Eden: A renaissance rebel among us
By Lindzrox
Self Portrait
Between the 14th and 17th century, the Renaissance was a period in which arts and culture experienced a revolution. It was a time where broad intellectual interests were celebrated and people soaked up every subject, every art form and strove to excel in every single one. Well, it’s 2009 and little did we know that the Renaissance is alive and well and being channeled through Eden, a talented and dynamic 21-year-old woman.
Eden is a true artist in every sense of the word. Currently studying Fine Arts at the University of Toronto (with Honours of course!), she spends most of her days creating. Art comes naturally to her and whether she is painting, sculpting, taking pictures, creating music or creating a portrait of Amy Winehouse out of cigarette butts, her art is expressive, original and bold. As only a renaissance woman can, she pushes herself and the boundaries around her.
Amy Winehouse Portrait
Music is the art form closest to her heart. She comes from musical family and began studying piano at a young age at the Royal Conservatory of Music. At the tender age of 10, she picked up a guitar and taught herself. Over the years, Eden has concentrated on refining her sound and songwriting and is currently working on a new full-length album.
I sat down with Eden to find out more about the woman behind the art and her unique blend of contemporary jazzy hip-hop pop rock. Only a true renaissance woman would make sure she had covered all the musical genres.
Your are a true artist , you do it all, why focus on music, is that your first love?
I am more passionate for the emotive and therapeutic qualities of music than any other art form. For me personally, visual art is labour, while music is expression. When I play or compose music, I believe that I am creating something of worth or something that can be felt by others, and to me that is everything. The reason I study art in school is because it’s easy; nothing is difficult to understand if you know what the public/art world wants to see. Bottom line: I don’t like what the art world wants to see. Music is a challenge and I want to give people what I make of it.
What inspires you?
Most of the songs I write are about people or events that I find interesting, but I wouldn’t call them “inspirations”. To tell the truth, I was motivated to start writing music because I was fed up listening to everyone else’s songs and what was offered by music programs.
How would you describe your sound?
Eclectic. Some songs I write are jazzy, others are very pop or rock-oriented. In the end, my goal is to make them sound more contemporary, and that’s where I try to incorporate hip-hop elements. I try to push the “hip-hop” feature because I prefer using hip hop beats and rhythms, however there are traces of easy-listening, electronic, even psychedelic rock and broadway show-tunes.
Who are your influences?
I grew up listening to mostly female artists, including Alannis, Sarah McLachlan, Fiona Apple, Lauryn Hill and pop groups. Other influences include contemporary rap artists, jazz and soul musicians, and classic rock.
Are you a solo artist or would you like to be part of a group?
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I love working solo because I enjoy making decisions for myself and for my sound, thinking like a businesswoman and emphasizing on trends of the music industry. I also hate working solo because it is often lonely and miserable, and I do think there would be less stress. But I’m optimistic! Ideally I would like a band behind me who are enthusiastic about the hip-hop sound and who are willing to play my music. I’ve encountered disagreements about sound during my involvement with former bands and even during jam sessions with other musicians, and it’s not fun.
What is next for Eden?
I’ve already planned on a second album and I’m still writing and recording on a regular basis. Currently I’m working on getting exposed and getting on stage, as well as networking. I finish my degree next year.
Eden’s art will be part of our Silent Auction at the Alternavox Official Launch Party at Mercer Union on July 9th. watch gladiator in divx
To check out Eden’s music go to:
Author: 
Publisher-Creator Mikhail Saavedra began life down by the deepest tip of southern Latin America. He started life with a deep curiosity for all things, with music and books being at the forefront, a curious child by all accounts. As he grew and opened his eyes to the world, he developed a sense of justice and dignity in part as a reaction to growing up in a military dictatorship. Alas, this did not fill him with fear or cynicism but a more rebellious spirit, which led him to being incredibly popular at the principal’s office and the local riot police department….
Then came Canada and it was here that he was able to formulate his deep desire to learn about the world, with Toronto being the kind of multicultural soup that could engage his need to know and embrace. It started with writing, then moved on to what became Toronto’s first Latin Alternative radio show, followed by an all-English show in the same vein. It was this desire to find the true “crossover” among people, which led him to the concept of “Alternavox”
He is a lover of wine, good food, Neruda, Eduardo Galeano, rebel music, revolutionaries, dancing, family and beautiful people. Believes that kindness in this much too cynical world is revolutionary, that you are a better person when able to give a little without asking for the change and that on the same token you should laugh at yourself and the madness surrounding you as often as possible as you set out to change the world bit by bit. 
[...] Talk about the world of nature and urban culture colliding. Eden, our renaissance rebel and up-and-coming artist has donated a four-foot sculpture of a woman made entirely out of peanut shells. The piece is wired together and held up by a steel frame. You’ll go nutty over this unique and diverse piece of art that makes one helluva conversation piece. For more info on Eden: http://alternavox.net/boombox/eden-a-renaissance-rebel-among-us/ [...]