Zoey Wren | LISTEN TO SAMPLES
Music- Bridge to the Self
Zoey Wren's debut CD Light on the Water draws together her classical training with an intimate and original touch. Her piano-playing evokes sounds of nature, taking the listener on a journey into a world of stillness and beauty. Her music has been described as "relaxing, inspiring, spine-tingling," and "a connection to the soul."
"I write music for healing," said Zoey on Montreal's 102.5 CINQFM in 1994. "It is undeniably the best therapy I have ever found."
Working as a Reiki Practitioner two years ago, Zoey began to improvise music at the end of sessions. Client response was so positive that she decided to create Light on the Water. She has since visited hospitals, schools, and day programs, gracing many ears with her soothing tones. Zoey performs regularly at New Thought churches, coffeehouses, and community events.
Being raised 2 miles up a mountain in rural BC, Zoey's music is truly a tonic to the hectic pace of the city-dweller.
For Zoey, writing music has always been a means to express the beauty of nature, and the power of the human spirit. Her main influences include Joni Mitchell, George Winston, Ali Akbar Khan, Bruce Cockburn, David Foster, chopping wood, shoveling snow, and walking in the forest.
After attaining a Bachelor of Music Composition from McGill University in 1994, Zoey went on to train as an elementary teacher. After one year of teaching, she was faced with a major health challenge. Quitting her job, she devoted herself to yoga, meditation, healing, and to bringing forth an honest and heartfelt voice in music.
In an inspiring CD launch last winter, Zoey's audience of 150 gave her a standing ovation. Comments have included: "Your music brought tears to my eyes," "Duality dissolved between the music and the listener," "I play your CD in all my yoga classes," "I use your CD for massage and the response is terrific!"
"Zoey's CD Light on the Water invites us to get in touch with the deep, still aspect of ourselves where we find true nourishment." -R. Dobrescu, MD
Zoey is currently teaching yoga and piano, and continues to offer one on one healing sessions. She hopes to record a second CD within the year, and many more in her lifetime.
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ACM: From your albums, which three tracks are your favorites and why? Start from the one you like most.
ZW: My favourite track is probably Midnight Waters. There's something very evocative and trance-like about it. Playing it deeply soothes me. Second favourite is Dance and Embrace. I love the circular flow of it. My third favourite track is Crystal Moon. It was recorded on the spot - totally improvised. The moon was full that night and we turned off the lights in the church and prayed it would stay really quiet. I wanted the middle of the CD to be very still-feeling.
ACM: How do you work on "Light on the Water"?
ZW: Light on the Water grew out of hours of carefree improvisations on the piano. I listened back to the tracks and found "seeds" that really spoke to me. Then I developed these seeds while still leaving room for the "plant" to grow. Very little of the music on Light on the Water is written out.
Many people have commented that they enjoy listening to the CD for hours on end, day after day. This is probably why: I left space in the music for the listener's own heart. Light on the Water is alive and it is music to live by.
ACM: Define your music. Also, what would you like the listener to get from it?
I write in two genres: contemplative piano and eco-spiritual folk/pop. What I hope my listener will get from my music is a pure loving vibration that creates a quiet and expanded inner state.
ACM: Who are your admired musicians?
ZW: My two favourite musicians are probably Joni Mitchell and Bruce Cockburn (both Canadians!) Joni because she always shows up as herself no matter what that is. Bruce because he knows how to dig deep and transmute life into beauty.
ACM: If not piano, what other instruments you would like to play?
ZW: I think I must have been a harpist in another life because I sometimes hear the most exquisite harp music playing in my head. I also love the violin and many of my fans have commented that they hear violin when I am playing.
I am currently most passionate about singing. Singing through the instrument of one's own body is probably the best experience there is. I highly recommend it!
ACM: On your private time, what kind of music do you listen to?
ZW: I mostly listen to popular Eastern devotional music such as Deva Premal, Jai Uttal, and Krishna Das. I also love creative female artists such as Jane Sibery, Kate Bush and others.
ACM: What is your goal as a musician?
ZW: My goal as a musician is to always keep writing and playing, no matter what comes my way. When it's sunny or when there's a storm. When there's money, or if I'm poor. I believe we all have a calling and music is a big part of mine. So I just need to keep doing it.
ACM: Are you currently working on a new album? If so, what do you have in mind?
ZW: I have two new albums in mind. One will be instrumental with overlayed voice parts - like Enya but totally acoustic. The second will be the debut of my original songs - acoustic folk style. I also plan to produce some great meditation and yoga CDs with my own music in the background!
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