Carla Bianco

Broadway's Carla Bianco to Donate Proceeds of New Album GIVE VOICE to Charity
July 7
9:30 PM2015
- Broadway World.com

Review Fix talks to singer-songwriter Carla Bianco, who discusses her sophomore album, “Give Voice,” breaking down her goals and creative vision for the heart-warming project. With experience on the stage as well, she’s a multi-talented performer with plenty of potential.

Review Fix: What was it like putting this album together?

Carla Bianco: It was a pretty organic and emotional process. It just kinda happened. I would be moved by someone or someone’s story and feel compelled to voice it. I remember one of the first songs I wrote, ‘Broken & Blessed’. I was in church and could hear this voice above everyone else’s trying to sing and form words. It was so honest and true. I turned to see a boy in a wheelchair who was deaf and mute. I couldn’t get him out of my head the entire day. And so I sat down to write from his point of view and expressed how he might feel. The same thing happened when I read this article about the girls in Africa and Afghanistan. I was deeply affected by their horrific situations of oppression and abuse. I specifically was drawn to a girl named Rahlia from Afghanistan who taught herself to read & write. She wrote beautiful poetry. But her father and brother would beat her anytime they saw her educating or expressing herself. She committed suicide as a protest for her freedom. I took four lines from one of her poems and wrote a whole song around it from her point of view in honor of her memory.

Review Fix: Where do you draw inspiration from?

Bianco: It comes from a path of self-discovery mostly. I seek reflection through books, art, poetry, spiritual words, films, etc… Basically anything that will call upon me to reach deeper into myself and question my beliefs, thoughts, emotions, habits, patterns and my world around me. I hope to capture the truest, deepest emotional life of myself and those around me and express it but also find a way to move closer toward love through song. I believe in the evolution of the soul and writing music is a pathway for me.

Review Fix: What did you learn from your first album? How did it affect this one?

Bianco: I think the biggest thing I learned is that perfection is a lie. That whatever is being expressed in one moment in time is enough. That there is no absolute ideal expression. Also, I write so many songs. I write a song practically every time I sit to write. But it’s really only the songs that are screaming out to be heard make it to the studio. There’s a force behind them that all I have to do is follow. They will tell me how they should sound and what I need to do with them. The songs on Give Voice definitely want to be heard. It’s my job to make sure that happens.

Review Fix: How was “Through the Spectrum” written? Is there a story behind it?

Bianco: It’s written for my 9-year old Godson who has Autism. His mom is one of my best friends and she was going through one of the most difficult and painful divorces I have ever seen anyone go through. There was a time where she was forcefully and unwillingly separated from her son. I was so affected by what they were both going through during this time. I couldn’t sleep and got up very early one morning thinking about all my friend had done to help her son flourish with his disorder. I wrote ‘Through the Spectrum’ in honor of her love for him and the beautiful way he sees the world.



Review Fix: What do you think makes you different?

Bianco: I think because I also come from a theatrical background, my music has a strong emotional and dramatic current underneath. And because music is part of a spiritual path for me, it has inspirational and uplifting overtones also. It’s purposeful music, songs with meaning that are easy to listen to. I think that is rare.

Review Fix: Can you tell as about your charitable work? Why is it so important to you?

Bianco: We are connecting each one of the songs on Give Voice with a respective charity. For instance, for ‘Through the Spectrum’, we are reaching out to Autism Speaks and working with the 1st licensed Autism clinic in the U.S. With the song ‘Rahlia,’ we will connect with International Women’s Rights organizations and Suicide awareness. Give Voice is a project completed devoted to charity. All proceeds from record sales and show ticket sales will be donated. I think it is vital to uplift and support one another in this life. There are always struggles and difficulties that we all come across. Some of us more than others. Some are temporary. Some are not. I think the only thing that can move us toward something better is showing love and compassion for one another. It is the key to a meaningful and beautiful existence. I want to do my part.

Review Fix: How does your acting play a role in your music career?

Bianco: They definitely cross over quite a bit. They are both about emoting truth and getting to the heart of the moment. But especially with this record, there is a more theatrical aspect to these songs. Stepping foot into these characters and voicing their stories through song is much like playing a role. Imagining what it’s like to be in their circumstances and breathing their life into the lyrics is similar to being the playwright AND the actor. The only difference is these people and their stories from Give Voice are real and I only have four minutes to tell it as opposed to two hours.

Review Fix: What did you learn about yourself from this album?

Bianco: That I am completely driven by the belief in overcoming obstacles and making the world a better place with love and a dream. Looking back on when I was little and first writing songs, I realize now the desire and motivation was always there. The first song I ever wrote was called ‘Dreams’ where the lyric was ‘dreams never seem to fade away unless you keep them locked away in yesterday’s dreams.’ I was 10 years old singing songs about people changing, making it happen and finding their way to something better. Writing and recording ‘Give Voice’ is like coming home again and finally getting on the straight and narrow path of divine destiny or my soul’s calling. It feels completely right like a moment of bliss.

Review Fix: How do you want this album to be remembered?

Bianco: In poetic terms: As a big rock of love tossed in the waters of humanity making its inevitable rippling effect of inspiration. Much like success, giving breeds giving. Hopefully the rippling effect inspires more acts of love and compassion. And we all could use a little more of that. In practical terms: I hope its remembered as a beautiful record with some really great songs.

Review Fix: What do the next few months look like for you?

Bianco: I’ll be in the studio finishing up the Give Voice EP through August. Then I’m heading out on an East Coast tour through October. Back off the tour, I’ll be getting ready for the Give Voice record release in November. I’ll also be performing many charitable concerts and events through the holidays. It’s a great time to be celebrating the songs from the record and the people behind them. But first we are working on raising the remaining funds needed to complete the project with an Indiegogo campaign through July 21. Anyone who is interested in contributing and being a part of the project with me can visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/give-voice-music-ep-charity-project#/. It will certainly make a big difference. No doubt about it. - Reviewfix.com by Patrick Hickey, Jr

Carla Bianco: Meaningful Music For A Cause and With A Purpose.
June 29, 2015
Steven L. Walker - Just Vibin'

Here's two thumbs up, five stars, and major kudos to a beautiful and multi-talented lady!
Carla Bianco is a musician, Broadway actress, & philanthropist. She is currently making her 2nd album, "Give Voice" and all proceeds go to charity - Autism Speaks, The American Foundation for Disabled Children and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.
In reading all about Carla's amazing talents and accomplishments, listening to her wonderful songs, and watching her awesome videos, I've come to realize that she is a person that truly cares...about her music, the presentation of her lyrics, the world in general, and our children. Her music can be set to the Adult Contemporary/Alternative genre and is very meaningful and passionate (I'm loving all of her songs!). However, Carla's latest single and first track from her upcoming EP, "GIVE VOICE" is titled "THROUGH THE SPECTRUM" and it is truly an uplifting and beautiful song that parallels her charity project. The song has been added to our playlist on the Just Vibin' home page. The name of her IndieGoGo charity project is : Give Voice Music EP & Charity Project, and all of the songs on the upcoming EP will be songs that convey the same heartfelt message that "Through The Spectrum" delivers.

As a matter of fact, Carla plans on connecting each song from the upcoming EP with one of the respective charities mentioned above. All of the proceeds from records sales will be donated to the charities.
Carla is certainly giving back and this is where all of us can help her give back (you'll be giving back as well) by supporting her and her project/charity. There are so many children that will benefit from the proceeds of the charity.
From the words of Carla on her "Give Voice Music EP & Charity Project: "I look to be involved with and create benefit performances and events for these charities and have these songs represent their cause. I will reach out as far as I can so this record can have the impact it is intended to have. If you give to this project, you will be involved from the ground level with something very special. You will help others feel a connection through the power of music where they can hear their struggle and emotional life resonating in a song. Together, we can make a difference and give back with give voice."

Click the banner below to connect to the "Give Voice" charity project.

Connect with, "like", follow, share, and support Carla as a musician, actress, and philathropist. Become a fan!!

**As of this publication date, June 29, 2015, there are 22 days left for the project**

CARLA BIANCO OFFICIAL WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE / SOUNDCLOUD / GOOGLE+




*You can share this story by clicking on the social network logos below - Just Vibin' Music Blog by Steven L. Walker

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/video/10810408-kenny-loggins-carla-bianco-to-perform-at-heinz-hall/ - CBS local

It's not easy to navigate a career in the performing arts – let alone three. When you combine careers in both pop music and musical theater, as well as running your own record label, things can start to get hectic with various schedules and demands. Singer-songwriter Carla Bianco has been writing and performing since her youth. Though she writes adult contemporary pop, she has starred in Broadway and off-Broadway productions like Rent and Spring Awakening. So how the heck does she juggle it all? Read on...



You've been performing all your life. Is this something that was encouraged by a musical family or a passion you grew on your own?

It was definitely a combination. My sister was a big music fan. I was always listening to her records when she wasn't home – records like Elton John, Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, and the Carpenters. But I also was called to the piano and writing at the age of 10. I was watching a Tom & Jerry cartoon and Tom chased Jerry across the keys of an upright piano. And the sound stuck with me. I knew I wanted one. I knew I had to have one. I begged my dad for a year before he got me a $200 piano and put it in the basement. I taught myself to play using my brother's accordion book and proved to my dad I was serious about piano lessons.

While at New York University, you landed a deal with John "Jellybean" Benitez, who produced songs for Madonna and Whitney Houston. Through that relationship, your song "Not This Time" was released through Atlantic Records. What's the story behind how that came about?

I was at NYU for about two months, and it was spring break. I remembered somebody telling me that Jellybean Benitez was always looking for new talent. He produced Madonna's first single, "Holiday," and she was definitely an inspiration, being an Italian girl like myself coming from nothing and making it. So I decided to wait for Jellybean outside his office to speak with him. I waited for three days. On the third day, I stopped him and asked him if I could have 10 minutes of his time so I could show him what I could do. He called me up to his office and I played a song I wrote on his piano. Later that day, he invited me to the Hit Factory where he was recording. A few weeks before I met him, I was at a talent show and met a songwriter. He had a drum beat and a bass line and needed a melody and lyric, so I wrote it. It was the song "Not This Time." When I went to the Hit Factory later that day to meet with Jellybean, I went into the vocal booth and sang the song for him. A week later, he called me into his office and offered me a production deal, a publishing deal, a management deal, and to put "Not This Time" on his next record.

Aside from your own music, you're also pretty accomplished in the musical theater world. What are the main differences (or similarities) you've noticed between musical theater and pop music? What advice do you have for fellow performers who are trying to balance two passions?

Quote_blogThe road may be windy, but it will come together in unexpected ways.

As far as the songs themselves, there are a lot of similarities, especially nowadays with musicals being so contemporary written by composers like Billie Joe Armstrong, Sting, Carole King, Elton John, and Billy Joel. But I think the biggest difference is that a pop song is usually just one emotional mood, while a musical theater song tells a story that grows in emotion and tone. That is what makes it theatrical. Pop songs are crossing over more and more into musicals and vice versa. They're both very collaborative processes. But coming from being a self-contained artist that does everything from writing, arranging, producing the music, and then publicizing and getting people down to the shows, it's definitely nice to show up to the theater on opening night, know the house is sold out, and all you had to do was learn your part!

As far as advice for artists out there with two different passions: go with your gut in the moment. The road may be windy, but it will come together in unexpected ways. And you'll be pleasantly surprised at how it all weaves to make a beautiful, unique life and career.

You got to be on the Real Radio Show through Sonicbids. What was your favorite part of that opportunity, and in what ways did it impact your music career?

My favorite part of that opportunity was performing in a tattoo shop on Long Island, NY, and meeting Mark Mendoza from Twisted Sister. It was a ball. They were cracking jokes and busting my chops through the entire interview, and I was meeting them head to head. It was funny, because when we were setting up for my live in-studio performance, Frankie Dee was saying that a lot of artists landed distribution deals after being on their show. And wouldn't you know it, a month later I landed a distribution deal with BFD/Sony RED! I don't know if it's directly linked to that opportunity, but it sure seemed like it. They told me they usually have harder rock artists on their show, but after listening to my pop single "Words Are in the Way," they liked it so much they went for it. I'm glad they did.

Ivory Note Records is your very own record label, which signed a distribution deal with BFD/Sony Red earlier this year. What made you want to start your own label rather than sign with an existing label? What are some of the biggest challenges you faced with that, and how did you overcome them?

Well, I had done so much to self-release my record All This Time in 2012, from funding the record production, to hiring a great producer, to producing two full-scale videos, to hiring a big New York lawyer to help get the project heard, to booking all the showcases and venues, to running my own PR that all led up to the big release show at Stage AE. I was already really running my own label. So when I got offered a distribution deal from BFD/Sony RED to re-release my record in 2014, I decided to make it official and create Ivory Note Records. If you can fund your own label (which takes some creativity and persistence), it's to your advantage to have that creative control as an artist. So I have the best of both worlds; I can create my own vision but also have the support of a label. I don't think I'd want it any other way... but on second thought, free funding falling out of the skies would be nice, too!

What's the number one most important lesson you've learned so far being in the music business?

Perseverance is everything. You've got to be in it for the long haul. You can take a break if you need. You can take a sharp left or a sharp right. But if it's who you are at your core, don't give it up for anything or anyone. And don't let the disappointments get to you. Keep going. Let it roll right off. You'll be surprised when you least expect it by something amazing happening at the right place at the right time.



Are you juggling multiple passions? How are you handling it? Share your story with us in the comments below!

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It's not easy to navigate a career in the performing arts – let alone three. When you combine careers in both pop music and musical theater, as well as running your own record label, things can start to get hectic with various schedules and demands. Singer-songwriter Carla Bianco has been writing and performing since her youth. Though she writes adult contemporary pop, she has starred in Broadway and off-Broadway productions like Rent and Spring Awakening. So how the heck does she juggle it all? Read on...



You've been performing all your life. Is this something that was encouraged by a musical family or a passion you grew on your own?

It was definitely a combination. My sister was a big music fan. I was always listening to her records when she wasn't home – records like Elton John, Marvin Gaye, Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, and the Carpenters. But I also was called to the piano and writing at the age of 10. I was watching a Tom & Jerry cartoon and Tom chased Jerry across the keys of an upright piano. And the sound stuck with me. I knew I wanted one. I knew I had to have one. I begged my dad for a year before he got me a $200 piano and put it in the basement. I taught myself to play using my brother's accordion book and proved to my dad I was serious about piano lessons.

While at New York University, you landed a deal with John "Jellybean" Benitez, who produced songs for Madonna and Whitney Houston. Through that relationship, your song "Not This Time" was released through Atlantic Records. What's the story behind how that came about?

I was at NYU for about two months, and it was spring break. I remembered somebody telling me that Jellybean Benitez was always looking for new talent. He produced Madonna's first single, "Holiday," and she was definitely an inspiration, being an Italian girl like myself coming from nothing and making it. So I decided to wait for Jellybean outside his office to speak with him. I waited for three days. On the third day, I stopped him and asked him if I could have 10 minutes of his time so I could show him what I could do. He called me up to his office and I played a song I wrote on his piano. Later that day, he invited me to the Hit Factory where he was recording. A few weeks before I met him, I was at a talent show and met a songwriter. He had a drum beat and a bass line and needed a melody and lyric, so I wrote it. It was the song "Not This Time." When I went to the Hit Factory later that day to meet with Jellybean, I went into the vocal booth and sang the song for him. A week later, he called me into his office and offered me a production deal, a publishing deal, a management deal, and to put "Not This Time" on his next record.

Aside from your own music, you're also pretty accomplished in the musical theater world. What are the main differences (or similarities) you've noticed between musical theater and pop music? What advice do you have for fellow performers who are trying to balance two passions?

Quote_blogThe road may be windy, but it will come together in unexpected ways.

As far as the songs themselves, there are a lot of similarities, especially nowadays with musicals being so contemporary written by composers like Billie Joe Armstrong, Sting, Carole King, Elton John, and Billy Joel. But I think the biggest difference is that a pop song is usually just one emotional mood, while a musical theater song tells a story that grows in emotion and tone. That is what makes it theatrical. Pop songs are crossing over more and more into musicals and vice versa. They're both very collaborative processes. But coming from being a self-contained artist that does everything from writing, arranging, producing the music, and then publicizing and getting people down to the shows, it's definitely nice to show up to the theater on opening night, know the house is sold out, and all you had to do was learn your part!

As far as advice for artists out there with two different passions: go with your gut in the moment. The road may be windy, but it will come together in unexpected ways. And you'll be pleasantly surprised at how it all weaves to make a beautiful, unique life and career.

You got to be on the Real Radio Show through Sonicbids. What was your favorite part of that opportunity, and in what ways did it impact your music career?

My favorite part of that opportunity was performing in a tattoo shop on Long Island, NY, and meeting Mark Mendoza from Twisted Sister. It was a ball. They were cracking jokes and busting my chops through the entire interview, and I was meeting them head to head. It was funny, because when we were setting up for my live in-studio performance, Frankie Dee was saying that a lot of artists landed distribution deals after being on their show. And wouldn't you know it, a month later I landed a distribution deal with BFD/Sony RED! I don't know if it's directly linked to that opportunity, but it sure seemed like it. They told me they usually have harder rock artists on their show, but after listening to my pop single "Words Are in the Way," they liked it so much they went for it. I'm glad they did.

Ivory Note Records is your very own record label, which signed a distribution deal with BFD/Sony Red earlier this year. What made you want to start your own label rather than sign with an existing label? What are some of the biggest challenges you faced with that, and how did you overcome them?

Well, I had done so much to self-release my record All This Time in 2012, from funding the record production, to hiring a great producer, to producing two full-scale videos, to hiring a big New York lawyer to help get the project heard, to booking all the showcases and venues, to running my own PR that all led up to the big release show at Stage AE. I was already really running my own label. So when I got offered a distribution deal from BFD/Sony RED to re-release my record in 2014, I decided to make it official and create Ivory Note Records. If you can fund your own label (which takes some creativity and persistence), it's to your advantage to have that creative control as an artist. So I have the best of both worlds; I can create my own vision but also have the support of a label. I don't think I'd want it any other way... but on second thought, free funding falling out of the skies would be nice, too!

What's the number one most important lesson you've learned so far being in the music business?

Perseverance is everything. You've got to be in it for the long haul. You can take a break if you need. You can take a sharp left or a sharp right. But if it's who you are at your core, don't give it up for anything or anyone. And don't let the disappointments get to you. Keep going. Let it roll right off. You'll be surprised when you least expect it by something amazing happening at the right place at the right time. - Sonicbids

Recording artist, songwriter and former Broadway star, Carla Bianco will release the studio album, All This Time, on BFD/Sony Red Records on September 26th. The first single and video, "Lean Into You" is available now on iTunes and Amazon. Carla will celebrate the album release with a party on September 26th at the Renaissance Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh. You can learn more about Carla online at http://www.carlabianco.com/.

All This Time, written by Bianco, was produced by Rob Deaner and the sound can be described as piano-driven production with pop sensibilities showcasing Carla's songwriting and signature voice.

"After creating Ivory Note Records in 2014, I'm so grateful to announce my distribution deal with BFD/Sony RED," says Bianco. "This record has been a long time coming, and I've been literally working towards this since I was four years old. I'm ready to share my music with the world."

A #1 Billboard songwriter and ASCAP award winner, Carla has a very diverse musical career. From a publishing deal with Jellybean Benitez, Madonna's producer; written songs with Narada Michael Walden; to having one of her compositions, "The Lover That You Are" go to #1 on the Billboard Dance charts; to landing the role of Maureen in the Tony award-winning musical "Rent" in the West Coast Premiere and later on Broadway. She's also had the good fortune of singing background vocals on many Disney projects including a song written by Sting from the "Emperor's New Groove. As a recording artist Carla has had several various deals including a single's deal with RCA records, a demo deal with MCA records, and a 6-album deal with Savage Records.

After attending New York University in New York Carla relocated to Los Angles and quickly landing the role in "Rent". Following this she worked on Broadway and Off-Broadway in many cutting-edge shows like "Spring Awakening", where she originated the role of Wendla working alongside Duncan Sheik. Carla also wrote the semi-autobiographical musical "Kaleidoscope", which she's performed in and co-directed. "Kaleidoscope" was part of the ASCAP/Disney musical theater workshop in LA directed by Stephen Schwartz.

When Carla returned to her hometown outside of Pittsburgh, she soon was asked to help found a new school, the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. She devoted the next years giving back to the community where her own dreams were born by helping others to realize theirs. All along Carla's passion for writing and singing her own music has been very much alive. A digital press kit is available online at www.reverbnation.com/rpk/carlabiano - Broadway World

Recording artist and songwriter Carla Bianco announced today that she will perform in support of her new album All This Time at the famed Bitter End on January 14, 2015. Showtime is 7:30.

The performance comes in support of her recent release of All This Time, on BFD/Sony Red Records, available now on iTunes and Amazon. You can learn more about Carla online at www.carlabianco.com.

The album was written by Bianco, and was produced by Rob Deaner and the sound can be described as piano-driven production with pop sensibilities showcasing Carla's songwriting and signature voice. She has also played in support of artists such as Gino Vanelli, Rusted Root and Seth Giler, and worked alongside such famed music greats as Sting, Narada Michael Walden, Jellybean Benitez and Duncan Sheik.

"I'm thrilled to start off 2105 with a show at the Bitter End,' said Bianco. "The energy in New York and the crowds at the venue are always the best around and I love playing in such an electric city."

About Carla Bianco:

A #1 Billboard songwriter and ASCAP award winner, Carla has a very diverse musical career. From a publishing deal with Jellybean Benitez, Madonna's producer; written songs with Narada Michael Walden; to having one of her compositions, "The Lover That You Are" go to #1 on the Billboard Dance charts; to landing the role of Maureen in the Tony award-winning musical "Rent" in the West Coast Premiere and later on Broadway. She's also had the good fortune of singing background vocals on many Disney projects including a song written by Sting from the "Emperor's New Groove. As a recording artist Carla has had several various deals including a single's deal with RCA records, a demo deal with MCA records, and a 6-album deal with Savage Records.

After attending New York University in New York Carla relocated to Los Angles and quickly landing the role in "Rent". Following this she worked on Broadway and Off-Broadway in many cutting-edge shows like "Spring Awakening", where she originated the role of Wendla working alongside Duncan Sheik. Carla also wrote the semi-autobiographical musical "Kaleidoscope", which she's performed in and co-directed. "Kaleidoscope" was part of the ASCAP/Disney musical theater workshop in LA directed by Stephen Schwartz.

When Carla returned to her hometown outside of Pittsburgh, she soon was asked to help found a new school, the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. She devoted the next years giving back to the community where her own dreams were born by helping others to realize theirs. All along Carla's passion for writing and singing her own music has been very much alive. - Broadway World

With the release of a new video on the way, Pittsburgh native Carla Bianco shows she has the musical talent to turn some heads.



Not that Carla hasn’t already generated some attention. She’s been an actress in Los Angeles and in productions both on- and off- Broadway; written songs with the likes of Narada Michael Walden and Reggie Lucas; made the Billboard charts; wrote a musical; helped found a new performing arts school in Pittsburgh; and won an ASCAP award. That’s quite a resume.

Carla began singing at the age of 4 and playing the piano at age 10. She finally came full circle when she returned to Pittsburgh and independently released her first album, All This Time, in 2012.

As a songwriter, Carla says she’s been influenced by Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Earth Wind and Fire, and Joni Mitchell – all of whom you can hear from time to time in her music. She sees herself working in the style and mindset of some of the great songwriters of popular music – Laura Nyro, Smokey Robinson, Carol King. That’s pretty heavy company. But if you listen closely to her music you can hear that Carla Bianco is well on her way to joining that elite group.

Carla says she usually performs as a duo, playing piano and handling the vocals, with Gary Kalinosky on acoustic guitar who accompanied her on the album.

I sometimes play with a full band depending on the show. We performed together at The Triad Theater in New York City and at my CD release show at Stage AE in Pittsburgh. Those musicians consist of my producer Rob Deaner on drums and ‘Skell’ band members Mike Ekis on bass, who played on the record, and Mike Palone on electric guitar with Ashley Peer on background vocals. Great group of musicians.

There are many good songs on All This Time – all nicely produced and arranged by Rob Deaner, who runs Market Street Sound, an award-winning multi-studio, post production, recording, and mix facility in Pittsburgh. Listen to After All This Time or Words Are In The Way on her website and you’ll hear what I mean.

One song that caught my attention was the remixed version of Lean Into You, which does not appear on the album. If you’re going to revamp a tune you typically need a solid foundation to work from and Bianco certainly had this for Lean Into You. I asked Carla why she decided to do the remix:

The remix version for Lean into You came as a complete surprise. Rob [Deaner] was inspired to do an alternate version by a new drum beat he heard for the song. So he said he just ran with it and sent it to me on a whim. I absolutely loved it. Lean into You is the very first song we worked on together.

For this go-around for the song, the production was enhanced and filled-out, and added a harder edge. This version really brings out the intensity, passion, and emotion of the tune.

Carla is currently in pre-production for a video for Lean Into You and shooting is scheduled to begin in March. I, for one, will certainly be looking forward to seeing it. - Ben Cisco's World of Music

Indie Singer/Songwriter Carla Bianco is creating quite the buzz in the Indie Music Scene with her dynamic music that is proven that the Adult Contemporary genre is the perfect venue for this talented performer. Bianco’s music is a true representation of how talented she is as a polished musician. Plus, her songwriting skills are top notch full of colorful and heartfelt lyrics. In this spotlight with our publication, the Indie Singer/Songwriter speaks openly about being an indie performer.

Isaac: Music is so important to many cultures. Why is music important to you?

Carla: it is vital to my existence. It’s one of the ways I pray, commune with something greater, it's my vehicle for self-discovery and connecting with other human beings. It’s my inspiration and the way I hope to inspire. It’s my savior, my hope and my love.

Isaac: What do you believe is the one element that makes your music, lyrics, and voice stand apart from others in the Indie Music Industry?

Carla: I am a true songstress like old school Carol King, Laura Nyro days...

Isaac: If you have to name a few of your musical influences, who would they be and why?

Carla: Elton John, Karen Carpenter, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Joni Mitchell, and Madonna.

Isaac: What makes being an Indie Performer great in your opinion?
Carla: You're doing it your way. No middle man with their opinions of how your music should be. It comes straight from the heart and goes straight to the audience. It doesn't get better than that.

Isaac: What do you believe will it take for indie performers to gain the recognition as their mainstream counterparts?

Carla: A vocal and passionate audience who knows and understands they hold a big responsibility in their hands. If they are moved by an artist and they express that passion, they have the power to break an artist. It's kinda cool though. It's a real one on one relationship. The artist gives what's in their heart and the audience receives and shares how it moves their hearts.

Isaac: Why do you believe that mainstream radios are so reluctant to play indie music?

Carla: Because they are exactly that- mainstream. It would take a team of stations to jump together and take a chance on an indie artist so they are creating their own idea of what's mainstream or just a really really bold and influential DJ to take a leap.

Isaac: What do you believe is the main reason why your music is creating a buzz in the Indie Music Scene?

Carla: It's good music. I think the world is really ready for good music again. Real songs like the old school songwriters like Carol King, James Taylor, Carly Simon and the Motown writers like Smokey Robinson; writers that wrote from their heart but had a love and respect for the craft of songwriting.

Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with anyone in the music business, who would it be and why?

Carla: Probably Prince. He has got to be the most talented recording artist. I would love to learn from his process.

Isaac: How would you describe your music to others who are not familiar with your band?

Carla: It's singer/songwriter piano-based music in the vein of Sara Bareilles or Sarah McLaughlan.

Isaac: What are you currently working on at the moment with respect to your music?

Carla: Writing, writing, writing new songs for the next record. Isaac: How can fans learn more about you and your music online?

Carla: www.carlabianco.com

Isaac: Final Words….

Carla: Follow the little voice in your heart. Take time to hear it. And do what it says. No matter what! It is you at your truest. It speaks words of wisdom. It speaks your destiny. Have courage. Believe. Take action. And never let up. Ever!



Posted by Isaac J Davis Junior at Monday, July 08, 2013 3:48 PM
- Junior's Cave Online Magazine

ENTERTAINMENT
This is it: Loggins brings his legacy to Pittsburgh
•
Stephen Morales
Kenny Loggins will perform Thursday at Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh.
Carla Bianco of Moon Township will open the Kenny Loggins concert. (Photo by Mark Wainwright).
Kenny Loggins concert
Time: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6. Opening act Carla Bianco.
Place: Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh.
Tickets: $39 to $159.
Information: pittsburghsymphony.org or 412-392-4900.
Posted: Sunday, November 2, 2014 4:00 am
By Scott Tady stady@timesonline.com | 0 comments
PITTSBURGH -- Loaded up on hits, Kenny Loggins is headed to Heinz Hall.
The singer-songwriter responsible for "Footloose," "Danger Zone," "Don't Fight It" and "I'm
Alright" will give local fans what they want Thursday in a greatest-hits show that delivers
what's advertised.
"I've seen other legacy acts -- that's what us old-timers are called now -- do three or four new
songs in a hits show, and that's when everyone goes to the bathroom or gets a drink,"
Loggins said last week in a phone interview. "People don't come to a hits show to hear new
songs. They come to hear a favorite song from 1987."
Loggins might prefer fans heed the title of his 1987 hit "Meet Me Halfway," and let him sing
more brand-new songs, though he's found somewhat of a solution with his country-rock side
project, Blue Sky Riders, with whom he records original music.
When his two bandmates' schedules permit, Blue Sky Riders serve as the warmup band for
Loggins' greatest-hits shows, "so I get to play my new material as my own opening act," he
said.
That won't be the case Thursday at Heinz Hall, where Moon Township recording artist Carla
Bianco will be the opener.
Bianco playfully mentioned in a Facebook post that she'd love to handle the Stevie Nicks
part if Loggins sings his breakout solo hit, "Whenever I Call You 'Friend'." Informed of
Bianco's interest in that song, and that the Center Township native's professional
background includes roles in Broadway's "Rent" and "Spring Awakening," Loggins took a
moment during his phone chat to write down her name -- triple-checking the spelling. Who
knows ... maybe they'll end up on stage together Thursday.
Loggins' last appearance on a local stage, a thoroughly entertaining show at the Carnegie
Library Music Hall of Homestead in December 2012, found him joking about performing for
"Stevie Nicks groupies" when he was the support act on Fleetwood Mac's famed Rumours
Tour.
Fleetwood Mac fans already knew of Loggins from his early '70s days in the duo Loggins &
Messina, which produced the hit "Your Mama Don't Dance," and fan favorites "House at
Pooh Corner" and "Danny's Song" (remade into a Top-10 single by Anne Murray).
Those three Loggins & Messina songs usually turn up in the 57-year-old Californian's
greatest-hits sets.
"We'll pretty much do what we normally do," Loggins said about the Heinz Hall show, which
will include the same bandmates from his 2012 tour: drummer Tom Brechtlein, bassist Shem
von Schroeck and guitarist Scott Bernard. "We'll try to work in three or four deep cuts that we
alternate around."
One deep cut that's popped up in some 2014 shows is "Moose N' Me," written about the first
dog he owned, a beagle mix, he expects to meet again in heaven.
Loggins and Blue Sky Riders bandmates Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman have begun
writing songs for their next album.
"We're five songs into it," he said. "As an artist, you want to stay present tense. I love
recording new songs, and I don't do that to keep them in the basement. I hope to get the
chance soon to write some more in Nashville."
Will the trio's new album sound like a Nashville record?
"It's hard to describe," Loggins said. "I'm kind of the wild card messing it up. Gary has written
14 Country No. 1's, and Georgia has written a couple herself. I'm kind of stretching them
more into a rock and pop background. I've pushed their writing into a less orthodox direction,
which makes them a lot more country-rock."
But even that's too narrow a description, Loggins said.
"We like and can do a lot of different music, and we do," said Loggins, whose iPod playlists
range from Paula Cole with Chris Botti (date nights) to Foo Fighters (exercise workouts) to
loungey hip-hop (bike riding).
His 16-year-old daughter recently made him hip to the Weepies.
Having contributed such memorable movie songs as "Danger Zone" (from "Top Gun"), "I'm
Alright" (the theme from "Caddyshack") and the '80s time-capsule title-track for "Footloose,"
you'd think Loggins would be fielding phone calls all the time from film producers needing a
soundtrack smash.
"No, I haven't been getting any offers," Loggins said. "Not for a long time. They want to hire
the young, cool artist, unless they go with a mega-star like Beyonce."
And so it goes, when you're a legacy on the greatest-hits circuit.
http://bit.ly/1wXExdg
© 2014 Timesonline.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. - Beaver County Times

New York, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh meet on “All This Time,” the first full length release from Carla Bianco. A New York University graduate, Carla has two top ten Billboard Dance singles to her credit (one of which went number one), several Broadway musicals under her belt and enough dance know how to open her very own dance school in Pittsburgh (the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School to be exact). Disney even took notice of Carla when they decided to workshop a musical that she penned called Kaleidoscope. What’s left for Carla? A full length album.

All This Time boasts 14 tracks that showcase Carla’s deep alto, Madonna esque vocal. “Words are in the Way,” is an upbeat Sara Bareilles type tune that kicks the album off. The song, like most of the mid to uptempo songs on the album manage to show lyrical depth while remaining lighthearted melodically. The album concludes with its most powerful contribution, “Can’t Call You Love Anymore.” In the song, the main character is coming to grips with the fact that the man she loved no longer loves her. Carla showcases her vocal range and ability to sing a story in the album’s finale tune.
- ImoveILive.com

ARTIST COMMENT:

Why did you select this song as your current single?

it’s definitely a stand out track on the record. And the message is something I think we all struggle with… having trouble saying what we really mean at times….speaking our truth. I’m always trying to get to the heart of it when I write…. and I think that’s something we’re all just trying to do in life…

If there is a video for the song, please explain the concept?

Yes, there is a video due to premeire on May 14. It is being promoted to over 450 channels nationwide so fingers are crossed! It’s about a girl (me) sitting at her piano trying to write a song and struggling with writer’s block. She’s trying to express the words she really feels but is saying words that aren’t really what she wants to say. Her true thoughts and words begin to appear on her skin and in her journal. She starts to find the confidence to become her fully expressed self.

Please tell us how this single relate to the rest of the Album?

Well, the record is called ‘All This Time’…. it took a long time to finally put this record out for many reasons…. but the main one is finally finding my voice as an artist. And I think that’s what this single ‘Words Are in the Way’ is really about…..getting past the struggle to express one’s truth….sometimes that can take some time…

What was the writing process for the song?

Pretty simple really for this one. My band and I did a show in NYC before the release of the record and my producer, Rob Deaner, said to me that we needed another uptempo. So over Christmas break, I sat down at the piano and this one just flowed out in about 20 minutes….much like when I wrote ‘The Lover That You Are’, a dance song that went to #1 on the Billboard dance charts years ago, that I penned while living in a nunnery in NYC… sometimes they just come out that way….

Please tell what it would be like to see you in person performing this song?

Alot of fun really….it’s the kind of song that makes you feel good….there’s a lightness to it despite the struggle with expression….. it’s like taking the struggle all in stride and dancing through life anyway…
- ImoveIlive.com

ARTIST COMMENT:

Why did you select this song as your current single?

it’s definitely a stand out track on the record. And the message is something I think we all struggle with… having trouble saying what we really mean at times….speaking our truth. I’m always trying to get to the heart of it when I write…. and I think that’s something we’re all just trying to do in life…

If there is a video for the song, please explain the concept?

Yes, there is a video due to premeire on May 14. It is being promoted to over 450 channels nationwide so fingers are crossed! It’s about a girl (me) sitting at her piano trying to write a song and struggling with writer’s block. She’s trying to express the words she really feels but is saying words that aren’t really what she wants to say. Her true thoughts and words begin to appear on her skin and in her journal. She starts to find the confidence to become her fully expressed self.

Please tell us how this single relate to the rest of the Album?

Well, the record is called ‘All This Time’…. it took a long time to finally put this record out for many reasons…. but the main one is finally finding my voice as an artist. And I think that’s what this single ‘Words Are in the Way’ is really about…..getting past the struggle to express one’s truth….sometimes that can take some time…

What was the writing process for the song?

Pretty simple really for this one. My band and I did a show in NYC before the release of the record and my producer, Rob Deaner, said to me that we needed another uptempo. So over Christmas break, I sat down at the piano and this one just flowed out in about 20 minutes….much like when I wrote ‘The Lover That You Are’, a dance song that went to #1 on the Billboard dance charts years ago, that I penned while living in a nunnery in NYC… sometimes they just come out that way….

Please tell what it would be like to see you in person performing this song?

Alot of fun really….it’s the kind of song that makes you feel good….there’s a lightness to it despite the struggle with expression….. it’s like taking the struggle all in stride and dancing through life anyway…
- ImoveIlive.com

Carla Bianco has spent the last few years almost achieving success. There are a host of bright points on her resume … a stint in RENT, vocals on a song for a major Disney movie, and an ASCAP award-by-proxy for a club cover of one of her songs that became a hit. Now, rather than waiting for success to come to her, she’s reaching out for it herself with her new album All This Time. She brings a lot to the table and perhaps it’s not surprising that personal growth and moving onwards are key themes in her music.

“Two months after transferring to NYU, I remembered someone telling me that Jellybean Benitez was always looking for new talent. He was a the producer that discovered Madonna. It was Spring break and I had no money to go anywhere. So I decided to find out where Jellybean’s office was and I waited outside for 3 days. I sat on a pipe on Broadway and 57th street.

I made friends with the Security Guard in the lobby. Claude was his name. He told me Jellybean usually came in around 11 and always wore a black suit and white tennis shoes. The third day came and this guy was bee-bopping down the street and smiles at me. I look at his shoes. White tennis shoes and then I see the black suit. I run in after him into the marble lobby and yell ‘Jellybean’. And it echoes and echoes... He turns around and I say, “Hi, my name is Carla Bianco. I’ve been waiting for you for 3 days. Can I have 10 minutes of your time so I can show you what I can do?” And he stares at me, and finally makes a gesture to come with him.

We go up in the elevator to his office and I sit at the piano and play a song I wrote. I give him my demo. And a week later he calls me to his office and offers me a publishing deal, a management deal, a production deal and for one of my songs to be on his next record. That’s how I broke into the music business. I guess growing up in Monaca, PA proved to be the motivation I needed to go after my dreams.”

Bianco performs very straightforward piano-led singer-songwriter material, although she’s often backed up by adult-contemporary or rock elements. Her experience shines through, with a wide range of delivery. Carla Bianco is the star of this show, and that’s the point.

Words Are In The Way is one of the standouts of the album, a forward-reaching bit of mostly acoustic pop, lamenting the difficulty in communicating when meaning seems so uncertain. It starts out with a cute echoplex introduction before Bianco’s lilting voice comes in. There’s a great bit of patter part way through that works perfectly with the theme, making for a sweet surprise in the middle.

“At school, I looked for every avenue I could to sing like the occasional talent show or school musical. I remember specifically my health teacher in high school. I was talking to some friends telling them about wanting to move to NY and making it in music. And he overheard and said, “That would never happen, it’s a one in a million shot.” And I said, "Why can’t I be that one in a million?” I’d never been to New York before growing up. I honestly thought Broadway was a street paved in gold".

Bianco’s music reflects some of that naiveté and may at times border on being overly sweet, but she delves into the darker spaces as well. Can’t Call You Anymore is a soulful piece presenting a woman who’s been dumped and is facing the certainty of change with fear. Spare Window takes this one step further, starting out with sparse echo drenched production that feels almost like haunted house piano music, before slowly building to a bright finale as she appears to realize her dark omens may not be dark after all.

Bianco’s sound is polished, straightforward, and practically perfect for the adult-contemporary market. She also has some potential for pop crossover with her more upbeat pieces, especially Words Are In The Way. However, her traditionalism may also hold her back: Carla Bianco’s performance and appeal are subtle, and that type of goodness is often hard to get recognized.

She has a powerful voice and good songwriting skills, complete with evocative lyrics. Carla’s got it all, but might need a bit more razzle-dazzle to get herself noticed.

Log in to download Carla Bianco's single After All This Time and to comment on this review.
- 'Round Magazine

Carla Bianco stumbled upon one of her first gigs as a four year old, singing “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John for a woman who used to trade her brownies for songs, along with a room of adults at a neighborhood party. The result was one happy four year old and a Styrofoam cup full of change.

“I remember being four, holding that Styrofoam cup of money, walking up the hill back to my house thinking this is cool.”

Since then, Carla has enjoyed a single’s deal with RCA Records, a demo deal with MCA records, and a 6-album deal with the soon-to-be defunct Savage Records. Her song “The Lover That You Are” was covered by Pulse and shot to #1 on the Billboard Dance Charts, also winning an ASCAP award. Other Billboard Top Ten hits of Ms. Bianco’s include the single, “Music Takes You.” Carla is also the writer of “Kaleidoscope,” a semi autobiographical musical that was chosen to workshop in LA with director, Craig Carnelia/Stephen Schwartz. Other accomplishments include originating the role of Wendla in Spring Awakening, working with Duncan Sheik in its early stages. In LA, she landed the role of Maureen in the Tony award-winning musical “Rent” in the West Coast Premiere and later on Broadway. In an effort to give back to her hometown of Pittsburgh , Carla helped found a new performing arts school, the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. Most recently, however, Carla has created her most personal work to date, the album entitled “All This Time.”

I had the opportunity to sit down with Carla and hear her accomplishments, advice, and goals for the future first hand. I was inspired by the natural way in which she works, starting off from a place of gratuity and then, simply following her intuition. “I start my day with, first of all, just being grateful,” said the singer. And then from there, she finds her inspiration. As for the rest of the day, “especially since I have my son, I definitely feel like I manage my time like I have ADD; it’s very sporadic. You know? I’ll write lyrics for twenty minutes, and then I’ll do some business. Thank god for internet on the phone now because I’ll do so much that way while he’s watching Mickey Mouse on the TV or something. A lot of multi tasking for sure.”

With a lot on her plate, Carla tries to break up her day, moving from this task to that task, to her career, to her family. “I try to follow my intuition throughout the day. It’s as simple as ya know when you’re hungry or you’re thirsty, you go grab some water, grab some food. I want to open my journal. I want to grab a pen. Then all of a sudden I’m writing. And it ends up being the kind of day that makes me feel good. To say I just followed my intuition. I just followed my heart.”

In her pursuit of living a balanced life, Carla’s innate proneness to following intuition each day coincides with her greater philosophies about her career and life in general. “You can’t ignore a talent that’s been given to you or a passion that’s been given to you. I believe you have the right to follow it … not even a right … a purpose … we have to. You know? We have to.”

So what happens when someone follows this passion their given? We spoke about the difference between working in the arts as opposed to working in any other typical industry. “I just think it’s a little different,” explains Carla, ““Art is life and life is art. You have to live it. You can’t just clock out at five o clock; I think that that’s what makes it really different from other jobs.” So in a job that takes everything out of you with no time to relax, what’s Carla’s best advice?

“Go the extra mile. How can you go a little further in the work? Peel that onion even more. When you think you’ve got it, what else can you do? Even going the extra mile past your fears. If you say, I can’t do this because of this reason, check yourself too. Maybe say, well what if that’s not true?”

Bianco certainly had some words of wisdom to share for aspiring musicians and artists, but looking back, what would she have told her old self?

“I don’t regret that but I think there were times I would have liked to stay on course even more. But that’s me I always feel like I could do more, I could be better I could be greater. I’m still trying to write that one great song, ya know? I think … I hope I don’t go to my grave still feeling like that but I think I will.”

“Is there something you regret?” I asked.

“There were times where I would move away from writing and maybe focus more on acting and performance. Well what would I have written if I had been writing during those years?”

However, “Trust your process,” ensured Carla, “Shifts happen for a reason. Sometimes you come all the way around again. It’s amazing how many circles you make in your lifetime. You come around and you get another shot at something with so much more experience and more discoveries about who you are.”

For more information about Carla - Creative Spotlights

By Scott Tady stady@timesonline.com

PITTSBURGH -- Carla Bianco sang and danced in Broadway hits, though it took a beach vacation to spark the Center Township native's debut CD.
"While vacationing with my husband in the Outer Banks, I became wildly inspired and started writing like mad every day we were there," Bianco, now a Moon Township resident, said. "I came back pregnant with my son and with a slew of new songs ready to get back in the studio. I got back to my passion of writing again and got back in touch with my dreams."

Those passions and dreams are conveyed in "All This Time," her piano-pop/adult contemporary CD in the vein of Sara Bareilles or Colbie Caillat. Bianco will introduce the album Thursday with a CD release show at the Club at Stage AE in Pittsburgh.
It's the culmination of a longtime dream for Bianco, who had pushed aside her recording aspirations to perform in Broadway's cutting-edge musical "Spring Awakening" and to play the flirtatious Maureen in the Los Angeles run of the Tony-winning "Rent."
Bianco explains more in this Q&A:
Q: How does singing your own songs in an intimate nightclub compare with the thrill of performing in a hit Broadway musical?
A: Well, to me it's the difference between creating something from the truest place inside yourself and reaching out into the unknown and seeing how it touches others, compared to being part of something great that is already widely embraced. They are both very exciting and thrilling in their own respects. The first night I opened in "Rent" I remember thinking 'Wow, this is amazing. I just showed up to the theater and performed this riveting material somebody else wrote, and these people are on their feet.'
I was glad to perform another composer's sweat and tears. And I was lucky in that "Rent" spoke to me directly so I could be inside the work and live it like I would something I had written. But I'm happy to be home doing what is closest to home for me, and that's singing my own songs.
Q: What were some of the lyrical inspirations for your "All This Time" CD?
A: I had closed the book on my recording artist aspirations for a long time. It was not the right timing I guess. I thought maybe that book was buried away somewhere never to be found again.
But weeks before I got pregnant with my son, Luca, I guess the creative channels opened allowing new life to grow literally and spiritually. And I got back to my passion of writing again and got back in touch with my dreams. You know the kinds of things that you think have passed you by in life ... that maybe it's too late. I got honest with myself about still wanting something, about the hurts from the past that buried it in the first place and got right back in the center of it again and wrote from that true personal space.
Q: On the lead-off track, "Words are in the Way," our tongue-tied heroine tries to muster the courage to boldly tell a potential love interest "All I want to do is you." What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever told someone?
A: After two months of living in New York, I realized it was going to be a hard slow climb making it in music. So on my spring break from NYU and with no money to go anywhere, I decided I would wait outside of Jellybean Benitez's office. Jellybean is the music producer that discovered Madonna. I figured he would eventually have to go to work and I'd introduce myself.
I only had a distant photo of him to know what he looked like. So on the first day, I waited outside of Broadway and 57th Street saying the name "Jellybean" to anyone that remotely looked like the photo I had.
By the second day, I went into the lobby and made friends with Claude, the security guard. He told me Jellybean wore a black suit and white tennis shoes and came in around 11 a.m.
By the third day, a man walked down the street and smiled at me. I look down and see the white tennis shoes and look up and see the black suit. I run in after him into the marble lobby and yell "Jellybean," my voice echoing. He turns around and I say "Hi, my name is Carla Bianco. I've been waiting for you for three days. Can I have 10 minutes of your time so I can show you what I can do?"
He gestures for me to go up the elevator to his office with him and I play a song I wrote and give him my demo. A week later, he offers me publishing, production and management deals and puts one of my songs on his next record. And that's how I broke into the music biz.
Q: On "After All This Time," you sing about being a walking contradiction; a grown woman who still feels like a child. What's one absolute, 100 percent certainty you can promise people coming to your CD release show Thursday at the Club at Stage AE?
A: You will see something rare ... Someone fulfilling a lifelong dream. You will absolutely feel something special, something inspired. You will leave the show a little different than when you came in, maybe even a lot different. Your perspective will shift. Your world will move a bit. You may - Beaver County Times

By Elliot Alpern / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Carla Bianco played her first gig when she was 4: a neighbor's party, where guests put money in a Styrofoam cup after hearing her perform. On Thursday, she'll be playing at her own release party at Stage AE -- it seems like destiny.
Ms. Bianco of Moon, a graduate of Center High School in Beaver County, will be celebrating the release of her CD "All This Time." A disciple of the piano, Ms. Bianco hit it big as a member of Broadway's "Spring Awakening," in which she originated the role of Wendla, and as Maureen in "Rent."
Acting and singing "are both exciting, and thrilling in their own respects," Ms. Bianco said. "It was awesome, of course, to be playing Broadway, because -- it's Broadway -- and singing material that was written by another composer. Where with the material I'm writing, it's a little bit of reaching out to the unknown and seeing how it lands. It's something that means something to me, that's an expression of whatever I'm going through during this time. It's seeing how that is going to reach people, if it's going to move people, and how it speaks to them."
"All This Time," her first full-length release, is a piano-driven production with pop sensibilities, rising from the peppy first track "Words Are in the Way" and subduing to the powerful, somber "Lean Into You." All throughout, Ms. Bianco's devotion to her instrument -- the piano -- is plain to see.
"I would spend hours and hours every night in the basement with my piano," said Ms. Bianco, describing her beginnings in playing it. "I'd do my homework really quick, and then I'd go downstairs and I just lived in my imaginary world, writing my songs. That's where I'm happiest. "
Her show Thursday should be a new, exciting experience -- both for the fans, and the singer herself. But most of all, Ms. Bianco is excited to finally share her passion with an audience that's come to see her.
"I'm really excited to finally put out my music," she said. "It's been a long time coming, and recording the CD and putting the CD out."
Regardless, her career is clearly on the rise. Perhaps she will grace Stage AE once again.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and show time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 day of show.


Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/music/preview-carla-bianco-plans-cd-release-639081/#ixzz2KKDIRQgj - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Singer-songwriters endure the beautiful burden of constantly having a batch of lyrics in their minds. For Carla Bianco, the time to release these musical memories is now! “This album [All This Time] has been inside of me since I was a kid, and it’s finally out there,” the Center Township native says. The deeply personal record covers everything from achieving goals and chasing dreams, to tributes to Bianco’s mother and son. “If you love real singer-songwriter music with no frills — true, honest, soulful music — you’ll love the record,” Bianco says, proving the record’s anticipation was worth waiting all this time.

By Rachel Jones

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q&A - WHIRL Magazine

How did you get started in music?

Carla Bianco: I guess my first unofficial gig was when I was 4 years old. I would always sing for my next door neighbor in exchange for chocolate brownies. One day, at a graduation party, my neighbor was there and asked me to sing. My go-to song was always “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John. So, thinking I might land another brownie, I belted it out. After singing, the guests passed around a Styrofoam cup and filled it with money. I was elated! My first official regular gig was as a teenager, singing on the Gateway Clipper Fleet.

What do you like best about performing in Pittsburgh?

CB: I think Pittsburghers really appreciate good music. They are down to earth, and can easily approach you after a show and talk about everything under the sun. I like that about our city; we are real like that.

Who are your musical influences?

CB: I have a wide variety of influences, which mainly began with my older sister’s record collections: Carole King, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Nora Jones, Diana Krall, Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, Karen Carpenter, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Chaka Khan. I also love funk/soul music, like Earth Wind and Fire, and The Gap Band.

What can fans expect from your album, All This Time?

CB: All of the songs are mainly piano-driven, with the arrangements complementing the vocals and lyrics. It’s a great album to put on for dinner or for a drive — when you want to relax and feel a bit inspired.

Carla Bianco, carlabianco.com. | All This Time is available now on iTunes and Amazon.

Based on the success of her new album, Carla Bianco was invited to open for Kenny Loggins!

Presented by Rich Engler, the beautiful showcase takes over Heinz Hall on November 6. For tickets, visit heinzhall.org.

Tags:November 2014,Q&A,WHIRL Features - Whirl Magazine

Carla Bianco first performed when she was just 4 years old at a party where guests filled a Styrofoam cup with money upon hearing her sing. From this early beginning, music has always been her passion. Seeing a piano in a Tom and Jerry cartoon, Carla felt a calling to play the instrument and began writing songs at the age of 10.

While attending New York University, Carla landed a publishing deal with Jellybean Benitez of Jellybean Productions, Madonna’s producer. Her first single, “‘Not This Time”, was released on Atlantic Records. During that time, Carla had the good fortune of writing with many of the best such as Narada Michael Walden, Judd Friedman, Reggie Lucas, and more. As a recording artist, she had a single’s deal with RCA Records, a demo deal with MCA records, and a 6-album deal with the soon-to-be defunct Savage Records. Carla relocated to Los Angeles and landed the role of Maureen in the Tony award-winning musical “Rent” in the West Coast Premiere and later on Broadway. She worked both On and Off-Broadway in many cutting-edge shows like “Spring Awakening”, where she originated the role of Wendla working with Duncan Sheik in its early stages. During this time, her song, “The Lover That You Are” was covered by Pulse and went to #1 on the Billboard Dance charts, also winning an ASCAP award. “Music Takes You”, the follow-up single, also went top ten. Carla wrote the semi-autobiographical musical “Kaleidoscope”, which was selected for the prestigious ASCAP/Disney musical theater workshop in LA directed by Craig Carnelia/Stephen Schwartz.

Devoted to giving back to the community where her own dreams were born, Carla returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh to help found a new performing arts school, the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School. Inspired to create a new body of work, Carla has recorded her truest and most personal yet. Since the release of Carla’s CD, ‘All This Time’ in June 2012, she has been creating quite the buzz in the indie music scene. ‘All This Time’ has been added to radio playlists at local stations throughout the US and on the internet. Carla was a semi-finalist in the 2013 Unsigned Only Music Competition for her song, ‘Lean into You’ and a semi-finalist in the 2013 International Songwriting Competition for her song ‘Words Are in the Way’. She has been interviewed and reviewed by numerous international entertainment blogs. Carla is performing with national and international acts such as Gino Vannelli, Rusted Root and Seth Glier. Her first music video for her single, ‘Words Are in the Way’ has received national airplay in store outlets and cable stations across the US. Carla is also very active in charity work performing benefit concerts for The American Cancer Society, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Playing for Change.org. Being very passionate about helping our youth, she donates to many children’s charities such as Children’s Hospital, St. Jude’s Hospital, Prison Fellowship Ministries, Tunes for Tots Worldwide and half of Carla’s CD sales are donated to Camp Southern Ground. Carla started her own record label, Ivory Note Records, and just signed a distribution deal with BFD/Sony RED. Together, they are re-releasing her CD ‘All This Time’ which includes the single and video to a new version of ‘Lean into You’. Release date is September 26, 2014.

Buy Carla Bianco’s album ‘All This Time’ on iTunes!

Check out Carla Bianco’s sites below and also be sure to follow her on her social media pages for more updates from this great new singer-songwriter on the rise!

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Watch Carla Bianco’s new official music video for ‘Lean Into You’ below! - Music Inform

Meet the Singer Who’s Giving a Voice to People Who Can’t Sing

Good Doer Profile: Carla Bianco has been a successful singer for over 25 years, and now she’s using her voice to help others.

Jan 27, 2016

Carla Bianco

Carla Bianco is doing good in the world of music

Since the age of 10, singer, actress and songwriter, Carla Bianco has been writing songs that embody a similar theme – overcoming challenges, getting past obstacles, believing. Now, Carla is using her voice to tell the stories of people who are overcoming their own obstacles – people that, for whatever reason, can’t tell their story themselves.

The idea for the Give Voice Project began at church one Sunday. While the choir sang, Carla heard a voice above everyone else’s struggling to form words and sing. When she turned around, she didn’t see a young man who was deaf and mute and confined to a wheelchair – she saw a deep love for music.

This moment sparked something in Carla – that there were likely so many people out there with a story, but without the means to share it. The same day, she sat down and wrote “Broken & Blessed” - a song giving voice to the young man, saying what he might say if he could.

She didn’t stop there. Inspired by those in the world whose “stories are still untold and whose lives need to be expressed,” Carla went on to write “Through the Spectrum” – a song through the eyes of a young boy with autism. Her album, Give Voice, was released in December, 2015 and is a collection of similar songs that speak on behalf of those who cannot. All the proceeds from record sales are being donated to a charity connected with each song.

Writing and performing music is not something new for Carla. She began performing at age four, writing music at age 10, and by the time she was in college, she landed a publishing deal with the same producer as Madonna and released her first single, “Not This Time” on Atlantic Records. Carla has written music alongside the greats, including Reggie Lucas, she’s performed on Broadway Musicals, started her own record label, founded a performing arts school – and all while raising a family. So what motivated Carla to start the Give Voice Project? Carla told Goodnet, “I truly believe that each of us has a divine calling, a purpose that we are to fulfill. And when we commit to fulfilling that purpose no matter what it takes, we do our part to make the world a better place.”

Carla hopes that by giving a voice to those who have none, she will inspire others. She says, “I think hearing these songs can be a source of inspiration for others facing the same challenges and serve as a reminder to look outside ourselves to others in need.” - Goodnet.org