Profession: Singer-Songwriter, Lead Singer of Pink Martini, Icon
China Forbes, esteemed vocalist and accomplished singer-songwriter, has recently released The Road, her third solo album and first in 15 years. Born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts, China graduated cum laude from Harvard, where she was awarded the Jonathan Levy Prize for acting. Honing her artistic talents as an actor, China appeared in off-Broadway productions before dedicating herself to music. In 1995, Harvard classmate Thomas Lauderdale recruited her to join his band Pink Martini, and the two have since penned many of the group’s most cherished songs together.
The Road represents a deeply personal journey for China, featuring 11 original songs that traverse themes of self-discovery, growth, and acceptance. This collection of tracks, from delicate ballads to Americana-infused pop, displays China’s lyrical depth and emotional resonance, solidifying her status as a distinguished solo artist in addition to the velvet-voiced singer-songwriter of Portland’s favorite hometown band.
Artslandia: Can you share a defining moment from your childhood that ignited your passion for music?
China Forbes: When I was eight years old, my mother moved to New York to pursue an MBA at Columbia University, and I was left behind with my sister and my dad. That family schism is when I became an artist because it gave me something I needed to express. The longing for my mother coincided with discovering Donna Summer and purchasing her album Donna Summer Live and More with my own money. I listened to it obsessively and gazed at the pictures of her onstage, performing in glittery eyeshadow and beautiful feather gowns. It made me want to become a singer. I knew I would someday, but I didn’t pursue it right away. I performed in bands, choir, musical theater, and coffee houses throughout high school and college. I wrote songs, became a singer-songwriter, and then the lead singer of Pink Martini. But it all started with Donna Summer.
A: Can you share a bit about your journey as a performing artist in Portland? What drew you to this city, and how has it influenced your work?
CF: I first came to Portland to sing with Pink Martini about nine months after the band was founded. I had been living in New York City where I performed music downtown, schlepping my electric guitar and amplifier in taxis and living that kind of lifestyle. When I came to Portland, it was so cozy! Thomas introduced me to everyone, and I felt part of the community immediately. It’s where I learned to sing in front of a symphony orchestra and in almost 30 languages. It’s a great place to reflect and learn and take time, without the pressures of a hectic big city. I feel that art can really flourish in Portland within that nest, that embrace. I was able to make two solo albums in Portland and contribute to both the Portland community and the whole world with my music and Pink Martini’s music.
A: Diverse musical influences and multilingual repertoire are the hallmarks of your performances. How do you infuse your music with elements of different cultures and languages, and what inspires this eclectic approach?
CF: In Pink Martini, the musicians come from very different backgrounds. From classical, jazz, Afro-Cuban, pop, and rock—It’s fun to collaborate on arranging songs with so many different perspectives. All the languages we sing in infuse the music with so many cultural colors. It becomes addictive. You can do absolutely anything once you realize there are no limits, and you don’t have to fit into any categories or genres. That’s true musical freedom, and Pink Martini has carved that space for itself. Thomas is the inspiration for that. He founded Pink Martini as a global band that performs in different languages. The approach has grown over the years as we have toured worldwide. We learn songs from the places we perform to connect with the crowd, so our repertoire grows and grows.
"Music is probably the most powerful motor of social change, and inclusivity is a great place to start."
A: As we explore the theme of “Revival,” what role do you believe music plays in shaping Portland’s destiny?
CF: Music is, as I always say, as essential as water. The more music, the better, and Portland has a lot of bands! The Portland music community needs to keep doing what it’s doing because we’ve always been known as a music town. As prices increase and the cost of living goes up, we cannot afford to lose the artists who have always made Portland their home! From the bands to the symphony, and everyone in between, we must support the musical arts.
A: In what ways do you believe music and, specifically, your performances can address social challenges and bring positive change?
CF: Music is probably the most powerful motor of social change, and inclusivity is a great place to start. We’ve always been inclusive and open to all people—all cultures, all ages, all religions, all sexual orientations, and all political affiliations. Our fans comprise all of that and more.
There’s something different about words with music that gets into your soul and heart. A movie needs a soundtrack to heighten the emotion, just as lyrics need music. In a message of hope delivered musically, such as in our song Hang on Little Tomato, the melody supports the words so people can revisit them over and over in a way they wouldn’t with a poem. We have received so many letters from people who have expressed that they were ready to give up, but that song became the guiding light that enabled them to hang on, and now they’re in a better place. That’s just the best outcome we couldn’t ever hoped for.
A: What do you hope to accomplish in the future, both as a solo artist and as a member of Pink Martini?
CF: Looking ahead, I hope to make many more albums. I dream of making a classical/opera album, a children’s album, an electronic dance album—There are so many genres that I love and want to explore. Pink Martini is overdue for our next album, and I’m hoping we can get that done. It seems like Pink Martini will go on forever, so that will keep me busy.
I hope I am seen as an artist who brings joy to people as well as self-reflection, hope, and healing. Through my songs, I hope I can help destigmatize divorce, mental illness, and suicide. I feel privileged to create music that moves people. As challenging as the life of a musician is, I’ll say again that music is as essential as water. I feel lucky to make it.
