Duong and Huong Tram. We love each other and feel that it's suitable to collaborate.

How do you feel about working with Tung Duong and the return of Huong Tram?

Pressure. I feel pressured when working with anyone. When I worked with Tuan Hung, the song "Hold My Hand" became a big hit, so I decided to stop there. Now that Huong Tram is making a comeback, she feels more pressured than me! My wife teases me: "Who knows if she'll still sing my songs now" because music is like fashion.

As for Tung Duong, a top singer in Vietnam, I feel even more pressured. With Tung Duong, I have to do something that makes the audience go "wow".

- Will two strong personalities meet and "short circuit"?

No. I find it very interesting! Working with Tung Duong is very suitable. We respect each other's musical personalities. I can make Tung Duong soft, Tung Duong can make my songs more classy.

- Can you share more about this collaboration, what kind of music is it?

I'll just say it briefly, it's music that celebrates modern women. I think it's very special!

- You "broke up" with Tuan Hung but shook hands with Huong Tram after "Duyen Minh Lo", is this an exception?

When Huong Tram was in school, she was at the peak of her career, ranking high in the Vietnamese music industry. When making this product, it cannot be worse than the previous products. The hardest part is not me, but I think it is Huong Tram.

It can be said that this is an exception, cooperating with Huong Tram at this time is pressure but also a great motivation. Huong Tram has real ability, she has media appeal. With Tuan Hung, my dedication is enough, no need to explain further.

- Many years ago, you answered in an interview that you live very instinctively. So does Mars Anh Tu still have that instinct?

I really like your question. I am a very instinctive person, it was formed from a young age, when my parents separated and I became independent from a young age, to when I went to school and worked until today.

But in the past 2 years, I have had many changes. I never thought I would read books about business administration and human resource management like now. Instinct is a very good asset for an artist, but I am training it to become a skill. Changing a little to adapt, I learn more, am more meticulous with myself, and my artistic nature also shows up at the right time.

- The current image marks Tu Dua's maturity?

Exactly. Currently, my family is stable, the support system is solid, allowing me to freely pursue my music. I had a wild, passionate youth with many mistakes. At this age, it is not embarrassing to say that I am mature. But in my youth, I also did the things I wanted, which may be right or wrong, but I have experienced it.

I don’t accept any interviews asking about my family. It’s not that I’m smarter and more alert now to hide everything. It’s that I’ve matured enough to see through and know how to put away precious things.

Today's Anh Tu is quite enthusiastic and likes to share about music, spreading lessons to the next generation. My children are also grown up, very obedient, loving, respectful and proud of their father. My two daughters Linh Nhi and Ngan Ha are helping their father in making music: Linh Nhi is a great assistant in the company I founded, the second daughter Ngan Ha will soon debut as a singer of the company.

- Your current difficulty is...?

Not many relationships yet. I had 2 years before that to build a team and reconnect old relationships, build new relationships.

- What do you want people to remember about Mars Anh Tu?

The image of a mature man, jokingly called "singing uncle" with neatness, good taste, a long-haired gentleman with enough experience in singing.

- What will Mars Anh Tu's musical color be like?

At first, I will write with my forte, which are pop ballads and love songs in Anh Tu's style. I met Drum7 to invite him to join a music project, maybe some new arrangements. To me, music is fashion, there is no difficult music, easy music, there is only music that people like or dislike. Composing is the same, it will also have trendy songs. As long as we are in love, we will listen to pop ballads, only when we are no longer in love will we stop listening to pop ballads.