Biography

Ian Penn is a singer-songwriter from Mt. Arayat, Philippines. His songwriting was nurtured in the quiet of the countryhside and on wide open highways. Raised by a family of music lovers, he started writing songs at 16 inspired by Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. His onstage charisma and undeniable musicality captivated audiences, rapidly gaining him a following of fans in Metro Manila. A travelogue of songs written inspired during his travels on a nationwide tour in 2015 became his debut alt folk album "Water from the Creek". It was released to critical acclaim, being hailed for wistfully nostalgic songs and lush instrumentation, evoking memories of youth and freedom. The album was crowdfunded by overwhelming support, with the campaign earning 128% of its goal. His songs are proof that the art of crafting melodic songs with richly-constructed narratives are truly timeless, resonating across generations. With the heart of a wanderer, the itch to travel has led him to play shows nationwide from small, intimate venues to headlining shows at Teatrino, Greenhills. He embarked on his first solo Philippine tour in support of "Water from the Creek" playing in 30 cities from Luzon to Mindanao. After the tour ended, he released his debut poetry book 'What Happens to a Dream? Volume One' in the August of the same year. He toured across the country again to promote the book with his backing band, playing in independent bookshops and medium sized auditoriums.