- Get to know one of Vietnam's best selectors.
- Di Linh name-checks Ben UFO and DJ Masda as two of her favourite DJs in the interview below, which underlines the lovely duality of her style: her sets are adventurous but buttery smooth. One of Vietnam's most buzzed-about DJs—and a resident at the all-important Hanoi club Savage, as well as Equation festival—she was a punter before she was a DJ. She fell in love with the music at Savage and eventually playing her first-ever gig there, as if it were all kismet.
Her sets are remarkably diverse but also remarkably consistent, with a refreshing, mid-tempo pace marked by well-placed bursts of energy. And so her RA Podcast is impeccably mixed, with the pacing and patience you'd expect from someone who has been DJing for decades. Bookends from Dust-e-1 sandwich an hour of house and techno from the likes of Kerrie, Schacke and Mac Declos. Linh finds a common thread that's all about tactile textures, catchy melodies and beautifully mixed-down drums, a sound you'll hear across the current wave of increasingly revered Southeast Asian DJs who prefer mood and storytelling over genres. Di Linh is one of the best of them.
What have you been up to recently?
I recently returned from Europe, where I spent the entire summer with the whole Hanoi team. We had an Equation takeover in Berlin with friends from Manila, Korea and China. I was able to stay until CSD weekend, which was also a highlight for me, to see the freedom of expressing ourselves with respect and a positive mindset.
How and where was the mix recorded? And can you tell us the idea behind it?
I recorded this mix at home. The idea of this mix is a re-projection of my feelings during the sets in The Cave, where we host Equation every year. That place always inspires me deeply in many ways, it's a one-of-a-kind experience that I can't replicate anywhere else.
What's one club or party that had a major impact on you as an artist?
Without any hesitation, the first underground club I ever experienced was Savage in Hanoi. After spending a long time on the dance floor and discovering new sounds for the first time, I explored a new way of partying, became really curious and soon began DJing. Which led me to have the opportunity to join The Observatory in Ho Chi Minh City and discover the Southern local scene there.
You mentioned that The Cave/Equation is very important to you. What is so special about it, or what makes it one-of-a-kind?
The location itself is already unique and rare. I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to express and develop my music in a variety of ways each time. And to see everyone from all over the world and Vietnam gather at that moment to spread the positive energy and spirit, all the elements of love, music, nature and people magically blend into one. Not to mention that working behind the scenes with the most incredible hardworking team to build the festival, makes every moment of the festival feel extremely rewarding.
Who are some of your favorite DJs or producers in Vietnam right now, and what is the scene like across the country right now?
There are many talented local DJs in Vietnam based mostly in Saigon and Hanoi, to name a few of my most favorite: Manikk, TaoFu, Cong, Zwi, Park:ing, Khoi Mai, Lam Dao, Anh Vy, Viet Anh. TrinhNu (DJ & Producer) from Hanoi recently released an EP with the Mihn label, which is definitely on my regular playlist.
The music scene in Vietnam has grown quickly throughout the years, especially since the pandemic. There are more rising local DJs, each with their own unique sound, and more local people are curious and interested in a new way of partying. I'm curious to see how far the promising scene in Vietnam can go.
We have several festivals including: Studio Adventure, Cá Nhảy, to name a few, attract party-goers from the region.
There are also music sessions for beginners like HUM Studios and V2X Academy, which are pushing the new generations, giving them more space and opportunities to pursue their music career.
What's one social or political cause you want the world to pay more attention to?
Talking about mental health and depression is not a common matter in Vietnam, people are kind of avoiding these topics. We should be more aware of that and also on how to release the stress.
Seeing the clubbing and nightlife scene developing has brought a positive impact on the younger Vietnamese generation. They are gathering in good spirit and don't really care about your background. Going out, having fun and releasing all the stress and bad energy on the dance floors pathed a way of addressing these issues.
It would be great to educate more people about club culture and its positive impacts on addressing mental health.
What are you looking forward to in the near future?
The anniversaries of my two residencies in Vietnam, The Observatory—which will celebrate its tenth anniversary in November—and Savage, which will celebrate its seventh anniversary this September. Both places are always special to me to play there.
I am also very excited to close the year at Wonderfruit Festival in December, Asia's biggest community reunion. I just became a resident DJ of one of the stages, The Quarry, which usually hosts my musical inspirations and artists such as Ben UFO and DJ Masda.
And of course, touring and meeting new crews and DJs in the region who have consistently influenced me. I am excited to join more intimate parties and DIY festivals such as Unaharn in the vibrant Thailand scene.
TracklistDust-E-1 - Pure Dawn
Sugar & Schacke - Den Lange
GFX - Vibing The Groove (Faster Horses Remix)
Mac Declos - Plastic Body Dance
Invexis - Odyssey
Erik Burka - Cloud 9
The Geezer - This Is It
Kuetzal - Noodles Raving On My Roof
Exal - Alharmy
Ollie Lishman - Can't Ttop Groovin
.mezer - Non Stop
Kerrie - We Continue
Schacke - Like That
Dust-e-1 - Enthusion