Sea/Sky is a set of music and video that evokes the pristine beauty in parts of Greater Vancouver, the almost spiritual impact it has on me and the community, and the immediate challenge we face in protecting it from the threat of climate change. In August 2018 I hiked more than 40km over two consecutive days to get footage that Chris Gestrin masterfully manipulated into four music videos. I hiked to Lynn Lake with a black dress in my pack, and the next day up the Lions Binkert Trail with a white dress (my Mother-in-Law’s wedding dress) in my pack and filmed on location. I captured more footage at sea-level over the following winter and spring. The compositions feature myself on piano, Josh Zubot on violin, and Katie Rife on vibraphone. They aim to capture the same indescribable feeling I get in these significant places and invite the listener into a shared experience.
Please visit my YouTube Channel for accompanying music videos by Chris Gestrin.
The places these compositions reference are the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō, səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.
released September 9, 2022
Cat Toren - Piano/Composition
Josh Zubot - Violin
Katie Rife - Vibraphone
Recorded November 3 & 4, 2019 at Pyatt Hall (Vancouver, BC)
All compositions by Cat Toren (SOCAN)
Recorded by Sheldon Zaharko
Edited by Sheldon Zaharko and Chris Gestrin
Mixed and Mastered by Chris Gestrin at Public Alley 421
Photographs by Cat Toren assisted by Juhli Conlinn
Album Design by Byron Dauncey
Produced by Cat Toren
(p) and © 2021 Catherine Toren - All Rights Reserved
cattoren.com
Gratitude: Jesse and Naomi Dora. Katie Rife and Josh Zubot. My hiking support for this project; Kirsten Toren, Josh Hildebrandt, and Juhli Conlinn. Those who have shared inspiring outdoor adventures with me, including Jan Toren, Mike Thiessen, Byron Thiessen, Tom Fullerton, and Judy Chee. My very supportive parents. My composition mentors Lisa Miller and Laura Kaminsky. Chris Gestrin for the audio and accompanying music video work. Sheldon Zaharko. Byron Dauncey. Wesley Jay at VSO School of Music. The Canada Council for the Arts.