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European Adventures

In summer of ’02, Kiva traveled through Denmark, Holland and Belgium, performing along the way. A special venue was the Jazz club in Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark. As a guest vocalist with 19-piece orchestra Olla Vogala, she sang at the Concertgebouw, Brugge, Belgium. It was here that she met up with her new agent, Eric Sterckx, also from Belgium.

Finnish Throat Singing Festival

Kiva was invited as a main stage artist at the KIEKU throat singing festival, Helsinki, in ’01 along with Tuva Kyzy, Hosoo and Okna Tsagan Zam. Here she gave a lecture, taught a 3- hour workshop, and performed with a rather unusual guest. Her host, Sauli Heikilla had a Jack Russell terrier named Dog Watson, who sang a very precise solo on stage.

With a little time to spare before heading off to Iceland, Kiva was able to visit Estonia. Here she stumbled across a 90-voice male choir rehearsing in a fortress from the middle ages.  

Iceland

A little known fact (for musicians, anyway) is that when you fly from North America to Europe, or vice versa, if you fly on Iceland Air, you can stay in that country for five days without any extra charge. So Kiva set up a concert at Nordic House in Reykjavik. She ended up on prime time TV strolling down the beach. A fascinating side trip involved bathing in the Blue Lagoon (a must-experience), and riding the famous Icelandic high-stepping ponies. Another must is the penis museum in Reykjavik, where all the mammals of Iceland are represented, including man (as soon as one of the donors passes on).

 Collaboration with Rhys Fulber

In ’99, Kiva was invited to Vancouver to record at Nettwerk Records with Rhys Fulber (formerly of Delerium). The song 'Sanctuary' was co-written by Kiva and Rhys. The hypnotic and hummable track was released on  'Pulse'. 

International Symposium of Throat Singing

Kiva was invited to the Republic of Tuva (Russia) in ’95 for this event, by the Tuvan ensemble (Huun Huur Tu). She was the only foreign female to perform, in addition to being on the panel of judges for the local competition. The Tuvans were highly curious and accepting of how the westerners had treated their art form. This was made evident in the Academy award nominated documentary 'Genghis Blues', where blind blues musician Paul Pena fulfilled his dream to go to Tuva and sing the deep kaargyra style. This film provides an excellent glimpse into Kiva’s experience there. She can be seen briefly as one of the judges on stage (in the white skirt!).

Crash Test Dummies world tour

In ’94, at the height of their fame, the Crash Test Dummies brought along Kiva as a tour member in support of 'God Shuffled His Feet'. She played keys and sang backups during the 14- month tour. Highlights included Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, The Tonight Show, and a memorable concert at Royal Albert Hall in London. Kiva demonstrated harmonic overtoning at each show during the introductions.  

Miscellaneous fond memories

-Kiva lived in Tokyo for 4 years in the late 80’s, where she played jazz piano in clubs. She returned to Japan in ’91 and had a regular overtoning group there that conducted some scientific research in the field. While there, she also studied toning by correspondence with the Institute of Music, Health and Education in Boulder, CO. Later, she went to Boulder for the intensive part of the course. At that time, Kiva took part in a research project for Dr. Alfred Tomatis, a leading authority on the ear.

 -She went to England in ’89 to get the introduction to harmonic singing from Jill Purce, and to spend a week at the Findhorn Foundation in northern Scotland.

 -’85 through ’91 was spent traveling extensively, soaking up cultures in South-east Asia, the Orient, Europe and North Africa. 

 Discography

-Kiva:   Pulse, '04
        (vocals, keyboards, composition)

-The Wyrd Sisters: Sins and Other Salvations, '01
        (piano, backup vocals)

-The Ring Cycle: Circle of Days, ‘98

        (overtoning and improvised vocals)

-Kiva: The Ladder, ‘98

        (all vocals, keyboards, composition, co-production)

-Strange Angels: Dancing with the Living, ‘97

        (backup vocals, keyboards)

-New Millenium Orchestra: Moksha, ‘97

        (overtoning)

-Crash Test Dummies: Live in Poughkeepsie, ‘94

        (backup vocals, keyboards)

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