Did you know that Clara Benin grew up in a farm in Bacolod?
Indie singer Clara Benin got candid on her childhood and her journey of being a musician as she recalls how she discovered her love and passion for music.
In an exclusive interview with The Philippine STAR/LatestChika.com, the “Parallel Universe” singer talked about the big shift in her life after they moved to a farm in Bacolod from Manila.
“I started playing the guitar when I was around 13 years old. I started playing the guitar kasi we moved to the farm. So, from Manila, we moved to the province, and it was such a culture shock for me, moving to the province,” Benin shared while doing the “paint with me” with The Philippine STAR.
“We had no cable, no internet. I was really bored so I grabbed my dad’s guitar, and I started learning it. And eventually, I fell in love with playing the guitar. And eventually wrote my own songs,” she added.
“I really didn’t tell anyone. It’s a secret that I could sing. I would just sing quietly in my room. I didn’t want anyone to hear me. I think that’s how I discovered my sound. A whispery type of music,” she continued.
Benin grew up in a musician household as her parents, Side A’s Joey Benin, and Eva Marie “Bing” Ledesma-Benin were both in the music industry.
“I grew up with music because my parents were both musicians. There was just always music in the house. There was always music playing and we had all these instruments, so I guess it was very natural for me to gravitate towards becoming a musician as I got older,” she shared.
Benin said that his dad helped him to learn how to play guitar and opened the door for her to discover music.
“My dad would teach me from time to time but I remember I would prefer just going on YouTube. He definitely played a part in me becoming a musician. But ultimately, I think it was really like something I found myself in. But my dad is like such a supportive guy.”
But the singer noted that her dad had “mixed reactions” when she finally decided to enter the industry.
“Kasi I guess he knows the hardships. He’s been through everything like with music. Overall, syempre he was still supportive, and he trusted my decision.’”
She also revealed that the 2006 hit song “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by Fergie was the first song that she learned on guitar.
“I remember when I was young, we would always just jam at home. Like he would play music and then, me and my sister would just sing along,” she recalled.
Benin, who is also a songwriter, talked about her original song” Parallel Universe.”
“[It is] one of my favorite songs to perform live ‘cause I think a lot of people can relate to it. It’s a song about moving on. Or it’s like that moment in between. It’s like you’re wanting to move on but you’re not quite there yet, which is okay. It’s part of the process of moving on,” Benin said.
“I write a lot when I’m traveling or when I’m walking somewhere. Sometimes, a melody would just pop out and I would grab my phone and start recording it,” she noted when asked about her process in writing a song.
“My goal is just to connect with fans and my hope is just for my listeners to find comfort in my music. I hope that my music help them find themselves also like how I found myself in music,” she added.
Benin headlined the #TruthFestival2024 last Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Bridgetowne Open Grounds in Pasig City for The Philippine STAR’s 38th Anniversary.
