If you find yourself out for a stroll down a certain street in St. Paul, Minnesota, you may hear a peculiar sound coming from one of the houses with lights on in the basement. It may be a low moan, a quiet tiptoe, or a samurai warrior sparring with a woodpecker. As unique and unrelated as these sounds may be, I assure you they will all be emanating from the bow and cello of Aaron Kerr. I've known Aaron for a long time, and in that time I've been privileged to know him as an artist and a man. We've been coworkers, collaborators, bandmates, and friends. In my opinion he is the most talented and innovative musician out there. He has never failed to surprise, intrigue, and inspire me with what he has been capable of doing with his music and his life. Currently, Aaron is juggling several music projects, his family, and a job while also finding time to teach cello. His wife is his high school sweetheart. His kids are smart, polite, and budding musicians themselves. He tends a garden and a compost area. He makes his own syrup, salsa, and tea and graciously shares it when anyone comes down to the basement to jam. With all of these commitments, Aaron remains a calm and good-natured man with a big laugh and a bigger heart. He is organic. He is Zen. And his life is reflected in his playing. While Aaron was classically trained at Loyola University and is skilled at performing with orchestras and writing scores, he has found that an atypical approach to cello fits his personal style and musical philosophy. He is a trailblazer in the art of improvisation and avant-garde. He has not limited himself in any way; he can perform with a chamber group one day and a free form jazz/rock fusion band the next. Through fresh bow techniques and an open-mindedness to sound manipulation Aaron has come up with ways to coax new sounds from both his acoustic and electric cello. It's these non-traditional musical leanings and original thought that make Aaron unique and fuel his art. For his efforts he has received several awards and accolades, a McKnight Music Fellowship Grant, studio work, and many commissions. He has recorded his own solo work as well as several albums with the eclectic bands he plays with. I had a conversation with Aaron about what his kids thought with all these strange musicians coming over to the house and playing late into the night. He said it's never been an issue and that they have just become used to it since it's always been that way. It makes him happy to know that the music floating up from his basement provides a bed of sound for his kids to fall asleep to. It's a beautiful scene if you ask me. I'm happy to call Aaron Kerr a friend, and proud of the music we play. I've been walking down his street and knocking on his door for over 15 years and I invite you to do the same. --Tyson Allison Emperor Penguin Records
Music is organized sound. When you create a musical presentation, whether through recording or live performance, then you are making music. Music is a creative form of expression. Through music we are able to capture abstract feelings and make them understandable. This is what music gives us.
For everyone to be able to use music to transcend their normal life.
Besides playing music, I am also a climate activist. That would be my first thing - getting the whole world off fossil fuels.
Not a song, persay. I have fond memories of my uncles playing bluegrass banjo and guitar and just being amazed by it. I only got to see them once or twice a year, but it was amazing.
Lynn Harrell just died - he was my favorite cellist. My go-to composer is Arvo Pärt. There are too many great rock bands to name, but if I had to bring one album with me to the desert island, it would be Badmotorfinger by Soundgarden.
Ideas inspire me. They come from many places.
I'd like my music to keep someone entertained, and possibly to take their mind to a different place.
Awesome. I love making connections with people and doing that through music is a very special way of doing it.
Musicians need to be supported, more now than ever. Musicians need a sustainable way to make a living, and not one that demands so much time away from creativity. There are many things that can be done, and we need to come together to demand these changes be made.
So far, so good. I like these questions!
The uphill climb I, and every musician have to take to get anything. What we do is amazing, and it needs to be supported.
I wish I could see every musical act play and give them a million dollars (or at least by an album). I love live music and cherish every opportunity to enjoy that experience. I want bands to make great albums that we all can enjoy.
I'd like to say just follow their creative path and persue the thing that makes them great as a musician. I would also say take advantage of any opportunity to try something new out. Unfortunately, it takes a rediculous amount of time and energy to make anything happen because you get no support from society. I hope that changes.
The Side Effects from Minneapolis, and Layers and Layers from Milwaukee (full disclosure - I play with members of these groups in other projects). Also from Minneapolis - The Silverback Trio is an excellent and adventurous jazz ensemble. I have met some outstanding classical composers locally - one of whom continually amazes me is Jonathan Posthuma. The Lux String Quartet is totally rocking it right now, and I love that they are playing new classical works. You have to check out Carnage the Executioner - an amazing beat box performer also from St. Paul. How do I stop? This could go on a while. . .