Vienna Teng
Biography
Reaching the national spotlight at the end of 2002, pianist Vienna Teng had been an important part of the California singer/songwriter scene for a few years before then. A pianist since the age of five, Teng took piano lessons before moving on to improvisation. Writing feverishly throughout her youth, she eventually had a full album's worth of instrumentals by the age of 16. Going to Stanford to further her education, she released an EP while going to school and recorded most of Waking Hour before she graduated. After releasing the record independently and taking it on the road with her, she scored an agreement with Virt Records and got national distribution in the fall of 2002. Comprised of many intimate songs that detailed the issues of a young adult, her music fell between the uptempo approach of Ben Folds and the theatrical chamber pop of Rufus Wainwright. She followed up in early 2004 with the matured and critically acclaimed effort Warm Strangers, which charted on three separate Billboard charts. Touring with musicians like Joan Osborne, Shawn Colvin, and Patty Griffin over the years, Teng next hooked up with producer Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Madeleine Peyroux) for her next album, Dreaming Through the Noise, issued in July 2006. That summer, she began to tour with Duncan Sheik and continued a heavy concert schedule throughout 2007. After relocating from California to New York City in 2008, Teng began work on her fourth full-length album, Inland Territory, which was released on Zoƫ/Rounder in 2009. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
Vienna Teng's music may be acquired listening for some, only because she carefully crafts her music with thoughtful lyrics. That is, her songs may not "click" upon first listen, but like a classic film/story, you find the density and beauty of it after a 2nd or 3rd listen. Her melodic composition is just as multilayered . A fantastic & engaging person on and off the stage. Pandora needs to get her 4th album, "Inland Territory"! "Dreaming" perhaps the most mature, "IT" the most diverse/ambi t i o u s .
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she popped up on Pandora and I had to stop everything I was doing and just listen. beautiful!
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One of the gems that Pandora has introduced me to....love her voice and her songs.
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Hearing City Hall for the first time...getti n g goosebumps all over my body.
Love! |
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I saw her at Schubas in Chicago on April 17. Definitely my favorite concert ever. Afterward she game me an autograph and a hug! How amazing is she?!
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I saw Vienna play at an intimate coffeehouse venue in San Diego in late 2001/early 2002 and was amazed by her talent then. Her new album is a true testament to her growth and professional development as a true singer/songw r i t e and natural talent.
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They don'y have her new album up yet... hmmm...
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I first heard her music on David Letterman in 2002. The next day I purchased waking hour. Now I've got all 4 of her CDs and they all spend time in my stereo. Absolutely amazing voice and music. I've not caught her in concert, but I hope to see her as she makes the rounds promoting "Inland Territory".
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She's one of the most beautiful and talented artists I've come across. Her voice is gorgeous, the melodies are wonderful, and the lyrics are 'epic'. ;)
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Although gifted with other talents, I certainly hope Vienna keeps with the music. We've heard her twice live at a small venue, and I would encourage anyone to go hear her live, no matter the venue. I'm glad CD's don't wear out easily! Still, nothing beats live music with such a talented artist.
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She's going on tour again!!! Supporting her new album!!! Woooo Hooo!
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She has such a pure voice, and her songs breathe beauty. She is impossible not to like.
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I had the amazing opportunity to hear Vienna perform at a music convention last year. We were in a tiny hotel room filled with only about 30 people -- it was jaw-dropping l y beautiful, and truly a spiritual musical experience.
If you EVER get the chance to see her live, GO GO GO!!!! :) p.s. and I'm a VERY choosy, fellow recording artist, not an easy-to-impr e s s casual bystander... |
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Totally humanizes what could have been a shallow political screed--impo s s i b l e not to like
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fair enough, phoenix. i am new to vienna. I could go on about how I've followed tori since little earthquakes and have followed her musical paths since but i wont. or maybe i just did, anyway, after hearing "daughter" on my crappy speakers I got a stong favor of early tori. and if i'm the only one so be it.
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As a long-time Tori fan, and also a devoted Vienna Teng fan, other than the fact that the piano is the preferred instrument to both these amazing ladies, I think the comparisons can pretty much stop there...
They do NOT sing alike. Tori naturally has more of an edge to her voice than Vienna, who's much softer and more subtle in her sound. Tori's lyrics have always been political, hard-hitting , sometimes borderline nonsensical. Vienna's lyrics are poetic, reflective, epic even. |
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She came up on my Mary Fahl station and now she's all I want to listen to. I have Waking Hour and Warm Strangers. All I need to finish this up is Dreaming Through the Noise. Since that one came out in 2006, maybe we're due for a new one soon? I really hope so. I LOVE Pandora and the new artists I've discovered here.
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Wow! she has an amazing voice. Truly incredible, and very soothing I love listening to her when it seems like things could fall apart any second.
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I just came upon Vienna Teng. She's great for creating ambiance at work. Great for centering oneself during the course of craziness.
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Vienna Teng has a nice voice for calming down. I love her song Lullaby for a Stormy Night!!
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Next time I go shopping, I'd like to get one of her CDs. She originally showed on my Vanessa Carlton channel. ^^
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