BIIANCO is an artist who recently skyrocketed into viral attention last December with the hit track ‘Against The Wall, gathering an impressive 10 million views, over 500,000 shares, and gaining 150,000+ new followers across socials. These crazy numbers very soon led to international chart inclusions on platforms like Apple Music, iTunes, and Beatport as well as earning coveted spots like a Danny Howard Mini Mix and Jack Saunders’ Next Wave pick.
This dynamic talent—partially blind, proudly queer, and identifying as femme (they/them)—is back with a new dance-floor summer hit titled ‘Got Me Like’. The track has wasted no time leaving its mark, with the Instagram teaser raking in a staggering 1 million views and 40,000 likes in just five days.
But even before the viral explosion, BIIANCO had been carving out a niche in the industry with their high-energy trance sound and musical prowess. Their live performances, often featuring multiple instruments and vocals showcased to their dedicated fanbase through Insta and TikTok, have allowed them to champion inclusivity within the music scene.
Now that BIIANCO’s ‘Got Me Like’ delivers a relentless onslaught of high-octane beats, carburizing-infused synths, and assertive vocals, it really does result in high euphoric and frenetic energy. Giving ravers brief moments of reprieve before diving back into a pulsating groove.
From mastering classical piano at the age of 5 to tackling keys, guitar, and drums by 10, their musical journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. But, like a few other meg-talented creatives, BIIANCO’s journey to success hasn’t been without its challenges. In 2022 they faced the daunting task of relearning how to produce and perform live sets after losing sight in one eye. Their studies in composition during college and subsequent dive into electronic music and Ableton during lockdown have all further solidified their craft and their place within the scene today.
As BIIANCO continues to harness their creative energy we chat with them in the below interview about the new track ‘Got Me Like’, upbringing, influence and how they are dealing with the mega digital attention…
Hey BIIANCO, thanks for chatting with us here at Broke and congrats on the upcoming release of ‘Got Me Like’! How does this track make you feel?
Well, I wrote Got Me Like about having big feelings of frustration around the music industry and struggling to be accepted. Then, I posted a little clip online that ended up getting millions of views and becoming my first release after signing a record deal. So, I think my biggest feeling surrounding this song is that I found a sense of belonging and validation in the face of insecurity.
Tell us about your upbringing and journey into music…
Honestly, music has been the most constant thing in my life. I grew up outside of NYC and was a classically trained pianist since age 5. Learned guitar, bass, and voice lessons and started producing music on a very old Mac by age 15. I ended up going to UCLA for music and then was in a band for many many years after graduating. I don’t think there’s ever been in a time in my life when I haven’t been making music.
Who do you draw the most influence from?
I have two pillars of inspiration for BIIANCO music — the first is emotional intensity. Whether it’s euphoria, rage, dejection, or limerence, I am a person who naturally feels things on 10 and I’ve always wanted my music to reflect that. A lot of dance music can be very surface-level emotionally, which is wild to me because people experiencing it in these spaces usually feel so much emotion! So, I’ve always wanted to stay true to that. The second inspiration is the 90s / Y2K trance culture. I love the combination of speed, melody, high-octave energy and emotion in that music. I think that’s always going to be my biggest sonic inspiration.
Your music style is so unique and energetic. How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music before?
High NRG trance cowboy whose music either makes you feel like you can do anything or makes you want to cry on the dance floor.
‘Against The Wall’ was such a hit! How did it feel to see it go viral and gain such incredible traction?
It was both a wild sense of validation and an immense feeling of pressure. For a while, a lot of gatekeepers were unsure where to put my new musical direction. It was either too hard or fast for the radio or too mainstream and hooky for the underground. So, when audiences blew it up it was really just so gratifying. A sense of, well, we told you so! From a different perspective, I felt so much pressure to continue to deliver results that exceeded expectations. I sort of woke up one day in December and was like nah I got this — and then Got Me Like went viral online a few months later.
The upcoming track ‘Got Me Like’ is described as a hyper-speed assault on the brain’s pleasure centres! Can you tell us a bit about the inspiration behind this track?
Musically, I wanted something fast with a relentless bassline paired with a really languid and almost gentle vocal. I think people think 150bpm needs to feel like an assault but I love the juxtaposition of the lazy, sensual vocal with the techno bounce. Thematically, the song showcases my commitment to my newly discovered trance / playful techno identity while still being vulnerable about my feelings towards finding my place in the music world. When I went viral, all these record labels showed up at my door and I wrote it from a place of trying to sort through what was real and who I should move forward with.
You’re known for your mad scientist tech skills in music production. Can you share a bit about your creative process when you’re in the studio?
I try to write at least 3 songs a week. I’m at a place now where I feel like I really know my sound so my palate of tones and musical elements to choose from is super specific. But honestly, what’s been happening lately is I’ll be out watching people perform or I’m going for long runs listening to people’s mixes and inspiration strikes and I go in the studio with a very very specific idea and execute it. This happened to me the other day when I was listening to a FJAAK set. I was like I need a song that dynamically moves its energy like that — that’s what’s missing from my set. And I went home and made it.
It’s amazing how you’ve overcome challenges like losing sight in one eye and continued to pursue your passion. What keeps you motivated during tough times?
Well, I feel like I was just on the brink of discovering my sound and was just starting to gain traction. So, when the accident happened I was like absolutely not this is a VERY inconvenient time to be interrupted and have this fire lit to move forward as quickly as I could. It meant very very long hours of relearning to play drums and instruments that really do require full eyesight. Only years later now, does the grief of losing my sight and learning to live with a disability fully hit me. I’ll find myself crying sometimes and be like oh what a delayed impact.
As a champion of inclusion in the industry, how important is it for you to represent diversity and queer identity through your music and platform?
To be honest, I’ve been queer my whole life so it’s really all I know. I think it comes naturally because if I’m being true to myself that’s just what I’ll choose. However, if I’m thinking with intention, I think it’s so important to represent diversity and queer community very fluidly. I think we’re all a bit exhausted of only being included when there’s a “diversity”, “queer” or “femme” title attached. True inclusion is seamless. I feel very passionately and intentionally about breaking down the performance of inclusion and helping build a music community where it just simply is.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from BIIANCO in the future? Are there any exciting projects or collaborations on the horizon?
I think this might be the most exciting moment in my life so far! So, this might be the most truthful time I’ve ever said my LORD fans can expect a lot. I have finished writing an entire mixtape which I’m releasing with Ultra and we’ll be bombarding ya’ll with it over the next year. I also have so many tour dates and festivals to announce all over the world and my team tells me we’re JUST GETTING STARTED. So, fans can expect that.