In this week’s MEET THE ARTIST series we are proud to present American-Vietnamese international electronic music DJ & record producer, DJMelodie. Based in San Francisco, she's played at venues across the globe such as "Avalon Hollywood" Los Angeles, "Halcyon SF" San Francisco, “1015” San Francisco, “Ruby Skye” San Francisco, “Insanity Nightclub” Bangkok just to name a few and appearing in a line-up with artists such as Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, John Fleming, Dj Shogun, Kyau & Albert, Protoculture, Orjan Nilsen, JES, Kristina Sky, Aruna, Betsie Larkin, and more. She also held a residency at San Francisco #1 Afterhour NightClub, The EndUp.
Her latest release with Yelow “Crystal Clear” is out now on all digital platforms. Stream/buy here https://InToneNation.lnk.to/CrystalClear
1. How did you start making music and what were your early inspirations?
In the early 2000s, I fell in love with Trance Music, especially Vocal Trance. I would listen to songs like Delirium feat. Sara McLachlan - Silence, Motorcycle - As The Rush Comes, ATB - 9 PM (Till I Come), and many more. Inspired by many of these legendary Trance artists, I became a Trance Dj and Producer. I wanted to play and create emotive and meaningful music that would touch people and hopefully make a difference in their lives. I began to be more serious about it after recovering from a traumatic injury to my neck, which left me with chronic pain. Music has been the main factor in my healing journey. From Djing, live streaming, producing music -- all have been therapeutic and a lifesaver. I find joy in knowing that I can bring happiness to others through my music and mixes. It's given me hope, purpose, and above all else, re-ignited my passion. I do what I can to help others through my own experiences.
2. Where do you see Trance music in 5 years?
In the next 5 years, I see more female artists and producers bringing their style and individuality to the Trance scene that will help evolve the scene and the music style. I hope I will be able to contribute to that evolution.
3. Is this your first collaboration together? What was the process like?
‘Crystal Clear’ is our first collaboration together and my first collaboration with anyone. We first met on a Trance Retreat that Edwin hosted in Phuket, Thailand in February 2019. We became good friends and teamed up to work on a track together. I had a vocal I wanted to develop into a track and we decided to use it for our collaboration. I work on Logic Pro X while Edwin works with Ableton, so initially we each came up with our concepts/version on our own DAWs. Later, we pulled parts, ideas, arrangements, etc from each project and worked with the main project in Ableton. We wanted to do a trance track but wanted to bring something different and created a baseline that is known to be popular in Vietnamese crowds. We did all this through Zoom and WhatsApp. We had several versions of the track but settled with the final one after JES and the Intonenation Axiom team helped guide us to a version we truly loved.
4. What was your inspiration for “Crystal Clear”?
This track has an important meaning to me. The song is about seeing yourself through 'Crystal Clear' perspective, learning to accept yourself, and seeing yourself as you truly are, instead of looking at yourself through illusions and expectations, which can bring a real turning point and an opportunity to overcome your fears and doubts. For me, the fear and doubt I had was being gay. All my life I hid that from everyone. I was not myself and it made me miserable but meeting Krystal was the turning point in my life. Love brings clarity. I learned to accept myself, had the strength and courage to be me. It's only when we can look through crystal clear lenses that we become who we are and overcome and achieve anything. If I can inspire anyone to be who they are, to not be afraid, and to follow their dreams that would be the best thing in the world for me.
5. What’s is next for you in 2021?
I’m currently working on a couple of vocal projects that I look forward to sharing with everyone. What the pandemic showed me is that working together with others can create magical and unique things, like the track I made together with Edwin. And in 2021, Krystal and I made our debut, as “Melodie & Krystal” and we want to continue to share our love of music to the world by performing more together either on Twitch or in real life.
