Custom session cello recordings written and arranged specifically to your music. Specializing in underground styles such as extreme metal, neofolk, and beyond.
Greetings. I'm a session cellist and composer with extensive experience in such genres as classical, contemporary, metal, folk, singer-songwriter, and beyond. I compose and record my cello parts specifically to your music, with special care to match the style and texture present in the song.
Send me a note through the contact button above.
Credits
Discogs verified credits for Kakophonix- Through The Thorns
- Hvile I Kaos / Northsong
- Black Reaper
- Empyrean Throne
- Empyrean Throne
- Osi And The Jupiter
- Wolvhammer
- Black Reaper
- Imperialist
- Osi And The Jupiter
- Osi And The Jupiter
- Abigail Williams
- Chrome Waves
- Osi And The Jupiter
- Astralborne
- Osi And The Jupiter
- Vintergrav
- Vital Spirit
- Oak Pantheon
- Under His Eye
- Antecantamentum
- Astralborne
- Osi And The Jupiter
- Osi And The Jupiter
- Amiensus
12 Reviews
Endorse Kakophonix - Session Cellist
I've known Chris for many years and was awestruck by his niche musical talents and musical worldview. I've followed his project closely and have purchased most of his music and listened to it frequently. When I wondered about what musicians I would like to collaborate with or feature on my music I had to ensure it was someone whose skills and knowledge I could trust. Kakophonix was an easy choice. I knew his strings would be top-calibre and would truly make my music stand out. Eternally grateful to him 🙏, cheers 🤘
I have employed Kakophonix on now multiple songs. Every time he's been a blast to work with. Very open to criticisms, very malleable on your needs, and always willing to try ideas against his own volition. He's an artist you can adapt to or can adapt to you. That makes for a pretty seamless process and enjoyable experience. The work I received from him has me returning. Highly recommend. Great guy!
Extremely high recommendations for Kakophonix!! My experience and the resultant music was top-notch. We worked together on multiple tracks, some involving exact notation (which he nailed perfectly) and others involving rather loose instruction ("go wild in G major" or "can create some wild, inhuman caterwauling here?") and he was equally adept.
It's a rare quality for someone to be this skilled at writing/performing in as well as outside of, classical orthodoxy. Chris could play anything that I threw his way but was equally willing to venture into uncharted sonic territory.
Worked with Kakophonix on 2 different projects. Handled professionally on both with minimal guidance. Would recommend.
Kakphonix was given precious minimal guidance in regards to what we needed and did not disappoint. His creativity in building a custom orchestra arrangement was fantastic. Performance and quality of his files were both 10/10.
DINOGRAVE will be back for more!
I worked with Kakophonix once in 2016 to record a melody I wrote for one song, and again in 2021 - I trust him for all my string needs. He delivered more than what I asked, giving me a multi track arrangement to work with, and assured me he would not mind if I stuck with the original idea. I appreciated how he gave my song more to work with, without strings attached. It seemed like he felt connected with the song and everything was on-point for the sound I wanted. I ended up using all of what he recorded because it had clearly become a collaborative effort, not just the work of a hired gun.
Not only is Kakophonix one of the most genial and creative collaborators with whom I've had the pleasure to work, he's also one of the most consistently recognizable players that has ever touched the cello. I've given him verbatim assignments, as well as free reign to create as he saw fit, and every note was unmistakably Kakophonix. I'd recommend him to anyone looking for strings of any kind.
I’ve had Kakophonix work on multiple records for me now, the communication is great and the quality of what he delivers composition wise and sonic wise is amazing. Definitely would recommend him for anyone looking to have cello recorded and/or composed for their record.
Have worked on several records with Kakophonix. He's creative without instructions and able to follow simple or complicated requests. Recording quality is always good, and he works quickly. Absolutely recommend.
Kakophonix is an amazing cellist. Not only does he work quickly, but still maintains an incredible amount of creativity and precision. He wrote and recorded cello for my band, Darker By Design's entire album, Necrolatry. What he added to the sound was an epicness that we never even fathomed. He also kept in very close contact with the band and was very good about communicating with us from start to finish. He is also more than fair with his prices. Trust me, you will NOT be disappointed with what you get from Kakophonix.
Kakophonix is a one of a kind player. I've had him play on two large projects now, and the sound and character he brings to your music is second to none. He works fast and diligently. He will not deliver a take he isn't 1000% certain is up to his standards and is never late on a delivery. Highly recommended.
Awesome work with! Easy and quick… in a good way ;)
Interview with Kakophonix - Session Cellist
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Not at present.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both have their benefits.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I compliment your music and add as much or as little as you'd like.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love getting to experience the creative expression of so many varied artists.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Some people think the rich and organic textures of natural strings can be replicated by computer samples. This simply isn't the case. The nuances and sheer organic grit can never be replicated by a machine.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What types of arrangements do you want done? A few select melodies, more involved track-by-track layers, or a vast symphonic sound?
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Adjusting my playing and writing to the project at hand.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Make absolutely sure that the session musicians you hire are able to remove their ego from the process and put you and your music first.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My Barnabetti cello (complete with bow obviously), my laptop with Logic, my Blue Bluebird condenser mic, my Motu M2 interface, and a good pair of headphones. I really don't need much.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been playing cello since I was nine years old. I began writing music seriously in 2011 with the formation of my project Hvile I Kaos. I graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts in 2010, received my Bachelor's Degree in Cello Performance and Music Composition from Baldwin-Wallace University in 2015, and my Master's Degree in Cello performance from Cal State Long Beach's Bob Cole Conservatory of Music in 2018. While I was in my undergraduate program in Ohio, I began volunteering my services as a session cellist to bands local to me. Curse the Gods, Rusted Valor, and The Day is Mine were among the first to make use of my skills. As my clientele grew, I began charging a nominal fee and slowly turning the music I loved into something resembling a business. By graduate school, I was recording for several of the names that have become staples on my resume, including Osi and the Jupiter, Darker By Design, Astralborne, Henry Derek Elis, and more. Each new project has taught me more about music and how I might hone my skills to better compliment the artists I work with. I look forward to learning and growing with you and your music.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Harmonically rich, melodically tasteful, texturally adventurous.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I'd like to work with Watain someday. I feel like I could compliment their music really well, and they're one of the few bands still carrying the torch in the ways that matter.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Not production per se, but in terms of orchestration and arranging, often less is more. The arranger's job is to compliment the existing music, not to unrecognizably alter it.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Extreme metal and Neofolk have become strong parts of my clientele. I've also worked with singer-songwriter, pop, and hip-hop artists, and have a strong classical foundation to draw from.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I strive to bring out the best in what's already present in the music by writing complimentary arrangements and adding as much as the artist desires.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: The client sends me a song and a general sense of what they'd like to hear. I compose the parts around the existing music, usually starting with bass lines and outlining the harmonies, adding higher register melodies after providing the foundation.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I play a Geronimo Barnabetti cello (1901, Paris). I record through a Blue Bluebird condenser microphone into a Motu M2 interface, and run my sessions on Logic Pro.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Christos Antoniou from Septicflesh is kind of the gold standard for orchestrations in extreme metal. Apocalyptica inspired me to play cello seriously and made it possible for me to utilize the instrument within metal and beyond. I'm a big fan of bands like Dissection and The Devil's Blood, based on their ability to paint a vivid picture with the music and really take the listener to another place.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I compose and record layered cello arrangements to accompany the existing music.
- CelloAverage price - $150 per song
- Composer OrchestralAverage price - $150 per song
I ask all my clients to sign a contract and give me a $50 deposit prior to beginning work. The remaining balance is due within 7 days of completing work.
- Osi And The Jupiter
- Grave Gnosis
- Darker by Design
- Geronimo Barnabetti cello (1901)
- Logic Pro
- Blue Bluebird Condenser Microphone.
