By Kelli Uyeda
There’s a reason why Ziing’s nightclub has DJ Hieu Pham performing four out of the five nights it opens every week. Since last November, Pham has been attracting the eccentric fans of electro and house music to this Fullerton hot spot. Despite it being a Thursday, a line of eager patrons can be found wrapping around the building’s rear patio. It’s no coincidence that Ziing’s nearly reaches capacity as Pham begins to set up his sound equipment.
Ziing’s is one of many businesses located in Downtown Fullerton that boasts a full-bar, dance floor, lounge, and entertainment. But what separates this nightclub from competitors is its closing artist, Hieu Pham. Unlike most clubs that blast the typical “Top 40” radio playlist, Pham infuses his beats with a distinct progressive-electro style.
While house music has experienced recent growth in popularity, it has yet to establish itself as a standard within the club atmosphere. However, it’s apparent that Ziing’s crowd appreciates Pham’s musical dexterity as the dance floor fills up 30 minutes into his set. The enthusiastic dancers don’t seem to mind the congestion, and one of the bartenders remarks, “Friday and Saturday nights are even worse.” This level of popularity is an undeniable reflection of Pham’s unique talent.
This 22-year-old Santa Ana native has familiarized himself with the nightlife in Fullerton, Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Hollywood by landing various performances all within the last year. Next month, Pham is expected to headline a Hollywood venue conducted by the company Electronic Dance Movement, also known as EDM. In the latest collaboration with EDM’s events, Pham was included in a lineup alongside Tritonal, a prominent house and trance duo.
Pham’s rapidly growing reputation derives from his devotion and genuine passion for the music industry. Idolizing the work of trance artist Gareth Emery, Pham was inspired to learn more about music production. Though he admits to having a short history in actually creating music, his recent shift from admirer to producer is undetectable.
His inherent commitment to the music industry is manifested in his hectic lifestyle. “It’s really important to stay up to date with new artists and techniques in order to develop a personal style that others can enjoy,” he says. Downloading and researching fellow breakthrough artists is part of his daily routine. This is why his music library exceeds 15,000 songs, which he stores on a combination of external hard drives and CDs.
In addition to satisfying the constant demand for at Ziing’s, he somehow manages to balance a student profession as well. Pham attends Orange Coast College in pursuit of a Sound Engineering degree. “I don’t just study music to become a better DJ,” Pham clarifies, “but because I like learning about music.”
No longer a novice by far, Pham provides his audience with unique “mash-ups.” These are constructed by blending a selection of vocal tracks and instrumentals. “I try to keep as many people as I can satisfied by incorporating as many genres as possible every night,” he explains. “I’ll go from Kaskade, to Skrillex, to LMFAO, all depending on what the vibe is like.”
In order to construct these impulsive changes, he avoids using pre-recorded tracks. Instead, Pham uses a series of computer programs and a table of intimidating electronic devices for live production. This complicated process appears simple for him as he delivers a continuous stream of energizing beats.
DJ Pham is an unpredictable artist that can guarantee his crowd a new experience each night.
