Cris Derksen is a young half-cree classically trained Canadian cellist whose captivating melodies and steadfast baselines have captured the attention of local and international audiences. She is a diverse musician, easily melding into hip-hop, rock, folk, country, or whatever type of music to bring an intense ball of musical passion to her work.
Using a loop station and effect pedals, she is able to create an inspiring multi-dimensional auditory experience. She uses her voice in spoken word and song to layer melodies on top of each other to construct a song form in a way that is uncharted for most classical players. Using sounds from her inherited past Cris mixes the traditional with the contemporary over and over again in both the cultural world as well as the music sphere.
Although Cris is an emerging artist, she has built up a strong resume performing at festivals such as WOMEX (World Music Expo) in Sevilla, Spain, with Inuit Throat Singer Tanya Tagaq. The Respect Festival and Colors of Ostrava in the Czech Republic. SXSW (South by Southwest), The Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Dawson City Music Festival, Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Brandon Folk Music Festival, APCMA (Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Awards, CAMA’s (Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards). As a Composer Cris has Composed for Karen Jamieson Dance, The Tomorrow Collective and Aerial Firedance Troupe; Firebelly Productions. She has also performed with international Hip-Hop artist Kayne West at GM place in Vancouver.
As a session musician her diversity continues as she has built up a strong resume recording with Tanya Tagaq on her Album Auk, the Album earned 2 Juno Nominations for Best Aboriginal Album and Best Instrumental Album. Rae Spoon, The Switfy’s, Kinnie Starr, Lightening Dust (Member’s of Black Mountain), Ladyhawk, Bison, E.S.L, Girl Nobody, Fan Death as well as working with Native composer Russell Wallace.
Cris obtained a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance at UBC and shared the Principle Cellist of the UBC Symphony Orchestra title.
Thanks for connecting and welcome to my circle of friends and colleagues where we discover new music without borders!
I hope you have a chance to explore my compositions and performing activities at my web site. You may also listen on the ReverbNation player: click here.
Just wanted to let you know that our debut album, InSight, is now finished and set to be released June 27. You can already now pre-listen to a few of the tracks only here on myspace! Also, check out our video for the song Down, down, down.
hey thanks 4 the add check out our new video and also you can subscribe to our youtube channel if you like http://www. youtube. com/Spynation10 have a nice day spy nation waiting free download on our page spread the word
missed you while you were here(calgary)like two months ago now...to bad would have been nice to have a drink, maybe next time. I hope all is well in the world of Cris! much love.
Hey Chris, great to run into you for a third ~ looking forward to collaborating and playing some music with you for our multi-media show at the Western Front (Friday, Jan 25th, 08)... Think you know any viola players who might also be into the project?
I should have written before, but I just wanted to mention I really, really enjoyed the show at the in the house festival, and so did my friend who came along (who'd never heard of you). It's too bad it was followed by such a mediocre guitar performance. Keep it up, we love your music.
The next exciting wave of Black Crow Project performances will be taking place as the feature series at RIME for the month of May! In addition to not-to-be missed celebrations of musicians and fans that have been heavily involved in this project since this past fall, the showcase provides ongoing support for developing further community building and social networks across Vancouver. The performances for this project have attracted media attention from the CBC, Swimming Upstream Podcast, and other possible community radio sources. A speaker from the Portland Hotel Society will also be at each event to raise further awareness about the role of the PHS in Vancouver’s community. Come one come all, and please bring a friend – as this project is sure to entertain and empower a collective of crows that flock from far and wide!
Please visit myspace.com/blackcrowproject/ for more info about the artists and organizations involved.
