Rachel Arnold-cello, viola da gamba, kithara, adapted viola, bowed psaltery
Influences
The planet, cute objects, weird things, good conversations, pretty sounds.
Sounds Like
This particular track is me improvising in the studio of Nicholas Chase in Val Verde, CA. Actually, some of it is Nick's composition, "Fragment," for dance. But it's all layered and messed with. I also brought my viola da gamba to his house once and improvised...I think it's thrown into this mix...
WHIMSICAL EXCURSION BOATS! 'Tis the new Brad Dutz album! Released on pfMentum! Get it today! www.braddutz.com! (available very soon... late November mehinks...) p.s. I designed the album cover (i.e. I made the clay creatures)
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I grew up in Glendale, CA on Burchett St. I used to like calling it "Bird Shit Street." My mom is my best friend.
I went to Mark Keppel Elementary School, which is where I was introduced to the cello in the fourth grade. Mrs. Pinkston, a crunchy old lady who always wore a curly-brown wig and stockings, was the music teacher. Initially I wanted to play the flute (because the "Pan" character in King's Quest IV played the flute), but only fifth-graders were allowed to play the flute so I chose the cello. I had a lot of fun with it, dug playing in the kiddie-orchestra, and finally ended up taking private lessons with a slave-driving Suzuki teacher who shall remain nameless. She was a great teacher but kind-of insane and so I switched teachers. Blah blah blah, I got older and still played cello, went through the whole awkward junior-high thing, got way nerded-out in high school, worked at the Metzler violin shop in Glendale, joined youth orchestras and chamber groups around Los Angeles County, and at some point decided that I couldn't not do music for a living. So I went and got my Bachelor's in music, have done really fun/neat/nifty projects, and I am very grateful for that. I also taught cello through the Harmony Project in Hollywood and at a Korean music school in Valencia. It was great. I also got into microtonal music a couple of years ago and joined a Harry Partch cover-band. Really yummy music.
Even though the LA-thang was working for me, I decided to run away to Boston and get my MM at the Longy School of Music. Woo! Me all done with school now. So now I perform with the Juventas Ensemble, Partch Ensemble, Brad Dutz Ensemble (when I'm in LA), and I teach at Page Music (Boston), Lexington Prep School, and I have my own private studio. It's pretty neat.
Oh yeah and I do yoga. A lot. I'll be a certified yoga instructor....in a few months...
It can be so tempting to just go through the motions sometimes... especially when you're living a dream... or (in the oh too common scenario) dreaming about chasing your dreams while chasing the means to acquire them... or the next best thing... or maybe just anything…
Yes, I know that we are tried and tired, notwithstanding all the hope that's been goin' around. Yes, I know that we are searching for an intangible something meaningful to do... the next stage in human evolution maybe… revolution... but without the circles.... hoping to enjoy that sacred cycle in the pursuit of happiness.
...how about finishing what we've started?
Each one: get up, and make it happen; be your own Obama.
Hi... We're writing this message to you only to tell you that A) We have two new tracks up and B) We're now selling a full LP (it's pretty cheap which is nice). We just wanted to tell you what's new with us (if you even cared to know that is) but if you're actually intrigued or just laughing and rolling your eyes at us... either way, have a most lovely day
At your convenience, you might want to check out Jordi Savall and Hysperion XX, an early music ensemble par excellance. A truly formidable exploration of musical history, fully equipped with viols in all ranges, and then some. (BTW, thank for the comment and invitation, I'll consider going).
