Interview: 8 Questions with M.D. Chau

Interview originally appeared on July 2, 2022 on StaticDive.

Watch the powerful “Stand Next to Me” video below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear the song on the Deep Indie Dive playlist. We had the opportunity to chat with M.D. Chau about the song. Read his answers to our 8 questions below.

Where are you from?

I was born in Vietnam but grew up in the Northern Virginia/DC area. I’m now living in Orange County, CA.

How long have you been making music?

I started writing songs in middle school. But I produced and released my own album in 2006 under my first name “Minh”.

Who are the musicians involved in your project?

I have Monte Pittman, who was/is Madonna’s guitarist, for guitars on “Stand Next To Me”. Other musicians there also play for artists much bigger than me. Rashad Howard on piano/keys as well as choir directing. Fer Fuentes on drums. And, Dylan Wilson on bass.

Who are your biggest musical influences?

Listening to Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall album on vinyl was what made me want to be a singer. After that, it ranged from Boys To Men to Michael Bolton to John Mayer and John Legend. I did get to really sing and develop when I started going to a predominantly African-American church and sang in the choir. I literally sang the “Happy Day” solo like you saw in Sister Act. I was just a 15-year-old little Asian immigrant kid at the time and they really took me in and showed me love.

What is your greatest non-musical influence?

Probably films. Other than music, one of my main goals in life is to make a movie of some kind. I was always fascinated with the creative process. I enjoyed “the making of” part of a DVD we grabbed from Blockbuster than the movie itself.

What inspired you to create this project?

There were so many Asian hate crimes happening that I felt like I needed to do something. As an immigrant, I grew up in a neighborhood where we were all poor – black, white, hispanic, and asians. We kinda all accepted each other. So it was hard to see the division and hate happening.

What are your plans for the future (musically)?

I just want to make music that’s honest. It’s crowded out there and I see a lot of artists having to be clowns just to be heard. I’m old now and definitely “aged out” as far as real industry opportunities. But, music is music and art is art. I’m just going to keep making it. Good thing is, if fame isn’t the aim, there’s nothing that can stop you from making and putting out music that’s meaningful to you.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

I hope our world can heal. There’s so much craziness going on. We have one thing in common as human beings – we want our family to do well. If everyone can get around that, may be there can be enough empathy to stop all this hate.