Meet Andy Pham | Producer & DJ

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andy Pham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andy, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Coming from Vietnam, where my parents brought me over to America for a better life that follows the immigration trope, there was never really any room for creative exploratory or pursuit. The expectation from my parents & broader family was simply to go to school, get good grades, and stay out of trouble. This kind of upbringing instilled an invaluable sense of discipline where I am beyond thankful for but left me feeling too structured that stifled any idea of me pursuing anything within the creative arts. Moreover, it also does not help that I did not want to ask much from my parents given they work 12+ hours in the nail salon and ultimately, I did not want to be burden by asking for things that did not stay close to what’s expected of me.

Fast forward after graduating college, one of my friends asked me to go Lollapalooza in Chicago and that would be my first ever music festival & a live experience to EDM music. Ever since then, I have gone to several music festivals and shows. I was intoxicated with the ability to let go of any concerns and remove myself from the daily grind to just have fun without rhyme or reason. Soon after, the pandemic hit in 2020 – 2021 meaning no more shows or music festivals.

The next best thing is to start DJing and see how I was able to make my friends happy & dance through music. The inflection point that truly validated my decision to continue this music journey was I got to open for ARMNHMR at The Factory in Dallas 2022. Slowly but surely, several doors started to open, and I was compelled not to waste those opportunities. Shortly after, I started to dive into music production and was able to release music for others to enjoy. Reflecting on the rigidity that once defined my life, my previous self would be surprised by the journey I’ve undertaken, one that has led me to embrace and express a musical creativity I never even fathomed to be in the realm of possibility.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have seen countless DJs & artists live, and it’s always awe inspiring to see how they are able to pull their personality into their sets. Following the same suit, I wanted to draw upon my background and really try to tell a story for every set. Every song choice and creative decision are influenced by the people around me along with my upbringing.

What I am proud of the most for my sets is that I blend diverse musical influences with high-energy EDM songs that includes Bass House, Dubstep, and various other EDM subgenres. Drawing from my Vietnamese heritage, I incorporate Vietnamese songs and my girlfriend’s influence by dropping some K-Pop. I also like to add easter eggs in my sets by dropping Anime related songs where I watched as kid and some even ‘til this day. Embracing and intersecting my cultural identity and incorporating it into my artistry has been empowering, allowing me to carve out a unique niche in the very vast music industry. With this mindset, I was able to play on more reputable stages like The Factory & Stereo Live – Dallas, but the biggest & proudest show was playing for my parents. The feeling of seeing my parents being happy & proud of me, especially doing something I am passionate about is an unforgettable experience.

Along the way, I’ve learned invaluable lessons about the importance of authenticity, and resilience. There will be times where I would be playing in a seemingly empty room, and it can be demotivating along with producing songs that not many people listen to. At the end of the day, I firmly believe that it really boils down to consistency & unapologetically putting your authentic self out there, which can lead to growth. Moreover, I don’t think most people go into music for the money, but it’s really something that you must be passionate about that will drive your accomplishments. Otherwise, DJing in those empty rooms and staying up late at night to craft a melody for a song would have ended my music journey without the passion & support from family and friends. The true fruits of my labor are found not in the spotlight, but in the everyday micro-decisions that shape my journey and define my success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Above all else, I am a foodie person even though I may not come off as one. I really want to find the best of what a city has to offer when it comes to food. I love sushi and Vietnamese food. I cannot live in a city without these.

If I had friends visiting, I would definitely take them to Hatsuyuki Hand Roll in Fort Worth and Thuy Nguyen Cafe in Arlington, TX. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with Emporium Pies!

Later at night, Han Shin Pocha for Korean bites and soju for drinking, and if there’s show at a venue, we’ll catch that or make one ourselves at home.

Self ranked S-Tier activities.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As cliché it may be, I don’t think I can thank my parents enough, not even in a thousand lifetimes. Witnessing their courage in uprooting our lives for the promise of a brighter future in an unfamiliar country and seemingly starting out from nothing to owning their own business, their sacrifices serves as the very bedrock of my motivation in everything I do. One of the pinnacle moments of my music career so far was being able to perform for them in Chicago as part of the SABAI & HOANG Million Days Tour.

My incredible and beautiful girlfriend, Annika Paloma, is another person who’s been there from day one from the dizzying highs and soul crushing lows, I cannot thank her enough. Not many people can say that they have a partner who fully supports in every decision that they make regardless of the outcome and is willing to stay up to see me perform for countless unholy hours even with school & work.

And then there are my friends, an integral part of my journey. They know who they are, and I can picture their smiles as they read this part. From our humble beginnings DJing at house parties & the deserted showrooms that ultimately lead up to the bigger stages, their presence has been a constant. Every creative decision, either creating a DJ set or music production is driven by my friends. In essence, if I couldn’t see them dancing and vibing to it, I wouldn’t have move forward with that choice.

Instagram: andy_dfam

Other: Spotify Link:

Image Credits
Photos: Jarrod Bray & Michael Woods