Liam Benzvi

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Liam Benzvi is an American singer-songwriter and composer. [1] Benzvi has released two solo EPs, Amnesia, USA and Covers, and two solo LPs, Acts of Service and ...And His Splash Band. [2] [3] Benzvi has released two albums with the band Strange Names. [4] He lives and works in New York.

Contents

Early life and education

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

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]

Benzvi's second solo EP, Covers, was released in December 2024 through Fat Possum Records. [13]

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 ]

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References

  1. ↑ "Liam Benzvi shares his Top Ten". www.artforum.com. February 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  2. ↑ "Meet Liam Benzvi, The Indie Singer Turning Lovesickness Into Sweet Shoegaze". Nylon. 10 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  3. ↑ "Liam Benzvi | Metal Magazine". metalmagazine.eu. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  4. ↑ Mark, John (2016-06-09). "Strange Names Front Man Liam Benzvi on Pronouns, Eye Contact, and Feeling Free | Lavender Magazine" . Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  5. ↑ Mosk, Mitch (2022-02-24). "Feature: Liam Benzvi Charms with Dynamic & Dazzling Debut Album 'Acts of Service'". Atwood Magazine. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "Liam Benzvi shares his Top Ten". www.artforum.com. February 2022. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  8. ↑ "It's Salvation Onstage for Strange Names' Liam Benzvi". www.out.com. 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  9. ↑ "Strange Names". Discogs. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  10. ↑ "It's Salvation Onstage for Strange Names' Liam Benzvi". www.out.com. 2015-07-30. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  11. ↑ "Watch Blood Orange perform "Wish" on The Tonight Show". The FADER. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  12. ↑ "Liam Benzvi". Talkhouse. Retrieved 2022-10-29.
  13. ↑ "Today Liam Benzvi's Covers EP is out in full". Fat Possum Records on Facebook. 2024-12-20. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
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