Singer-songwriter and pianist Vienna Teng, deeply familiar with the landscapes that inspire stories, has released a moving new piece, “The Riversitter (The Museum of Rain)”. This Vienna Song is not just a standalone musical creation; it’s a heartfelt response to Dave Eggers’ evocative story, “The Museum of Rain,” and a testament to the power of intergenerational connection and emotional resonance found within narratives.
During the pandemic, Teng shared Eggers’ story with her family, an experience that profoundly affected her. “Everyone was just spellbound,” Vienna recalls, emphasizing the story’s impact. “I remember there were a couple of moments where I’m like, ‘I have to pause and collect myself before I read this next sentence because it’s hitting me in a way I didn’t expect.’” This deep emotional engagement sparked a creative fire in Vienna, leading her to translate the narrative’s essence into music.
After navigating some initial songwriting challenges, Vienna Teng crafted “The Riversitter (The Museum of Rain)” in her home studio. The song beautifully captures the subtle nuances and delicate emotions of Eggers’ story. Dave Eggers himself was deeply moved upon hearing the track. “To say I was floored would be an understatement,” he stated, acknowledging Vienna’s talent and the profound impact of her musical interpretation. “It hit me like a truck. To know that somebody with her talent would take the time to compose a song based on a story of mine, and to do it with such subtlety and delicacy…it really knocked me flat.”
“The Museum of Rain” was initially published as a fundraising initiative for 826 Valencia, a non-profit organization founded by Dave Eggers that is dedicated to supporting young people’s writing skills and empowering educators in teaching writing. Aligning with the story’s philanthropic origins, Vienna Teng decided to make her vienna song a fundraiser for 826 Valencia as well. “The Riversitter (The Museum of Rain)” is exclusively available on Vienna’s Bandcamp page, with proceeds benefiting this worthy cause.
Vienna articulates a strong connection to the spirit of Eggers’ work and the mission of 826 Valencia. “I feel Dave Eggers’ love of kids, and commitment to kids, and understanding of kids come through so clearly in this book,” Vienna explains. “So it makes sense to put this song out and have any financial rewards that come from it go back to that project, and keep more stories coming from whoever else may be finding their voice right now.” Through “The Riversitter,” Vienna Teng not only delivers a compelling vienna song but also amplifies the message of creativity, empathy, and the importance of nurturing young voices.
Please replace original_image_url_placeholder.jpg with the actual URL of an image of Vienna Teng and update the alt text accordingly to be more descriptive and context-aware once the image is chosen. For example, if the image is Vienna Teng at a piano, a more specific alt text could be: Vienna Teng passionately playing piano while performing her song, highlighting her skills as a pianist and vocalist.
