Debbie Chou

Musician/songstress extraordinaire Debbie Chou has been a known figure in the NYC indie rock scene for years, having lent her talents to indie/psychedelic group The Barrens. There’s no sense of predictability in her work, which walks the line between dream pop, post-punk, art rock and downtempo electronic. For her new single “Little Prince”, Debbie has teamed up with Colin Fitzgerald (editor) and Chloe Lee (director of photography) to release a visually impressive video that brings you into a claustrophobic but beautiful labyrinth-type world that perfectly communicates the emotions of the song.

Enjoy the stunning vocals and dreamy atmosphere of the song/video below! Recommended for fans of: David Bowie, CHVRCHES, Bjork, The Breeders, Portishead. - James Moore

Our latest PEV feature has no shortage of inspiration to craft her unique piano-driven ditties; NYC native Debbie Chou spent most of her childhood in Taiwan, where she went to her first concert: Bon Jovi during the Always tour (how awesome is that?). She came back state-side when she was accepted into The Hartt School at University of Hartford, where Chou studied music composition.

It was after this that Debbie got involved in the NYC scene, using her composition skills to freelance across clubs until she joined a well-respected band called The Barrens (who just recently released their debut self-titled full-length record last year).

Today though, we’re talking about her first solo record, a collection titled Lovebug. Chou says “these songs are nothing like The Barrens. To be specific, these songs are very personal. Since it is a solo record, I took the opportunity to let my voice shine. There are also a lot of classical elements. The piano has a strong presence…Without giving away too much in the lyrics, the listeners are curious to where the stories come from.”

Check out Lovebug and The Barrens self-titled album… And if you can’t get enough Chou, investigate her alter ego IMeowww on Soundcloud. It’s pretty sweet. For now, go to www.DebbieChou.bandcamp.com, right after you finish reading the answers to the XXQ’s. - Pens Eye View

We wanted to stay with the ‘something different’ theme today and discovered an artist with an interesting back story that is making some very interesting music. Debbie Chou grew up in Taiwan and started studying classical piano at the age of 4. It might be a stereotype or my wild imagination, but I picture her strong-minded father smacking her hands with a ruler to force her to practice on the piano for a minimum of 4 hours a day. As with many kids who were forced to stick with their lessons, it has now paid off.

It is also obvious very quickly when you hear her voice that vocal lessons were a part of her childhood as well. She continued her education in 2000, when she was accepted to the prestigious Hartt School at the University of Hartford to pursue studies in musical theater. After her first semester, she decided creating original music was her passion and she spent her remaining college years studying music composition.

In 2008 Ms. Chou joined the indie rock band The Barrens as a keyboardist. After getting up her performance chops, she began writing her own lyrics and original songs. The result is her debut solo album Lovebug. A quick one word description of the album would be “graceful.” It is comprised of gorgeous, heartfelt and personal lyrics over simple yet extremely elegant piano. The album begins with a few songs such as ‘My Darling’ that seem almost country with minimal guitar and piano behind Debbie’s strong vocals. The record builds and you begin to hear her musical talent. She really shows you her piano skills on the song ‘Sad Beautiful Eyes’ as she tickles her Steinway while belting out sexy, yet slightly depressing vocals. A little of that musical theater training shows here.

Bottom line: this is a very pretty album. A great album for a lonely Saturday night when you couldn’t find anyone to go out with and are stuck home alone with your thoughts. Just sit back and let the music sweep you away in Debbie Chou’s world. It may not be happy but it is beautiful to listen to. - Indie Band Guru

Debbie Chou – Lovebug (CD)
Posted by James McQuiston on June 25th, 2012 No Comments Printer-Friendly

Ringing is a track that immediately ties together the inorganic with the human. The electronic sequencing works at a level alongside more traditional piano lines. What unites these two unique elements is Chou’s vocals. This three-minute introduction to Chou will work perfectly on pop, EDM, or indie rock radio stations. I Know A Place has a similar sun-baked feel to Soak Up the Sun.

Shame is a very heartfelt track that will touch anyone that has lost love. The atmosphere that is created with this track envelops listeners and provides them with a look into Chou’s soul and experiences. The track is one of many on Lovebug that march to a considerably different drummer. When listeners put on Lovebug, they will never truly know what to expect from Chou. For example, Nothing is an expansive track that will recall miles and miles of ocean. Little more is heard at the early stages of Nothing than this aural approximation; when different elements (such as the cymbals) enter into the mix, the track can then go off into an entirely new realm.

Midsummer is the last cut on Lovebug, and it is an encapsulation of the disparate sounds and approaches that she has placed onto the title. While being nearly seven minutes in length, the shifts in mood and overall sound make it impossible to leave. Debbie Chou has redefined the singer-songwriter genre, and for that we are eternally grateful. Listeners will easily be able to keep this album in their players and on their iPods for months; this album simply has legs at a point in which none do. - Neufutur

Debbie Chou (pronounced "Cho") studied classical piano at the age of four. Growing up in Taipei, Taiwan, she developed a love for choir, jazz vocals, and theater.
She spent summers under the direction of vocals coaches Dena DeRose and Marni Nixon in the U.S. In 2000, she was accepted into The Hartt School at University of Hartford as a Musical Theater student.
After one semester, she decided her true passion was in music. She spent her remaining years in college studying music composition. She moved to New York City in 2004, where she met and collaborated with singer songwriter John Carpenter.
She became friends with members of The Barrens and joined their band as a keyboardist in 2008. She then began to write original songs with lyrics.
They released their EP "Worming" in 2008 and a full-length album "The Barrens" in 2011.

Debbie released her solo album, Lovebug earlier this year.
I think you will enjoy the sounds of Debbie, both the vocal and the keyboards.
Check her out. - Bearly Rambling

Bouncing, trembling beats beneath piano melodies set Debbie Chou apart from other beautiful-voiced piano playing songstresses. Combining electronic flourishes to sometimes country-tinged sadness, sometimes lonely indie rock, Debbie Chou creates something unique. Let this album sit on your tongue and melt; savor the complex flavors. Let her smoky voice carry you away like a warm breeze at the very end of summer. Seriously, check her out. You can listen to her album for free here.

Sounds like: bad weather on the horizon and old denim - New Music Release

Debbie Chou studied classical piano at the age of four. Growing up in Taipei, Taiwan, she developed a love for choir, jazz vocals, and theater. She spent summers under the direction of vocals coaches Dena DeRose and Marni Nixon in the U.S.In 2000, she was accepted into The Hartt School at University of Hartford as a Musical Theater student. After one semester, she decided her true passion was in music. She spent her remaining years in college studying music composition.She moved to New York City in 2004, where she met and collaborated with singer songwriter John Carpenter. She became friends with members of The Barrens and joined their band as a keyboardist in 2008. She then began to write original songs with lyrics. They released their EP "Worming" in 2008 and an LP "The Barrens" in 2011. Her solo album Lovebug is a bittersweet piano endeavour, sonorous and sighing, reaching past mere sentimentality to the sentimnt itself. And that sentiment is love. - Most-Def