Zoë Keating, Quito Song (June 2020 version) at home

Today's version of the Quito Song, recorded at home on June 24, 2020. This song came about when I was invited some years ago to play a concert in Quito, Ecuador. I got there a couple days before the concert to acclimatize to the elevation and sure enough, after 24 hrs I felt horrible: I was nauseous, my hands and feet had swollen and all I could do was lie in my hotel room. At some point, I got up and opened the shutters of the room. It was almost sunset, the clouds were beautiful, rays of light hitting the plaza below where kids were playing, couples were strolling and groups of people chatting. I think the lack of oxygen made it feel all very emotional for reasons I couldn’t put a finger on. I quickly setup my gear and started to play and this song was the result. I play at concerts and it’s different every time. Still working towards what I want it to be in the studio which is why, for now, the working title is “Quito Song”. This seemed like the right thing to play right now while I’m at home and remembering all my amazing travels and those happy groups of people in the plaza and the feeling of being together in a room with you. I hope we get to do all that again soon. Stay well, Z

[ModernRenaissanceMusic]

A perfect soundtrack for a quiet evening when thoughts need space and the heart needs calm. Thank you, Zoë.

[shaynah]

I listened before reading the description of where this was created for the first time. Your music has been there with me over the last few years in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. I celebrate 2 years in October and each one of your songs hold meaning for a different chapter in my recovery. They are what I would turn to when I needed to feel from a place of higher vibration and those feelings kept me from wanting to numb out the pain.

As I listen today ...sitting here in my beautiful home-it is a different life and feels like a different world for so many reasons right now. Still your music speaks to me and holds me closest to the parts of my mind and spirit that we’re always there waiting to be found. Through your passion and love and the depths of your journey’s I found my way through my own.

What I felt coming to me over and over we’re two things- “ascension” and “still breathing.” When I couldn’t find my heart beat your music brought it back to me.

So grateful to you and for you,
Shayna

[md]

Some music can't just be played in the background while doing something else, you have to give it your full attention instead to appreciate all its beauty. This is definitely one of those songs for me.

Thank you for sharing your work, the world is a more beautiful place because of it.

[cooper]

That I have been a connoisseur and collector of rare and beautiful music is no small armament against the many assailments that life in its course typically dishes out to us. Imagine then my delight at an exquisite piece like this, which challenges rarity and beauty both to exceed beyond all measure of credulity. My only complaint is that the pleasure of each individual melody and development does not last longer!

O poet of vibrations! Heaven of spiral harmonics! How, when cometh season to sprout, cometh all to bud in chorus of elation! For lo, when the single flower falls down and weeps, weep all the silken moods of tenderness. In so many words, that's how this made me feel. And yet even now I cannot do it justice. May you keep writing music forever.

[garaughty]

As always... beautiful on so many levels. A delicate, intricate, mesmerizing and brilliant composition !

[SuperLordpig]

It's not often someone can add beauty to the world with music, Thank you.

[PorthosAmazing]

Wow. I'm so glad I found this song and hopefully, Zoe will bring us more in here next album.

[bwolfe]

saw you in a video supporting Dan Hicks....and had to know more. Happy to have been introduced to your music. Cheers!

[stevebaibak]

I love it when artist finds what they are looking for in a process and it comes out... like indescribable color and form.

[billsybainbridge]

I thought about this piece as I traveled through Quito on my way to Cuenca, Ecuador last summer. Thank you for putting this out! More please!

[ryran]

What a lovely surprise this was to find in my subscriptions tab (which I haven't checked in more than a year). Zoë, I've been listening to -- and adoring -- your music for more than a dozen years now. I don't remember when or how I first came across your music, but I know I was just blown away. I DO remember roller-blading down the corniche under the blazing sun in Abu Dhabi in 2011, listening to your tracks on repeat every day... Or in 2013, when our son was born -- how we had "Into The Trees" on an endless loop all of the first night my wife was in labor, just trying to stay calm and keep going...

Thank you so much Zoë, for sharing your light with the world. 🌼🏵️💙

[josephhunt]

Outstanding... I've been listening to your music for well over six years, and haven't heard a single thing that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Had the good fortune to see you play in Colorado at the Boulder Theatre in April of 2018 - hearing Sun Will Set in person, after so many years of following your music, was a pretty emotional experience. Still eagerly awaiting the time when Across the Street No. 2 makes its way onto a recording!

Like others, your music's helped me get through rough times in life, and I'm very thankful for what you do and put into the world. Thanks for creating such wonderful music!

[jimsnider]

So glad I checked my subscriptions today, what a joy to see this!

[matthewjanes]

What a fabulous discovery tonight, I love it.

[GregHarradineComposer]

Glorious, subtle, heart-stirring, sublime.

[bolol.]

How come I just find out about this song? I've been listening your music for a while but I've never would imagine finding a song about the city were I live, thank you for such an inspirational artwork.
Greetings from Quito, Ecuador

[ParArdua]

Love all those layers of live loops. So rich, feels like red velvet.

[herstoryve]

Like climbing into the clouds. Lovely.

[eightytw]

Absolutely loving this... Thank you Zoe x

[MarkArandjus]

2:20 LOVE that, need a whole song of notes like that!
Thanks for sharing, Zoe!