Christen Lien

The eternal question about Elpis. Thanks for sharing my album @gpl_writes! For @onlypoemsmag and @aliner — my album Elpis comes with a story that starts with exactly what you are referencing, and I continue telling the story where the Greek mythology left off with Elpis being trapped in Pandora’s Box.

@onlypoemsmag @aliner @ChristenLien open.spotify.com/album/0mzo4i7y…

Dean Rader

“Culture is something that is done to us. Art is something we do to culture.” ~ Carl Andre, American minimalist artist

People are purchasing my music on Bandcamp today because it’s #BandcampFriday and that’s making me happy! Today the artists keep 100% of sales and for my collection of music, you can name your own price. christenlien.bandcamp.com

@JohnVFerrigno 💯💯💯💯💯💯

Hi Helena, @novocrypto tagged me for this music and I wanted you to know that my tunes are often used in psychedelic therapy in playlists, and I’ve also played live in psychedelic sessions as well, and am formally initiated to provide live music in that realm. You can find my music on all streaming platforms under my name and am happy to post links here if it’s easier for you. Just let me know what platform you prefer!

@novocrypto @AicherHelena It really makes me happy that there are therapeutic effects. And I also am realizing as unread it that I also needed that framework to help people understand my music better too! I have 15 new songs coming for ya soon!

@AicherHelena I don’t have that but I thought I share this Also my go to playlist for therapeutic effects is @ChristenLien ♥️

The problem-solving process

@novocrypto @TheMiamiApe Aw this is so special!! And it’s inspiring me to think of new ways to bring this community together in these times. I’ve been hiding away making something new for everyone and will be emerging again soon.

@TheMiamiApe Bored Ape Yacht Club 🦧🏴‍☠️🧡 And before that at the Cosmic Balcony by one and only @ChristenLien ♥️♥️♥️ open.spotify.com/track/6hQ7uXiB…

Does anyone remember the first project they felt truly part of a community??!

Someone on Threads went on a rant about how my thoughts and ideas are dangerous, and this pleased me. Photography by Heather Gildroy

It’s official. I start recording my new album on Monday!

I love the stark minimalism of this solo moment from The ELPIS Ballet performance. Music: ‘The Escape’ from the ELPIS album Filmed by Danny Drysdale Lighting design by Jim French #music #performance #minimalism

@minhsmind @ADpianist @DonAllenIII Haha I love the growl at the end 👏

@ADpianist @DonAllenIII @ChristenLien

These two escaped from Jurassic Park and stopped by for some music by John Williams! 🥰 🦖 🎹 Made with @simulon_ curated and filmed by @donalleniii edit, sound fx & piano by me @adpianist #jurassicpark #dinosaur #soundtrack

Dear writers, artists and thoughtful humans, When I started composing music it was for me, a primal way for me to express myself in the purest way that I am able. What I didn’t expect was to see how much my music helped you express yourself. How my sonic landscapes evoke your words and images, how the melodies help you connect with nature and better understand your inner world. That, you must know, is a reciprocal gift. It inspires, fuels and heals me. Thank you @LCMarinoWrites for sharing this.

The difference between a violin and viola is size, tone and the music we read. The viola is bigger and has the same strings as a cello, that low C string. Violins have that high E string. In addition the viola is the only instrument in the world that reads alto clef music. Musically, we speak our own language. As individuals, violists are known for being misfits, rebels and independent thinkers. 👽

Once upon a time when I was 8-yrs-old, they tried to get me to play the violin. But I found my fighting voice that day and stood my ground. I would stick to my original vision and play the viola. Music: “Love of Fate” from my album ELPIS

Some collaborations go so well that they feel like a dream in our memories, and the ELPIS ballet was one of those projects. When Amy Seiwert approached me to turn this concept album into a dance production, she came with reverence —not only for my music and the story, she also respected my visual aesthetics and creative goals and values. This was always easy for us, since Amy and I have similar values and taste… but she went above and beyond. Amy worked with my desired color palette for the lighting design, and for the costume design she collaborated with me on my fabric and style preferences. We wanted the ballet to be cohesive with the ELPIS album artwork and theme. When you find a collaborator that you work well with and share taste levels with, treasure them and the memories you make together. Choreography by Amy Seiwert Music and Story by Christen Lien Costume Design by Christine Darch Lighting Design by Jim French Filmed and edited by Danny Drysdale Featuring the Sacramento Ballet Pandora: Ava Patterson Zeus: Dylan Keane Music: “Bitter Majesty” from the album ELPIS #dance #music #collaboration #composer #classicalmusic #instrumental #strings #viola #ballet #choreography

Five years ago was the world premiere of the ELPIS ballet, which was a dance production based on my album of the same name, ELPIS. I performed the music live and told a story from mythology, and the dancers were choreographed to my music and words. It was an incredible time and featured the Sacramento Ballet and choreography by Amy Seiwert. To celebrate the five year anniversary of the debut, I’ll be sharing excerpts and stories from the ballet these next few weeks. Here’s the opening song! 🩰 #livemusic #dance #ballet #classical #composer #classicalmusic #viola #strings #choreography #strings

I just overheard someone say that my music is “Radiohead meets the greatest classical composers in history” and my heart just exploded! 🥹🤩😭 If we haven’t met yet, hi I’m Christen and I compose emotional, dramatic, instrumental music that’s designed to squeeze your heart, help you focus and connect you to your creativity… and to me, that was a huge compliment that I just overheard. I hope I make Bach and Mozart proud. 📷: Heather Gildroy #music #strings #classical #composer #viola

@JohnVFerrigno @ThatEricAlper 🔥🙌🔥

Take the time today to tag a musician you love. Because your life would suck without music.