ArtemesiaBlack

Performing at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles at 9 PM. 

 

ArtemesiaBlack is a theatrical music duo juxtaposing sweet melodies with the seemingly sinister theme of ghosts, calling the genre alternative gothic swamp lullabies. Laying gentle breathtaking vocals and harmonies over masterly guitar work to create a soft yet commanding sound that is captivating, mesmerizing and heartfelt. Think Iron and Wine, Gillian Welch and Nick Drake.

Australian Sabine Heusler, living a sea change from the corporate world of graphic design to now full time musician and artist, joins US Kenny Schick a seasoned US professional musician, performer and photographer. “The idea of writing ghost stories as ballads, came largely because they come to me. They appear to me in full character, with lives, with deaths and I tell their story as songs and I love the theatrics this type of theme allows me.”

“Music and art is in a way a selfish endeavour,” she says, “but its also about giving something to others, telling a story, inspiring and hopefully igniting the imagination. I feel inspired to perform when someone comes to me after a show and says we’ve made them feel less scared about their own ghost experiences, or that we’ve really moved them or inspired them – that makes me feel like I’m doing some kind of strange good in the world now. In this economic climate with so many people stressing about work, money and their futures, entertainment can be an escape from all that and perhaps even more.

In contrast Kenny was born and raised in California and has remained there most of his life surround by a close family and large and supportive group of friends, many of whom are also musicians and artists. He has an extensive musical history as saxophonist for various touring and recording bands, toured and recorded with a number of his own very successful bands, is a producer and recording engineer and is an accomplished photographer. He went solo 5 years ago and has recorded and produced 4 indie albums so far and toured and performed extensively.

It was purely a desire to see a new land and get a new experience that caused Sabine and Kenny’s worlds to come together. Musically they come from very different backgrounds but they have great commonality in what they feel about music, writing, how they see the world and work together.