Broadway powerhouse, ASCAP Award-winning actress/singer and Billboard-charting pop songwriter Carla Bianco releases her debut Contemporary Christian EP, You Love Me As I Am, today, Friday, October 8, 2021, via Ivory Note Records/BFD/Sony Verger. The physical EP is set to be released on October 29, 2021. To stream or download Carla Bianco’s new EP You Love Me As I Am, click here here.
A lifelong Christian, Bianco, who is perhaps best known for her starring roles as Maureen in the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway and West Coast musical RENT, was discovered by legendary music producer and manager John “Jellybean” Benitez (Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Paul McCartney, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Sting), who signed her to a management and publishing deal while she was still in college.
The powerhouse pop singer quickly signed a distribution deal with Sony/RED and released two albums as a recording artist on Ivory Note Records. She went on to become an ASCAP Award-winning, Billboard #1 songwriter. Her work has received international media coverage, including articles in publications such as The New York Times, The New York Post and The Huffington Post, as well as television performances such as Good Morning America. She has shared the stage with Platinum Grammy winner Kenny Loggins, and has appeared in notable commercials and films, including Unstoppable with Denzel Washington and Promised Land with Matt Damon.
Bianco’s new direction on her upcoming EP marks a stylistic shift for the acclaimed singer/songwriter, who experienced a spiritual awakening following the death of her parents, when feelings of doubt and lifelong insecurity threatened to take over her mind and heart.
Five years ago, while struggling with her losses, Bianco attended a spiritual retreat, where she says she was overwhelmed by the grace of the Savior she has called her “best friend” since childhood. She began to experience God’s unequivocal, unconditional love in a whole new way. She also felt God calling her in a new artistic direction, leading her to write songs of worship, praise and self-reflection.
“Something just slipped out,” she explains. “During that retreat, I was immersed in Scripture and felt His love and comfort comfort me and instill a new sense of identity and purpose like I’ve never felt before. The result is her stunning new EP, You Love Me As I Am.
“I am so grateful to finally be able to share this music that was created during such a difficult time in our world,” said Bianco, who wrote the project during the 2020 pandemic lockdown. “I felt inspired to write the songs on this EP in the beautiful assurance of God’s love and presence, despite this past year of uncertainty and fear that we have all experienced. This music is a jubilant proclamation that we are so loved, and it is God’s divine love that will heal and unite us.”
“We are thrilled to continue working with Carla on her new album!” said Bob Frank, CEO of BFD/Sony Orchard. “Her songwriting is inspiring, and we are proud to be involved with her and this project.”
“From the moment Carla sat down at the piano to sing me one of her songs, I knew she was a gifted and talented artist,” said Jellybean Benitez, who expressed excitement for Bianco’s new music and direction.
Bianco’s formidable writing skills are on display throughout the 7-song EP, which draws on the production skills of Sam Hart (Aaron Shust, Tasha Layton). Hart also sits in the co-writer’s chair for a few songs.
The EP kicks off with the scintillating power-pop declaration of faith, “Love Is the Answer,” which exalts love as the answer to every question and the direction of every life path.
The song segues effortlessly into the title track and first radio single, “You Love Me As I Am.” Written by Bianco and produced by Sam Hart (Aaron Shust, Tasha Layton) with an infectious groove that will have listeners hooked from the first note, the song, which showcases Bianco’s crystal-clear vocals, is a nuanced anthem of revelation, humility and devotion to Jesus.
“All For Your Glory” is a joyful pop song that begs the audience to sing along and could easily find its place in contemporary Sunday morning church services. Bianco pulls back for an introspective, prayerful vibe for “Guardian,” which exudes an intimate, worshipful attitude as Bianco sings, “I look up to the sky. You hear me when I cry, my Guardian!”
“Vessel of Your Love” uses a minor key to increase the intensity, which rises and falls like the waves of a rough sea. Bianco returns to the power-pop genre for the hard-hitting, head-nodding song of encouragement, “Hero Rising.” The project ends with the peace-evoking, piano-led confessional, “You Are My Hope.”
“I feel blessed to have the opportunity to share this wonderful assurance I have discovered as if for the first time,” Bianco says. “I can’t think of anything I would rather sing about than God’s unconditional, unwavering love for me.”
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Author: Herb Longs
