She shares her name with the Austrian home of Mozart and Beethoven. And she herself studied classical piano from the age of five. But there's nothing old-world about the music of Vienna Teng, whose Zoë/Rounder Records debut brings to mind artists as diverse as Tori Amos, Simon & Garfunkel and Radiohead. "People used to ask what kind of music I played and I never knew how to answer that," says Teng. "I work a lot with classically trained musicians, but most of my influences are from 1970s-era folk music. So now I call it chamber folk." She adds: "I'm always looking for the perfect pop song combined with an unexpected amount of depth; that's my idea of great music."
Alex Wong (http://myspace.com/highceilingsmusic) is a Brooklyn based songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist who likes to keep himself very busy.
In 2008, he co-produced and arranged Vienna Teng’s latest album, Inland Territory, and co-wrote a song with her. In addition to touring/recording with Vienna, he is a lead singer/guitarist for The Paper Raincoat (myspace.com/thepaperraincoat), a collaboration with acclaimed Brooklyn singer/songwriter Amber Rubarth. The duo was picked as a featured artist on iTune’s Indie Spotlight in 2008. Their full-length record will be available in September 2009. He is also the drummer for the NYC modern rock band Deadbeat Darling (www.deadbeatdarlingmusic.com). He co-produced their upcoming full length album, “Weight of Wandering” (due out June 2009).
Ward Williams (Cello, Electric Guitar)
North Carolina native, Ward Williams, graduated from North Carolina School of the Arts with a Bachelor's degree in Cello Performance. From 1994-2005, he was a member of international touring rock band, Jump, Little Children. Ward was also the lead guitarist/emcee for Charleston's infamous "Metal Monday" from 2004-2006. In May 2006, he released his self-titled solo CD, which was co-produced with Ash Hopkins, and toured the Southeast extensively as a solo artist. After relocating to New York City in the Fall of 2006, Ward has performed onstage with Brendan James, Chris Mann, Avi Fox-Rosen, Alicia Witt, and Danny Ross. He has also performed his original music both solo and with his musical partner, singer-songwriter Christina Cone, whom he also accompanies ..o, guitar and vocals. He can be seen regularly in the NYC area with Christina when he's not touring with the amazing Vienna Teng.
Influences
My parents' record collection: Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, Mozart and Beethoven, 60s Mandarin pop. That's what I started with and it'll never leave me. Later on, pianist-songwriters: Elton John, Billy Joel, Tori Amos. These days I'm influenced by whoever intimidates me. I hear them, I'm astounded by them, I think daily about quitting music because I'll never be able to do it as well as they do. Then I try to steal from them without imitating. A tricky thing.
If you take photos at a show, send them our way so we can see 'em too!
Please send your concert pics to fanpics at viennateng dot com. You can send a link to the pics, and/or send the pics directly. Thanks!
Since MySpace has increased their available number of pictures, there's enough room for a fan gallery! Get a pic taken with Vienna or a Vienna-related object (VT merchchandise like a CD or a shirt, a location in a song, or some other related thing). Send a message with the URL of your pic, or e-mail it directly to fanpics at viennateng dot com. Include your name(s), and location/date of the pic if you'd like to include it in the caption. You'll find the pics in the Vienna Teng Fans album.
The official music video for Gravity, produced by Fat Monster Films, is now available to watch.
Director: Tim Hyten
Producer: Mark Johnson
Director of Photography: Steven Dempsey
Production Assistant: Scott Bullis
Actor: Norm Sanders
Piano Technician/Host: Dean Petrich
Just wanted to keep you in the loop, and tell you that you can get tons of exclusive stuff! We're talking about videoss, photos, bonus mp3's, set lists, and so much more
I hope you have a “purfect” weekend!! Peace and love. Paul X
Paul Weston Arts web link coming soon!!
“My Cat.”
“My cat leaps around the garden fence Pouncing on anything that moves There’s no defence Sleeps for hours and sometimes days Bathing in the summer rays Hibernating in the winter cold Prowling, howelling meowing so bold My cat is quick, sleek, reactions unique If I ever return as a bird or a mouse then I am going to leave my house When I am due to travel away my cat sulks for days Moody before and then turns his back as I return to the door Feeding him food from a tin Is considered by my feline friend a cardinal sin He sits and looks at me in disgust This is not what I want for my breakfast. “Give me lean chicken, salmon or fresh beluga Or I’ll slash the side of your chair like Freddy Kruger My claws are sharp I will reduce your coat To the texture and look of an old Nanny goat I go to sit in my favourite chair In front of the fire and guess whose there! Asleep in my bed I awake with surprise As a purring nose pokes me straight in the eyes! I now understand the word perfection Is all about my cats affection Even when he wreaks the place I live A look from those saucer green eyes makes me forget and forgive. My cat has a spiritual link, a supernatural perception Something that humans have no connection I can only watch look and admire all of that Oh…I forgot to mention. My cat is An Acrobat.”
Starlit rivers flowing to the west Nightingales singing songs their best Above it all a wind is blowing A seed within begins with sowing
In the distance two lovers share their bliss When they part theirs hearts share a kiss Inside a forest’s opening doors The mystery awakens rain downpours.
A path appears like a silvery road Books carried by wagons unload The trees approve there as they play Transforming into letters each day by day.
In a clearing a large tree looms suddenly above Letters like flowers dancing vines growing with love Meanings are revealed and then fade away As the sages study their truth along the way.
If you have ever wondered where it all began it was here in this moment you became a man.
Hey there! I have a show this week in NYC, and since you're a friend in the area, I wanted to invite you personally. Friday, November 6, 2009 @ 8:00pm Gershwin Hotel (7 E 27 St, NYC) If you're on Facebook, RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=162860376586&index=1 Looking forward to seeing you! xo jenna
hey hey!! thank u so much for the add!! if you have some time, will you please take a minute and check out my music and tell me whatcha think? leave me a comment, write me a message! whatever u want. dont be a stranger! muah!
Hiya, thanks for being a friend - I enjoyed visiting YourSpace :-) Keep it up May your life be full of love, light and fun... hugs SOREN - Beats for change - NYERTUN
Went to see you and Alex in Edmonds Firday. What a great show! My 12-yr-old son, who supposedly was not that interested in gong, was singing along with "Soon Love Soon." WE had a great time-- thanks!
In celebration of this frightfully-fun holiday, everyday of this last
week leading up to the big night, one of my horror-themed music video
scripts will be posted to my blog.
Online Now!
