"I understand life more deeply after facing trials and setbacks. Now, I prioritize family above all else; they are my biggest motivation to strive forward," Pham Anh Khoa stated at the launch of his latest musical work.
Pham Anh Khoa released "Dan toi ca", an E.P (extended play), marking a new musical direction by blending rock with folk music. He performs four songs with gentle emotions, featuring moments of quiet reflection and greater depth, which surprised many colleagues.
The singer expressed gratitude to his wife and two children for their constant presence, especially during a period when his career faced difficulties. His wife, Thuy Trang, never gave up on him, maintaining her faith. "That warm affection awakened me. I promised myself I would not let my wife and children be sad," the singer said.
His family members were the first audience for Pham Anh Khoa's new music. His daughter played the teaser for "Tich tich tinh tang" for her friends, received positive feedback, and returned home asking her father to play the entire song. He also drew inspiration from his children's childhood, recalling carrying them on his back during playtime to compose "Nhong nhong nhong nhong".
Attending Pham Anh Khoa's MV launch, singer Hoang Bach expressed his admiration for the rocker's current energy. "I have been waiting for Khoa to reveal this person, this soul, for a long time," he said.
On the E.P, Pham Anh Khoa combines rock with folk elements through various instruments such as drums and gongs. This intertwining of traditional sounds with the powerful, free melodies of rock aims to create a new style while honoring three values that form Vietnamese identity: origin, resilience, and compassion. He had nurtured this idea for a long time but only now found compatible collaborators.
The songs carry both epic and contemporary colors. For "Tung tung cac tung tung", Anh Khoa drew inspiration from the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co, recreating the festive sounds of ancient times. Singing "Nhong nhong nhong nhong", he transports listeners to the fighting spirit of the legendary Thanh Giong. The fast rock rhythm, pounding drums, and layers of sound mimicking horse hooves evoke a sense of battle. In "Tich tich tinh tang", Pham Anh Khoa evokes the story of Thach Sanh with the blended sounds of various string instruments.
Musician Duc Tri appreciates Pham Anh Khoa's use of onomatopoeic phrases for song titles. According to him, the spontaneity and freedom in the arrangement give the musical works a unique character. "Pham Anh Khoa has not lost the distinct style his audience knows, pursuing modernity while remaining approachable," Duc Tri said.
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Anh Khoa with his mentor Duc Tri (left) at the event. |
Pham Anh Khoa, 40, is a singer specializing in rock music. He rose to prominence from Sao Mai diem hen 2006, where he won the Excellent Singer award chosen by the art council. For many years, he has performed with the band Buc Tuong.
Tan Cao
