Blog

Inspiration, news, and behind-the-scenes from the life and music of Vietnamese-born Asian American songwriter and former Ming & Ping producer Bao Vo.

New Release: Lady in Red

Here’s a fun new single for ya: BAO’s stylized cover version of the 1986 hit “The Lady in Red” by Chris DeBurgh. It’s out now on Bandcamp and will be on all streaming platforms on May 25.

I usually do a cover song when I need help getting into the flow of producing music and this was practice for my forthcoming album. This cover version is a concentrated example of some of the sonic aesthetics and production techniques that I’ve been exploring in my work for Ming & Ping, BAO, and other artists. This single won’t be on the album, but it has a few stylistic elements that will be.

“The Lady in Red” was ubiquitous on the radio when I was a kid and, for some reason, Vietnamese people in the US really like this song so I heard it all the time growing up. I always thought it was an okay song, with kinda corny lyrics, but there are some super catchy elements in the song such as the iconic choral background vocals. I wanted to challenge myself to cover this song without using that background vocal technique, so that I can identify what makes the BAO sound special. Hope you dig it.

Go to Bandcamp

olive eyes

olive eyes is an unreleased project I started in the late 2000s while I was focused on creating work for Ming & Ping. It sounds like a mash of shoegaze + drum n bass + trip hop. One of the olive eyes tracks is being released April 19, 2022 on the Space Anemone 5 Year Anniversary Compilation and the Space Anemone label will help release an olive eyes EP in the future.

Here are some links for ya:

> Check out the Space Anemone 5 Year Anniversary Compilation

> Go directly to my track “an immeasurable distance”

> Watch the release party livestream on the Space Anemone YouTube channel

Coffee with BAO Episode 27 ft. Tonie – Music Artist and Educator

This week I’m joined by music artist and educator Tonie, aka Tony Nguyen, to share their new song “Daydreaming,” which we wrote together a few months ago. We’ll also talk about Tonie’s path to becoming their current self, a non-binary Vietnamese American music artist, producer, and educator. We touch on how our life decisions impact and are impacted by others, taking risks and freeing yourself from perfection, and what’s been top of mind for us lately.

Find Tonie at itstonie.com or @tonie.wav on social media. Listen to Tonie’s new single “Daydreaming” on your streaming platform of choice.

You can also listen to this episode as a podcast.

Coffee with BAO Episode 26 ft. Katie Hargrove – Artist and Songwriter

Katie Hargrove joins me before our co-writing session to talk about the breadth of her work as a songwriter, her journey in the music industry, and how her normal life as a human influences her work. We talk about her path from playing music in Knoxville TN at age 13 to moving to Los Angeles a few years ago to pursue songwriting. We also touch on having a real life outside of music, being a gay woman in the music industry, and what’s been on our minds lately.

Learn more about Katie Hargrove ​.

You can also listen to this episode as a podcast.

Coffee with BAO Episode 25 ft. Dr. Cate Le – Infectious diseases physician and author

Dr. Cate Le, an infectious disease specialist and author chats with BAO about her debut children’s book “Coronavirus is Boo Boo,” and a few other timely topics. We learn about her upbringing as a Vietnamese American refugee, her life and career straddling medicine and the arts, and her passion for social and racial equality in healthcare. Dr. Le is currently treating COVID-19 patients and promoting her book to help younger kids learn about the virus and the life changes it has brought about.

Learn more about Dr. Cate ​and order her book.

You can also listen to this episode as a podcast.

Feature in Nguoi-Viet News

Nguoi-Viet News features BAO’s life, music career, and more.
“Close your eyes and feel each flow in Bao’s music, sometimes shrill, sometimes painful, sometimes as gentle as a stream crossing an unfinished canvas of the artist. Colors are patchy in an “orderly” way in Bao’s music. Warm and cold colors blend together, creating a cool sound picture.”

Read the full article here.

New Release: Perpetual Heartbreak (Remixes)

Surprise! We’ve just put a new remix EP onto Bandcamp! Perpetual Heartbreak (Remixes) will also be on streaming platforms next week June 27. This release contains three very different remixes by three incredible artists: POLYCHRON, Alex Kade, and _flatpat_.
Listen Now

A Different Story (POLYCHRON Remix)
POLYCHRON is a production duo from Los Angeles who specialize in layering ethereal landscapes with vintage Drum N Bass-inspired beats. Check out POLYCHRON on Bandcamp.

No Filter (Alex Kade Remix)
Alex Kade is an EDM production duo from Toronto, Canada, whose soaring dance remixes and live streaming performances have enjoyed viral success since the pandemic. Visit AlexKadeMusic.com

Thanks (_flatpat_ Remix)
_flatpat_ is a Houston, Texas-based producer and beatmaker previously known as That Purple Bastard. Their Slowed & Chopped style remixes and prolific work ethic are respected within the experimental hip hop scene. Check out _flatpat on Soundcloud.

Mastered by my homie Jesse McInturff
Cover art by this really talented artist named Bao Vo

Coffee with BAO Episode 24 ft. Ashley Nguyen DeWitt – Animation casting and voice director

Animation casting and voice director, actor, and singer Ashley Nguyen DeWitt chats with BAO about her biracial Vietnamese and African American upbringing and career in the entertainment industry. Ashley’s work includes a variety of animation projects, including the upcoming Netflix series “Ada Twist, Scientist” which was co-produced by Laughing Wild and Higher Ground, the production company of former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama . We also discuss the immense value of mentors and advocates, especially for underrepresented groups.

Learn more about Ashley at ashleynguyendewitt.com

You can also listen to this episode as a podcast.

Coffee with BAO Episode 23 ft. Kyle Dombroski – Drummer and music educator

Professional percussionist, audio engineer, and music educator Kyle Dombroski joins BAO to chat about his experience as a Korean American adoptee growing up in Central Illinois, his career in various facets of music, and his goals for his band Hello Noon. Kyle also plays drums with BAO’s beautiful boy band and can be heard on BAO’s track “Beautiful Things” from the album Perpetual Heartbreak.

Learn more about Kyle at kyledombroski.com

You can also listen to this episode as a podcast.