'Artists who play music together for a long time are like lovers'

Singer Pham Anh Khoa praised artist Dzung for his respectful and understanding work, making him feel like he was 'being courted all over again'.

Pham Anh Khoa contributes his voice to Dung's album Hay khong hay thap (2025) - Photo: LE GIANG

With the idea of ​​"traveling Vietnam with Vietnamese music ", Dzung - musician, guitarist, music producer - created the concept album 2025´ inspired by Vietnam. 2025´ is a wordplay, like a pair of questions and answers: "Is it good? Very good".

In this album, he collaborated with Meritorious Artist Hai Phuong - who plays the zither in a modern style in the album, bassist Tran Chanh Thao, singer Pham Anh Khoa, actor Hoang Phi, also known by his stage name Uncle 13.

Pham Anh Khoa makes music with Dung because of his heart

Pham Anh Khoa said there were two reasons he wanted to cooperate with Dung: talent and dedication to the job: "Dedication to the job seems to be a luxury within about one or two years. But 5 or 7 years ago, I saw it a lot.

Brothers stand side by side to speak up for the times we live in, bringing updates in artistic formats and perspectives, and partly contributing and guiding art and music lovers, creating beauty in life."

When meeting Dung, Pham Anh Khoa felt like it had been a long time since he had a "partner" to work with, interact with, and respect him, and even felt "like he was being courted all over again".

Pham Anh Khoa felt like Dung was 'flirting with him all over again' - Video : LE GIANG

"We've been playing music together for a long time, it's like we're in love. We almost have to understand each other's dislikes and avoid each other to support each other's emotions. I appreciate Dung's work process because of that detail. I believe he's the same when working with other artists," Anh Khoa said.

When working together, Dung said that before Pham Anh Khoa sang for everyone, but now he should "sing among everyone", so that everyone can sing along. Anh Khoa remembered that a teacher once told him: "When your music is played in a coffee shop, it means you are successful".

During the 3 months working in the studio, Dzung and Pham Anh Khoa spent most of their time polishing each word and pronunciation.

Fireworks, motorboats, high tides... into music

Through the album, Dung expressed his love for his country. Wherever he went, he recorded the sounds and noises of life in each locality. He used those sounds as a musical instrument to recreate the space and emotions of each land.

Dung hopes his music expresses his love for his homeland by honoring the characteristics of each region - Photo: LE GIANG

That is: the song Con Tau uses the sound of the SE8 Saigon - Nha Trang train, a combination of emotions from train trips from childhood to the present day; Nghinh Ong Thuy Tuong with the sound of a motorboat engine recorded on Phu Quy island;

Filled with inspiration about high tides in Ho Chi Minh City. or Fireworks on Nam Rom River - Dien Bien on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory...

"The sounds of each era are born and also disappear. I want to preserve those sounds in this album as the sounds of the 2025 era."

I define the music genre of 2025 as "Lyristic Homeland" because it fully encompasses the content and meaning I want to convey through my music: Love for the homeland" - Dzung shared.

In Dung's music, the vibrant rhythms of disco, funky and electronic sounds combine with traditional instruments and guitar. He doesn't care what genre his music is, because it has no limits.

The album includes 7 of Dung's latest compositions with 2 different presentations and performances, divided into 2 sides. Side 1 is Don with 7 ensemble pieces, side 2 is Ca with 5 songs and 2 ensemble pieces.

If Don are stories told through the sound of a musical instrument, in the international language of music, then Ca are stories told through songs, in the Vietnamese language.

Artists collaborating with Dung in the album 2025' - Photo: LE GIANG

Dzung (or Dzung) real name is Pham Viet Dung, born in 1989. He used to play in the Red Cross band, was the leader of the band Final Stage, co-founded the band Hac San (famous for Vietnamese Songs), then pursued a solo career with instrumental music, progressive metal, world music...

He has performed at Rock Viet, HOZO International Music Festival and many other big shows.

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