HCM CITY – Tia Hải Châu, the first Vietnamese singer to sign a record contract with internationally acclaimed Universal record label, marks her comeback to the music industry after a two-year absence with a new song.

Tia has received huge support from internationally acclaimed musicians from Canada and the US to produce Wasted.

Wasted is an English pop song about youthful rebelliousness and energy in love co-written by Canadian songwriters and producers Adam H. Hurstfield and Dan Swinimer.

Hurstfield, also known as Adam H., is owner of XOXO Entertainment Corp (an imprint of Universal Music Canada), which published the song.

It was mixed by recording engineer Orlando Calzada of PlugIn Tunes Studios in Florida, who received a Grammy Award in 2001 for the song Survivor by Destiny’s Child.

Calzada has worked with many artists such as Bon Jovi, TLC, Lady Gaga and One Direction, and collaborated with producers like Kovas, Adam H. and RedOne.

The mastering of the song was done by Larry Lachman of Kevorkian Mastering Studios in New York, who worked with artists like Whitney Houston and John Legend.

The song features a couple who have different personality traits balancing and keeping their love.

“The song and its video will reveal problems young people must face when beginning a new relationship,” the 23-year-old singer Tia said, adding that she faced many challenges in recording the song.

“I loved the song right after listening to its melody. I feel happy singing it. But the song is my biggest challenge ever, because I have to show off my voice’s strength and personality in very high notes.”  

Tia, a native of Đà Nẵng, said, “Wasted not only marks my comeback, but also reflects my maturity in music.”

“I want to express my gratitude to the international musicians who helped me make a wonderful production. I have learnt a lot from them,” she added.

Wasted was produced by District 360, the exclusive agent for Universal Music Group, in Việt Nam.

The song can be listened to and watched at social media websites like Zingmp3 and YouTube.

Keep fighting

Tia had doubted whether she would continue her singing career.

“My fans questioned my absence for a very long time,” said Tia, who won the reality singing contest Tôi Là Người Chiến Thắng, which was based on the format of the Dutch show The Winner Is…, organised by  HCM City Television (HTV) and Đông Tây Promotion in 2013.

The prize, a contract with Universal, gave her the best advantage for a singing career.

After one year of improving her singing skills, Tia released her debut single Out of Control, composed by musician Dương Khắc Linh, about the singer’s challenges to follow her dream, which moved many fans.

It features her musical style of pop, hard rock and alternative rock.

Five months later, she presented a ballad My Lover Wants to Forget Me with a gentle melody and moving words about a woman who was broken-hearted after an affair. But it did not receive high praise from critics and fans.

Since then, the singer has not released any music and rarely shows up on the music stage.

“It took me so much time to find my path in music. I want to sing in English, but I was concerned about who would listen to an English song sung by a Vietnamese,” Tia said.

“Finally, I realized that success will come if you are consistent and work hard.”

Tia’s efforts paid off. She now owns a high quality song and earns high praise from her international partners.

Adam H. wrote on Tia’s private social networking site that “I’m so exited for the world to hear you!!!!! You sound so good Tia! Such a pleasure producing you! Let’s make some more hits soon!!!!.” — VNS