photos / Chase Leonard
story / Paulette Ely
Rhythmic romanticism is the root of Rice Crispies- the second single from the LA based badass, BIIANCO. That said, the implications involved in the production of this RÜFÜS reminiscent track propels the multi-talented maverick to the forefront of the independent womxn in production movement.
Becoming a vocalist with a voice of change is not something to gloss over, but becoming an artist on all fronts of the industry sings at an even stronger vibrato. BIIANCO has always had the vision, but it was the reliance on others to execute her sound that left her dissatisfied. That was, until it wasn’t. After tagging along to a womxn-only music production retreat in Joshua Tree, BIIANCO found that it was up to her and only her to execute the sonic strength and revered relevance that she desired. Thanks to months of producing, engineering, creating and performing, BIIANCO wrapped her new EP in a beautiful bow ornamented with original lyrics and instrumental impressions from her very own fingertips.
The release of Rice Crispies only further proves the power possessed by BIIANCO and her electro-chill charisma. The queer artist wants to give womxn the spotlight, and the song is just one an example of an EP executed by a team of devotees to world domination. Mixed by Matthew Wiggins and mastered by Gentry Studer, the house-y tune has us all under the same infatuation that inspired the song itself. Get to know BIIANCO in all her femme fierceness from our interview below and, and fall in love with the creative freedom that Rice Crispies awakens.
Your music production is an ode to badass women sitting in the bosses seat. Was there a moment when it became clear that your purpose is to change the music production industry from being male-dominated?
BIIANCO: Honestly, it was more of a gentle mental shift than a radical decision. I spent years, like many other women musicians, writing music and picking up on very covert social and professional cues that being producer just wasn’t my role. I think I just never really saw it as a feasible option. But time went on and I found myself producing more and more of my tracks because my musical taste became more refined and it became increasingly more difficult to communicate to another person what I could hear in my head. Eventually, I realized that I was diluting my vision and it was a simple “ok — I’ll just do it” moment.
However, since that moment, I’ve realized just how ridiculous it was that I never saw producing my own music an option to begin with — and just how much these covert social cues dictate what roles womxn take on in the creation of their own art.
How do you think the societal shift toward electronic music mirrors the societal shift towards self-acceptance/ non-binary liberation?
BIIANCO: I wouldn’t limit non-binary liberation towards a specific genre like electronic music — only because I know indie, country and hip hop womxn, non-binary and marginalized artists who are now all producing their own music. I would say that the democratization of music production — in other words, artists who have are not the conventional demographic of music producer (ie. Cis male) is the true reflection of this.
In an analysis of the top 600 performing songs from 2012 to 2017, only 12% of them were written by womxn and only 2% of them were produced by womxn. That means men have controlled what womxn are singing about, how they express it, and what it sounds like. We’ve literally iced out womxn voices from the music industry.
I want to be a part of the army that changes those numbers. I want to be a part of the statistic that takes that 12% and 2% to 50%.
Has music always been your medium of self-expression?
BIIANCO: Music — and all of its art family members — are literally the only way I know how to express myself. Without music, I am a lost little fish inside my emotional sea self combusting.
What does “Rice Crispies” mean? What are your inspirations behind the song and its title?
BIIANCO: I wrote Rice Crispies about a romance I had where there was instant attraction. The song itself is about lust at first sight — that powerful “oh shit who is THAT” when you notice someone from across the room. When the song was done, I wanted that person to name it and they chose Rice Crispies.
Why paint over your eyes in the cover art image/ on your instagram? Is there deeper meaning to that?
BIIANCO: A male music producer once told me that he fell in love with my eyes and that they’re the most attractive part of me, so I cover them up so people focus more on what I sound like than what I look like.
What are you normally doing when you feel the most creative? Are there any routines you have to spark your musical creativity?
BIIANCO: I’m usually in my underwear in my home studio running around feeling way too many feelings. Most recently, I was so overwhelmed by watching Euphoria, and all the nostalgia it caused for me to remember what it was like growing up as a lil queer girl in America, that I wrote a new song right then and there. So I guess my routines are to be in my underwear and to be an emotional sponge to the world around me.
Is you weren’t a musician, what would you being doing with your life right now?
BIIANCO: I really love the ocean and weather. I feel like I’d be a marine biologist or a meteorologist nerding out 24/7 on science.
Your instagram bio says that you music is made to “dance & ugly cry to” which I think everyone relates to. What are other artists do you feel make music that make you do the same?
BIIANCO: Oh my! There’s so many. Currently, I am the most inspired by Rosalía, Bob Moses, TENDER, Lizzo, James Blake and my very good friend, vōx.
Is there a personal mantra you have that you can leave us with?
BIIANCO: LOOK! And then I point and grin wildly at something happening around me (I hope that helps you all pay more attention to the little pieces of magic happening continuously in your midst)
CONNECT WITH BIIANCO:
Instagram // Website // Rice Crispies
