Sometimes in life there are moments where we are quietly stirring and brewing on the inside. There are times to share, and times to marinate in one’s own vision so we can give birth to something true and authentic. I’ve been quiet lately because I’ve been deep in the cocoon. But the time to share is nearing.

I have so many absurd and beautiful stories to share with you music-lovers. Concerts in magnificent countries, new musical inspirations and musings, even an accidental hang-out session with Donald Rumsfeld (where we had a hot debate about what true Power is in the world)… phew. But I haven’t found (or made) the time to write about all of it!

I have so many ideas and songs brewing inside, so much music I want to record. And right now what I need to keep reminding myself, in the vein of Guns N’ Roses, to have a little Patience. Because all it its time, I’ll get the work out there.

I’m sorting out the plan and the means to do all of it. And to keep you updated on what I’m brewing next, here’s the scoop for this girl and her viola:

THE NEXT CD
I have 20+ new sketches, songs and melodies worked out, and time in the recording sessions will commence. (Stay tuned via my newsletter, Facebook or Twitter).

Some songs will have added instruments like the harmonica… but I’m also thinking of adding some electric bass, and this really excites me. The bass will bring more low frequencies and funk to my sound.

Also I have a new effects processor that has been helping expand my musical voice, some of you have seen me with it at recent gigs… It has taken a while to get to know this gear, because it is quite the piece of equipment. But it allows me to manipulate the sound of the viola to a much more limitless degree. Slowly but surely I’m finding the sounds and technology that are allowing me to create the musical compositions I hear in my imagination.

I often don’t share what technology I’m using because what I’m trying to do is create a sound that has not yet existed in the land of music. Maybe being so secretive is not the way to go in this open source world, but for the moment, while I’m deep in the crux of creation and birthing new work, I want to keep quiet. I hope you understand.

And the more I learn about how I can expand the expectations and redefine the sound of the viola, the more technology I’m discovering that can expand the instrument’s capabilities. My current gear is exciting, but it still has some limitations so more expansion is in order. Clearly there is a long future between me and new technology.

Feeling pensive and electrified by this performance by Saul Williams on Def Jam Poetry. His work here makes the value of art all the more clear. His discipline and research makes me want to learn history on a deeper level. And his insatiable confidence makes me lean in all the more.

My performance and collaboration with David McConville’s at the Morrison Planetarium at California Academy of Sceinces in San Francisco was unforgettable, and is one of my favorite collaborations.

On Thursday, October 14th, David and I presented “Perceiving Home: An Ecological Tour of the Cosmos” to a sold-out audience of 600 at the California Academy of Sciences, as part of their “Nightlife” series.

Here are some statements about the experience:

“In all my years I can’t quite recall another presentation or experience that left quite the same intellectual and spiritual impression – not just on me, but on the whole audience. The unique blend of David’s insightful voice and Christen’s gifted viola playing can best be described as ‘other- worldly.’ Bravo to both of them for a magnificent performance!” ~Christine Arena

“Imagine yourself surrounded by brilliant images of the known Universe in the spherical dome of the Planetarium at the California Academy of Science coupled with Christen Lien’s gorgeous viola playing weaving a tapestry of evocative sound. David McConville’s deep knowledge and delightful humor guides you through the evolution of humanities ongoing love affair with astronomy. From the moment Christen begins to play you are entranced as your eyes take in the constellations…” ~Martine Sweeney

We hope to do this presentation again and again at CalAcademy, or at a digital planetarium near you. If you are able to help make this possible, send a message to christen [at] itsnotaviolin.com.

To learn more about “Perceiving Home” and the technology behind it, click here.

We’re returning to San Francisco for an encore performance!

On Thursday, October 14th, I will return to the world’s largest digital planetarium with David McConville to live-score David’s presentation of of Perceiving Home: An Ecological Tour of the Cosmos, hosted at the Morrison Planetarium at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park.

Trust me, you won’t want to miss this experience ~ this is one of my favorite collaborations and concerts of all time.

“Perceiving Home an immersive journey across vast scales of time and space, revealing the systemic interconnections that create and sustain life. Participants will be guided by David McConville on an interactive exploration of beautifully rendered Earth and space science visualizations, illuminating the meaning behind Buckminster Fuller’s admonition to “Start with Universe.” Violist Christen Lien will provide live musical accompaniment with her haunting ambient soundscapes.”

Translation? David will give an interactive tour of the observable universe using actual satellite images (i.e. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope) that are flawlessly stitched together, while I live-score the adventure with music (new and old songs!), creating an immersive audio-visual experience in the world’s top state-of-the-art facilities. I’ll also perform before and after David’s presentation.

The Morrison Planetarium has a 300-person capacity, and we are doing two shows at 7:30pm and 8:30pm. But don’t let the 600-capacity limit fool you, this event is GUARANTEED to sell out by 6:30pm. Those who want to go for this sonic ride in outer space will have to stay on top of their game to gain entry!

To guarantee that you won’t miss this amazing event, here is what you should do:

1) Buy “NightLife” tickets online beforehand ($12-http://www.calacademy.org/events/nightlife/)

2) Show up before 6:00pm to get in line.

3) Immediately go to the Planetarium Kiosk and pick up a pass right away.

The 2009 presentation of Perceiving Home was mind-blowing, and friends and fans are traveling from far and wide for this show. We hope you join the party at this state of the art facilities. See you October 14th in San Francisco!

As composers, our relationship to sound is intimate.

Explaining the process of making music can be difficult, even impossible at times. There is a magic and power there that we dare not tread and mince into words. Yet we are often asked to describe this process.

When I find other composers, musicians and artists who describe this well, I feel… well, I feel a lot. Gratitude, relief, inspiration, simplicity…

Here are two artists who are both enormous influences on my work explain this mystery of music that we have all experienced, with incredible wisdom and tenderness.

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt explains the notes of “Fur Alina.”

“I’d say that I had a need to concentrate on each sound so that every blade of grass would be as important as a flower.”

In the video below, Björk interviews Arvo Pärt. Quite amazing.

And here is Charlie Rose interviewing Björk. How she describes the “tending of music” is incredibly spot on.