Kester Hynds | Musician & Performer | Cello, Singing, Guitar, Composition, Clowning, Physical Theatre

I'm a London based musician and performer.

I play six-string electric cello, synths and use my voice with looping technology to create multi-layered soundscapes and compositions on the fly. Recently I’ve been working with Scripts for Supper on their immersive theatre/dining experiences, the performer and Master Chef Semi-finalist Annie McKenzie on her one woman show, with London Contact Improvisation on their weekly 3-hour dance jams, and with the Milton Lopes Company on their exciting and diverse music/theatre/circus show Elephant.

Music Videos

A few commercial music videos featuring me playing cello.

Turn On The Light (Official Video) - KUMI

I'm playing cello on the recording - I didn't make it into the video ;-)

Your Favorite Toy (Official Video) - KUMI

I'm playing cello on the recording - I didn't make it into the video ;-)

Fight Song - Myleene Klass

With the children and grandchildren of people with IPF #FightIPF

I Can't Control It (Live) - KUMI

Live at the Hackney Cut.

Take Off (live at BBC Maida Vale) - Cynikal

Live recording at the legendary BBC Maida Vale Studios for BBC Asian Network New Music Day.

Beautiful (live at BBC Maida Vale) - Cynikal

Live recording at the legendary BBC Maida Vale Studios for BBC Asian Network New Music Day.

Performance Videos

These are from the theatre/performance arena and feature me performing, singing or playing music.

Reverie - Daniele Ridolfi Company

A wonderful mime show with the amazing Daniele Ridolfi. I composed a live soundtrack (singing, guitar and cello) as well as providing live synchronised sound FX to accompany the choreographed movement.

The Dragon - Lost Cause

I co-devised and co-directed this 1 hour physical theatre show "The Dragon" with my company Lost Cause. That's me in the tights.

Projects & Bands

A few of the ongoing projects I'm involved in.

Beast Process

I'm one half of this experimental music outfit along with fellow musician/performer Chris Campion (a.k.a. Shadow Stitcher).

Jack Blackburn & The Conformists (Rapscallion)

I'm proud to have been a member of this outfit for over a decade now.
Famed for his "obnoxious rhyming couplets" the Bard of Brixton will scorch your ears make no mistake :-)

The Cabinet of Dr Caligari LIVE

I'm currently working on a semi-improvised live score to mark the CENTENARY of the seminal silent 1920 horror The Cabinet of Dr Caligari.

Coming to a venue near you in 2020!

> Read Roger Ebert's take on this unforgettable movie.

Midnight Foxes

A small club band playing smokey jazz and blues - perfect for adding a sultry, sexy, and sophisticated vibe to special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, or dinner events.

Gear

This is my basic looping set-up :-)

CELLOS & BOWS:

Acoustic Cello c. 1830, by R. Bright of Exeter, England
Pernambuco Bow, by John Clutterbuck
NS Design CR6 Electric Cello (6-string), by Ned Steinberger
Joule Bow (Carbon Fibre) by Coda Bow

Training

I have a Diploma in Jazz & Popular Music (Goldsmiths, 2012).

I also continue to train in theatre practice, movement and dance:
I’ve studied Clown and Comedy with Mick Barnfather (2016), Devising Dance with Roberto Olivan (Deltebre Dansa, 2016), the Starting Points: Devising Workshop with Annabel Arden and Kasia Zaremba-Byrne (Complicité, 2014), the Trinity Laban Dance Summer School (Trinity Laban, 2012) as well as Meisner Technique with Kate Maravan (2014-2016).

Since 2012 I’ve been training in the aerial circus arts: Rope, Straps and Chinese Pole (NCCA / My Aerial Home). I’m also a dedicated yoga practitioner (as well as a qualified teacher — Find me at Yoga Monkey).