UPDATE: The TACAW show has been postponed.
Zoë Keating, the avant-garde cellist and composer known for her innovative approach to music, will perform at The Arts Campus at Willits (TACAW) on Nov. 16.
Based in Burlington, Vermont, Keating recently spoke via Zoom with The Sopris Sun from her backyard recording studio, with “specially-designed sound panels to reflect and absorb all the cello frequencies,” she explained.
Keating started her musical career as the second chair cellist in the cello rock band Rasputina from 2002 to 2006. She also appeared on dark cabaret artist Amanda Palmer’s 2008 debut solo album, “Who Killed Amanda Palmer.” Since then, she has crafted a distinctive path, blending live-looping technology with traditional cello techniques to create haunting, layered compositions that defy genre boundaries.
She describes her relationship with the cello as a lifelong commitment, recalling that her journey with the instrument began in England, where her school had a robust music program. Her connection with the cello has been steadfast through frequent moves and life transitions, serving as a constant companion. “I still have my old cello, the one I got when I was about 10 or 11,” Keating said, emphasizing the instrument’s sentimental value.
Over the years, Keating has expanded her music repertoire beyond the stage, exploring new approaches in media. She is currently composing for a video game, marking her entry into a growing field where artists contribute extensive soundscapes to enrich interactive storytelling. “The gaming industry is thriving and offers many opportunities for musicians,” Keating continued. “For this project, I don’t have to adjust my style to fit a specific genre, which gives me room to be myself. It’s exciting to have that freedom to create.”
Keating has also ventured into music for film, television, theater and dance — a choice that has taken her work in different musical directions and often exposed her to new fan bases. “Composing for media pays well, and it’s in the same creative wheelhouse,” she noted. “I love making music, and this is what I’m meant to do,” she said. “Creating gives my life a sense of purpose.”
She has adapted her touring schedule to accommodate life as a single parent following the death of her husband, Jeff Rusch, in 2015 from cancer. Their son, now 14, has grown up with his mother’s unique career path, and she plans her tours around his school schedule, usually traveling for only a week at a time. During these short tours, Keating’s mother steps in to care for her grandson, providing the stability that allows Keating to perform for her fans.
“When he was younger, he would sometimes come with me, but now, as a freshman in high school, he’s more rooted in his own life,” she said. Keating’s son, too, has found his musical passion — saxophone. “He’s a jazz nerd, and I love it. It’s his own thing, and I try hard to leave that for him,” she added.
Though she performs solo, Keating is passionate about the connection her music creates with audiences. “Performing is important for me — it’s how I connect with people,” she said. “I work in my studio alone most of the time, so being on stage allows me to share that energy with an audience. I always stick around after a show to talk to people and hear their experiences.”
For Keating, the best performances are when she and her audience enter a “flow state,” which she describes as follows: “Music is sound expressed through time, yet if it works, time doesn’t exist.”
With her innovative sound and dedication to pushing the boundaries of her instrument, Keating has transformed how the cello can be perceived. She hopes her work inspires others, especially young musicians, to explore beyond common genres. “I want people to see there’s more they can do with an instrument,” she said.
IN A NUTSHELL
What: Zoë Keating
When: Nov. 16, 8pm
Where: TACAW
Tickets: www.tacaw.org