2022 has been a great year for Clara Benin. Aside from getting featured on a Times Square billboard in New York ahead of the International Women’s Day, the folk darling received two nominations at the recently concluded 8th Wish Music Awards and collaborated with international artists such as British singer-songwriter Lowswimmer. On top of her achievements, Benin also dropped a song called “Affable Dork,” which garnered rave reviews for “adopting a jazz-pop approach.”
In “different…,” Clara Benin takes a familiar musical route without losing the riveting earnestness of the subject. As expected, the FIlipino singer-songwriter has mastered the art of subtlety, and on “different,” it’s here to stay: beautifully woven as if it’s an integral part of Benin’s identity as an artist.
“We went for a more stripped-down instrumentation so we could really highlight the lyrics…I really wanted to play around with more organic sounds. Majority of the percussive sounds that you hear in this song are actually just Gabba tapping on random things around my studio.”
CLARA BENIN
Benin opens 2023 with a soothing tune that revels in the idea of ‘what ifs’ and how it often sparks curiosity and wonder. Her new single, “different…” draws inspiration from a rom-com classic, a common theme among her last few releases.
“I wrote this song after being inspired by the movie, When Harry Met Sally,” Benin admits. “My song “different…” is about having a really good friendship with someone and wondering if you two could take that relationship somewhere different.”
The track is produced by Francis Lorenzo and Gabba Santiago, with her dad Joey Benin playing fretless bass. Clara initially recorded the vocals and guitars of the song in her dad’s studio in December 2021, during the time when she visited her family in her hometown. The rest, as they say, is history.
Check out Clara Benin’s “different…” is on all digital music platforms via OFFMUTE.
Cover Photo Credit: Nyou PH
Clara Benin is back with a new song! The Filipino singer-songwriter’s new track titled “Affable Dork” is a track about the musings and innocence of teen romance. The single draws inspiration from coming-of-age films and books with sharp satirical bite.
Benin discussed the song in a press release: “The song is about the thought process of a girl overthinking her relationship with an affable dork because she feels unworthy of his attention. As you navigate a complete picture of the story, you, later on, realize that fantasies only remain as such and don’t translate to reality.”
Watch the music video for “Affable Dork” below.
Clara Benin’s newest music video will definitely give viewers the feels. The Manila-based superstar’s latest release for “blink” definitely stays true to the song’s emotional rollercoaster.
Heavily inspired by Michel Gondry’s classic Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind movie, the music video finds the folk-pop phenom waking up in bed on a distant shoreline of a beach, while navigating her journey towards healing and self-preservation.
The aesthetically pleasing music video was directed by Josh Elefan, a close friend and frequent collaborator of Benin. “We actually came up with the concept together, this video is so personal to the both of us.”
Clara Benin has recently been announced as one of the first artists under Sony’s new regional label OFFMUTE. She also recently was featured on a giant billboard at Times Square in New York for Spotify’s EQUAL campaign, a global movement that serves as an initiative of the streaming platform to amplify the work of outstanding women and gender-nonconforming musicians.
Stream “blink” here, watch the music video below and stay tuned for more music from Clara Benin this year!
A month ahead of International Women’s Day, Clara Benin is the latest Filipino singer-songwriter to land on the Spotify billboard at Times Square in New York. She is another Filipina part of the EQUAL Campaign that aims to amplify the work of outstanding women and gender-nonconforming musicians.
She shares that being part of the campaign is exciting and “hopes our music (OPM) reaches and inspires more people from all over the world.” As the current campaign’s cover artist, two of her songs, “blink” and “Araw’t Gabi” are also featured in the playlist. “blink” was produced by acclaimed electronic/indie artist The Ringmaster, and features multi-instrumentalist Gabba Santiago on drums. The track finds refuge in reliving Benin’s past without any hint of regret.
I feel really humbled to be featured on a Times Square billboard in New York and to have my songs be part of Spotify’s EQUAL playlist alongside these lovely and talented women.”
CLARA BENIN
Having amassed more than 30 million streams on Spotify alone and just releasing “blink”, Benin has more music on the way. “I’ve been writing a lot the past two years and very excited to work on them this year for an upcoming album.” She is the first Filipino signed under Sony Music’s OFFMUTE— a Southeast Asian record label that’s entirely dedicated to giving artists a voice, an audience, and an opportunity for cross-collaboration within the region.
About Clara Benin
Clara Benin is the indie darling of the Philippines. One of the firsts under Sony’s new regional label OFFMUTE, her signature angelic voice and melodic acoustic guitar sound bring a kind of serenity to her music. She’s collaborated with Singaporean artists Charlie Lim for a remake of her hit single, “Wine” and Gentle Bones for the pop track, “A Day At A Time”.
The acoustic-folk artist has performed her music at festivals like Wanderland Arts and Music Festival in the Philippines, Music Matters in Singapore, and Zandari Festa in Korea. She sold out her first solo concert in 2016 for her album “Coming Home” and had a back-to-back concert with fellow artist Ben&Ben in 2018.
Follow CLARA BENIN on socials:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clarabeninmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/clarabeninmusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarabeninmusic
Cover Photo Credit: Clara Benin
MYX Philippines is gathering OPM artists for its 20th anniversary benefit show happening this Saturday, November 21. The #MYX20 Fundraiser seeks to bring relief to those who have been affected or displaced by the typhoons that recently struck the country.
MYX CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY THIS NOVEMBER 2020
In partnership with ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. (AFI), the #MYX20 Fundraiser will feature performances by OPM bands 6cyclemind, Callalily, Gracenote, Hilera, I Belong To The Zoo, Itchyworms, Mayonnaise, Moonstar88, Paraluman, Sponge Cola, and The Juans.
Barbie Almalbis, Bea Lorenzo, Clara Benin, Darren Espanto, Inigo Pascual, Janine Teñoso, Keiko Necesario, Leanne & Naara, Syd Hartha, and Zach Tabudlo will also lend their time for the benefit show. All proceeds of the event will go to Sagip Kapamilya’s Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-ahon program.
Catch the #MYX20 Fundraiser live this Saturday at 7pm on SKYcable Channel 23 and the Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages of MYX Philippines. The show will also air via TFC Asia Pacific (APAC) on November 22 at 12nn in Hong Kong and Singapore, 1pm in Japan, 2pm in Guam, 3pm in Sydney, and 5pm in New Zealand.
Through TFC Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), it will be broadcast on Sunday at 10:30pm in Saudi Arabia, 11:30pm in Dubai, 8:30pm in Rome, and 7:30pm in London, while it will air on Sunday via TFC NOLA at 1:30 pm PST. The show can also be watched on Sunday through MYX TV US at 10am PST and via MYX TV EMEA 1pm CET and 4pm in United Arab Emirates.
