Featured Artist: Carol Bui
Washington D.C. based singer-songwriter Carol Bui rocks out with fieriness on her second album, “Everyone Wore White.” A web programmer by trade, she has been writing songs since she was a teenager. As an Asian American woman of Vietnamese decent, the album title derives from her experiences as a child struggling with identity, something most of us can relate to. It’s the classic story of wanting to be white because we were all told by society that white was better so fair skin, big eyes, and double eyelids, among other things, were desirable. It was something we believed we wanted just to fit it, until we were able to understand where the pressure to assimilate came from and finally accepted the full beauty of who we were as Asian Americans. There is no need to wear white to be beautiful because we already are!
Some of her influences include Khanh Ly, PJ Harvey, Jeff Buckley, Stevie Nicks, and Billie Holiday.
I first heard Carol Bui on BPR when her a capella version of the traditional song “Qua Cầu Gió Bay” was played. The song is a beautiful display of her vocals and it immediately moved me even though I did not understand the lyrics. After looking up the translation, I found out that the song in English is “The Wind on the Bridge” and is a provocative story about an encounter with a boy. Because of this song, I had the impression that she would fit into a more traditional genre, but prepare yourself, it is more of a mix of alternative, folk, and indie rock. This was a pleasant surprise. To me, Carol is a perfect example of a raging, non-conforming, talented, intelligent, political, and empowered Asian American women with a voice. She speaks out against social conformity not only with her thought-provoking lyrics but also with the unique arrangements of her music as well. I love her on the guitar and the violin in her band adds another layer to the album. There is a fine balance of sensitivity and rage in “Everyone Wore White” that may be difficult for some to accept initially but once you abolish your expectations, this album will stir your emotions. I love an angry album once in awhile because when I am at my worst, I find strength from accepting my anger and sadness as a motivation to speak out and change. It can be therapeutic! Women like her give me the courage for voice, and voice is power. Rock on sister!
[Editor’s Note: Tune in on BPR’s stream to listen to tracks from Carol Bui. Top photo by Shervin Lainez.]
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Tags: CD, featured artist, Online Radio, Reviews.