George Zhen

Multi-instrumentalist George Zhen has been creating original music since childhood, including stints with bands such as Love Canal, Black Janet and Some People's Children. At long last, Zhen has harnessed his penchant for catchy song craft and directed it into a series of original musical works.

Growing up in that generational void between boomer and X, Zhen's musical influences have been guided by the path of popular music. As a child, AM Country from the family car's radio. As a stupid kid, Disco. As a teen, MTV New Wave, '60's Psychedelia and later Industrial. Needless to say, the result is a musical matrix ranging from the rootsy to the radical.

Zhen began writing songs on piano when he was 15 and joined his first band a year later. In the mid-80's, he formed Some People's Children with some friends and that began a 3 year stint working in the world of electronic music. His experience and comfort working in the realm of MIDI and drum machines can be traced to this period. After the band followed the curve of most mildly-successful local bands, it was dissolved and Zhen transformed himself to meet the organic needs of Black Janet.

Black Janet was the brainchild of South Florida landmark Jim Wurster whose moody melodies were translated into critically acclaimed studio and live performances. Zhen worked with the band during their formative years and the experience helped to reinforce his skills as a live player and studio arranger. It was during his stint with Black Janet that Zhen began playing acoustic guitar, and in the time since, it has become a favorite compositional tool.

As a side project designed to explore this newfound love of guitar, Zhen began The 12th of Never in 1991. A 4 track EP called Something Dragonfly was produced with purely acoustic instrumentation. The 12th of Never played many shows in support of Black Janet and its influence can be heard on Zhen's solo debut.

Never one to be typecast, Zhen began yet another electronic project in 1992 called Son of Elektra This melodic-industrial project also produced a 4 song EP From the Ruins of a Dark Sedan which gained critical acclaim for it's concept and daring execution.

1993-94 was a very busy time for George Zhen. Although he was no longer a full-time member of Black Janet, he was working with them helping arrange their third release, Love Thirsty. Son of Elektra was garnering press when another local outfit, Love Canal came calling.

Love Canal was very different than any band that Zhen had played with before. They were hard. They rocked like Soundgarden and wanted Zhen to add some melodic touches. Before too long, he was a full-time member throwing himself into rehearsals and dodging the maniac bass-player. Their efforts resulted in a strong local following and interest from Sony Music, who signed them to a development deal and put them on the road.

Zhen's work during this busy time didn't go unnoticed. In 1994, he garnered a prestigious South Florida Rock Award and a Jammy nomination for his studio keyboard work with Black Janet, his innovative Son of Elektra project and his work with Love Canal.

When Zhen's first child was born in 1994, his life an his priorities changed. Touring with Love Canal wasn't going to pay the bills, so he directed his creative skills into the multinedia industry. Although he effectively stopped playing in bands, he continued to write songs and work on honing his guitar skills. This is where his musical biography was supposed to end.

But something wicked happened.

In late 2001, he noticed spots in front of his left eye. Since his right eye was practically useless from amblyopia, this was concerning. By March of 2002, he was legally blind.

Robbed of his vision, Zhen threw himself into music and began writing the songs that would save his life - his first solo album, released in 2004. Solid songcraft and undeniable melodies made this work a defining piece for Zhen as a musician. it is honest, organic and at times ironic. Apart from what it is as a musical piece, it also served to prove to himself and the world that in spite of his visual impairment, Zhen could still produce meaningful, relevant original music.

In 2007, Zhen embarked on the massive undertaking of putting together a full-length concept album. "Dust of the American Pixel," released in early 2009, explores the difficult and dangerous relationship the human soul has with technology. Deep, brooding and innovative, "Dust…" garnered critical acclaim for it's breadth and scope.

Zhen took on the role of producer in 2008 for singer-songwriter Shawn Snyder's first full-length album, "Romantic's Requiem" where the multi-instrumentalist also added his skills as a pianist, guitarist and vocalist. During this period, George and Shawn performed together frequently throughout South Florida.

In the latter part of the decade, Zhen was brought in initially as a producer, than as an unofficial member of Kylewilliam Campol's imadethismistake project, which spanned a multitude of releases on CD and vinyl. While never touring with the band, George was instrumental in helping the band find its sound in the studio. Critically acclaimed and with a large global following, this band has toured the world and been quite successful in the DIY punk / folk scene.

In 2011, George Zhen released his most ambitious and refined album to date, "In Transit." An indie power-pop masterpiece, this album has married riveting storytelling to infectious, melodic compositions spanning influences ranging from The Beatles to Fleet Foxes. At times, it is pure brit-pop, and others something Doors-like in chaos and timbre.

Through all of this, Zhen remains rooted in his perspective as an artist who, while not world famous or Grammy-nominated, continues to improve his craft and speak his musical mind.

"If I won the lottery tomorrow, you know what I would be doing," he asks? "This, right here. This process of making music, of making albums in whatever form, is the most rewarding thing I will ever do artistically. This is me, absolutely, honestly, on my terms. It would be cool if people were to like it, but if not, who cares? Surely the alien anthropologists will dig it."

Maybe you will, too.