Published on 1st March 2025

Who’s this then?

This is Paul Zetter, a singer/songwriter based in Vietnam. Having taken early retirement, Paul recently released a solo album, Navigation Lines. He is also a singer and guitarist in a three-piece blues band called All That Mojo, writing the songs for their 2024 debut album, Lost Goodbyes.  

Why is this of interest to AAH?

Because Paul grew up in Horsham and began his musical journey in local bands. Although he has lived in Hanoi with his wife and two children since 1998, Paul returns every year, staying with family in Maplehurst. Paul said: ‘I write most of my songs when I return to Horsham, as ideas seem to flow more easily. I still feel a strong connection to the area and stories from my younger days inspire me lyrically. I even considered calling my solo album Horsham Boy, but thought it would alienate my audience in Vietnam!’

Where did Paul’s music journey begin?

He inherited a love of music from his mother and growing up, there was always a piano in the house. While a pupil at Forest Boys, he discovered punk and was inspired to learn the guitar. It wasn’t long until he formed a band with Greg Hart, a close friend since primary school. Today, Greg is the guitarist in rock band Cats in Space, who have supported acts including Status Quo, Deep Purple and Blue Oyster Cult. Paul said: ‘For my generation, punk was a liberating movement. It made us all believe we could do it! We went to see bands like The Clash and The Stranglers at Crawley Leisure Centre and started writing our own songs. However, my passion was jazz and Greg wanted to be a rock star, so we followed different musical paths. To be fair, Greg has achieved his dream, as Cats in Space have released seven studio albums and toured extensively. My journey was more low-key, loading my double bass into the back of a VW Beetle and playing jazz clubs around London.’ 

Is Paul still in touch with his old friend?

He has kept in contact with Greg and followed his career. Paul said: ‘I love reconnecting with him when I’m back in the UK, as he has great stories about music and life in Horsham. We still talk about the first songs we wrote together too! I’m not sure if many people in Horsham are aware of what Greg has achieved with bands such as Flairz and Cats in Space.’

Has Paul made money from music?

His working career was spent away from music, although he always maintained a passion for writing songs. Paul’s job with the British Council took him first to Manchester, where he played in a blues band in his spare time. He then became Assistant Director of the British Council in Vietnam for a further five years, before becoming a film-maker, producing documentaries for NGOs such as Oxfam and Plan International, as well as corporations including Microsoft. However, Covid and the rise of TikTok altered the landscape, which has meant Paul has more time to focus on music.  

Has he released any material?

Just a couple of years after arriving in Hanoi, Paul recorded two albums, consisting mostly of instrumental music. However, he gained more publicity for composing a minuet inspired by Little Sister Thuy, a 1943 painting by Vietnamese artist Tran Van Can. Paul said: ‘I was so captivated by Little Sister Thuy that I decided to write and dedicate a minuet to the painting, with my wife translating a story that I wrote for the piece. To my surprise, the story was reported by several Vietnamese newspapers, so I became moderately well-known for writing a song about one of the country’s most important paintings. I also helped arrange for an orchestra to perform the piece for the woman depicted as a young girl in the painting, shortly before her death at the age of 89. Last year, I presented the full copyright to the minuet to the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum and feel proud to have helped promote something so important to Vietnamese culture.’ 

You said Paul has a solo album?

He recorded Navigation Lines at a mini studio at his Hanoi home. Paul’s melodies about life and love are inspired by The Beatles, Paul Simon, James Taylor and most evidently blues singer Robert Johnson (the final track is called What Would Robert Johnson Do?) However, before recording, Paul had to gain confidence as a singer. ‘He said: ‘I have played music all my life and yet never thought I could sing. I had never sung in front of an audience, as I wasn’t confident enough, but I’ve now taken that leap.’ 

Paul has also recorded with a band?

All That Mojo are similarly inspired by blues, folk and Americana. They released their debut album last year. Paul is joined in the band by another British expat, David Payne, on electric guitar and shares singing duties with Vietnamese singer Hua Thanh Tú. Some of the stand-out tracks are those where they share vocals, such as Shoebox, Road-Type Tune and Alone With You. Paul said: ‘Thanh Tú is a singing teacher, actress and performs in several other bands too. She is very talented and adapts to the blues well. Traditionally, Asian music is quite formal, so it does not always come naturally for Vietnamese musicians to play blues, where there is more improvisation and lyrics that offer a social commentary.’

Is there much demand for the band’s live performances in Vietnam?

All That Mojo play at some of the city’s best-known bars, including Hanoi Social Club and the legendary Tadioto, established by the late American Vietnamese broadcaster Nguyen Qui Duc. Paul said: ‘I went to see a live show at Tadioto and it turned out that Nguyen had heard my songs online. He said, “Mr Zetter, it would be a pleasure if you would perform in my establishment.” I think having an Englishman sing Robert Johnson songs appealed to his eclectic taste, so I went from YouTube videos to playing the most popular bar in Hanoi.’

What’s next for the band?

Paul hopes to expand All That Mojo beyond its current trio of musicians. They have already welcomed a beat boxer called Tuanss at some live shows and hope to add more musicians, backing vocalists and traditional Vietnamese instruments such as the Dan Bau (Monochord). Paul said: ‘Our songs are connecting with people – Vietnamese and the expat community – and they are all telling us to produce a bigger sound. So, that’s what we plan to do!’ 

Does fame and fortune beckon?

At the age of 60, dreams of pop stardom have diminished. However, Paul believes he still has much to offer. He said: ‘It’s strange, but it has taken me 60 years to take myself seriously as a musician. It’s not about stardom, as I’m too old for that. What’s more important is leaving some kind of legacy and achieving artistic recognition, as I believe in these songs. As you get older, you think more about your roots, friendships and relationships, and things become clearer. You become reflective and nostalgic, as more of your life is behind you than in front of you.’ 

WORDS: BEN MORRIS

PHOTOS: SUBMITTED BY PAUL ZETTER 

FURTHER INFORMATION:

You can list to All That Mojo’s debut album on Bandcamp or visit www.paulzetter.com