Hello Ms. Dinh Huong. First of all, congratulations on completing and releasing the full album “Black Magic Woman” after a long time of preparation. How are you feeling right now?

“Black Magic Woman” is not just a music album, but also a journey to explore the inner self, love and power within women. In that journey, I transformed into “Black Magic Woman” – a woman with a burning desire for eternal love, a faithful follower on a pilgrimage to find the “sanctuary of love” hidden deep within her soul.

Therefore, the album is built as a seamless story with 12 tracks, meticulously depicting each step on this journey. More than a personal pilgrimage, this is also an invitation for “music believers” – those who have listened and accompanied me – to step out of the “temple” together with a heart full of love and a spirit full of determination towards more noble and sacred values.

Honestly, I am still nervous and curious whether the “music believers” can feel all the depths of the story that I tell through music? Although I know that each person will have a different way of feeling, I truly hope that this “pilgrimage” will not only touch the hearts of those who have entered my musical world, but can also guide the souls who have never known Dinh Huong, to join this journey together.

On the way to the “sanctuary of love”, what stories have you told through the language of music?

Have you ever wished for a moment when you dare to let go of everything, when the harsh reality and suffering no longer exist, just to belong to each other completely? That is the “Sanctuary of Love”. But sometimes, love cannot avoid loss, and we have to face the ultimate loneliness when the person we love the most has left. That is “A Hundred Times of Love”.

Track 10 “When A Woman Loves A Man” and track 11 “God Bless You” are perhaps the two most special tracks on the album, because the message of love is pushed to a higher level. The image of a man is portrayed as majestic and steadfast like a “great mountain”. No matter how big and eternal it is, that mountain still needs a small but loving and tolerant flower by its side. In a literal sense, these two tracks are a tribute to men. On the other hand, they carry the same spirit as the message of the classic song “It’s A Man’s Man’s World”: “ This is a man’s world. But it wouldn’t be nothing, nothing , without a woman or a girl”.

Track 11 “Gob Bless You” features Dante Frisiello – Guitarist who tours with the legendary Steve Vai. How did you find that experience?

Dante is my muse! Among the thousands of audience at Steve Vai’s legendary concert, somehow he “saw” me. In an indescribable moment when the show ended, he left the stage, walked towards the crowd, and placed a red pick in the hands of a small girl. The pick he used throughout the show, and that girl in the crowd was me.

Unable to wait until dawn, that very night, “God Bless You” was born, complete and full of emotion. This track holds a special place, not only because of the vibration from that moment, but also because of the “craziest” collaboration I have ever done – a little Dinh Huong playing alongside a famous guitarist. Truly, if there is a moment in my life that makes me believe in the miracle of music, this is it!

As someone who can take on many roles such as performing, composing, producing, and playing instruments, what do you look for in musical products in collaboration with other artists?

The most important thing is to find harmony in artistic thinking. When working with artists who share the same creative frequency, I have the opportunity to explore unique perspectives, contributing to increasing the value of the product. I believe that musical combination is not a dissolution. On the contrary, it is an interesting intersection between distinct colors, helping each artist affirm their own identity in a new direction. When there is harmony in thinking, the combination is no longer a competition between musical personalities, but becomes a journey of resonance, where each person can shine without overshadowing the other.

That is why, in every collaborative project, I always aim for artists who share the same creative aspirations, who dare to experiment and break out of their comfort zone. Working with them also helps me redefine myself in each musical stage. I believe that the meeting of like-minded souls not only brings quality products, but also strongly inspires the audience. That is what I always desire in my artistic journey.

The album’s visuals stand out with the Crown Hat – a proud symbol in the Black Magic Woman era of music, honoring the beauty of ups and downs, the courage to face adversity. How have broken and hurt emotions shaped Dinh Huong into who she is today?

Crown Hat is both an accessory for outer beauty and a profound tribute to a woman’s inner beauty. A beauty formed from the wounds, the brokenness, the ups and downs, and the courage to face all adversities. I love how a woman, despite being gentle and sincere, can still be proud in the face of a stormy life. If there are moments that make us cry, those tears must be sparkling like diamonds, brilliant, strong and truly worthy!

With “Black Magic Woman”, I put on the Crown Hat as a declaration: I am proud of everything I have been through. I cherish every tear that has fallen, because it is they that have forged a braver, more resilient Dinh Huong, to rise up, be proud and continue to sing with all my passion.

Love is the material that reflects and explores your inner self. As a passionate artist, possessing a unique, emotional and rational sound, how do you devote your love and ambition to music?

In the world of music, I always long for a love full of ideals and courage. I don’t think I’m crazy to dream of an eternal love! A love that is always moving with longing souls. Therefore, eternal love will be defined by emotional depth, instead of time. That is when we love with all our being, ready to open our hearts to receive love as a natural flow, whether happy or hurt, whether it is a moment of brilliance or a moment of loneliness.

Eternal love does not lie in a lifelong commitment, but in the desire to live fully in love, so that every moment of love is full of value and meaning. Therefore, that love will originate from immortal moments. That is when a glance meets, a smile lights up the soul, a song plays and we feel love in every note. That is also when we find someone, something that makes us feel the deepest meaning of our life, even if only for a moment, but that moment will live forever in us, as an indelible part of our soul.

You once commented: Dinh Huong’s music has always been “reputed” as being a bit distant from popular music. With the new musical era “Black Magic Woman”, do you feel more comfortable in freely rotating around your own creative axis and creating more new impressions in the hearts of the audience?

Music is a constant journey of discovery. And with “Black Magic Woman,” I’ve truly reached a new stage in my creative process.

“Black Magic Woman” is not a compromise but a natural progression. It is a place where I can freely rotate around my creative axis, while opening new doors for audiences to easily access and feel my music in a more intimate way. Because I dare to express my innermost thoughts from the most hidden corners of myself. Is the price to pay for emotional works exposing the loneliness hidden deep inside each person? Regardless, I still maintain my original spirit: bold, unconventional, colorful, but also focusing on genuine emotions and connecting with the listener.

The preparation process for your musical comeback must have been emotional. Which moment left an unforgettable impression on you?

I definitely won’t stop at releasing the album “Black Magic Woman”. Because music is not just in the recordings, but needs to be breathed into the stage, spread and connect directly with the audience. Moreover, I carry the energy of a performing artist, so the audience must come to Dinh Huong’s stage to easily fall in love with Dinh Huong! (laughs) I will share more about the upcoming journey soon, but there is one thing I want to reveal right now. The “Black Magic Woman” Tour will officially kick off in May!

This project took me more than 3 years to complete since the Covid-19 pandemic. There were times when I almost ran out of money, but the most amazing thing was the spirit of the people who accompanied me. The team of stylists, hairdressers, makeup artists, photographers… and more than 100 collaborators in many different roles, all participated unconditionally, with a single wish: Dinh Huong’s return must be the most brilliant! The moment I realized I was not alone on this journey was what left me with the most unforgettable echo.

In the future, how will the audience see Dinh Huong in appearance and music?

It is a Dinh Huong at its fullest with her music, all the passion I have put into “Black Magic Woman” and the upcoming tour. I want to bring a space where music is not only listened to but also touched, felt and becomes a part of each soul, so that they can find a part of themselves in it.

It’s still the same old saying: Let “Black Magic Woman” – the woman with the most seductive sounds, guide you to your most brilliant era! That’s why I no longer limit myself to a fixed music genre. Wherever there are the most seductive sounds, I will go there!

Thank you for sharing your interesting experiences! Wishing you a successful “Black Magic Woman” tour and a brighter future in your music career.