Clara Benin shares how growing up in a farm led to music career

MANILA, Philippines — Did you know that indie singer Clara Benin grew up in a farm in Bacolod?

Clara got candid about her childhood and her journey as a musician, recalling how she discovered her love and passion for music.

In an exclusive interview with The STAR/LatestChika.com, the Parallel Universe singer talked about the big shift in her life after she and her family relocated from Manila to a farm in Bacolod, Negros Occidental.

“I started playing the guitar when I was around 13 years old. I started playing the guitar because we moved to the farm. So, from Manila, we moved to the province, and it was such a culture shock,” Clara shared while doing the “paint with me” session with The STAR.

“We had no cable, no internet. I was really bored so I grabbed my dad’s guitar, and I started learning it. And eventually, I fell in love with playing the guitar. And eventually wrote my own songs,” she added.

“I really didn’t tell anyone. It’s a secret that I could sing. I would just sing quietly in my room. I didn’t want anyone to hear me. I think that’s how I discovered my sound. A whispery type of music,” she continued.

Clara grew up in a musician household as her parents — Side A’s Joey Benin and Eva Marie “Bing” Ledesma-Benin — were both in the music industry.

“There was always music in the house. There was always music playing and we had all these instruments, so I guess it was very natural for me to gravitate towards becoming a musician as I got older,” she shared.

Clara said that her dad also helped her learn to play guitar, opening the door for her to discover music.

“My dad would teach me from time to time. But I remember, I would prefer just going on YouTube. He definitely played a part in me becoming a musician. But ultimately, I think it was really like something I found myself in. But my dad is like such a supportive guy.”

The singer also noted that her dad had “mixed reactions” when she finally decided to enter the industry.

“Because, I guess, he knows the hardships. He’s been through everything like with music. Overall, of course, he was still supportive, and he trusted my decision.’”

She also revealed that the 2006 hit song Big Girls Don’t Cry by Fergie of Black Eyed Peas was the first song that she learned on guitar.

“I remember when I was young, we would always just jam at home. Like he would play music and then, me and my sister would just sing along,” she recalled.

Meanwhile, Clara, who is also a songwriter, talked about her original song Parallel Universe.

“(It is) one of my favorite songs to perform live ‘cause I think a lot of people can relate to it. It’s a song about moving on. Or it’s like that moment in between. It’s like you’re wanting to move on but you’re not quite there yet, which is okay. It’s part of the process of moving on,” Clara explained.

“I write a lot when I’m traveling or when I’m walking somewhere. Sometimes, a melody would just pop out and I would grab my phone and start recording it,” she noted when asked about her songwriting process.

“My goal is just to connect with fans and my hope is just for my listeners to find comfort in my music. I hope that my music help them find themselves also like how I found myself in music,” she added.

Clara was one of the headliners during the “#TruthFestival2024” concert on July 28, at the Bridgetowne Open Grounds in Pasig City, for The Philippine STAR’s 38th Anniversary.