City Nomads Radio: Savage’s Resident Di Linh Colours Music With The Freedom Of Expression

PUBLISHED May 12th, 2023 06:00 am | UPDATED August 18th, 2023 01:04 am

Vietnam’s music scene is on the rise, and amongst them is rising star, Di Linh that is making waves with her unique blend of house, disco, techno and her signature “go with the flow” style. During the pandemic years, the artist from Hanoi, Vietnam, discovered her passion for DJing and quickly rose to become the resident DJ at Savage. Although being a DJ wasn’t initially on her radar, something propelled her to set foot in the music industry. In this feature, we chat with Di Linh about her incredible music journey and the freedom of expression that comes with it.

Listen to Di Linh’s curated mix here.

“It’s the freedom to express yourself in ways I didn’t realise I had, and everyone on the dancefloor is connected, sharing the same passion – music.”

Her relationship with music started on the dance floor when she frequented parties at the city’s first underground electronic music club, Savage. Drawn to the open and diverse community and the music, she began to explore all dimensions of music. After practicing for a few days, she was invited by her good friend – who was then the resident DJ at the club – to play a set at the lounge, and from that moment on, she knew that DJing was her passion.

Today, Di Linh is the resident DJ at Savage and part of the lineup at the Equation Festival. Her dynamic sets are energetic, fusing with groovy bass lines. They are a testament to her infectious melodies and ability to adapt to the party-goers’ vibes and the space. 

When speaking about an inspirational music moment, she vividly remembers the night when Ouissam closed the set at Panorama Bar. As he spun his tracks, the beats moved her, inspiring her to express herself in unimaginable ways. The collective love for music was palpable in the air, connecting everyone on the dance floor. This is the power of music: it grants people the freedom to live in the present moment and embrace their true selves.

One of Di Linh’s most memorable performances was spinning in a cave at the Equation Festival. Fresh out of the pandemic, everyone seemed to cast away their troubles to be in the moment and enjoy the music. 

“The atmosphere, the energy, the music was all surreal. I feel like at that moment, all we want to do is forget about the unpleasant times and simply enjoy ourselves.”

Besides Ouissam as her music influence, she draws inspiration from many other great artists, labels, parties, clubs and festivals from around the world. Despite being based in Vietnam, she accesses online albums and learn from international guests and local DJs, which has shaped the sounds of her sets. Di Linh aspires to connect with people from other countries to co-create a more vibrant and diverse music scene.

“We are all motivated to develop and build the scene stronger, and the only way to do so is to work together.”

Keep up with Di Linh on her socials for updates, and be sure to check out the special mix curated for City Nomads, which she hopes will surprise you.

Follow Di Linh on Instagram and Soundcloud.