“Traveling is always refreshing, but a trip to Vietnam is even more special”

(VOVWORLD) – Producer, composer of relaxing Lofi music and sound engineer Maxime Bastin, better known as Aphrow, is a 33-year-old multi-talented Belgian artist. He is also passionate about Vietnam. His love for “phở”, Vietnam’s iconic soup, inspired him to create the single “Pho Bo Viên” (beef ball noodle soup), released in 2023 on Spotify. In an interview with VOVWorld, Aphrow tells us about his connection with Vietnam and his music genre “Lofi”, which is growing in popularity around the world.

VOVWorld: What inspired you to create such a mouthwatering piece as Pho Bo Viên?

Aphrow: My girlfriend is Vietnamese, so Vietnamese culture is a big part of my life. I learn a lot about Vietnam and I am very exposed to this culture, because her parents live here in Belgium. We often eat phở as a family, especially every Sunday. I wanted to pay tribute to them by creating this song.

VOVWorld: Did your trip to Vietnam last July go well?

Aphrow: Yes, it was truly an unforgettable trip. We experienced and learned so much, and the scenery was magnificent. The country is absolutely stunning, with so much to discover. I was treated to both the sights and the sounds. It was amazing, absolutely amazing.

VOVWorld: Let’s get back to your musical background. Aphrow, how did you get started in music?

Aphrow: I started playing guitar when I was about 14, just for fun, like any teenager who wants to try music. I started by playing simple songs, like Nirvana’s, and I was passionate about the rock of the time. Then, with some friends, we formed a band, but we were missing a drummer. So I bought a drum kit for the band and started playing. I really invested myself and was rigorous in this learning. For three years, we created a jazz and rock band. We played concerts and learned what music and working in a group was. Unfortunately, we had to split up because some of the members left for university or lost the desire to play. For my part, I always wanted to continue. I was not very academic, so I continued to learn on my own, on computer software, in my bedroom, around 18-19 years old. I learned a lot every year by trying to improve myself. I’ve been making music for 14 years now, and today I can say that it’s my job.

VOVWorld: You started out with jazz and rock. What made you want to explore a genre that combines hip-hop and a relaxed vibe?

Aphrow: Right around the time our band broke up, this genre of music started to emerge on platforms like YouTube, about 15 years ago. I was deeply inspired by a Japanese artist named Nujabes, who was one of the first to mix jazz, hip-hop, and relaxing music. He even composed tracks for a manga. For me, Nujabes really managed to merge these three styles in an innovative way. I loved this style from the beginning and found it perfect for working and studying, as it promoted relaxation. So, I started in this direction, largely inspired by the music of the time and Nujabes.

VOVWorld: How many pieces have you composed in this musical genre?

Aphrow: I didn’t start my professional career right away. I first learned for about 6 years. So my career really started about 7 years ago. Since then, I’ve created about 200 pieces in this genre.

VOVWorld: What is your most listened to track on Spotify to date?

Aphrow: The most listened to track is “Lion Dance.” It’s a composition that uses traditional Japanese and Chinese instruments, as well as other Asian instruments, because I really love Asian sounds. There’s a certain character and strength in these instruments that you don’t find in European instruments. For example, I love the koto and the shakuhachi. These two traditional Japanese instruments are powerful and can have a significant impact on a song, and I love that. In “Lion Dance,” there are a lot of these instruments, with percussion, drums, and violins.

VOVWorld: I heard that some of your compositions have been licensed by Vietnamese partners. Is that correct?

Aphrow: Yes, I collaborate with Vietnamese partners who also own a label. We work together for music exchanges on platforms like Spotify and YouTube. This allows me to discover and share my music abroad.

VOVWorld: Have your experiences in our country inspired you to create new things?

Aphrow: Of course. When we visited Sapa, the rice fields, the mountains or even Halong Bay, there were sounds that you don’t hear in Europe, like birdsong, frogs croaking, animal noises and insect sounds. I love these sounds, and they inspire me to use similar background sounds to create atmospheres in my songs. Traveling is always refreshing, but a trip to Vietnam is even more special.

VOVWorld: What are you working on right now?

Aphrow: Currently, I am preparing a 17-track album release scheduled for November. We are focusing on the preparation: creating the cover art, the order of the tracks, as well as all the commercial and promotional aspects. I am also working on another 3-track project for a label called Mutombo, scheduled for February 2025. In addition, I always have small projects in the works here and there. 2025 will be a particularly busy year with several albums in the works.

VOVWorld: In your opinion, what does an artist need to get noticed?

Aphrow: I think the first thing, although it may sound cliché, is to never give up. It is essential to always fight and persevere, because every artist will have moments when you say “no” or “it doesn’t work”. You have to have confidence in yourself, keep working, studying and learning. When you feel ready, it is important to try to get noticed by small companies that help promote artists. Today, platforms like YouTube and Spotify offer accessible tools to get known, which was not the case 20 years ago, when you had to release a CD. Now, it is completely possible to reach millions of views if you use the right tools, the right algorithms and if you collaborate with labels. The main thing is to clarify your vision, to trace a path and to stay true to that path. You have to keep moving forward to go as far as possible in the field you want to perfect, like lofi in my case.