Cellist/singer-songwriter Kristen Miller electrifies her antique cello to redefine the instrument in the tradition of folk, rock, and world music. In live performance and on her new CD Strange Little Valentine (2006), Kristen uses live digital recording to layer earthy cello timbres with percussion, spoken word, and singing. The result is a rich tapestry of harmony, rhythm, and deep melodic contour that Billboard writer Bobby Borg calls “hauntingly, charmingly, brilliant.” Along with original spoken word and instrumental pieces, Strange Little Valentine also includes a quirky rendition of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire.
Named 2004 Female Artist of the Year by Jam Magazine, Kristen was also a finalist for Best Instrumental Artist. Both solo CDs charted on college and community radio across North America, with Later That Day (2003) spending a year at #2 on AOL/Netscape Radio’s New Acoustic Top 25. She is the winner of several awards and scholarships, including the Zara Nelsova Cellist Award.Among her influences, Kristen cites Led Zeppelin, Dead Can Dance, J.S. Bach, and the music of Africa and Native North America. Although she holds two music degrees, as well as a Graduate Certificate from the Kodaly Institute at NYU, it was time spent jamming in places like Washington Square Park and Soho that have left the deepest musical impact on her work.
Nuance, technical precision, and a wide range of expression make Kristen's sound unique. She lends her inimitable approach to a variety of projects from folk to heavy metal. Her discography includes work for Theresa Storch, Museum of Science, and What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?.
Kristen's music has been used in documentaries, choreography, and multi-media projects.