Posted in Music
Zoë Keating’s Symphonies of Strings
I am starting to make a career of seeing Zoë Keating play her cello in unusual places. I have seen her in the airport, in a small club, opening for Imogen Heap, at a music festival in a small theater, and now the most unlikely place of all, a church. That’s right someone figured out a way to get me to willing go into a church and I must say it was entirely worth it.
The night was made even more enjoyable by the presence of my niece and her husband. They went out to dinner that night and Sheri and I did a complete sell job to make him skip his homework. Yes, I admit to being a terrible influence. What’s worse is he is in the teacher credential program. We, of course, were trying to impart upon him the importance of having fun and not letting the job eat you up (this is of course complete bullshit to justify my unrelenting sales job. I would also like to add I cost them money as they were unable to resist buying an album when the show was over).
The church had great acoustics and I think of all the places I have heard Zoë play I might have enjoyed this one the most. The place was packed and she had the audience completely eating out of her hand. Her music is breath taking and it seemed to float through the air weaving its way through the room leaving a trail of joy. I love watching people listen to her music but nothing is more enjoyable then watching the children and young adults react to it.
I think Zoë’s music reaches them differently. She has taken something classical and placed it in their world. A merging of technology and music which astounds and perplexes as you sit there and try to comprehend how she produces the symphony of cello. I really think her music is transformative.
I am not a professional musician but I know a little bit about music and the music industry (I am also a legend in my own mind so you don’t get to argue that statement). Zoë Keating is very talented, humble, and a kind musician. I am sure she would be embarrassed about what I am going to write. I think sometime in the not so distant future of music we are going to look back at what Zoë is doing right now and realize how far ahead of the curve she was. She is a game changer and a trail blazer.
The way she makes her music. The way she makes her cello sing. The independence with which she has managed her career. These will be the blueprints people will be trying to duplicate for years to come. I am extremely honored to have had a chance to witness and hear her symphonies of strings. If you’re smart you will make sure you do too. Anytime you can get a classroom full of 5th graders (and now 6th graders) begging to hear cello music you know something special is going on.
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Zoë Keating’s Website (go and be amazed)
