The Zew

Snow lies outside as twilight settles in. Inside a timeworn, unheated ballroom, The Zew, aka Leonie Schlager, strums the opening chords of “This Is”. Leo, as she introduces herself, prefers not to be called a singer-songwriter, but an artist in the folk tradition. Her performance blends voice and guitar with effects pedals, distortion, and other electronics – a style she calls cyborg folk. Now performing as a trio, with Daniela Czurda on violin and Matthias Frey on guitar, The Zew transform the space. The gradually intensifying song resonates in every corner of the aged hall before returning to its delicate opening tone. As darkness has finally fallen, The Zew continues with “Go Easy” in a narrow passage lit by faint light. The many windows let in the cold of the night, yet the fragile song envelops the space like a warm blanket. By the end, fingers are numb and hearts full.