Dru Chen
Background information
Also known asAndrew Chen
BornMelbourne, Australia
OriginSingapore, Singapore
GenresPop, Singer-Songwriter, Folk-Rock, Neo-soul, Electronic, R&B
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician, music producer, educator
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, violin
Years active2013–present
LabelsUniversal Music Publishing Group, Warner Music Group, The Black East, LINCH, Yung Lee Records

Andrew Chen[1] known professionally as Dru Chen is a Singapore-based Australian singer-songwriter, music producer, and an educator born in 1990.[2]

Biography

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Dru Chen was born in Eltham, Victoria, Australia. He is the son of first-generation immigrant Malaysian parents of Chinese descent. He attended Eltham Primary School. In 1998, his family moved to Singapore to start a new life. As a child, Dru played the violin and piano, picking up the guitar, bass, and singing as a teenager. Dru completed his International Baccalaureate in Overseas Family School, and completed his Bachelor of Music Technology at Griffith University in Brisbane, Queensland.[3]

Musical career

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Dru signed his production and songwriting contract with Universal Music Publishing Group,[4] has produced multiple albums and EPs for Warner Music Group. His songs and productions have been featured on albums by Tia Ray, Liu Yuning, Jackson Yee, and on soundtracks for League of Legends, and Roblox. As a solo artiste, Dru has performed on festival stages alongside the likes of D'Angelo, Babyface, Gentle Bones, Charlie Lim, Shye, Rangga Jones, and Chok Kerong at Singapore International Jazz Festival, Mosaic Music Festival, and Soulfest among others.[5] His 2023 album Slower Life garnered over multiple millions of streams on Spotify and was featured on articles and playlists for NME Asia,[6] Men's Folio,[7] Bandwagon,[8] The Straits Times,[9] ChannelNewsAsia,[10] and TED Conference.[11]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Mirror Work (2019)[12]
  • Slow Life (2021)[13]
  • Slower Life (2023)[14]
  • Mirror Work 2 (Upcoming)[15]
  • Intentions (2013)[16]
  • Spaces Between Us (2019)[17]
  • Our Story (2021)[18]

Singles

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  • You Bring Out The Best In Me (2013)[16]
  • Turnaround (2014)[16]
  • You Got It Babe (2015)[16]
  • Distant Memory (2018)[12]
  • When I Look Into Your Eyes (2019)[12]
  • Who We R (2020)[19]
  • Future Me + U (2020)[20]
  • Givin' It Up (2020)[21]
  • Replay (2021)[13]
  • Eiffel Tower (2022)[13]
  • Lost (2021)[13]
  • Summertime ft. Rangga Jones (2021)[13]
  • Show Me ft. Calvert Tay (2022)[14]
  • I'll Be Honest ft. Shye (2022)[14]
  • Why Can't I Help Me? (2023)[14]
  • Utopia Reimagined: If You Knew ft. Charlie Lim (2023)[14]
  • Connect The Dots ft. Gentle Bones (2023)[14]
  • Make It Alright ft. Gentle Bones (2024)[15]

Features

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  • DEON - Hold On ft. Dru Chen (2014)
  • Bitty - Californian Dream ft. Dru Chen (2015)
  • Kira Hooks - If You Got A Dream - Alt. ft. Dru Chen (2016)
  • DEON - Change Of Heart (Acoustic) ft. Dru Chen (2020)
  • Wovensound - Gather Round ft. Dru Chen, Ihasamic! (2023)
  • Kevin-T - Everything You ft. Dru Chen (2024)

References

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  1. ^ RaguramanCorrespondent, Anjali (2017-10-24). "Home-grown acts Dru Chen and Deon to tour Tokyo in December". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  2. ^ "Dru Chen". Dru Chen | Artist | Bandwagon | Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  3. ^ "The Unexpurgated interview with singer-songwriter Dru Chen". TODAY. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  4. ^ "UMPG China and Riot Games China partner on songwriting camp". www.musicweek.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  5. ^ "Foundation for The Arts Partnerships Dru Chen". Foundation for The Arts and Social Enterprise. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  6. ^ Rafid, Sabiq (2022-07-29). "Dru Chen and Shye confront their feelings on new collaborative single 'I'll Be Honest'". NME. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  7. ^ Shah, Sadiq (2023-07-01). "Dru Chen Longs for Simpler Times With His New EP "Slower Life"". Men's Folio. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  8. ^ Juanda, Iliyas (2023-07-07). "Dru Chen talks taking heed of his own advice, mixing his record himself, and collaborating with Gentle Bones, Rangga Jones, Shye, and more for third album 'Slower Life'". Dru Chen talks taking heed of his own advice, mixing his record himself, and collaborating with Gentle Bones, Rangga Jones, Shye, and more for third album 'Slower Life' | Articles | Hear65 - Home for Singaporean Music. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  9. ^ Correspondent, Eddino Abdul HadiMusic (2021-11-11). "My Perfect Weekend with singer Dru Chen". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  10. ^ "Daily Cuts - A look at Tina Turner's legacy". CNA. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  11. ^ "TEDxYouth@NgeeAnnPolytechnic | TED". www.ted.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  12. ^ a b c Correspondent, Eddino Abdul HadiMusic (2019-03-13). "Five things to know about Australia-born Singapore-based musician Dru Chen". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  13. ^ a b c d e Rafid, Sabiq (2021-11-05). "Dru Chen drops sophomore album 'Slow Life', unveils track with Gentle Bones". Dru Chen drops sophomore album 'Slow Life', unveils track with Gentle Bones | Articles | Hear65 - Home for Singaporean Music. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Shah, Sadiq (2023-07-01). "Dru Chen Longs for Simpler Times With His New EP "Slower Life"". Men's Folio. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  15. ^ a b "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  16. ^ a b c d "Dru Chen: Performing is a big release for him". TODAY. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  17. ^ Vadivelu, Deepa d/o Chevi (2019-05-17). "Dru Chen Performs His Most Intimate Concert Yet At 'Spaces Between Us'". DANAMIC. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  18. ^ Goh, Bryan (2021-08-06). "Dru Chen's EP Titled "Our Story" is Here to Give You Feels". Men's Folio. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  19. ^ outnowcontact (2020-06-27). "Dru Chen kickstarts the new decade with his brand new single, "Who We R"". Out Now Magazine | Music News - Charts , Festivals & Clubs. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  20. ^ Goh, Bryan (2020-09-11). "Dru Chen on His Latest Single Future Me + U". Men's Folio. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  21. ^ Singh, Surej (2020-10-30). "Dru Chen enlists Prince collaborators Dr. Fink and Harts for groovy new single, 'Givin' It Up'". NME. Retrieved 2024-07-12.