American guitarist and music producer Curtis King has been living and working in Viet Nam since 2003. Besides collaborating with overseas giants like Sony, King started bringing Vietnamese entertainment to the rest of the world through projects with Galaxy Studio, HCM City’s leading film production and distribution group. He tells Anh Thu about his favourite spots to catch live shows.
Inner Sanctum: Can you start by sharing with us why you first came to Viet Nam?
Viet Nam caught my attention in the mid-’90s. I was invited to visit Ha Noi and I was really surprised and delighted by the local people, food, landscapes and music.
But from a business point of view, I didn’t feel Viet Nam was ready yet for me to spend most of my time here.
Now, I prefer living here because Viet Nam is going through a fascinating, yet challenging stage. Things are changing quickly. Business opportunities are everywhere, as we all know, and it’s a great opportunity to be involved at the forefront of the entertainment business. I travel more than any foreigner I know, but HCM City, Da Lat and Vung Tau are home bases.
I really thank Galaxy Studio for letting me help introduce Viet Nam’s music and movies to the world. My biggest accomplishment is licensing Galaxy Studio’s blockbuster Nhung Co Gai Chan Dai (Long-Legged Girls) in 2006 to Sony Pictures and Television. Though this was a small deal, it was really significant, in some ways, for the local film industry.
Inner Sanctum: Can you describe your work as a guitarist and a music producer?
I really enjoy playing music "live", and I think that’s where I’m strongest. I get a thrill from playing in front of hundreds, thousands of people. It’s exciting. As a producer, I can record and introduce music to others.
Together with my friends in Indonesia, we have produced some CD compilations that include songs by Vietnamese artists like the rock band Microwave. In Viet Nam, I have not yet officially released any CDs, as the piracy challenge makes it difficult to make money from recording. Hopefully that will change as the country is now a member of the World Trade Organisation.
Inner Sanctum: Your Curtis King Band performs in some bars in HCM City. What about your style impresses local audiences?
When we’re in HCM City, we always enjoy playing at Sax’n’Art with maestro Tran Manh Tuan, or stopping by the Acoustic Bar to enjoy the music with the younger Vietnamese crowd. In Nha Trang City, we’ll always jam with good friend Erick Swackhammer. In Ha Noi, we love R&R Tavern and Minh’s Jazz Club. All of these places are about one thing: real music. No lip-synching.
It’s difficult to impress Vietnamese audiences with the guitar alone. But, the harmonica seems to win the hearts of many listeners because it "speaks" directly to the soul, no matter where you’re from.
Inner Sanctum: The Vietnamese music industry has changed with young artists doing well. However, some of these singers and musicians still imitate foreign artists. What do you think?
Honestly, there are only a few Vietnamese musicians who have really created their own unique sound. My favourite artists include saxophonist Tran Manh Tuan and singer Ngo Thanh Van – who create high-quality music and performance.
While Tuan has definitely created a mix of high-quality contemporary jazz traditional Vietnamese instruments and feeling, Van’s voice and acting are modern and could be of interest to those outside of Viet Nam.
Viet Nam has some wonderful traditional music, with incredible traditional instruments. I invite young Vietnamese artists to show the world what Viet Nam has to offer musically, perhaps combining Vietnamese culture with world culture. Simply taking Western music and adding Vietnamese lyrics is really not interesting.
Inner Sanctum: If you have one piece of advice for young Vietnamese musicians who want to develop their careers, what would it be?
Try to create your own sound that others will have a hard time copying. Learn how to play your instrument well. Don’t fake it. Work with experienced people in the industry who know what they’re doing. And most important: QUALITY, QUALITY, QUALITY.
Inner Sanctum: Do you have a new movie or music project lined up?
I’m currently focused on the
For more information on the concert, visit www.agentorangebenefitconert.org.
Source: VNS
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