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Me.
Hello there, I’m Hậu (Hauxenz to my friends), and music isn’t just a passion for me. It is the very heartbeat of my existence. I was born in Rach Gia, Vietnam, and my journey into music happened in a way that felt as natural as breathing. Back in 2017, a friend from next door introduced me to a finger drumming app called Drum Pad 24. It features 2 pages, each page has 12 square pads, each with different sounds that we could play with. We would hang out for hours, tapping on the different pads and exploring the sounds they made. That playful moment lit something deep within me. It sparked a creativity that showed me music is a universal language and a kind of magic that lets you share emotions without saying a word.
That discovery was not a fluke, it was the start of a long adventure. I was not forced into music, it chose me. The excitement and curiosity I felt that day made me realize I had found something I could truly stick with. By 2019, I was riding that creative energy when I entered and won a finger drumming contest. That win not only affirmed my passion but also gifted me my first real instrument, the AKAI MPD218. Every beat I create is a conversation, a way of telling my story and sharing a piece of me.
In 2020, I took on one of the biggest challenges of my journey. I built my own studio. It was not an easy road. There were plenty of late nights, technical hurdles, and moments of doubt. Even though it was not a very well-equipped studio, it was the place where I first shared my creativity with others and, in return, received theirs. It was a defining moment for me.
Then came a point, I moved to Ho Chi Minh City. That shift changed everything. HCMC is a powerhouse of talent and creative energy. It is a city where the hustle and passion of its people push you to chase your dreams without second-guessing yourself. In this vibrant environment, I found not only inspiration but also a renewed belief in the magic of music. I was surrounded by many talented individuals who were as dedicated to their craft as I was. I learned that true creativity comes from exchanging ideas, challenging one another, and growing together.
During this transformative time, I met a good friend named Nghia. His talent is unmatched and our connection grew quickly as we spent a lot of the time discussing music, exchanging ideas and collaborating on various projects. Nghia opened my eyes to the power of creative collaboration. One day, after many conversations about our shared passion, he invited me to join his band, where he played keyboard. I felt a surge of excitement and validation because it showed that others saw value in what I was doing. I spent a good while thinking about the invitation. I had always been used to working on my own, where every opinion felt overwhelming and I could focus solely on my personal vision.
However, I gradually realized that collaboration did not mean losing my individuality. It meant blending different perspectives to enrich the music I create. I understood that while my music is deeply personal, sharing it with others and receiving their feedback could lead to new creative heights. After careful thought, I embraced the opportunity and joined a band called Bột Màu Khoai Tây Cà Rốt as the keyboardist. This new chapter proved to be a significant milestone. Working in a band environment taught me that creative ideas thrive when they are exchanged openly. It also reminded me that the journey of music is not a solitary one but a shared experience where every contribution matters.
When I create music, I love to keep an element of surprise in the mix. For me, it’s those unexpected twists, something as simple and people do look past it, a wrong note, a quirky or weird ass chord progression that can turn a simple track into something deeply emotional and surprising. I’ve noticed that there’s always a debate of some say music has to be simple to feel good, while others argue that technical mastery brings out the true emotion in a track, you know the saying “Less is more” a lot don’t you, but to be honest, more is still more, and I would like to quote a saying from a man who I really respect in how he work and play with music, challenging all of the ideas: “Less is only more if you know what more is, and then you can take a conscious decision to step back from it.” In my eyes, music is inherently subjective. What might seem like a misstep to one person could be the life-saving, game-changing sound for someone else. I’m all about keeping an open mind, both as an artist and a listener, because every sound carries its own weight of intention and feeling.
Music is with me every day, and I know it will remain a part of who I am for a long time to come. It triggers emotions, fuels my creativity, and keeps me grounded. I truly believe that if music ever disappeared, so would a part of my identity. That is why I strive to keep it authentic and personal, always staying true to myself instead of allowing it to become just another corporate product. For me, music is about embracing the imperfections and unexpected moments that make each track a unique piece of art.