'I can't sing music in a way that makes people feel sorry for me'

Our conversation in a small corner of a warm cafe in the middle of a windy Hanoi winter afternoon and the deep layers of emotions were gently stirred up…

Maybe it was the sharp, suffocating feeling of wanting to quit the Sao Mai contest in Hue in 2011, when I received the news that my father was seriously ill due to a heart attack... It could also be the ultimate dedication to my passion for music, as Vu Thang Loi confided: "If I still have health, I will never stop singing."

-From the boy standing in the wings eavesdropping on a cai luong song, then the student working part-time at a cafe asking to go on stage to sing to singer Vu Thang Loi today, it seems that his "mission" in this life is linked to music? My family has a gene for loving art, my father likes taking photos, my uncles are passionate about painting and architecture. My father was born in 1928, very artistic, when he was 20 years old he bought himself a camera, at that time daring to invest like that was "awesome"! When I was 4-5 years old, he followed art troupes to be close to the artists, and to make a living by taking photos, then he also applied to be a security guard at the White Lotus Cai Luong Troupe (Nghe Tinh, now Nghe An). Living with my father, I absorbed my passion for music without realizing it. In high school, I applied to work part-time at music cafes, carrying things while listening, and when I had free time I asked to go on stage to sing passionately. Music has become a part of my flesh and blood and I decided to commit to it. You know, every morning when I wake up, I turn on a song to let myself drift away and kneel down to thank Heaven and Earth for giving me another day to breathe fresh air, praying for my loved ones to be safe. The sounds and melodies just "enter" me in such a simple and natural way! - Pursuing mainstream music, do you think you have chosen a narrow path that is difficult to reach the general audience, without many hits and "occupying the airwaves" of the media? Actually, what was there to listen to at that time? You guys out here can listen to Western music CDs and know what Pop music is, what Jazz is, but we in the countryside only listen to the radio, watch TV and are fascinated by Trong Tan's singing! During the 3 years of intermediate study at the Military University of Culture and Arts in Nghe An, I only learned about world music orally and through documents. It was not until 2007 that I moved to Hanoi. At that time, I had not bought a computer yet. I only had a CD player and an old speaker set that my younger brother had left behind after graduating. I listened to CDs by Trong Tan, Bang Kieu, etc. that had been copied many times by street vendors. I still remember clearly when I went to a music store on Hang Bong Street. The owner named Hung played the CD Time to say goodbye (Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli) and I felt dazed because it was the first time I heard such “great” music. In 2007, I took the Sao Mai exam and failed. I returned to my hometown in 2009 and took the exam again… and still failed. It was not until 2011 that I won second prize in the chamber music category. I was still determined to reach the goals I had set. Perhaps because of the “soldier nature” trained in the military environment, it was difficult to back down. I did not care too much about being famous or not. When I first won the award, I gave myself a title and "pretended" everywhere, but luckily, my senior friends reminded me: "That's just a shell, what is your true self will last long", so I quickly got rid of that false reputation to really work seriously and make progress in my career. Now I also feel proud because there is still a number of audiences who always love me, willing to come and listen to me sing for hours (laughs). - Are you afraid that at some point, the music genre you choose will no longer have many listeners when a part of the young audience is considered indifferent to traditional music? Music always promotes goodness and brings people back to their roots. In the blood and soul of anyone, there is love for parents, family, homeland, and country, so I believe that the music genre I pursue will never die out. Because this is also a genre of music that converges all the elements of culture, humanity and has very high educational value. It is important to change the way we approach, propagate and preserve the original culture. Once I went to Russia, I took the subway and saw them playing music similar to Vietnamese red music, playing it everywhere and all the time, the patriotism of the young generation in their country is very strong. Nowadays, some young audiences are often confused, do not know what music they need to listen to, passively listen to "trends", according to the suggestions of digital music platforms. I remember a saying like this: "A step forward in civilization is a step back in morality". Talking about morality is a bit too much, but the era of technology sometimes overwhelms us and makes us lose the very "human" feelings for each other.

- Does Vu Thang Loi intend to try his hand at some "easier to listen to" music genres such as pop music, bolero? I can't sing music in a way that makes listeners feel "love" for me. I'm used to the steadiness and certainty of singing red music. - You seem to like the word "Aspiration", your first music products all have this name. Looking back on your past artistic journey, have you fulfilled your aspirations and are there any unfinished plans? Up to now, I feel that I have been somewhat satisfied! So sometimes I allow myself to roam around and do what I like. Every year, I am determined to do at least one live show, not to maintain Vu Thang Loi's own name but to contribute to nurturing the flow of revolutionary music, love songs that love life, love people with passionate, deep emotions to reach more music lovers. At least each individual doing their part well is already a success. Luckily, there are also young people and students who see my efforts and some of my achievements so they believe in moving forward. When standing in the position of a teacher, I consider it a responsibility to society and also an opportunity to hone my skills. - Vu Thang Loi in the audience's image is a singer with a technical voice but still has a "feeling" quality, always appearing very neat and elegant. Do you ever want to change this stereotype with a completely new image? Actually, I'm not very elegant (laughs), I come from a farmer's family, I just think that maybe I can live anywhere. Now if I can't be a singer anymore, I'm willing to drive a motorbike taxi or a taxi to make a living. However, when there is still a chance to appear on any stage, I have to be neat and serious to show respect for the audience. I'm satisfied with my current image because it suits my quality, so I feel comfortable, not having to act awkwardly. -Some people say Vu Thang Loi is quite "snobbish" so he doesn't have many close colleagues. What do you think about this? I am a straightforward and straightforward person, so I have a clear view of life, love and hate. But I feel happy and lucky because I still have many brothers, sisters, and precious friends who have been with me for a long time and always accompany me. As for those who have such comments, they probably don't hang out with me so they don't fully understand. I value valuable comments and if I have not behaved properly, I will be ready to change. But I am still me, meticulous, perfectionist and always listen.

-You invest very hard in products from selected music albums, MVs, releasing vinyl records of your homeland's music, organizing live concerts. Besides your passion, you must also have a fairly stable financial source because nowadays music projects are easy to... lose money?

It's true that making quality music products these days means taking a loss, but... never mind! (laughs). That's the mission of an artist. God gave me a voice and a talent for the profession, so let it flow, so why hold it back? My teacher taught me: "Artists create because they love beauty, not because of fame, money or status."

The house I live in is still not fully paid off, but it doesn't matter, as long as I have enough health, sublimated emotions and full of positive energy to stand on stage. No matter how tired I am, hearing the audience's applause is like being 100% recharged, the passion to sing surges again. The desire to do this job in me is so great! I am happy because of that. The scariest thing is when I am emotionally exhausted, no longer moved when listening to a melody, a song.

-Does your wife ever worry about your new music projects?

My wife is not a musician and does not have a deep understanding of her husband’s career, but she always supports and helps me with all her ability. This year, I should have “stayed still” but she urged me: “Do something!” And I replied: “Yes, do it!”. That unity is the origin of the live concert Que Huong, which will come to the audience in the capital on December 22.

-For the upcoming live show, you invited a crew from Ho Chi Minh City to produce it. Why did you choose director Cao Trung Hieu - a famous person who is quite meticulous and… expensive?

Cao Trung Hieu and I have been together for quite a long time, from the first CDs released in 2013, when not many people knew him, now Hieu is a good director, has tricks, has a brand. All of my music CD covers up to now have been made by him.

With the live concert Que Huong , I also wanted to try to make a show “worthy of its stature”, but I have not seen him “arrange” or say anything specifically about the cost. The most important thing is that Mr. Hieu has agreed to do this program, hopefully the audience will accept our efforts and dedication.

-You showed off the pictures of you playing happily with your children. At home, Loi's father must really pamper the children! Do you plan or hope that your children will pursue music in the future?

When they were in the womb or when they were newborns, I let them listen to classical music. When they grow up, everything happens naturally. Whatever music I listen to, they will listen to. Music will gradually permeate, nurturing the children's souls in that free space, without me having to intervene.