The story
Known to most as Timmy. Guitarist and leader of MOC Band, born and raised in Hội An, playing classic rock five nights a week at The Shamrock Irish Pub.
The interview
Thinh, known to most as Timmy, is a guitarist and leader of MOC Band, playing five nights a week at The Shamrock Irish Pub in Hội An. He's a local, born and raised in the town he now performs in every night, and one of the few Vietnamese musicians leading a rock band in the live music scene here.
Who are you, and what's your story with music? How did you get started?
My name is Thinh, everybody knows me as Timmy. I'm a guitarist and leader of MOC Band in Hội An. I've been playing guitar for about five years. During COVID, I focused and spent a lot of time practising. Then I decided to find people who had the same passion and the right technique to form a band.
What kind of music do you play, and why that and not something else?
I play classic rock. Cover songs. In my point of view, rock music can connect people and make an incredible atmosphere for the shows. Many people say rock never dies, I think that's true. From AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Metallica... when those melodies play, people will just immerse themselves in it.
"Rock never dies. When those melodies play, people will just immerse themselves in it."
What does a typical week look like for you as a musician in Hội An?
I play with my band every Monday to Friday, from 6:30pm to 10pm at The Shamrock Irish Pub in Hội An.
How did you end up in Hội An, and what made you stay?
I'm a local. I love this city so much.
How would you describe the live music scene here to someone who's never experienced it?
Hội An is a very famous city for tourists, one of the best destinations for travellers. I think our music can give people a great experience and good memories of Hội An nightlife.
What's different from other places I've played is that in Hội An all the live music is on one street, so all the tourists are there together. That makes for a better atmosphere than other places where live music is spread across too large an area.
"In Hội An, all the live music is on one street. That makes for a better atmosphere."
Are there Vietnamese musicians or Vietnamese musical traditions that have influenced you?
We mostly play US and UK music, so Vietnamese traditional music hasn't really influenced what we do. But I have a lot of respect for it.
Where are the best places to catch live music in Hội An right now?
The Shamrock Irish Pub is one of the best places for live music in Hội An at night.
What does the Hội An music scene need more of? What's missing?
One of the big challenges is sound levels. Because Hội An is an ancient town, sometimes we're not allowed to play too loud, or we get complaints. That's a real limit for what we can do as a band.
What would you say to someone who's just arrived and wants to find the local music scene?
If you love music and want a wonderful night with a different kind of feeling, just come to our place.
What's coming up for you, any shows, releases, or projects people should know about?
We're planning to focus more on social media to get more gigs and better stages. And we'd love to perform in other countries someday, do a tour. That's the dream.
Guitarist
MOC Band
