Liam Benzvi
Liam Benzvi is an American singer-songwriter and composer.[1] Benzvi has released one solo EP, Amnesia, USA, and one solo LP, Acts of Service.[2][3] Benzvi has released two albums with the band Strange Names.[4] He lives and works in New York.
Early life and education[edit]
Benzvi was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.[5]
Benzvi attended New York's LaGuardia High School and he went on to study at the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program.[6]
Career[edit]
Benzvi has a baritone voice and his music is known for its sultry shoegaze and dream pop qualities.[7]
Benzvi, Francis Ximenez, and Fletcher Aleckson are founding members of the Brooklyn-based new wave-pop band Strange Names.[8] The band has released two LPs, Use Your Time Wisely (Frenchkiss Records, 2015) and Data (Frenchkiss Records, 2018).[9] The band opened for a number of New York-based musicians, including his former classmate Azealia Banks. He lists Indoor Life, Lizzy Mercier Descloux, Patrick Cowley, and Tuxedomoon as musical inspirations for the band.[10]
His first solo EP, Amnesia, USA, was released in 2019 under Terrible Records.
Benzvi's first solo LP, Acts of Service, was released in 2022 under Terrible Records. The 10-track album was co-produced by Wet's Joe Valle. A music video for the single, "Hiccup", was directed by Luca Venter.
In 2022, Benzvi performed alongside Dev Hynes on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Hynes, Tariq Al-Sabir, Eva Tolkin, and Ian Isiah at Madison Square Garden as part of Harry Styles's Love on Tour.[11] He has opened for other artists such as Janelle Monáe, Yeasayer, Porches, the Drums, and Wet.[12]
The musician cites Cyndi Lauper, The B-52's, Siouxsie Sioux, the Cure, Blonde Redhead, Frou Frou, and Madonna's early 2000 albums as influences.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^ "Liam Benzvi shares his Top Ten". www.artforum.com. February 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "Meet Liam Benzvi, The Indie Singer Turning Lovesickness Into Sweet Shoegaze". Nylon. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "Liam Benzvi | Metal Magazine". metalmagazine.eu. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ Mark, John (2016-06-09). "Strange Names Front Man Liam Benzvi on Pronouns, Eye Contact, and Feeling Free | Lavender Magazine". Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ Mosk, Mitch (2022-02-24). "Feature: Liam Benzvi Charms with Dynamic & Dazzling Debut Album 'Acts of Service'". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "Craving Danger: An Interview With Strange Names' Liam Benzvi On His New Solo Project Autre Magazine". Autre Magazine. 13 April 2016. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "Liam Benzvi shares his Top Ten". www.artforum.com. February 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "It's Salvation Onstage for Strange Names' Liam Benzvi". www.out.com. 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "Strange Names". Discogs. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "It's Salvation Onstage for Strange Names' Liam Benzvi". www.out.com. 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "Watch Blood Orange perform "Wish" on The Tonight Show". The FADER. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
- ^ "Liam Benzvi". Talkhouse. Retrieved 2022-10-29.