VietNamNet Bridge – Saigon rock fans may have come across The Lost Art, an expat band from the U.K and Japan that covers Vietnamese songs in a rock style.

The four-piece rock/indie band consists of three English teachers Daniel Tooman (guitarist/vocalist), George Bussell (drummer) and Andrew Thompson (bassist) who founded the band and were later joined by blues rock veteran guitarist Yuichi Matsumoto from Tokyo eight months ago.

The difference between The Lost Art and other expat bands in town is that Dan can sing and MC fluently in Vietnamese.

“I have studied Vietnamese for 18 months with my private tutor and teachers at the HCMC University of Social Sciences and Humanities and I also learn myself at home. I’m also thankful to Tuan Khanh, leader/vocalist of the popular HCMC-based

Microwave band and Mr. Lam from RFC band who helped train my vocals,” Dan told the Daily.

Dan started his music career at open mic nights in Saigon for no money. Then he and George were paid for their first gig at No. 5 Bar Saigon on Pasteur Street.

From there the band started to have weekly performances at prominent live music venues such as Acoustic Bar (Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street, District 3), RFC (Tu Xuong Street, District 3), Yoko (Nguyen Thi Dieu Street, District 3), Bui Lodge Bar (Pham Ngoc Thach Street, District 3) and Darts, Darts, Darts (Pasteur Street, District 3).

They have been performing in town for 18 months and thrill audiences when they belt out Vietnamese songs like Yeu lai tu dau (Khac Viet), Khi xua ta be (a Vietnamese version of the French song Bang Bang), Cau vong khuyet and Doc Thoai (Tuan Hung), Pho Xa (Tam ca ao trang) and Vai lan don dua (Ha Anh Tuan).

However, Dan admitted that they would love to one day be able to take requests from fans for Vietnamese songs.  “We also expect to have two live shows with Microwave in HCMC and Hanoi next month and are keen to play in Vung Tau and Dalat,” Dan added.

They are hoping to be full-time musicians in the future and are preparing an album featuring Vietnamese songs and a music video to be recorded on March 1. Release date has not yet been confirmed.

They plan to have original songs so they can join big concerts like Rock Storm, Vietnam’s biggest rock festival which has been held annually since 2007. They are also planning for gigs in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in March or April.

“Vietnam has three favorable things for foreigners like us, weather, working conditions and food,” Dan said.

The band played at numerous events last year, including The Mid-Autumn Charity Fundraiser at the Hard Rock Café in District 1, a graduation ceremony of HCMC Technology University in District 10 and the New Year’s Rock Celebration at September 23 Park.

You can check out The Lost Art’s schedule or videos at www.facebook.com/thelostartband or www.youtube.com/thelostartband.

Source: SGT