Mixmag Asia Radio: TrinhNu drops the "most intense" set he's ever played

After starting out in 2016 as a guest DJ for CAMA ATK’s (now closed) Queer Disco in Hanoi, TrinhNu soon found a new comfort zone at Savage, one of the country’s most prized music spaces. It didn’t take him long to secure a residency spot at the Hanoi club.

Blending energetic disco, leftfield house and a hybrid of techno and breakbeat, with the odd dash of trance and prog thrown in, TrinhNu’s effervescent selection has given him the chance to play across the country, and we’re expecting to see him around the region too. He’s also recently put out mixes for queer podcasts including Honey Soundsystem, Honcho and Por Detroit.

When he’s not behind the decks, you’ll find him in his studio churning out club edits and relentlessly crafting his own works that exude high energy and playful melodies. His debut release ‘MIHN007’ landed on Hong Kong’s 宀 label, and according to the artist, is a true example of his sound.

Pronounced as ‘Ching-Nuh’, spelt ‘TrinhNu’, and translates in English to ‘Virgin Girl’; you’ve been given an opportunity to get to know the real club sound of this elusive Vietnamese DJ and producer. Don’t wait on it and hit play below.

Where are you based and how did you get there?

Hanoi. I was from here and love to live here.

What’s your favourite thing about the music scene there?

It’s fairly young, and after the pandemic, the scene got a big reset with new faces and a new crowd. So there will be a guarantee of fresh styles and perspectives which the next generation is bringing.

In five words, what do your DJ sets sound like?

‘Sorry I only play Vengaboys’.

Actually no, it’s really more like: eclectic, fun, energetic, adventurous and brave.

And in three words, how would you describe yourself?

Full Fire F*****.

What recent trends in music have you been paying attention to? Have you caught onto them?

Trance and progressive things! I had my chance to meet my hero Nathan Micay who really pushed the revival of trance and prog house over the past few years, and through his set, my eyes were opened. It was not the style of the genre defined by Tiësto or anyone in the early 2000s, I’m talking about more of the early stuff, what Sasha & Digweed did with their first ever Renaissance mix. I then began my own journey to discover the trance and prog House of the 90s.

Are there any producers and DJs in Asia that have recently caught your attention?

Di Linh, I have watched her career from the beginning until today and it’s just wonderful to see her name rising. Zwi just because he’s probably the best selector in the town and Nyjah for being a brand new wholesome spirit that the club scene in Vietnam really needs.

From pre to post pandemic, what has changed & what hasn’t changed about your life in the music world?

I decided to take a break from the clubs in 2021 because I finally got a full time job and really want to focus on it. I spent less time browsing many labels and artists on Discogs but the love for dance music, especially from the past, is still there in my heart. Also I still listen to them on a daily basis.

Tell us about the inspiration behind this mix.

This mix is somewhat the most intense one that I have ever made. I have done a handful of mixes and people still don’t know the sound that channels me in the club, so this is my clear statement. And there is a bunch of old stuff which I have found/exchanged with my friends during my years as a DJ.

What equipment did you record this mix on?

Nothing fancy, only Ableton and my Sennheiser HD 25.

Where can we hear you playing next?

Around Hanoi definitely, and because I’m slowly getting back to DJing, probably around Asia.