The Key Studio Sessions: Dan Kassel

Philadelphia’s Dan Kassel is a schooled and imaginative cellist who doesn’t want to be limited by the options cello players typically face. It’s either chase the orchestra dream – a tough haul, to be sure – or work as a session musician, waiting for friends or peers to tap you for a string part. Kassel sees a third option, and with inspiration from travels in Nepal and India (and help from a Boss loop station), he recorded and released the album Bloom earlier this year. Airy and tastefully layered, it recalls the contemplative and sensitive instrumental work of mid-period Cocteau Twins or Dead Can Dance, The richness of his sound is impressive coming from a solo performer, but it’s also rooted in simplicity (you won’t get any messy pile-ups of loops here). It also comes with a sweet one-man show, and Kassel brings it to the World Cafe Live stage tomorrow night, August 29th. Tickets and more information on the all-ages show can be found here; stream and download Kassel’s Key Studio Session below.