something great.
Directed by Chris Pahlow for KICK KICK PUNCH.
who is bianca chen?
“I sing, strum and pick and I’d like to learn how to knit someday.” For years, Bianca Chen’s incredible voice, and very special blend of folk, soul, and pop has enchanted fans and music industry professionals alike. She has performed at Melbourne’s premier music venues, including The Corner Hotel, Manchester Lane, The Artery, Bar Open, and Wesley Anne. She launched her debut EP, “Once there was a girl…”, at the Empress in 2007 and is currently gearing up to release a new record and an exciting video production.
what's new with bianca.
Bianca is currently hard at work on her second EP and a music video with award winning director Chris Pahlow. This project is 100% independent with no label backing. To raise money for the project, Bianca will be holding a series of fundraising gigs over the coming months. Promotional t-shirts and other fun stuff will also be available soon! Check myspace.com/biancachen and biancachen.blogspot.com for updates!
all about bianca.
Bianca Chen, fell in love with music at a young age. “I received a tape recorder when I was five or six and would make up songs and record them. I would write songs about crocodiles with big grins, and I would sing songs with the names of all the boys I had crushes on! I was obsessed with the radio and music TV. In primary school, I would tape every music award on TV and watch them over and over. I was a music freak!”
While a lot has happened in the years since then, Bianca still remains childlike and emphatically passionate about music. Over the last few years her music has consistently impressed, winning praise from fans and music industry professionals alike. Her 2003 track “Cautious Hands” was selected above the work of seasoned bands and artists at Launchpad (’03) to win recording time and a slot on an industry compilation CD. Soon after, she was scouted to join the all-girl band “Dollhouse”.
After working with the group for a year Bianca realised it was time for a change. “It was a great learning experience but I felt liberated when I left. We were signed, and I didn’t feel like I had a lot of creative input into the music. It helped me realise just how important authenticity is to my music. It’s my goal to write and play music as honestly as possible.”
Bianca has since left power-produced pop far behind her, and remains decidedly free-spirited and independent. Her astonishing voice and assured musicianship blends the ferocity of Damian Rice with the gentleness of Emiliana Torrini, creating music that lingers in the minds of listeners long after the last chord has been strummed.
She has performed her unique blend of folk, soul and blues influenced pop at Melbourne’s premier music venues, including The Corner Hotel, Manchester Lane, The Artery, Bar Open, and Wesley Anne. She launched her debut EP “Once there was a girl…” at the Empress last year. A record equal parts naivety and sweet melancholy, the mesmerising “Once there was a girl…” is just the beginning for Bianca. “Again, doing that record was a big learning experience. I’ve learnt a lot since then and I can’t wait to show everyone my latest work.”
Bianca’s creativity and youthful enthusiasm is not limited to her recording career. She is currently studying to be a primary school teacher, and works performing and teaching music to young children. “It’s a lot of fun. It involves playing lots of different instruments, and puppetry, singing, and dancing.” As she describes her work with children, it’s not hard to imagine the young Bianca, singing into her tape recorder and dancing around the house. The child inside Bianca has never left, and it’s that quality that makes her music so special.
So what does the future hold for Bianca Chen? New music, a new record, and a video project with award winning director Chris Pahlow. “It’s a very exciting time. All the people I’m working with are good friends of mine. The new project will be more experimental, more easygoing. It’s very exciting, I’m very lucky to be in the position I’m in.” Like her previous EP, this new project will be 100% independent. “I’ll be doing gigs to raise money for the project. There’ll also be t-shirts for sale and some other fun stuff. If you can, please come along and support me. It will be a lot of fun!”
For gig listings and more info, check: myspace.com/biancachen
