How did you decide you had to join forces for a musical project?
Heather: We met in Japan and very soon after we found that we had what the other was looking for. I was trying to find the confidence to pursue music, and Danna seemed to have a lot of it (besides his musical talents), so I got to borrow some of that from working with him. He was looking for someone who can sing and compose lyrics. Luckily I can do both.
What inspires your creative process?
Heather: Personal life and just life in general. I have a lot of feelings, so writing music helps me process and package those feelings in a presentable box. Then I can revisit them and reflect as I go. Some songs serve as reminders for myself, and some are my observations and conclusions about the world. Sometimes I also try to capture a feeling simply because I want to be able to feel it again whenever I want to.
What’s the story behind your new single ‘Alive’?
Heather: The idea of this song came to us when we decided to fly back to Vietnam to pursue music together after living in Japan for several years. It was the beginning of a whole new journey, one full of uncertainties but also filled with hopes. Change can seem daunting at times, but it’s in those scary moments that we feel most alive.
Danna: For ‘Alive’, we knew that we wanted the song to sound like freedom. When we created the song, we used different colors of our imagination. We incorporate the night sky colors and the city colors, all that we have left behind to find a new way forward, our own path to a new adventure. The cold air of the uncertain future and the heat of excitement blended together to become the sensation of being “Alive”.
What do you think makes Vietnamese culture so important for you and your act?
Danna: Vietnamese culture is a unique culture. It’s got a blend of eastern and western influences that help shape the sound of our music. The fact that we are Vietnamese writing in English also boasts a sense of uniqueness to its own.
What are some of the themes you like to explore in your writing?
Heather: Relationships (both social and personal), the impermanence of human existence, otherworldly experiences
Danna: Personal experience, view on life and other humanistic values. Funny and paradoxical aspects of the world. I like to write about things that happen in my head.
What can we expect from you this year?
Both: A few more singles and most importantly, an album! You can expect a variety of sounds and themes that represent us both individually and collectively.
