Bic Runga

Briolette Kah Bic Runga MNZM (born 13 January 1976), recording as Bic Runga, is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist pop artist. Her first three studio albums debuted at number one on the New Zealand Top 40 Album charts. Runga has also found success internationally in Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom with her song "Sway".

Bic Runga
Bic Runga performing on the 2010 Winery Tour, in Auckland, New Zealand.
Background information
Birth nameBriolette Kah Bic Runga
Born (1976-01-13) 13 January 1976
OriginChristchurch, New Zealand
GenresPop rock, folk rock
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, drums
Years active1996–present
LabelsSony New Zealand
Websitewww.bicrunga.com

Early life

Runga was born in Christchurch. Her mother, Sophia Tang, was a Chinese Malaysian lounge singer in Malaysia when she met Joseph Runga, a Māori ex-serviceman. They moved to New Zealand to live. Runga is of Ngāti Kahungunu descent.[1] Regarding her name, she explains: "'You say it Bec, rather than Bic. ... It's Chinese, it's a strange vowel sound which doesn't seem to translate in Australia. It means the colour of jade, which might mean green.'"[2] The "strange vowel" is a checked tone. For the meaning of "colour of jade", Bic is 碧 in Chinese characters.[3]

Runga grew up in Hornby, Christchurch surrounded by a musically-inclined family, and started recording songs with her sisters, Boh and Pearl, when she was four years old. Runga's older sister Boh was the vocalist in the New Zealand rock group Stellar, while Pearl is a session singer.

She learnt how to play drums at the age of eleven, and guitar at about fourteen. Runga also learned to play the keyboard around this time. She attended Cashmere High School,[4][5] joining high school bands and performing with local jazz groups by her mid-teens.

Career

1993–1997: Early career and Drive
Main articles: Drive (Bic Runga EP) and Drive (Bic Runga album)

Under the name of "Love Soup", Runga and Kelly Horgan entered the 1993 Smokefreerockquest in Christchurch, winning third place and a music contract with Pagan Records. Using a QE II Arts Council grant, Runga recorded the first Drive EP in Wellington. Unsatisfied with the direction that her music was being taken, she moved to Auckland in 1994 and spent a year writing and performing.

In 1995, she sent a new demo of "Drive" to Sony Music, who signed Runga in September of that year and bought her Wellington recordings from Pagan Records. Sony had her re-record the song with more instruments, but it was eventually her demo that was used on the upcoming album. It entered the Top 10 in New Zealand and won her the APRA Silver Scroll award in 1996.

Runga then released "Bursting Through", the first single from her upcoming album, also entitled Drive. The success of the singles led to the release of her debut album, Drive, in 1997. Runga's song "Sway", along with a duet with Dan Wilson of Semisonic called "Good Morning Baby", were used in the films American Pie, and Cruel Intentions. Six singles were released from the album, while "Sway" was released in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Runga has recorded two songs called "Drive". The first was her own, which appeared on her debut album of the same name. The second was a 1999 collaboration with fellow New Zealanders Strawpeople, providing guest vocals for their cover of The Cars' classic 1984 hit.

2000–2008: Beautiful Collision and Birds
Main articles: Beautiful Collision, Birds (Bic Runga album), Birds, and Try to Remember Everything

In 2000, Runga toured with Tim Finn and Dave Dobbyn, resulting in a release of a live album in November 2000, titled Together in Concert: Live. It peaked at number 2 on the New Zealand charts and has been certified 3x platinum. Runga released her second solo album, Beautiful Collision in 2002. It entered the New Zealand charts at number one and has been certified 10x platinum in New Zealand.

Her third studio album, Birds, was released in New Zealand on 28 November 2005. New Zealand artists Neil Finn (piano) and Anika Moa (backing vocals) contributed to the album. The first single, "Winning Arrow", was released on the same day. It was her third consecutive studio album to enter the New Zealand charts at number one. Birds was certified triple platinum.

Runga played a 'Vietnamese lounge singer' in the 2005 film Little Fish, and covered Gene Pitney's "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" for the soundtrack. In the 2006 New Year Honours, Runga was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to music.[6]

In November 2008, Runga released Try to Remember Everything which is a collection of unreleased, new and rare Bic Runga recordings from 1996 to 2008. The album was certified Gold in New Zealand on 14 December 2008, selling over 7,500 copies.[7]

2011–2015: Belle and Anthology
Main articles: Belle (album) and Anthology (Bic Runga album)

Runga contributed to the score and soundtrack to New Zealand filmmaker Roseanne Liang's debut feature film My Wedding and Other Secrets (2011). In addition to featuring "Say After Me" from Birds, the film also included two tracks ("Hello Hello" and "This Girl's Prepared for War") from her fourth album Belle.

Belle was released in November 2011.[8] Runga completed a 17 date tour across New Zealand and 13 dates across Ireland, United Kingdom and Australia.[9]

A greatest hits album, Anthology, was released on 1 December 2012.

In June 2015, Runga released a new single titled "Dreamed a Dream".[10] This was a collaboration with Hollie Fullbrook of Tiny Ruins, with whom she toured New Zealand in June and July 2015. As well as solo performances by both artists, these shows included covers of songs by Simon & Garfunkel, Yoko Ono, Francoise Hardy, Donovan and Fleetwood Mac. [11]

2016–present: Close Your Eyes and New Zealand Music Hall of Fame
Main article: Close Your Eyes (Bic Runga album)

In October 2016, it was announced that Runga would release an album of consisting of ten covers and two original tracks titled Close Your Eyes.[12] "Close Your Eyes" was released on 14 October 2016 as a single.

In November 2016, Runga was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.[13] Recorded Music CEO Damian Vaughan said "Bic is one of our most loved and treasured recording artists, her songs are instantly recognizable and have been part of the fabric of New Zealand for more than 20 years. We're honored to present Bic with the 2016 Legacy Award and induct her into the NZ Music Hall of Fame".[14]

Personal life

Runga's partner is singer Kody Nielson. She has three children: Joe (born 2007), Sophia (born 2013), and Frida (born 2015).[15]

Honours

In the 2006 New Year Honours Runga was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music.[16]

Discography
Main article: Bic Runga discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Live albums

New Zealand Music Awards

The New Zealand Music Awards are presented annually by Recorded Music NZ recognising outstanding artistic and technical achievements in the recording field.

YearAwardForResult
1996Rising Star AwardherselfNominated
Most Promising Female VocalistherselfWon
1997Single of the YearunknownNominated
Best Female VocalistherselfWon
Best Songwriterherself for "Busting Through"Nominated
1998Album of the YearDriveWon
Single of the Year"Sway"Won
Best Female Vocalistherself for "Sway"Won
Best VideoWayne Conway for Runga's "Suddenly Strange"Nominated
Best EngineerSimon Sheridan for Runga's "Sway"Won
Best SongwriterBic Runga's "Sway"Won
Best CoverWayne Conway for Runga's DriveWon
1999International AchievementBic RungaWon
2000International AchievementBic RungaWon
2001Album of the YearTim Finn, Dave Dobbyn & Bic Runga Together in Concert: LiveNominated
2003Album of the YearBeautiful CollisionNominated
Single of the Year"Get Some Sleep"Nominated
Best Female VocalistBic Runga Beautiful CollisionWon
Best Solo ArtistBic Runga Beautiful CollisionWon
Best Music VideoChris Graham and Bic Runga for Runga's "Something Good"Nominated
Highest Selling New Zealand AlbumBeautiful CollisionWon
Producer of the YearBic Runga Beautiful CollisionWon
2003Best Female Solo ArtistLive in ConcertNominated
Highest Selling New Zealand AlbumBeautiful CollisionNominated
International AchievementBic RungaNominated
2006Album Of The YearBirdsWon
Single of the Year"Winning Arrow"Nominated
Best Female Solo ArtistBic Runga BirdsWon
Best ProducerBic Runga BirdsWon
Peoples Choice AwardherselfNominated
Best EngineerAndre Upston for Runga's BirdsWon
2012Best Pop AlbumBelleNominated
Best ProducerKody Nielson for "Belle"Nominated
2016New Zealand Music Hall of FameherselfWon
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References
  1. "Neighbourhood". tvnz.co.nz. Television New Zealand. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  2. Moses, Alexa (13 September 2002). "Bic from the brink". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  3. Middle age Chinese pronunciation search Archived 3 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "Performing Arts". Cashmere High School. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  5. "Bic Runga". Christchurch City Libraries. Christchurch City Council. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  6. "New Year honours list 2006". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2005. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  7. "The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Rianz.org.nz. Archived from the original on 9 July 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  8. "New single, tour for Bic Runga". The New Zealand Herald. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  9. Jones, Bridget (27 September 2011). "Bic's Belle rings out in church". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  10. http://www.bicrunga.com/
  11. "Tiny Ruins and Bic Runga together - so good they should be called Tiny Runga". Stuff. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  12. "BIC RUNGA CELEBRATED WITH 2016 NZ HERALD LEGACY AWARD". NZ Music Awards. 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  13. "BIC RUNGA CELEBRATED WITH 2016 NZ HERALD LEGACY AWARD". NZ Music Awards. 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  14. "BIC RUNGA CELEBRATED WITH 2016 NZ HERALD LEGACY AWARD". NZ Music Awards. 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  15. "Bic Runga on music, family, and why she wants to reinvent herself". Now to Love. 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  16. "New Year honours list 2006". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2005. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
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