Dorian Zev Kweller

Dorian Zev Kweller came into this world on May 30th, 2006. He took his first breath in a tiny NYC delivery room while the music of Mason Jennings played in the background. Dorian received his first drum set at the age of 2 and played a 4/4 rock beat before his father could show him how. He was a wordsmith from the time he could speak - rhyming and freestyling from his car seat to the backyard, to the bed. In 2008 his family relocated to Austin, TX. Dorian would sit at his drum set for hours making up song after song. When his mind was set on something he was unstoppable. His first mission outside of the house was to learn how to skateboard. Music and skating ultimately became his two lifelong passions. He attended Habibi's Hutch preschool and Zilker Elementary school where he made many lifelong friends. During his time at Zilker, he received the "Friend to All'' and "Do it My Own Way" awards. While these accolades became loving jokes inside the household, they were spot on. He truly was a unique, outside of the box thinker, otherworldly 'friend to all'. One of his strongest bonds was with his brother Judah. As the older brother, Dorian always protected and adored Judah. They were so deeply intertwined and had a bond that's unbreakable. Dorian was very spiritual and perceived deeper meanings in life. He was authentic, kind and generous. He saw the good in everyone and was wise beyond his years. Dorian was never embarrassed to be his true self because he was confident in who he was. It was as if he'd lived many lives before. In 2018, The Kwellers moved to Dripping Springs where Dorian attended Skybridge Academy then DSHS where he continued to expand his vast circle of friends. He was heavily involved in the local Drip Skate Club and community. He cherished every minute he had with this group skating at Ranch park, private residences, hidden skate spots and whatever public skateparks he could find. He was also an integral member of the acclaimed DSHS music program where he played the bass drum and tenor drums. His expressive drumming helped bring DSHS to the State Finals two years in a row. His knack for wordplay came alive in highschool, as did his guitar playing and audio production skills. Dorian was a member of the duo group, B. H. 22, a musical project with his friend, Ronny Rosenberg. This was a highly experimental, no-rules odyssey in which Dorian and Rosenberg played different characters and personas. Dorian cherished B. H. 22 because it was anonymous, eclectic, and musically liberating. The prolific duo released 8 underground albums in the span of only 20 months. 2021 was the year that Dorian began exploring his personal side as an artist. He worked under his middle name, ZEV, which is Hebrew for "wolf ". Every day after school, he oscillated between hip-hop beats, acoustic ballads, indie-guitar rockers, and lofi chill-wave grooves. One of the last traits that Dorian developed, and perhaps the most stunning, was his lush singing voice. ZEV released music to the public for the first time on July 1st, 2022. On February 25th, 2023, two days before Dorian's passing, TikTok superstar, Masked Mortal discovered his song "SH3" and noted ZEV's "voice that could cut butter." ZEV was scheduled to make his live debut at SXSW on March 17th, 2023. Dorian was riding high until his final minute on earth. He was looking forward to his senior year of High School, and visiting potential colleges. Music was looking like a real career path for him and at the same time Volatile Skateboards offered him a sponsorship deal six hours before he left this earth. Dorian was pure joy. He radiated positivity and spread it to everyone he touched. He was brave, adventurous, and lived each day to the fullest. Our main wish for Dorian when he was born was to be curious and have a zest for life. That wish came true times one hundred. He was witty, understood all types of humor and loved making people laugh even at his own expense. Dorian loved deeply and was loved deeply. We know that his powerful light will continue to make this world a happier, more peaceful place.

Dorian Zev Kweller

May 30, 2006 - February 27, 2023