Seven questions with ... Nguyễn Hồng Nhung aka Sound Awakener

On Wednesday evening I posted some thought's on Nguyễn Hồng Nhung / Sound Awakener's new album - "September Traveler" ... it's an album that intrigued me. As is my want, I asked if she would complete my wee blog interview. I'm delighted to say she did ... here's what she had to say:

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1) Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Nguyễn Hồng Nhung (Vietnamese name order, to avoid confusion, let’s call me as Nhung Nguyen and it’s a female name).  I was born and now living in Hanoi, Vietnam. I play with sounds and listen to them most of the time.


2) What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working with a lot of ideas at the moment and everything is getting really, really exciting. I am also preparing for my upcoming release, titled September Traveler. The album is a collection of my early works in 2011 and 2012 (except "The call is fading"). It is also the soundtrack for Irene Cruz’s exhibition What dreams are made of, which will take place in Berlin from 6th to 18th February, 2015 (https://soundawakener.bandcamp.com/album/september-traveler).


3) Who inspires you?
- Name an artist who has inspired you.
I’d  go with a Vietnamese composer this time – Mr. Ngọc Đại 

In case you don’t know him, here is a trailer of a documentary about his former project:



I know Mr. Đại personally and he understands my music with great depth. He encourages me, a lot.

- Name place that has inspired you.
It is obviously Hanoi, where I’m living. One more I’d like to add is Hội An ancient town – I composed a lot of music there during my holiday in 2012 and 2014.

- Name some "thing" that has inspired you.
Piano, books and handmade things.


4) What drives you to do what you do?
It is my need to express that drives me to compose, record and mix my own tracks. It is also the extremely strong connection between me and nature, me and freedom that keeps the music flow.


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?
I wish to express my awareness and freedom in the music. That’s all.


6) What role does community play in what you do?
The community, especially the music community here has helped me adapt and exchange my ideas with others. Collaboration is always a great chance to learn and I’m happy to be surrounded by like – minded people.


7) What is next for what you do?
More recording, more mixing, more collaboration and maybe live performances.

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Thanks Nhung for your time and for your music. "September Traveler" is release today - 6th February, 2015.