Joanna Wang | |
---|---|
Chinese name | 王若琳 (traditional) |
Pinyin | Wáng Ruòlín (Mandarin) |
Birth name | Wang Ruolin |
Born |
Taipei, Taiwan |
August 1, 1988
Other name(s) | Joanna, New Tokyo Terror, Chicken Joanna, Alferd Packer, Poocat |
Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
Genre(s) | Folk, jazz, pop, video game music, alternative |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano, kazoo |
Label(s) | Sony Music Taiwan |
Years active | 2008–present |
Parents | and Ginnie Fan |
Influenced by | Queen, Paul McCartney, Oingo Boingo, Yoeko Kurahashi, Video Game Music |
Website | www |
Joanna Wang (Chinese: 王若琳; pinyin: Wáng Ruòlín) is a Taiwanese-American singer-songwriter, daughter of renowned music producer (王治平). Born in Taipei but raised in Los Angeles, California, Wang dropped out from Gabrielino High School when she was 16. Her debut album, Start From Here, was released in January 2008 as a double-disc set, one in English and the other in Chinese. The album reached No.1 in Taiwan and has been popular throughout Southeast Asia. In June 2008, it was released in Japan. Her second album, Joanna & 王若琳, which includes her all-original endeavor, The Adult Storybook, was released in January 2009.
As she was raised in the United States, Wang was exposed to many classic pop music acts, including but not limited to: The Beatles, Queen, and Oingo Boingo. Among her major influences are Danny Elfman, Yoeko Kurahashi (倉橋ヨエコ), Paul McCartney, and video game soundtracks, most notably those from the Castlevania, Zelda, and Mario series. She has stated in her YouTube videos and in interviews that she dislikes her debut and rejects it as her own work.
Wang is a left-handed guitarist.