British singer sings Viet Nam's praises

 

Lee Kirby from England loves to sing Vietnamese favourites such as Diem Xua and Ha Trang (by Trinh Cong Son), Khoanh Khac (Truong Quy Hai) and Nong Nan Ha Noi (Nguyen Duc Cuong). He spoke with Nguyen Hien and Minh Chau about his passion for Vietnamese music.

Inner Sanctum: How do you describe yourself?

My name is Lee Kirby, though some people call me "Kirby or "Kirbs" or "Huckleberry". You may have seen one of my videos on YouTube. I'm the English (and half Canadian) guy who tries his best to sing Vietnamese songs.

Inner Sanctum: How did all this start? Where did your passion for Vietnamese music come from?

I work at my dad's college in Kensington, London (Ashbourne College). It was there that I met and made friends with Vietnamese people, who are always friendly and chatty.

In 2002, my Vietnamese friends invited me to spend the summer with them in Viet Nam. It was my first time in Asia and I became fascinated with how different life is here than in the UK and other Western countries. I've become fascinated with other countries, especially Viet Nam, which left a very strong impression on me after my first visit.

When I grew up, one of my dreams was to live in another country and learn another language. Therefore, after my wonderful summer in Viet Nam, I decided to move to Viet Nam the following year for seven months. But this time I wasn't coming to travel but for football, which has always been one of my passions.

Inner Sanctum: How many times have you been to Viet Nam? What do you like best about the country?

I have been to Viet Nam five times. I love Ha Noi very much, especially the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake and West Lake. I often take along my guitar when I walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, where I sing some songs and meet new friends. Young people in Ha Noi are very friendly. This guitar has helped us connect with each other.

Every time I return to Ha Noi, I often stay at a hotel near Hoan Kiem Lake. I went to Ha Noi the second time to learn Vietnamese.

I have a lot of love for Viet Nam and the Vietnamese people. I have been very fortunate to have tasted a lot of Vietnamese dishes and to have explored Viet Nam. While travelling across the country, I had the opportunity to learn about Vietnamese music, especially Trinh Cong Son's work.

Inner Sanctum: Why do you sing Vietnamese songs?

Well, let's start with my mum who is truly inspirational. She is very musical and artistically creative. She has written her own musicals and plays. So I was always surrounded by music growing up. Of course, like many of you, I also sing in the shower!

I have always enjoyed listening to music. When I moved to Viet Nam, the music definitely took some time to grow on me. However, I recall one day being on a coach travelling to a football match listening to the usual set of Vietnamese songs. Then I heard My Tam's Uoc Gi play on the radio. Her voice is quite Westernised. Therefore it was a lot easier for me to connect to her music than with traditional Vietnamese music (obviously these days things have changed). I later bought her album Ngay Ay Va Bay Gio (Yesterday and Now).

Inner Sanctum: Do you really love Vietnamese music?

You may burst out laughing but I truly adore Vietnamese music in general and Trinh's music in particular, to the point that if there were were a singing contest to come up for those who can sing in Vietnamese (not speak in Vietnamese), I would surely enter.

I am infatuated with Vietnamese music and I know many Vietnamese songs by heart, such as Em Oi Ha Noi Pho, Diem Xua, Que Nha, Dem Thay Ta Laø Thac Do, Nong Nan Ha Noi… which I have performed and uploaded on YouTube, which have attracted a great deal of attention all over the world.

Inner Sanctum: Why did you decide to perform Trinh Cong Son's music?

I love Trinh Cong Son's music. I can feel the beauty in the music, which comes not just from the melodies and the lyrics. Whenever I listen to Trinh's music, I'm moved. Unfortunately my Vietnamese is not very good, while Trinh's music is difficult to understand even for Vietnamese people.

After listening to some of the more pop orientated tracks, I stumbled across a song called Dem Thay Ta La Thac Do, which really captured my imagination and emotions, and encouraged me to start learning the lyrics.

I listened to Trinh's Diem Xua for the first time in Bach Ma, where we were admiring the waterfall, through the voice of my friend. I immediately felt the loss and sacrifice in the song. Surprisingly, I knew the meaning of the song. I believe I began to love Trinh's music at that moment. I was determined to sing the song, even though I knew it would be difficult.

I didn't have any great ambition. I just sang it because I liked it. I didn't know that it was posted on YouTube. I was very surprised when lots of people asked me about it later.

Inner Sanctum: Do you think singing Vietnamese songs is difficult?

Certainly it is not easy to sing Vietnamese songs. I've made a list of must-do things before performing a Vietnamese song – feel the melody, translate the lyrics, commit the lyrics to memory, practise pronunciation and the guitar accompaniment, seek advice from experts and make some creative changes.

I'm glad that some of my foreign friends can now sing some Vietnamese songs, which was an impossible mission several months ago. Many people have asked me why I try so hard to sing Vietnamese songs when I am very busy with my job in England. I think that I do so because it is a way of showing respect for the music I love. Moreover, music is not simply melodies and lyrics, it is the culture and soul of a country. Viet Nam is now a second home to me.

Inner Sanctum: Do you have any plans to sing Trinh's music in English?

That is a very good suggestion. In fact, I have two close Vietnamese girl friends who will help me translate Vietnamese songs into English. But that is for the future. I do not intend to sing Trinh's music in English any time soon.

Inner Sanctum: Do you know much about the life and work of Trinh Cong Son?

I have read a lot about Trinh Cong Son's life and music. I am particularly interested in stories and anecdotes about the woman in each of his works.

Inner Sanctum: How many shows have you performed in Viet Nam? How did they go?

My music project is called Ice Tea with Lee. The project has two parts: the first part involves perfecting his music, my Vietnamese, and learning new Vietnamese songs; the second is a trans-Viet Nam tour.

I and my friends have travelled throughout Viet Nam to sing. We would stop at any place to play the guitar and sing to the local people. I plan to invite some famous singers to join the project.

I have performed seven shows. It was tiring and demanding but absolutely worth it!

Inner Sanctum: What do you plan to do next?

I have been working on new songs and practising. That is what lies immediately ahead. In the meantime, I'd like to thank you very much for all your love and support. — VNS