Biography
Blake Chen fused trip-hop, goth, and rock elements, propelled by his fascination with humanity's darker sides and music's shadowy edges, which drew swift notice beginning with the 1997 debut An Immigrant Song on Snakeweed Records. Haunted arrived soon after. Born in Singapore, Chen produced surrealistic works that elicited immediate, visceral responses from listeners. Self-styled "The Haunted Troubadour," his vibrant sound gained traction with Shadow, released on WHIMusic Records in 2000. The album wove techno, acoustic rock, and goth into a turbulent blend. Lyrics charged with earnest, personal intensity helped Chen secure worldwide notice rapidly. In that period he also joined the eclectic Detroit project N2 Submission. A University of Michigan graduate, Chen wore a black cape for performances and album imagery, shaping a Jedi-like aura of mystery and intrigue. Press interviews found him openly citing the influence of bands like Portishead, Beck, and Moby. Early 2002 brought The Hungry Ghost. Metal overtones merged with synthesizers and Chen's singer/songwriter foundations on the record. Its twelve tracks extended his daring, ominous musical path.
Albums
