Bianca Berkland is an exceptionally gifted, modern Jazz/Blues multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer originally from South Africa and England but now based out of Oliver, BC, Canada. Her growing presence in the Okanagan region over the past 4 years performing pop, rock and jazz cover songs ignited within her an endless ambition to share her own wealth of beautiful, original material. Bianca’s passion for Jazz music was first sparked from witnessing a local performance by Juno Award Winner, Kenny Blues Boss Wayne. After seeing him perform, Bianca took to immediately researching Jazz music, and began learning and singing the standards of Nina Simone and other Jazz and Soul artists. She was then asked to perform alongside Kenny Wayne and his band at their next local concert, and from there her passion for writing and sharing Jazz music – with her own pop sensibility, was forever sealed.
Who are some of your musical influences?
I would say Nina Simone is my biggest musical influence. She used music as a statement of freedom, equality and justice. As well as being a voice in the civil rights movement. It shows that music can make a difference, it’s not just words, it’s a message. Her music is a mix of jazz and classical style form. Similar to Nina Simone, I started off with a more classical style. I only got into jazz about 4 years ago, when I saw a jazz band perform. I never listened to much of it before that. I remember listening to them and thinking wow this is amazing, every instrument had their own solo and you can hear that soul in their voices. So deep and so real. After that I started looking up jazz artists, and Nina Simone was the one I resonated with the most. My hope is that, like Nina Simone, my music will reach those who need to hear it.
Do you start of with music or lyrics and why?
I normally start off with lyrics. It will start from a feeling and flow into lyrics. Or something will make me think of an idea or situation. For example with Black Bird, It literally started off with me seeing a black bird sitting on a pole. That’s what I started with and then the rest of the lyrics came after. Because I portray how I feel through music, its easier to get the feeling and lyrics out than the melody first. With saying that, I normally get an idea of the melody as I’m writing the song. A lot of people say I have different style of writing and melodic arrangements. Some would say it doesn’t comply with the normal music we hear today. Personally I think different is good, and if you’re getting the message and feeling across then that is what makes good music. It’s supposed to be free flowing, not marginalized.
Explain the title of your single
My single is called “Black Bird.” The black bird represents the “black sheep” of the herd. The one that doesn’t want to follow the norms of society, that sees clearly what is really going on. That we live in a world full of inequality, dishonesty and discrimination. The black bird wishes and visualizes for a more peaceful world of forgiveness, equality and sincerity. Using imagery I wanted the listener to also envision this beautiful world. I am a nature lover and explorer. So my happy, peaceful place is when I’m surrounded by nature, water, mountains etc. I happen to live in a beautiful place in Canada, hence the scenic imagery. It is also a cry for freedom but a realization that there is still good in this world. A glimpse of hope in this world today. It is a song written in a way, that you can visualize the story. I always feel as well that the listener should re-define what a song means to them, so that they can fully resonate with it.
What is the best way a fan can support you?
Fans can support me by purchasing and sharing my new single “Black Bird” and by following me on social media. I am currently on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. My EP Looking Glass is coming out in the new year, so please keep an eye out for that!
What is your vision for a more than just music industry?
Music is a powerful tool, it can make you feel good, empowered, and it can make you just ‘feel’ in general to a situation that you resonate with. It can make an impact on the way you think. My vision is that more artists take a stand and write even just one song encouraging us to live in a more forgiving world, something to make you want to be a better person. We need more kindness in society as I believe we live in a society governed by narcissistic and materialized beliefs. While I do love a good empowerment song every now and then, there are so many amazing song writers out there both under-rated and mainstream, that could write something to impact the way we think, to become the more sincere, genuine part of ourselves.
Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
I want to tour internationally, starting with England and Europe. Since I am partly from England, it would be amazing to tour around and see more of it while I visit family. I have also always wanted to visit Italy! So a Europe tour is definitely on my bucket list. Of course with current events it may be hard to do that, but I’m hoping in the next year or so I will be able to check that off my bucket list!