Recovering From A Toxic Relationship with thuy’s New EP girls like me don’t cry
Photo by Edgar Daniel
[UNPUBLISHED:] Hey thuy! I’m so excited to get to chat with you about the release of your newest EP girls like me don’t cry! What has life been like for you now that the EP is out?
[THUY:] Very busy! It's been great to see more eyes on the music. More people are learning about me and more Vietnamese boys and girls have been reaching out and telling me I'm inspiring them. I'm more in tune with my community now. Everybody liking the project makes me feel really good. I feel like my hard work has been worth it.
[UNPUBLISHED:] The EP follows a story of lust turning into love, which is a major shift content wise from last year’s i hope u see this EP’s heartbreak from a toxic relationship. How do you think your music has changed within this shift?
[THUY:] With my new EP girls like me don’t cry, I wanted to tell the story of recovery from a toxic relationship. This project also follows an actual journey unveiling a love story and how it progresses from lust to passion through trust, insecurities, etc. This project is also very personal to me. When I was younger, my uncle had a nickname for me in Vietnamese that essentially meant crybaby. I used to cry at the tiniest inconvenience and honestly still do (just on the inside). I think a lot of times people see me as someone who’s always strong and confident but the truth is, even the strongest women cry sometimes and that is never a sign of weakness.
[UNPUBLISHED:] “playing tricks” released prior to the EP with an accompanying short film music video. Can you tell me more about this video and what it means for you?
[THUY:] When Edgar (@edgardaniel199x) first presented me with the concept for this short film/music video, I immediately knew it was a story that I could relate to and felt compelled to share. When you listen to the song the video’s narrative doesn’t initially come to mind, but I found it was fitting for the state of the world at the time. It was very personal to me and hit close to home being that a family member had just opened up about this experience. A lot of women deal with the loss and grief of a child in silence, so I wanted to shed light on a sensitive topic in hopes more women can feel supported. That’s what helps people through adversity. Community is so important and having people around you to lift you up. Understand that it’s OK to be uncomfortable, as that creates change. In releasing this short film video for “playing tricks” I wanted to let people know that they’re not alone.
[UNPUBLISHED:] “trust” features RINI, who is another one of my favorite R&B artists right now and I have been absolutely loving this collaboration. What was the process like putting “trust” together?
[THUY:] This was actually the first single off my sophomore project. “trust” is one of the most meaningful songs to me. It’s about understanding, patience, and vulnerability. RINI and I had such a fun time creating this together! His vocals perfectly complemented the soulfulness of this song and he brought a beautiful perspective to the story.
[UNPUBLISHED:] If you could put listeners of girls like me don’t cry in your ideal setting to hear the EP, what would that look like?
[THUY:] I actually just hosted a Sip & Paint event at the Wreck Room in NYC for the release of my EP. I didn’t want it to be your typical release party, but instead a place where people could listen to the project in a different way. Lately, I’ve been very aware of my mental well-being and wanted to provide an experience that could help people just escape. I didn’t give guests a photo to follow, but instead had them listen to the project and just whatever came to heart. This was probably one the best experiences I’ve been a part of in a very long time.
[UNPUBLISHED:] You’re getting ready to set out on a headlining west coast tour to close out the year. What are you most excited about for this tour?
[THUY:] I am so excited for my upcoming tour this month! There is so much that goes into preparing for a tour like styling, musical arrangement, rehearsals, and everything in between. I don’t think I am ready, but I’m most looking forward to singing with my fans and getting a chance to meet them. There is no better feeling in the world than being in a room full of people who all enjoy my music and being able to hear their stories about how my music has helped them. Also, my shows have grown so much since last year when we played at Brick & Mortar in my hometown, which is roughly a 250 capacity venue. Then, earlier this year in May we played at New Parrish (600 capacity). Now, we’ve sold out The Regency, which is 1,500 people! I’m beyond excited to be back home because this show is going to be extra special. All my friends and family will be there! It's so legendary to be able to say it's sold out makes me feel beyond supported and loved.
[UNPUBLISHED:] You’ve been named a member of YouTube’s Music Foundry Class of 2022 and Spotify named you as their September ambassador for EQUAL, which I want to also give you a major congratulations on. What does it mean to you to have been honored by Spotify and YouTube as a female game changer in the industry?
[THUY:] I feel SO honored. It's so dope to be included amongst other women who have done so much for the music industry. We’re all in such different genres but we can all be included in the collective of women who empower other women. It lets me know I'm going in the right direction in using my platform to show women can succeed in the music industry. It’s so dominated by men that people may not see that it’s possible. It's continuing what my purpose is – to inspire women and my community.
[UNPUBLISHED:] When you’re not making music, what do you like to do in your free time?
[THUY:] I love moving my body. I love boxing and walking my dog especially. I love my dog and he’s my life so anytime I can get him to the beach or park and see his little legs running it makes me so happy and recharges me. It makes me ready to take on things.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Looking back on your career thus far, is there any advice you wish you had been given when you were first starting out?
[THUY:] It’s okay to cry but still be a badass!
[UNPUBLISHED:] What’s next for you?
[THUY:] I am very excited for my tour! Multiple cities have sold out now, so we keep having to upgrade to larger rooms. I’m also going to Thailand for the first time to perform at River Festival, and also have a show in Vietnam. It’s a blessing to get to travel the world with my music, and I am so excited to meet my fans on the road.
