Clara Benin

Clara Benin
Born (1994-02-19) February 19, 1994 (age 30)
Genres
  • Indie
  • folk
  • acoustic
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • keyboards
LabelsOffmute
Websiteclarabenin.com

Clara Benin (born February 19, 1994) is a Filipina indie singer-songwriter best known for her track "Parallel Universe". As of October 2019, Benin has amassed tens of millions of streams in Spotify.

Personal life

Clara Benin is the eldest daughter of former Side A member Joey Benin. She has three other siblings, Boey, Jaco, and Sarah who are also inclined to music.[1]

Career

In 2012, Benin enrolled in MINT College to study Music Business Management, where she released a video of her original composition "Closure".

2013–2014: Early days

Elements National Music Camp

In 2013, she was accepted, in the same batch with fellow artists Reese and Vica and Sitti, into the Philippines' Elements National Music Camp. Here she was mentored by Ryan Cayabyab, Joey Ayala and Noel Cabangon.[2][3]

In 2014, she performed for the McDonald's jingle "Hooray for Today". She then participated with Mcoy Fundales at the third Philippine Popular Music Festival to interpret the song entry "Kung Akin Ang Langit", written by Chi Datu-Bocobo and Isaac Joseph Garcia. The song won the Spinnr People's Choice Award.[4]

Benin wrote and recorded the theme song ("Araw't Gabi") for the independent film Red.[5][6]

2015: Breakthrough

Her debut album "Human Eyes" was released on 7 March 2015 at 26th St. Bistro in BGC.[7][8]

Debut album: Human Eyes

"Human Eyes" was recorded in three months at the Sonic Boom studio at MINT College and at Loudbox Studios. The album is self-produced, with the help of her father Joey Benin, indie music impresario Alex Lim, and studio producer/engineer Angee Rozul for mixing and mastering.[9][10]

First EP: Riverchild

In November 2015, Benin released the EP titled Riverchild that she produced, wrote, and mixed.

The "Riverchild" EP is part of an advocacy campaign for bringing children to school. Proceeds will go to the Tapulanga Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization working to uplift the lives of those who were born with less through educational scholarships and healthcare assistance.[11][12]

2016: Hiatus

In 2016, Benin announced that she would take a break from music after her first solo concert due to personal reasons.[13][14]

2017–present: Comeback

In 2017, after announcing a hiatus, Benin made her comeback and released a new single titled "Parallel Universe".[15]

Zandari Festa and Coke Studio Philippines

Benin performed in the 2019 edition of Zandari Festa, an annual three-day music festival held in Seoul, South Korea.[16]

It was announced that Benin will be participating in the third season of Coke Studio Philippines, an annual music television program in the Philippines featuring performances by various Filipino music artists.[17][18]

Second EP: I Rose Up Slowly

In October 2019, nearly four years after releasing her debut EP, Benin released her second EP titled I Rose Up Slowly. The EP consists of five original tracks, produced by Nick Lazaro.[19]

Third EP: Fragments

In November 2020, Benin released her third EP titled Fragments, featuring "Araw at Gabi" and "Wine", which are songs that she previously released.[20][21]

Second album: Befriending My Tears

In August 2023, Benin released her second album Befriending My Tears. The album consisted of nine original songs and was released under Sony Music Philippines sublabel OFFMUTE.[22][23][24]

Discography

Main article: Clara Benin discography

Albums

EPs

Accolades

Year Award Category Notable Works Result Ref(s)
2014 3rd Philippine Popular Music Festival Spinnr People’s Choice Award "Kung Akin Ang Langit" (with Mcoy Fundales) Won [28][29]
2020 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year "I Rose Up Slowly" Won [30][31]
Wishclusive Collaboration of the Year "Solomon" (with Munimuni) Nominated
Wish Artist of the Year "Clara Benin" Nominated
2021 6th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year "It’s Okay” Nominated [32]
Wish Contemporary Folk Song of the Year "Wine" Nominated
Wish Artist of the Year "Clara Benin" Nominated
34th Awit Awards Best Ballad Recording "Araw at Gabi" Nominated [33][34]
Peoples' Voice Favorite Female Artist "Clara Benin" Nominated
2022 35th Awit Awards Best Engineered Recording "Blink" (with Fran Lorenzo) Won [35]
2023 8th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year "Blink” Nominated [36]
Wish Contemporary Folk Song of the Year "Affable Dork" Nominated
36th Awit Awards Best Jazz Recording "Affable Dork" Nominated [37][38][39]
Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist Nominated
2024 9th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year "Small Town” Nominated [40]
Wish Contemporary Folk Song of the Year "Imposter Syndrome" Nominated
Wish Artist of the Year "Clara Benin" Nominated
37th Awit Awards Best Performance by a Solo Artist "Small Town” Pending
Best Christmas Recording "Can't Wait to See You On Christmas Day” Pending

References

  1. ^ "Meet Clara Benin, singer-songwriter daughter of former Side A member Joey Benin". PEP. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  2. ^ "Elements Music Camp - Clara Benin". Archived from the original on 2017-02-17. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
  3. ^ "Clara Benin: Growing Into Her Own". Status Magazine. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2019. [permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Philpop – News and Events". www.philpop.com.ph. Retrieved 2015-12-01.
  5. ^ "BE MY THRILL – Clara Benin / Growing, behind a popular jingle". Meeting Benches. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  6. ^ "InqPOP! Sessions x Clara Benin". Inquirer. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  7. ^ "HUMAN EYES Album Launch". Agimat. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  8. ^ "CLARA BENIN: WHEN BEAUTY AND VOICE COLLIDES". LionHearTV. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Meet Clara Benin, singer-songwriter daughter of former Side A member Joey Benin". PEP. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  10. ^ "Clara Benin: Growing Into Her Own". Status Magazine. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2019.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Clara Benin to launch her latest EP "Riverchild" at SOMA Green Sun". Inquirer. 25 November 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  12. ^ "Clara Benin". BeeHype. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  13. ^ "Clara Benin says "Thank You and Goodbye" with first headlining show at Teatrino". Bandwagon Asia. 3 July 2016. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  14. ^ Caña, Paul John (20 July 2016). "'Coffee shop musician' Clara Benin is the future of OPM". GMA News. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Clara Benin makes musical comeback with new single "Parallel Universe"". ScoutMag PH. 24 November 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Clara Benin lined up for South Korea's largest music festival!". Rakista. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  17. ^ "Coke Studio reveals Season 3 lineup". Bandwagon Asia. 13 September 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  18. ^ "Coke Studio PH kicks off Season 3 with a grand music festival". Tech and Lifestyle Journal. 31 August 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  19. ^ "Clara Benin shares letters to her younger self". Bandwagon Asia. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Clara Benin releases "healing and cathartic" new EP 'Fragments'". NME. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Clara Benin shares new Fragments EP, featuring 'Wine' with Charlie Lim – listen". Bandwagon Asia. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Clara Benin embraces self-acceptance on new album 'Befriending My Tears'". ABS-CBN News. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  23. ^ "A journey of rediscovery and self-acceptance: Clara Benin unveils sophomore album". Interaksyon. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Clara Benin embraces her fears and worries in new album, 'befriending my tears' – a track-by-track guide". Bandwagon Asia. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Riverchild – EP by Clara Benin on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
  26. ^ "I Rose Up Slowly EP". Spotify. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  27. ^ "fragments – EP by Clara Benin on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  28. ^ "FULL LIST: Philpop 2014 winners". Rappler. 26 July 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  29. ^ "2014 Philpop winners". The Philippine Star. 29 July 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Munimuni, Ben&Ben, IV Of Spades, Clara Benin, and more are nominated at the 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards". Bandwagon Asia. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  31. ^ "Ben&Ben, Clara Benin, IV of Spades, Reese Lansangan, SB19, and more win at the 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards". Bandwagon Asia. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  32. ^ "6th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete list of winners". Wish 107.5 Music Awards. January 17, 2021. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  33. ^ "List: Awit Awards 2021 winners". ABS-CBNnews.com. November 29, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  34. ^ Bodegon-Hikino, Kara (October 28, 2021). "Here's how you can vote for your favorite artists at the 34th Awit Awards". Bandwagon. Archived from the original on November 6, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  35. ^ Severo, Jan Milo (November 24, 2022). "List: Awit Awards 2022 winners". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  36. ^ "8th Wish Music Awards winners, highlights, and more". Wish 107.5 Music Awards. January 22, 2023. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  37. ^ Purnell, Kristofer (November 11, 203). "Ben&Ben, Dilaw, Ena Mori, Sarah Geronimo lead Awit Awards 2023 winners". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on November 20, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  38. ^ "Awit Awards 2023 Finalists - Batch 1". Awit Awards. October 3, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024 – via Facebook.
  39. ^ "Awit Awards 2023 Finalists - Batch 2". Awit Awards. October 3, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2024 – via Facebook.
  40. ^ "COMPLETE LIST: 9th Wish Music Awards Winners". Wish 107.5 Music Awards. 14 January 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.