cedar commissions spotlight

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - SOPHIA DEUTSCH

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - SOPHIA DEUTSCH

Our sixth and final spotlight interview in this year’s cohort is with Sophia Deutsch (she/her). Sophia is a cellist and composer. Her creation for the 2022-2023 Cedar Commissions, Vis Vitae, is an exploration into our planet as a sonic landscape. Simultaneously charmed and overwhelmed by the vast sources of inspiration in the concept of ‘nature,’ Sophia embraces the heavy weight of it by trusting her body’s interpretation of these earthly phenomena. She spoke with Twin Cities music writer Youa Vang about the legacy of earth-inspired music, the restriction and subsequent freedom provided by classical training, and the wisdom of a mentor. 

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - BIABAN

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - BIABAN

Our fifth spotlight interview in this year’s cohort is with Biaban (Aram Kavoossi, he/him). Biaban is an electronic musician and beatmaker. His new work for the 2022-2023 Cedar Commissions Oil and Dust is a sobering look at the omnipresent nature of oil. Inspired by the novel Cyclonopedia by Reza Negaristani, Biaban explores the narrative device of oil as sentient and ravenous, and all the while, claiming humans as dependents. Biaban spoke with Twin Cities music writer Youa Vang about the history of oil in Iran, channeling the characterization of this substance into a sound(s), and gratitude for collaboration. 

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - FAWZI

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - FAWZI

Our fourth spotlight interview in this year’s cohort is with Fawzi (she/her). Fawzi is a DJ and rapper. Her creation for the 2022-2023 Cedar Commissions Caruurteena is a mournful invitation to Somali parents and elders to witness harsh and heartbreaking truths of fentanyl abuse amongst Somali youth. The title translates to “for our children.” Fawzi compassionately addresses the topic of drug addiction and asks if we can place the stigma aside in order to save the lives of these young people. Fawzi spoke with Twin Cities music writer Youa Vang about her steadfast commitment to music-making, her visioning, and the hopeful impact of this work. 

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - CYDI YANG

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - CYDI YANG

Our third spotlight interview in this year’s cohort is with Cydi Yang (she/fluid). Cydi is a spoken word artist, musician, and dancer. Her new work for the 2022-2023 Cedar Commissions Soul Call is a modern interpretation of the traditional Hmong hu plig ceremony. In this ceremony, a soul is called back to the body after experiences of darkness create a disconnect. Cydi spoke with Twin Cities music writer Youa Vang about pushing their artistic boundaries, exploring their expression as a Hmong person, and what the art of spoken word means to them. 

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - EMILY BOYAJIAN

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - EMILY BOYAJIAN

Our second spotlight interview in this year's cohort is with Emily Boyajian (she/her). Emily is a pianist, and composer. Her creation for the 2022-2023 Cedar Commissions, Transition, is an illustration of the journey that is one’s gender transition. Emily draws on her own experiences as a trans woman and explores those nuanced and dynamic experiences, creating stories that other trans people can see themselves in, too. In December, Emily spoke with Twin Cities music writer Youa Vang about the emotive possibilities of lyric-less music, encouragement to trans people to remove judgment from their self-expression, and her composition process. 

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - THEO LANGASON

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - THEO LANGASON

Our first spotlight interview in this years cohort is with Theo Langason (he/him). Theo is a multidisciplinary theatre artist, teaching artist, and musician. His new work for the 2022-2023 Cedar Commissions songs for making sense of it all is an exploration into the inherently destabilizing time that was (is?) life from March 2020 onwards. In December, Theo spoke with Twin Cities music writer Youa Vang about his diverse upbringing, picking up and putting down various instruments, and watching his dreams disintegrate and reform.

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - KAT PARENT

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - KAT PARENT

Our sixth and final spotlight interview is with Kat Parent (they/she). Kat is a singer-songwriter and historian. Their new work for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions Swampling is a visit into the realm of eco-horror through electronic folk music. Swampling looks to honor the heartbreaking realities of humans mistreating the earth, and to highlight the beauty that remains. Kat spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about the importance and value of death and decay, their relationship to studying history, and the 80s comic book series “Swamp Thing.”

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - VIE BOHEME

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - VIE BOHEME

Our fifth spotlight interview is with Vie Boheme (she/her). Vie is a vocalist, poet, producer, dancer, yoga instructor, and more as a multimedia artist. Her new work for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions The Edge supportively encourages the listener and viewer to reflect upon being at ones ‘wits’ end,’ and assess what lessons we learn from reaching that point. Vie spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about approaching edges within herself, being connected to ones body, and the importance of stability for an audience.

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - MADDIE THIES

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - MADDIE THIES

Our fourth spotlight interview is with Maddie Thies (she/her). Maddie is a bassist, vocalist, and songwriter. Her project for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions Everywhere and Nowhere explores the distinct and simultaneously inconsistent experiences held by Third Culture Kids — a term describing people who spend formative years in a culture different from the culture(s) of their families. In mid-January Maddie spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about finding home in liminal spaces, her love of the bass, and the importance of creative collaboration.

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - NYTTU CHONGO

CEDAR COMMISSIONS SPOTLIGHT - NYTTU CHONGO

Our third spotlight interview is with Nyttu Chongo (he/him). Nyttu is a Mozambican artist. His new work for the 2021-2022 Cedar Commissions NKOVU WA XIVAVU imagines the unity that could be tapped into across the African continent by bringing together different African instruments. Nyttu spoke with Marketing and Communications Manager Shasa Sartin about breaking convention, longstanding impacts of colonialism, and the responsibility of artists.