Style Is the Residue of Aesthetics You Refused to Let Go Of

A bust of Beethoven, forty years later, and what it taught me about taste, commitment, and why some things define us.

The top people in the arts and in business all share one thing: a strong sense of aesthetics, and the discipline to commit to it.

So what is aesthetics, exactly, and how do you develop yours?

There is a bust of Beethoven that sits on my piano. I made it when I was twelve years old. My taste has changed in many things over the years, but my taste in this has not. I still love it. And in trying to figure out why, I think I have found something important about the difference between taste and aesthetics, about commitment, and about doing the work that makes a life feel distinctly yours.

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Conrad Askland Performing Accordion as Bandleader for Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL

This video captures a moment from my time performing accordion while serving as Bandleader for Cirque du Soleil’s arena ice show CRYSTAL.

CRYSTAL was Cirque du Soleil’s first production created specifically for the ice, combining live music, skating, acrobatics, and large-scale touring logistics. Performing in this environment required constant musical awareness—responding to movement on the ice, syncing tightly with technology, and maintaining consistency across a fast-moving international schedule.

The accordion is woven throughout the score, supporting the show’s shifting moods and styles. From a musical standpoint, this work was less about spotlight moments and more about reliability, adaptability, and collaboration within a very large creative machine.

I’m sharing this clip as a snapshot of the kind of projects I’ve been involved in recently—long-form productions where musical leadership, flexibility, and calm execution matter just as much as performance itself.

My response to the new political put-down term “Theater Kid”

Here’s my response to the new political put-down term “Theater Kid”.

Why You Should Want to Be a “Theater Kid”
By Conrad Askland

When the term “theater kid” is used as a political insult, what is it supposed to imply?

Overwrought?
Performative?
Naïve?
Cringe?

In other words: unserious.

But that insult relies on a caricature that has little to do with what theater kids actually are.

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Interview with PAN the musical creator Conrad Askland

 

Original article: https://stereostickman.com/interviews/conrad-askland-pan-the-musical/

Let’s talk about the new musical theatre show – a fresh direction with your production of PAN the musical. What inspired you to take on this project, and why the Peter Pan story?

PAN actually began for a very down-to-earth reason. Back in 2013, a local youth theatre group I cared about was on the brink of bankruptcy. A friend mentioned they were preparing to close their doors, and something in me just lit up. Almost instantly, the idea of creating a brand-new musical hit me. I can still remember the moment: the idea of Peter Pan and Neverland came into my mind, and I literally got a shiver down my spine. It felt like the idea chose me, not the other way around.

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PAN the musical Nov. 21 – Dec. 20, 2025 at ACT Theatre

My original show “PAN the musical” will perform Nov. 21 – Dec. 20, 2025 at the ACT Theatre in Anacortes, WA (USA). Join Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook and the Lost Boys on their adventures in Neverland. Based on the 1911 book “Peter and Wendy” by J.M. Barrie. Book, Music and Lyrics by Conrad Askland.

For this run I’ve created all-new fully orchestrated soundtracks and also updated the script. PAN premiered in 2013 at the Historic Lincoln Theatre in Mount Vernon, WA. I’m really looking forward to the audience response to all the new script tweaks, updated orchestrations and of course the performances of this wonderful local cast.

Fun Fact: This is the first time I’ll be able to actually watch one of my shows from the audience because I’m usually conducting from the pit. Hope to see you there and watch out for that crocodile!

Interview with Conrad Askland – Bandleader and Keyboardist for Cirque du Soleil

Interview with Conrad Askland about his work as Bandleader and Keyboardist for Cirque du Soleil. Original article at: https://stereostickman.com/interviews/conrad-askland/

Taking time out from his busy schedule, Music Director and Ableton Live specialist Conrad Askland – currently touring the globe with the iconic Cirque du Soleil – kindly stopped by for an interview.

We talk everything from discovering his unique role in music, to achieving high-profile opportunities, writing music, staying inspired, building a presence on YouTube, the value of collaboration, and the lure of ambition. Here’s the conversation in full.

* * *

Conrad – excited to talk with you, thanks for the opportunity! To introduce things, how would you describe your role within the music world?

On live shows I work as a music director and conductor/keyboardist, and in music publishing I work as a music producer and composer. I am also an Ableton Live specialist, which is music software used in many live show performances.

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Crystal by Cirque du Soleil – Photos from Portland, Oregon shows

Photos from our run in Portland Oregon (May 2025) with the Cirque du Soleil ice-skating show Crystal at the Veterans Memorial Arena. I’ve been looking forward all year to visiting Portland, Oregon and it did not disappoint! Voodoo Donuts, vibrant nightclub scene, street art and the wacky crazy street life that makes people say “Keep Portland Weird”. (Photo above is my bandleader station at Crystal)

This is our second-to-the-last run of Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal show as we wrap up the Crystal world tour. In the last three years we performed across 5 continents and it was the experience of a lifetime. Much love to our cast and crew as we prepare to move on to our next adventures, and of course much love to the wonderful Crystal audiences worldwide that made this Cirque du Soleil show such a monumental success. Thank you!

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Crystal by Cirque du Soleil – Photos from Kelowna, Canada

As the Cirque du Soleil ice-skating show Crystal nears the end of its 6 year world tour, here are some behind-the-scenes and show photos from our run in Kelowna, Canada in May 2025. Performing with this show as bandleader and accordion has been an absolute pleasure with such wonderful cast and crew. This has been my third show with Cirque du Soleil. We performed across 5 continents for well over a million people. The adrenalin performances and travels across the world have been absolutely amazing. Thank you to Tegan Klein for the wonderful photos!

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