Kelli Scarr is an American singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Kingston, NY. She is also the founder of Vera Jean Music, a pioneering record label dedicated to championing the talents of women artists over the age of 40.
On May 12, 2025, she unveils Greater Mysteries, an immersive album and performance experience inspired by the ancient myth of Inanna. Born from a 2022 artist residency in Crete, and recorded in Iceland, the album invites listeners to connect with their own cycles of transformation. Transcendent piano and airy woodwinds intertwine with Scarr’s otherworldly voice and the earthy pulse of the rhythm section, alongside contributions from an array of surprise musicians—creating a soundscape steeped in myth and mystery.
Raised in Northern California, Scarr’s musical journey began in church, eventually leading her to Berklee College of Music before settling in New York City. Over the years, she has woven her way through an eclectic range of projects, from fronting the bands Moonraker and Salt & Samovar to a significant collaboration writing, recording, and touring with Moby. Her artistry extends into film scoring, where her emotive and organic approach—favoring live musicians and improvisation—has set her apart. She earned an Emmy nomination for her score to the HBO documentary In A Dream (2008) and has composed music for dozens of films, TV shows, and commercials. Notable projects include the documentaries Advanced Style and Far Western, and the forthcoming After All (2025), for which she composed the score and contributed six original songs.
As a solo artist, Scarr has released three albums—Piece (2010), Dangling Teeth (2012), and No Rush (2021)—establishing herself as a singular voice in atmospheric, deeply emotive songwriting. Her forthcoming fourth album, Greater Mysteries, marks a new creative chapter, offering music as an initiatory experience. The project will unfold through intimate preview concerts in the Hudson Valley, culminating in immersive cave performances this fall and beyond.
Today we get to dive deep into Kelli’s creative process in the making of Greater Mysteries from the seeds of inspiration that came from many sources such as Talk Talk by Spirit of Eden, Maureen Murdock’s “The Heroine’s Journey,” and Dr. Catherine Svehla’s mythical wisdom to the whisper from her psychic about Greece in her future. Kelli shares about the magic and mystery of her residency in Crete, how the voices of Odeya Nini and members of the Threshold Choir appeared to lend magic to the album, and we listen to three songs – “Knowing is the Call,” “The Yes that Leads,” and “Aphrodite” – as we meander through the myth of Inanna and how transformation happens to us…”she’s not dying, she’s flying free.”
Hudson Valley audiences will have an exclusive opportunity to preview Greater Mysteries before the rest of the world. On April 16th, Kelli is hosting Lesser Mysteries at Unicorn Bar in Kingston. The special preview event will feature an impressive lineup of local and national talent and offer attendees a unique opportunity to witness the early stages of what will become a larger, Greater Mysteries immersive cave experience scheduled for fall 2025.
https://www.viewcy.com/e/lesser_mysteries
Here’s Kelli’s recommendation to Leah Thau’s Podcast, Strangers.
Today’s show was engineered by Ian Seda from Radiokingston.org.
Our show music is from Shana Falana!
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