Cellist and string arranger, specializing in string arrangements and original compositions. I've toured and recorded with Rachael Yamagata, Greg Laswell, Jens Lekman, Josh Groban, Angelique Kidjo, Sara Bareilles and many more. I can do multi-track recordings remotely for you, tailoring a mix and sound specifically for your record.
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Credits
AllMusic verified credits for Colette AlexanderInterview with Colette Alexander
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Just reach out and start the conversation! I love to help at all stages of the process, and building a relationship with other fellow artists matters more to me than the specifics of a particular gig. If you even *think* you might need cello I'd love to hear from you.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My cello & bow, electroharmonix cathedral pedal, sansamp distortion pedal, phase 90 pedal, and a simple mic
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been playing the cello since I was 4, but started touring with rock bands just out of grad school. I'd always loved improvising and making strange sounds with my instrument through pedals and other electronic processing, and playing in rock bands felt so freeing after years studying classical music.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Warren Ellis & Nick Cave. I'm obsessed with their soundtrack work, and their creative processes, and love their music.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: It all starts with the mic and the room. Choose wisely and creatively.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Singer-songwriter, indie pop/pop-rock, and more experimental indie songs.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Playing the cello with feeling and solid technique.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A gorgeous, real and deep string tone, a thoughtful and textural arranging style, and that special atmosphere that only real strings can get you.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I'll usually outline possibilities for arrangements and track thoughts or improvisations/ideas first. If the client has a pre-recorded arrangement idea, I'll learn that, too. I can share thoughts/additions with clients initially, but usually I try to get a true first draft to them ASAP. From there, I'll do fixes and tweaks to the arrangements, and additions as needed through a back and forth conversation with the client.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I use Live for my DAW, and have a huge suite of microphones I use to customize my acoustic sound for a particular record. I will often record through 2-3 mics at once to provide an engineer with as much option to blend and customize sound as possible. I also have a whole set of pedals and loopers to help create otherworldly sounds beyond just the acoustic for really special moments.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Warren Ellis, Nick Cave, Bjork, PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, Jon Evans, Matt Chamberlin, Jon Brion, Oliver Kraus, Angelique Kidjo, Peter Gabriel, Lo Moon, Chelsea Wolfe.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: String arranging, and tracking cello parts for your songs
- CelloAverage price - $250 per song
- String ArrangerContact for pricing
- Singer - FemaleContact for pricing
Timing is flexible - I can turn around urgent projects in a day or two, or do as many as 5 or 6 revisions with you to get an arrangement just right.
