T. Nguyen joins us for todays artist interview on Como Las Grecas we talk about his music, life and more.
Can you tell us a little about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music?
My experience comes from being born in the state of Pennsylvania, by refugee parents from Vietnam. I found myself at the age of 10, being raised in the public school system in a suburb of Dallas. There I gravitated and found my desire for music through my first instrument, the violin.
Our family moved around a lot, so through music, I used it as coping mechanism to get through the difficult times. It came natural to me to go out to clubs and raves, because my older siblings were going out to them, plus that’s what you did when you were a teenager with no parents. My siblings introduced me to music like Armand Van Helden, Goldie, the Cure and Bjork through pirated material over the early internet days.
In 2000, I began promoting my own parties and played the part of the “British MC” for local Drum and Bass and UK Garage events in Texas. During the day, I studied International Business and Music composition, but decided that New York was a better fit in 2007. I’ve been here since, creating as an artist, DJing and producing music.
Who have been your main inspirations (both musical and in «life»)? And how have they affected your sound?
This is a tough question, because my main inspiration would be life experiences around me. The city and the random people you see in the clubs and parties.
If I had to name a specific musical influence, it would be Chopin, Debussy, John Cage, and Sun Ra to name a few.
The common themes for me in all these artist were their organic fluidity, freedom of expression and the unknown chance of their own ability. These characteristics inspire me in my own work.
As for life, I’m interested in Yoga philosophy and lately spiritual and non-duality philosophy of ancient religions. I try to take a universal approach to try and relate to listeners.
How would you define your sound?
My sound is defined by my process. It’s important to give it form by transferring the digital and breathe life into it through the analog process, like reel to reel tape machines, mixing desk or outboard gear.
My sound conceptually comes from an experimentation of my thoughts and pairing them with found sounds from vinyl, field recordings and instruments.
How has your sound evolved so far? Do you see yourself as part of one style of music?
I gather my sounds mostly from Roland, because of my infatuation with technology and music from the 80’s and 90s, but in simpler terms it’s Garage Music. My influence spans from Larry Levan days and New York Speed Garage to sounds across the pond like Bassline House and UK Garage.
My sound is always evolving, because we as a species are always evolving. If we are not evolving our creative work doesn’t evolve, which means we don’t grow.
What can you tell us about your last release? What inspired you? What do you want to convey?
This latest release were songs which I started in 2019, but I recently finished them this past October when my first daughter was born.
This EP is the intersection of early Garage Bassline and Organ House music form Leeds, Garage music in New York and my readings about eastern philosophy.
What modern artists are you enjoying? Maybe you can share some lesser known artists we might not know of?
I really enjoy Guster Lustwerk from Brooklyn, dissecting Omar S, Tammy Lakkis, Wahjeed, DJ Stingray 313 from Detroit, and Heartwerk from Tulsa, OK.
What projects are you working on right now?
My new daughter born this past October is taking a lot of time. I have another EP due in February on my label outofprintrecordings and currently gathering material and creating a digital index for a new website.