Face2Face with Vienna Teng

Software engineer turned singer-songwriter finds life to be a big storyline

By Joe Nguyen and James Dann

Sept. 14, 2007

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Travelling with a band means there are more voices to give creative input. Teng said that during a 2006 tour, string musicians Dina Maccabee and Marika Hughes wanted to work Dolly Parton's hit, “9 to 5,” into a song.

“We originally wanted to put it in with the song, 'Whatever You Want,' which is about, among other things, working a desk job,” she said. “So '9 to 5' seemed like it would be appropriate.”

Unfortunately the two songs didn't mesh rhythmwise. Instead they combined it with another song and performed it in Charlotte, N.C.

“We thought, well, '1BR/1BA' would be fun and it also kind of has the same vibe as sort of going through a difficult time, but trying to be positive about it,” she said.

Blending songs is one thing, but Teng made a foray into hip-hop in 2006 when she teamed up with Asian-American hip-hop duo Magnetic North for the song “One 2 One” on their self-titled debut album. However, don't expect a solo project in Teng's future.

“I did really try to write some rap lyrics once and that was so embarassing,” she said. “It's going to stay deep in the closet.”

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Recently Teng moved to New York and she said she wants to sit down and further explore the capabilities of the piano.

“I fully intend to get myself a piano and start, really I wouldn't even say writing, but just playing again,” she said. “Playing somewhere other than onstage ... hopefully some good songs come out of it.”

Some of those songs may focus on subjects different than what Teng fans have become accustomed.

“I do feel like I want to write about things other than being 20-something or being lovelorn or breaking up or getting together with somebody,” she said. “Those are all well-trodded subjects.”

A topic she has broached is depression, something she said she had brushes with personally. But she said that there are certain aspects that she is unable to write about at this point in her career.

“I think a lot of the things that people go through are much more severe where they're a bit heavy for me to take on,” she said. “I think at this point, I would feel presumptuous trying to write about it – I think I need a few more years.”

Another topic Teng wants to write is one that is closer to her. One that follows the path of her life.

“I've wanted to write about the idea of being faced with a purpose that you know is a path that you have to go on and it's sort of terrifying versus not knowing at all what you're supposed to do,” she said.

There have been a number of different factors that have led her to where she is today – “a plot” as she described it. She said she has friends who struggle with finding their own path, and feels fortunate that there are indications leading her to the next stage.

“It's kind of a cool thing to be give a life where there are these signs that come up where clearly that's what I need to do,” she said.

Joe Nguyen is the editor in chief for AsiaXpress.com. Joe can be be reached at joe@asiaxpress.com.