Bic Runga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bic Runga MNZM
Bic Runga performing in Auckland, New Zealand
Born	Briolette Kah Bic Runga (1976-01-13) 13 January 1976 (age 49) Christchurch, New Zealand
Spouse(s)	Kody Nielson
Children	3
Relatives	Boh Runga (sister)
Musical career
Genres	Pop rock, folk rock
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, drums
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Sony New Zealand, Columbia

Briolette Kah Bic Runga (born 13 January 1976), known as Bic Runga, is a talented singer, songwriter, and musician from New Zealand. She plays many instruments, including guitar and drums. Her first three studio albums all reached number one on the New Zealand music charts. Her song "Sway" from 1997 also became popular in Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.

Early Life: Growing Up with Music

Bic Runga was born in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her mother, Sophia Tang, was a singer from Malaysia. Her father, Joseph Te Okoro Runga, was a Māori ex-serviceman and a self-taught pianist. They moved to New Zealand, where Bic grew up.

Her name, "Bic," means "the colour of jade" in Chinese. You say it like "Bec."

Bic grew up in Hornby, Christchurch. Her family loved music, and she started recording songs with her older sisters, Boh and Pearl, when she was just four years old. Boh later became the singer for the New Zealand rock band Stellar. Pearl is also a professional singer.

Bic learned to play drums at age eleven and guitar around fourteen. She also learned keyboard to play in jazz bands. She joined high school bands while attending Cashmere High School.

Music Career: From Early Days to Stardom

Starting Her Music Journey: Early Career and Drive

In 1993, Bic Runga and a friend, Kelly Horgan, entered a music competition called Smokefreerockquest. They came in third place and won a music contract. Bic then recorded her first collection of songs, called an EP, titled Drive.

She later moved to Auckland in 1994. There, she spent a year writing and performing her songs in cafés.

In 1995, Bic sent a new demo of her song "Drive" to Sony Music. They signed her, which means they offered her a record deal. "Drive" is a beautiful, emotional pop song that she wrote just before her first performance in Auckland. It became a Top 10 hit in New Zealand and won her the APRA Silver Scroll award in 1996.

Bic then released "Bursting Through", which was the first song from her first album, also called Drive. The album came out in 1997. Two of her songs, "Sway" and "Good Morning Baby" (a duet with Dan Wilson), were used in popular movies like American Pie and Cruel Intentions. "Sway" was released in many countries, including New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Germany.

Continued Success: Beautiful Collision and Birds

Bic Runga performing in Dublin in 2004

In 2000, Bic Runga toured with other famous New Zealand musicians, Tim Finn and Dave Dobbyn. They released a live album together called Together in Concert: Live, which was very popular.

Bic released her second solo album, Beautiful Collision, in 2002. It went straight to number one on the New Zealand charts and sold incredibly well.

Her third album, Birds, came out in 2005. Other New Zealand artists like Neil Finn and Anika Moa helped with the album. The first song from it, "Winning Arrow", was released on the same day. Birds also debuted at number one, making it her third album in a row to do so.

In 2005, Bic also acted in the film Little Fish. She played a Vietnamese lounge singer and sang a cover song for the movie's soundtrack. In 2006, she received a special honour, being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for her contributions to music.

In 2008, Bic released Try to Remember Everything. This album was a collection of songs she hadn't released before, new songs, and rare recordings from 1996 to 2008.

Later Works: Belle and Anthology

Bic Runga also helped create music for the New Zealand film My Wedding and Other Secrets (2011). Her fourth album, Belle, was released in November 2011. After its release, Bic went on a tour across New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

A "greatest hits" album, called Anthology, was released in 2012.

In 2015, Bic released a new song called "Dreamed a Dream." She worked on this song with Hollie Fullbrook from the band Tiny Ruins. They also toured New Zealand together, performing their own songs and covers of other artists.

Hall of Fame: A Special Honour

In October 2016, Bic Runga announced a new album called Close Your Eyes. It featured ten cover songs and two new original tracks. The song "Close Your Eyes" was released as a single.

In November 2016, Bic Runga was given a very special award: she was inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. This honour celebrates musicians who have made a huge impact on New Zealand music. The CEO of Recorded Music NZ said that Bic is one of New Zealand's most loved artists. Her songs are easily recognized and have been a part of New Zealand's music scene for over 20 years.

Personal Life

Bic Runga is in a relationship with drummer Kody Nielson. They have three children together. As mentioned, her two sisters, Pearl Runga and Boh Runga, are also musicians.

Honours

In the 2006 New Year Honours, Bic Runga was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to music.

Discography

Studio albums

• Drive (1997)
• Beautiful Collision (2002)
• Birds (2005)
• Belle (2011)
• Close Your Eyes (2016)

Compilation albums

• Try to Remember Everything (2008)
• Anthology (2012)

Live albums

• Together in Concert: Live (with Tim Finn and Dave Dobbyn) (2000)
• Live in Concert with the Christchurch Symphony (with The Christchurch Symphony) (2003)

With Opossom

• Electric Hawaii (2012)

New Zealand Music Awards

The New Zealand Music Awards are given out every year to celebrate amazing musical achievements in New Zealand.

See also

In Spanish: Bic Runga para niños