ArtemesiaBlack is a theatrical music duo juxtaposing sweet melodies with the seemingly sinister theme of dead people. They call the genre ‘alternative gothic swamp lullabies’. Airy vocals and harmonies interweave with masterly acoustic guitar work to create a sound that is captivating and heartfelt (think Iron and Wine, Gillian Welch and Nick Drake). Australian Sabiné Heusler, embarking on a sea change that has led her from the corporate world of graphic design to the realm of the full-time artist/musician, joins U.S. born Kenny Schick, a seasoned professional musician, performer, and photographer. 

Though she is taking on a music career later in life than most, it is the experiences that can only come through years of living, that shape her music and story telling. She likes to cross “accepted” boundaries, looking honestly and inquisitively at the world in an attempt to understand and embrace it rather than fear it. Her musical tastes and influences are extremely eclectic, given her open mind for all things soulful and heartfelt.  “In a way, music and art are selfish endeavours,” she says, “but they’re also about giving something to others - telling a story, inspiring, and hopefully igniting the imagination.

I feel satisfaction when someone comes to me after a show and says we’ve made them feel less scared about their own ghost experiences, or that we’ve really moved or inspired them - that makes me feel like I’m doing some kind of strange good in the world. In this economic climate with so many people stressing about work, money, and their futures, entertainment and imaginative storytelling can be 
a much needed escape.”

Sabiné was born in Hannover, Germany where her father was a musician, organ builder, and carpenter. He and his family migrated to Australia when she was only 6, a decision literally decided on by the toss of a coin. After landing in the southern hemisphere, the family continually moved, leaving the shy Sabiné with no true sense of ‘home’. On the positive side, it made her imminent bold move to the U.S. a fairly easy transition, despite the new distance between her and her family. Throughout her turbulent life, music was always her own private escape - a place where she could peacefully create her own world and commune with her ideas and her ghosts. Sabiné’s life-long love of playing, singing and songwriting grew over the years, yet it remained unheard by anyone but herself and her ‘ghosts’ - that is, until recently. 

It was a chance meeting on MySpace in 2006 that saw Sabiné bravely reveal years of closet song writing for the first time to a living human Kenny, a life-long musician. Very much in contrast to Sabiné, Kenny, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, has lived in the same place most of his life, surround by a close family and a large supportive group of friends, many of whom are also musicians and artists. 

Performing most of his life, Kenny has an extensive musical history - well versed on saxophone, guitar, flute, bass, percussion, and vocals, he’s played and toured with an enormous amount of bands, worked as a studio musician, and is a sought after producer/engineer. He has recorded 4 independent releases under the moniker Basement 3, and in late 2004, began touring and performing extensively as a solo act. He is also an accomplished photographer. 

Kenny moved to Australia 7 months after their initial cyber-meeting, which consisted of copious amounts of emails and phone calls. Kenny was so captured by the primitive cassette tape of the music Sabiné had sent him, recorded and produced ArtemesiaBlack’s first album while there. He also wrote and recorded his own solo album of new material inspired by his Australian experience. He was able to stay for 8 months and then had to return to the U.S. which saw the new couple separated again for 18 months. In August 2008, Sabiné flew to the U.S. and immediately took on a U.S. tour with Kenny that spanned 17 states over two months. It was an enriching and exciting experience that allowed her to experience more live performing, but also gave her an overview of the country that would become her new home.

It was purely a desire to see new lands and have new experiences that caused Sabiné’s and Kenny’s worlds to collide. Although they come from musically and personally diverse backgrounds, they found they had very similar tastes in music and views of the world. Sabiné’s shy demeanor contrasted against Kenny’s more gregarious nature results in a magical blending musically and personally. It is this blending of a seasoned professional musician with a writer new to the world of live performance that is igniting audiences to voracious applause.

Currently they are writing new songs for future albums and performing live as both ArtemesiaBlack and Kenny Schick. Kenny is also working on a photographic exhibition and a book of photographs, playing saxophone on various projects, recording and producing a number of other people’s albums, and teaching. Sabiné is working on video footage she shot on their US tour, learning double bass, doing graphic design work, and working on various art & jewellery projects. They recently married and started a business together, Basement 3 Productions, incorporating their music, photography, teaching, art, and design.