Rachel Zeffira
| Rachel Zeffira | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Vocalist, musician, singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, keyboards, oboe, cor anglais, violin, viola, percussion |
| Associated acts | Cat's Eyes |
Rachel Zeffira is a Canadian soprano, composer and multi-instrumentalist currently based in London, England. She is also one half of the duo Cat's Eyes, the other being Faris Badwan of The Horrors.[1]
Musical career
Zeffira was working as an opera singer and classical musician when she first met Badwan. The two friends began to write songs together and formed the band Cat's Eyes. The duo made their first public appearance at the Vatican,[2] where they performed one of their songs as a mass setting, with church organ and choir during a service at St. Peter's Basilica. Cat's Eyes were signed by Polydor in 2010 and released their eponymous debut album in April 2011. The album received positive press and critical acclaim.[3] During this time, Zeffira appeared in Vogue magazine,[4] and was shot by the photographer Rankin[5] for the cover of Dazed & Confused alongside Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream.
Solo work
Zeffira's first solo album, The Deserters, was released 10 December 2012 on RAF Records in Europe and Paper Bag Records in North America. The title track was chosen for the trailer to the final season of the TV program Skins.[6] Zeffira received positive press for the debut[7] [8] and the album was listed in The Times Top 5 albums of 2012 in spite of its late release date.[9]
Zeffira also received critical praise for her live performances.[10][11] In June 2013. she was the opening act for Glastonbury Festival 2013.[12]
In April 2013, Zeffira made her American radio debut on NPR's All Things Considered,[13] and later made her Canadian radio debut with a live session on CBC Radio One show Q with Jian Ghomeshi[14]
Film score compositions
Zeffira is listed as composer, arranger, orchestrator, conductor, musician and soprano on the Cat's Eyes soundtrack (released in February 2015) for the 2014 film The Duke of Burgundy, directed by Peter Strickland. The score received positive press and majority 5-star reviews.[15][16] On 7 November 2015, it was announced that Zeffira and Badwan had won the European Film Award for Best Composer.[17]
Discography
Cat's Eyes
- Broken Glass EP (2011, Polydor)
- Cat's Eyes (2011, Polydor)
- The Duke of Burgundy (2015, RAF/Caroline International)
- Treasure House (2016, Kobalt Label Services)
Solo
- The Deserters (2012, RAF)
Singles
- "Here on In" (2012, RAF)
- "Break the Spell" (2012, RAF)
References
- ↑ Tucker, Rebecca. "Canadian opera singer, British rock star hook up at the Vatican". National Post. 24 January 2011.
- ↑ Rachel Zeffira's Vatican connections/MTV Retrieved 25 September 2013
- ↑ Metacritic 18 reviews Retrieved 25 September 2013
- ↑ Vogue artist of the week Retrieved 20 August 2012
- ↑ Dazed and Confused magazine cover with Bobby Gillespie Retrieved 5 December 2013
- ↑ Rachel Zeffira for Skins Retrieved 25 September 2013
- ↑ BBC album review Retrieved 14 November 2012
- ↑ The Observer album review Retrieved 14 November 2012
- ↑ The Times, 21 Dec.2012
- ↑ Times live review Retrieved 25 May 2013
- ↑ The Independent live review Retrieved 14 November 2012
- ↑ Glastonbury's opening act Retrieved 25 August 2013
- ↑ NPR All Things Considered Retrieved 25 August 2013
- ↑ Q with Jian Ghomeshi Retrieved 5 December 2013
- ↑ Times review Retrieved 11 Nov 2015
- ↑ The Guardian review Retrieved 11 Nov 2015
- ↑ Hollywood Reporter Retrieved 11 Nov 2015
- Lanham, Tom. "The Horrors’ Faris Badwan sees new success with Cat’s Eyes". The San Francisco Examiner. 2 February 2011.
- NME interview ."Horrors' Faris Badwan launches new band at the Vatican". 24 January 2011.