Ysanne Spevack

STATS Rank: 11,830 Views: 2,015

Born: June 24, 1972 Primary Instrument: Violin

Violinist, string arranger and composer Ysanne Spevack is London-born and Los Angeles-based. Her string arrangements encompass a wide musical terrain spanning jazz, soundtrack, rock, pop and electronica. Clients include the Smashing Pumpkins, Jane’s Addiction, Elton John, Brett Anderson (Suede), Tiesto, Dub Gabriel feat. Michael Stipe, Sister Bliss (Faithless), Asian Dub Foundation, Chocolate Genius, Alex Parks, T-Power, MJ Cole, and The Sopranos title track composers, Alabama 3.

She has composed two albums in collaboration with Philip Clemo. Their latest album is 'soundzero', released April 2009 and distributed via Cadiz UK / Koch USA.

Recent projects:

* composing and recording strings for the new Jim and Aaron Eckhart movie, To Be Friends * playing viola and recording with the Master Musicians of Joujouka, Dub Gabriel and David J * contracting and recording strings for the new Ray Bradbury movie, Chrysalis * full string arrangements, chart notation, string contracting and solo featured violin performance for a new record by Michael Stipe from REM with New York producer Dub Gabriel * recording solo violin for a new release from the Smashing Pumpkins * live electric violin with Dub Gabriel / Meat Beat Manifesto at the Knitting Factory * live soundtrack project at The Silent Movie Theatre, presenting a new score for Ingmar Bergman’s classic movie ‘The Magician’ to a sold out capacity audience * recording and playing live with Nick Jago from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club * playing live at a special event at Creative Artists Agency, Hollywood * playing live electric processed violin for cool British architecture designers Hayes Davidson * short-listed by the Beijing Olympic Committee for the official Olympic Games song * recording a new album with seminal Los Angeles band The Seeds and Sky Saxon * electronica producers FreQ Nasty and David Starfire * guitar-based bands Traverso, Jason Heath

Composing full original soundtracks for television projects:

* internationally acclaimed ‘Lonely Planet’ TV series * arranging and playing acoustic strings for a Mauboussin commercial * arranging and playing acoustic strings for a song for Fox TV * prime time UK Channel 4 series, ‘Crime Team’ * BBC2’s award-winning ‘Trouble at the Top’ program * BBC2’s ‘Correspondent’ programs * string arrangements for BBC1’s ‘Fame Academy’

She collaborates with film and television composers, arranging and recording strings for their soundtracks. She has a string quartet, Fresh Strings, and can provide string ensembles of any size for recording and live shows.

Ysanne studied violin, piano, composition and conducting at the Royal College of Music, London, and sitar in India. Further studies include computer sequencing, studio and midi technology. She has performed internationally.

Ysanne has performed and recorded under the artist name Mee, primarily in Europe.

Last Updated: March 2, 2009

“A fluttering filigree of melodic and harmonic violin. Beautiful music.” Andrew Rawnsley, Editor XLR8R magazine

“Jawbreaking collaborations” The Independent, UK

“Incredible… she does for the violin what Jimi Hendrix did for the guitar. ” Steve Chandrasonic, London Evening Standard

“Brilliant noises… mutli-textured, surprising and altogether unorthodox. ” Neil Bennun, Straight no Chaser

“Combines lush solo playing within a gradual meditative ambience” Tony Marcus, Mix Mag

“Unique and beautiful soundscapes with forest-like elfin secretiveness.” Tracie Storey, Xfade

“This is the stuff!” Muzik

“Using ethnic instruments, violins and guitar, plus field recordings from India and Nepal, she has styled an absorbing travelogue.” Biba Kopf, The Wire

“Mee is a vibrant, beautiful and multi-talented woman on a mission, making waves with her constant enthusiasm for music, art and visual performance.” Susan Kamil, Spirit

“Moving and elegant with emphasis on beauty, deep and classical - amazing.” Head magazine

“Crafted sound textures. Immersion. Depth.” Pete Lawrence, On magazine

“Spontaneous, vibrant, quietly hypnotic. Music that grabs you and forces you to listen to it!” Hans Stoeve, Powerspot Radio, Sydney, Australia

“Refreshing, rare and challenging sound paintings.” Daniel Perret, Kindred Spirit

“Moves with ease from a classical feel to chilled jazz into ambient. Beautiful.” Guilfin

As a Leader

Soundzero
Cadiz / Koch USA
2009
Tracks: 1. Merkaba 2. Surfing Dreams and Chaos 3. Catching the First Train 4. What the Voice Leaves Behind 5. Friction 6. Irian Jaya 7. Thinking of the Infinite Sun 8. Burn out the Channels 9. Catching the Second Train 10. The Black Dog 11. The Long Red Road 12. Separated by Shadows

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