Lara Veronin

Lara Veronin (born May 2, 1988[1]), more frequently known as Lara Liang (Chinese:梁心頤), is a mixed Taiwanese singer and celebrity. Her mother is Taiwanese and her father is Russian American.

Lara Veronin
梁心頤
Lara Veronin at ICRT in 2019.
Background information
Birth nameLara Veronin
Also known asLara Liang (梁心頤)
Born (1988-05-02) May 2, 1988
California, United States
GenresPop, Folk rock
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, actress
InstrumentsGuitar
Years active2004–present
LabelsAlfa Music (2004–2009)
JVR Music (2009–2013)
Meimeiwawa Multimedia (2013–present)
Associated actsNan Quan Mama

Career

Nan Quan Mama

Lara was born in California, United States in 1988, and she moved back to Taipei, Taiwan with her older sister, Esther Veronin, and her parents in 2001, where she graduated from Taipei American School in 2006.

Having participated in music performances and music groups from a young age, Veronin was discovered in 2005 by Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou and became the female frontman in Chou's second iteration of his band project: "Nan Quan Mama".[2] That same year, Lara also skyrocketed to fame when she released a duet with Jay Chou titled "Coral Sea" (Chinese:珊瑚海|p=Shān Hú Hăi).[3] In Nan Quan Mama, Veronin acted not only as performer but often also as songwriter and/or lyricist, where she collaborated often with bandmate Chase Chang (Chinese:張傑|p=Zhāng Jíe) on creating tracks.

During this time, Veronin also made her first forays into acting, having starred in 2006 Taiwanese drama series Engagement for Love (Chinese:《愛情經紀約》|s=《爱情经纪约》|p=àiqíng jīngjì yuē) with Alex To and Ambrose Hsu.[4] She also was lead actress in 2012 Taiwanese drama series "Alice in Wonder City" (Chinese:《給愛麗絲的奇蹟》|p=gěi aìlìsī dė qíjī).[5]

JVR Music

In 2009, Lara left Nan Quan Mama and started her solo career at Jay Chou's label, JVR Music. On December 6, 2010, she formally released her first solo album, "Hello Lara Liang" (Chinese:《Hello 梁心頤》).[6] Of the eleven songs on the album, one of the songs was an original that her father wrote when he was 19.[7] On October 29, 2012, Lara released her second solo album titled "Free Spirit" (Chinese:《自由靈魂》),[8] where she started participating in musical and creative direction, composing, and producing as well as in the styling and marketing aspects of album release. Her second album also boasted 11 songs, and she even collaborated with former Nan Quan Mama bandmate Chase on one of the songs, "Fragments"(Chinese:《碎片》|p= suì piàn).

The independent multimedia firm started by Lara and sister Esther Veronin

Meimeiwawa Multimedia

After much deliberation, Veronin decided to leave JVR Music in 2013 and founded Meimeiwawa Multimedia[9] (Chinese:妹妹娃娃多媒體|p=mèimèiwáwá dūoméitǐ; "Meiwa Media" for short) with her sister Esther Veronin. Meiwa Media, while simultaneously doubling as Lara's record label and talent agency, also operates as a creative platform putting out content in music, entertainment, and various other subjects. Over the years, the company has put out several visual ventures such as short films, vlogs, and an internet faux-reality web series, titled "Meiwa Diaries".[10] Temporarily setting aside music, Lara joined her sister in the ranks of film production and co-wrote a micro movie titled "TAWKI: Taipei As We Know It",[11] where she also played Holly, the lead. Since then, the Veronin sisters have put out multiple short films and micro movies with Lara as lead actress, including the 2014 production "Who Killed Joanna Wang?" starring Joanna Wang as well as the 2015 productions "Still Better Than Love" and "She Wore Red", which won the award for Best Cinematography in the Tainan 39-Hour Short Film Contestival.[12]

In 2015, Lara released her first single under the Meimeiwawa Multimedia label, a song called "Dida".[13] The accompanying music video was filmed in Taipei and directed by Esther Veronin. The video was selected as the theme song to the "Fluid Sexuality International Film Festival" in 2015 due to the face that it touched upon LGBT themes, something both Veronin sisters have publicly expressed support for.[14] The song was also released in collaboration with Red Cross Society of the Republic of China where a limited amount of physical albums were released for sale, and all profits went towards donations for the Red Cross.[15]

Over the next two years, three more of Lara's singles were released under Meiwa Media:

  • 2016《Where Do We Go》[16]
  • 2017《Play/Turn》
  • 2017《Sunshine》

In 2018, the Veronin sisters decided to challenge themselves by making Lara's third solo album, "Thousand-Faced Beast" into a feature-length film titled "Tomorrow's Star".[17] While Lara takes her debut on the silver screen, once again, as lead actress, she and Esther do not forget to focus on their imperative of empowering females in the independent art industry.[18] Other actors include known Taiwanese celebrities such as Mathilde Lin, Johnny Lu, Denny Huang, Phoebe Yuan, and Stephen Rong. All eight songs and their music videos from the album were woven into the movie in a manner akin to musical films, and four of the songs ("Thousand-Faced Beast", "Watch Out", "Precious Pain", and "No Absolutes") were also released separately as digital singles.[19]

Personal life

Besides voice acting for Disney, Veronin has dabbled in hosting for television and radio, as well as contributed articles to magazines. She stated that one of her first passions was, and is, writing and she hopes to pursue this in various ways in the future.

On May 29, 2015, Veronin's mother died after collapsing from a cardiac stress test due to complaints of chest pain.[20]

Solo Concerts

Since the release of her first album "《HELLO 梁心頤》" in 2010, Lara has been active in live performances. In 2015 she also took up a residency at Brown Sugar Jazz Club with sister Esther Veronin. While sometimes she performs with a backing track out of convenience, she tries to perform with a live band whenever possible.

Lara also performs frequently at schools and commercial events around Taiwan, as well as in Malaysia, Australia, and North America. Oftentimes during her solo performances, she also invites friends to join her onstage. Some performers that she's collaborated with in live gigs include, but are not limited to: Joanna Wang, Dawen,[21] Maxine Chi, Alex Ni, DJ Noodles, and Haor.[22]

Taiwan Solo Concerts
Series Years Month Day Venue City
《HELLO 梁心頤》Concert2010December10Eslite Bookstore MusicstoreTaipei
12Dream Mall Oval PlazaKaohsiung
2011April3Riverside CaféTaipei
US Cotton Concert2011June3Legacy TaipeiTaipei
《Freedom Flower》Music Party2012November17Park of SouthTainan
18Chungyo Department StoreTaichung
24Hanshin Arena Shopping PlazaKaohsiung
25Taipei Metro Tamsui metro station Back PlazaNew Taipei City
December7ThERE CAFÉTaoyuan
28Ximen Riverside CaféTaipei
《In Amalgamy》 Concert2014January18Legacy TaipeiTaipei
《Dida》 Mini Concert2015January30Ximen Riverside CaféTaipei
Voice Up Concert2016May8Legacy TaipeiTaipei
《Where Do We Go》 Rooftop Concert2017February4「ATT 4 FUN」FRANK TaipeiTaipei
《Because Of You》 Concert2017October1Woolloomooloo Out WestTaipei
Sofar Sounds Taipei2018April22Believer Café & BarTaipei
Discover Asia – 《Thousand-Faced Beast》Concert2018November11Syntrend Creative Park Clapper StudioTaipei

Work in Music

While she was with Nan Quan Mama, Lara took part in the creation and performance of four albums, all distributed by Alfa Music and Sony Music. After leaving Nan Quan Mama, Lara released two solo albums under JVR Music, and then one more solo albums under Meimeiwawa Multimedia after she left JVR in 2013. She has also received some accolades from competitions or general outstanding musicianship.

Albums

Nan Quan Mama
Year Album Name
(Chinese)
Album Name
(English)
Distribution
2005《南搞小孩》《Problem Children》Alfa Music & Sony Music
2006《藏寶圖》《Treasure Map》Alfa Music, YaLu Music, & Sony Music
2007《調色盤》《Color Palette》Alfa Music & Sony Music
2008《2號餐》《Meal no. 2》Alfa Music & Sony Music
Solo
Year Date Album Name
(Chinese)
Album Name
(English)
Distribution Note
2010December 6《HELLO 梁心頤》《HELLO Lara Liang》
JVR Music
2012October 29《自由靈魂》《Free Spirit》
JVR Music
2018October 23《千面獸》《Thousand-Faced Beast》Meimeiwawa MultimediaOctober 23 is digital, physical
release is December 5, 2018 (2018-12-05)

Non-Album Music

Apart from releasing music in albums, Lara also has physical and digital singles, both released and unreleased. Three unreleased singles were written as spokesperson brand theme songs.

Solo Singles
Year Month Title Distribution Type Note
2010 November 《我沒有+Where Have All The Flowers Gone》 JVR Music及Sony Music Taiwan Digital & Physical
December 《Everything》 JVR Music及Sony Music Taiwan Physical
2012 May 《Darling》 JVR Music及Sony Music Taiwan Digital & Physical
October 《Free Spirit》 JVR Music及Sony Music Taiwan Digital
2013 March 《Dream Garden》 JVR Music及Sony Music Taiwan Digital
2014 December 《Dida》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital
2016 December 《Where Do We Go》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital & Physical
2017 February 《Where Do We Go (Soul Remix)》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital Feat. TroutFresh & SmashRegz
April 《Where Do We Go (Ukulele Version)》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital Ukulele version
August 《Play/Turn》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital
September 《Sunshine》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital
October 《Realization》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital with JerryC
2018 August 《Thousand-Faced Beast》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital
September 《Watch Out》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital
《Precious Pain》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital
October 《No Absolutes》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital
2019 January 《Open Heart (Terry Zhong Remix)》 Meimeiwawa Multimedia Digital
Brands & Shows Jingles
Year Month Title
(Chinese)
Title
(English)
Performer Credit Note
2009January《眼鏡寶貝》《Glasses Baby》Nan Quan MamaLyrics"Formosa Optical" Jingle
2012May《夢織花園》《Dream Garden》Lara LiangLyricsOpening theme for 《Alice in Wonder City》
2012September《悄悄佔據你》《Taking Over Slowly》Lara LiangToplineTheme for micro movie 《Taking Over Slowly》

Awards and Accolades

Year Event Award
2008KKBOX Digital Music ChartsChinese Singles Charts 3rd Place 《Rainy Day》
20112010 Annual Sprite China Original Pop Music Chart Awards《Newcomer Award 2010》
201610th "Music King" Awards Ceremony《Most Improved Singer》
2018Pop Awards New Flow Annual Awards《Best Singer – Electronica》

Songwriting

Lara has taken on the bulk of her own songwriting as well as occasionally writing for other musicians on their works.

Songwriting Credit
Year Month Album (Chinese) Album (English) Performer Title (Chinese) Title (English) Credit
2005May《2號餐》《Meal no.2》Nan Quan Mama《寫給巧克力的歌》《A Song for Chocolate》Topline
August《調色盤》《Color Palette》Nan Quan Mama《TONIGHT》Lyrics
2006MayNan Quan Mama《水晶蜻蜓》《Crystal Dragonfly》Topline
July《調色盤 (影音加值搖滾盤)》《Color Palette》(Special)Nan Quan Mama《Rock》Lyrics
2007July《藏寶圖》《Treasure Map》Nan Quan Mama《湘南海鷗》《Xiangnan Seagull》Lyrics
《公主戀愛手冊》《A Princess's Guide to Love》Lyrics
《Here We Go》Lyrics
《泡沫》《Bubbles》Topline
2008July《南搞小孩》《Problem Children》Nan Quan Mama《下雨天》《Rainy Day》Lyrics
2009October《袁詠琳Cindy同名專輯》《Cindy Yen》Cindy Yen《雨後天空》《Sky After Rain》Lyrics
《笨魚》《Dumb Fish》Lyrics
2010December《HELLO 梁心頤》《HELLO Lara Liang》Lara Liang《Everything》Lyrics
《胡椒與鹽》《Salt & Pepper》Lyrics
《我不再怕》《Not Scared Anymore》Lyrics
《當秋天遇上秋天》《When Autumn Meets Autumn》Lyrics
《John》Lyrics
《貝殼》《Seashell》Topline
《Crescent City》Lyrics
《小樹》《Little Tree》Lyrics
《奇妙》《Magical》Lyrics
2011October《樂酷.概念合輯》《Cool Music.Concept》梁心頤《4Chords》Topline
《2 be Different》Cindy Yen《我想要迷路》《I Want to Get Lost》Lyrics
2011October《I'm Not A Gentleman》Gary Yang《Someday You'll See》Lyrics
Lara Liang & Gary Yang《黑色靜態》《Static Black》Lyrics
December《自由靈魂》《Free Spirit》Lara Liang《Talking》Topline
《自由靈魂》《Free Spirit》Lyrics
《Darling》Topline
《蘋果》《Apple》Lyrics
《蛻變》《Metamorphoses》Topline
《碎片》《Fragments》Lyrics
《骨頭》《Bones》Topline
《不敢哭》《Don't Dare Cry》Lyrics
《舒適的牢籠》《Comfortable Cage》Lyrics
2014December《滴答》單曲《Dida》 SingleLara Liang《滴答》《Dida》Lyrics
2016December《Where Do We Go》EPLara Liang《Where Do We Go》Topline
2017August《千面獸》《Thousand-Faced Beast》Lara Liang《玩轉》《Play/Turn》Topline
September《陽光》單曲《Sunshine》 SingleLara Liang《陽光》《Sunshine》Topline
2018October《千面獸》《Thousand-Faced Beast》梁心頤《千面獸》《Thousand-Faced Beast》Topline
《蹦蹦蹦》《Watch Out》Lyrics
《最愛的痛》《Precious Pain》Lyrics
《沒有絕對》《No Absolutes》Lyrics
《明日之星》《Tomorrow's Star》Lyrics
《閉眼》《Eyes Closed》Topline
《忘掉》《Forget》Topline
《心打開》《Open Heart》Topline
November《Burn》Lyrics
《Eyes Closed》Lyrics
《Fight》Topline

Filmography

Apart from being a singer and songwriter, Lara has also participated in many cinematic projects ranging from music videos to TV series and musicals before even starting her multimedia company.

Naturally once she established Meimeiwawa Multimedia, she started taking on the role of writer as well as producer on certain ventures. In her 2018 joint project with her sister of the 《Thousand-Faced Beast》and《Tomorrow's Star》 double feature, she also took up the role of lead actress in her first feature-length film.

Television
Year Month English title Chinese title Role
2006NovEngagement For Love《愛情經紀約》Xuan Meng Tiao
2012MayAlice in Wonder City《給愛麗絲的奇蹟》Lan Die Fei
Micro Films
Year Month Title (Chinese) Title (English) Role Note
2012Apr愛情的兩張臉《Two Faces of Love》Lara Liang/Xiao PCollaboration with Pond's
2012Sep《悄悄佔據你》《Slowly Taking Over》Guan Xin JueCollaboration with Test Rite
2013Sep台北據我們所知(番外篇) – 果汁刮刮樂》《TAWKI: Taipei As We Know It – Scratch & Win》Holly
2014May《下流社會》《Lower Society》Doudou
2014Oct誰殺了王若琳《Who Killed Joanna Wang?》Lara LiangWon 「Best Costume」&「Best Music」at 48 Hour Film Project Taipei
2015Spr《She Wore Red》HerWon「Best Cinematography」at Tainan 39-hour Film Contestival
2017Jul比真愛還好《Still Better Than Love》Tang
Feature-Length Film
Year English title Chinese title Role Notes
2011Tangled《魔髮奇緣》Rapunzel (Voice)Mandarin version
2018《Tomorrow's Star》《明日之星》LssseCinematic Visual Album

Musicals and Music Videos

Musicals
Year Month Title (Chinese) Title (English) Role
2015May《小時代音樂劇》《Little Age Musical》Gu-Li
Music Video Features
Year Month Artist Title (Chinese) Title (English)
2005NovJay Chou《珊瑚海》《Coral Sea》
2008NovJay Chou《蛇舞》《Snake Dance》
2012JulJay Chou《琴傷》《Piano Pangs》
DecGary Yang《黑色靜態》《Black Static》
Jay Chou《大笨鐘》《Big Ben》
2013JanJay Chou《比較大的大提琴》《An Even Larger Cello》
MayWhat Century《愛情不是偶像劇》《Love is Not a TV Drama》

Behind the Scenes

Production Roles
Year Month Role Type Title
2013SepScreenwriterMicro movie《TAWKI: Taipei As We Know It – Scratch & Win》
2013OctProducerMicro movie《House of Champions》
2015AprProducerMicro movie《She Wore Red》

Brand Collaborations

Spokesperson Advertising

Year Brand/Product Region Note
2005Hi-Life Convenience StoreTaiwan
2006Piaggio PGO ScootersTaiwanTheme song:《Pink First Love》
Motorola CellphoneTaiwanTheme song:《ROCK》
2007FamilyMart Food CommercialTaiwan
Coca-ColaAsiaChinese theme song
2010 Shanghai World ExpoGreater ChinaPromotional Video
2008Angels Online 2】MMOTaiwanAnnual Spokesperson
Motorola A810 Chinese Handwriting TabletTaiwan
Kosé-FasioTaiwanRegional Spokesperson
2009Formosa OpticalTaiwanTheme Song:《Glasses Baby》
2010FarEasToneTaiwanTablet Commercial + Theme Song
Guide Dog AngelsTaiwanTheme Song:《When Autumn Meets Autumn》
2011CottonUSATaiwanAnnual Spokesperson
Young Ladies' WearTaiwanAnnual Spokesperson
Clarins Instant SmoothTaiwan
Pond's Perfect MatteHong Kong & TaiwanAnnual Spokesperson
7-Eleven Hot DrinkTaiwan
2012Pond's Perfect MatteHong Kong & TaiwanAnnual Spokesperson
Test RiteTaiwanMicro movie《Taking Over Slowly》
Kaohsiung Flora Art ExpoTaiwan
Master Kong Mini PuffsGreater China
2013Pond's Perfect MatteHong Kong & TaiwanAnnual Spokesperson
2017J&V WatchesTaiwanTheme Song:《Play/Turn》

References

  1. "Lara Liang Veronin, Born 05/02/1988 in California". californiabirthindex.org.
  2. "梁心颐". Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  3. "Jay Chou Studio : Translation Of Coral Sea". Retrieved January 29, 2010.
  4. 《爱情经纪约》试片 杜德伟许绍洋扮椅子 Sina Corp影音娛樂
  5. 後台直擊/天王的女人同台競豔 夏如芝海鮮裝突圍 ETtoday星光雲
  6. "梁心頤( Lara )". Mojim. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  7. 梁心頤單飛出輯 玩有機音樂 大紀元
  8. 梁心颐发第二张大碟 自创名词“茧居人”(图) Sina Corp新浪音樂
  9. "【創意人房間】梁心頤&梁妍熙:城市裡的禪意生活 | Simple Life". www.simplelife.streetvoice.com. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  10. "Meimeiwawa Multimedia Introduces New Genre Faux Reality". Hello Asia Net. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  11. 妹妹娃娃推出第一個 TAWKI系列作品『果汁刮刮樂』 Lara梁心頤FB
  12. "Lai awards filmmakers with Tainan accolades". China Post. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  13. "今日最song:Lara梁心頤 (滴答)". 中時電子報.
  14. "Lara姊妹超麻吉 錯當蕾絲邊". Liberty Times Net. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  15. 【暖心系才女】Lara梁心頤2015首張公益EP『滴答』替紅心字會公益發聲,助弱勢兒童 蕃薯藤Yam News
  16. "Lara Veronin Releases New Single 'Where Do We Go' After Four Years, Announces New Musical Direction". Hello Asia Net. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  17. 林辰唏遇潛規則 被邀飯局「我講不出好話!」 Girl愛女生
  18. 梁心頤揭演藝圈潛規則 新片導演、攝影皆女性 EBC東森新聞
  19. 梁心頤本名交友被檢舉 慘遭撤銷帳號 Liberty Times
  20. "Lara Liang(梁心頤)'s Mom Passes Away From Heart Attack During Physical AHMIKE.COM | 阿咪 – Hong Kong TVB Entertainment News in English". www.ahmike.com. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  21. Lara被爆喝醉抱王若琳大腿 「妳是我的對象」 Apple Daily |language=zh
  22. Lara開唱找3嘉賓助陣 展現百變音樂風格 鏡週刊
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