Indie folk singer-songwriter Clara Benin marked a new milestone in her career with the vinyl release of Befriending My Tears, her third full-length album originally released in 2023. The event, held on August 18 at Backspacer Records in Pasig City, doubled as a celebration of the record’s second anniversary and offered fans a chance to revisit one of her most personal projects to date.
Benin has been a steady presence in the independent music scene since she began performing at age 18. Across her discography including Human Eyes, Riverchild, I Rose Up Slowly, and Fragments, she has earned a reputation for introspective songwriting and a delicate yet assured presence on stage. Both her debut album and early EPs will mark their 10th anniversary this October, with a pair of shows scheduled at the Manila Metropolitan Theater on October 3 and 4. Against this backdrop, the vinyl pressing of Befriending My Tears feels like a timely and fitting way to honor her steady growth as an artist.
Return to Form
The vinyl launch at the newly expanded space of Backspacer Records was understated, mirroring the atmosphere of Benin’s performances: intimate, reflective, and rooted in connection rather than spectacle. The label’s team welcomed press and fans before Benin addressed the crowd with a brief message of thanks. While the album itself has been out for two years, the vinyl edition serves as a keepsake for longtime listeners, as well as a statement of how music can evolve in meaning when preserved in physical form.
By the afternoon, the space was filled with fans eager to hear Benin perform selections from the record, including standout tracks like “Blink” and “Affable Dork.” Backspacer Records, which has emerged as a hub for local vinyl culture, transformed into a listening venue reminiscent of Jess & Pat’s café in Teacher’s Village in Quezon City, a venue where Benin frequently played her material over the years. For one Sunday evening, the store’s walls — lined with records by OPM mainstays such as The Dawn, Paramita, Ciudad, The Itchyworms, and Kitchie Nadal — became the backdrop for Benin’s understated but deeply felt celebration.
For Benin, the opportunity to hold her own record on vinyl represents both a personal milestone and an affirmation of her artistry. “There’s something so timeless and classic about having a vinyl [record],” she told Rolling Stone Philippines. “Me and my sister started this thing where, every Sunday, we would have a vinyl listening party in her room, and we would just listen to records.” She added that while her sister gravitates toward electronic artists, their shared love of collecting physical formats has remained a point of connection.
The collaboration with Backspacer Records came about almost by chance. “I messaged Backspacer Records on Instagram one day to ask if they had a Novo Amor record,” Benin recalled. “This was last year, before I was going to see them live. They didn’t have it, but then they asked if I’d be open to producing vinyl with them. I said yes right away.” What began as a casual inquiry became an opportunity to extend her music’s reach in a form she had always admired.
Much of Benin’s work stands out because of its intimacy and sincerity. She has been consistent in describing her music as a personal extension of herself, shaped not only by her experiences but also by the trust she places in her closest collaborators. “I have a hard time collaborating because I’m very shy and reserved,” she explained. “When you’re creating art, you have to open your world to someone else. I was very specific about who I wanted to work with for this album because it’s deeply personal to me. Sam and Tim of One Click Straight, Gabba, and The Ringmaster, they’ve been really good friends of mine. They know me, and they understand the heart behind my music.”
