Rockstar Violinist Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 44: Matt Vanacoro Dec 19, 2019

Show notes

Matt Vanacoro is one of New York’s premier musicians and an expert at studio music recording production. With a strong understanding of technology for today’s modern musician, Matt is able to utilize the latest equipment and software to make his rig work for any situation. Experienced in both hardware synthesizers and software-based samples, Matt is able to call up the perfect sound every time. In this interview Matt discusses recording, music technology, and content creation with a focus on information specific to bowed strings players, with whom he has a lot of experience recording and producing. Learn more about Matt at www.mattvanacoro.com. Intro – Groove by Matt Vanacoro 1:10 - Why are we interviewing a non-violinist? 4:35 – Forefront of tech for years. Content creation and how tech is relevant for string players in 2019 6:38 – What advice would you give string players who are wanting to get into content creation? 12:10 – BREAK – Vulcan Worlds by Mark Wood 12:10 – You have to know what you know and know what you don’t know 14:50 – Mixing my CD – you were so fast with mixing this stuff. I can tell you’ve spent a lot of time on that gear. 17:00 – BREAK – Exile by Matt Bell 17:00 – How to record an acoustic. 32:32 – BREAK – Long Time with Chuck Bontrager 32:32 – Know Your Gear 35:02 – What mic or gear would you recommend? 42:28 – BREAK – Hot Water 42:28 - Sponsorships 57:10 – BREAK – It’s All Good by Matt Bell 57:10 – Advice for young string players OUTRO – Groove by Matt Vanacoro Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 43: Lars Thorson Nov 15, 2019

Show notes

Born in Nashville, TN, Lars began playing fiddle at age six. He started gigging around Nashville at age fifteen and by seventeen was working the Broadway circuit. He studied violin performance formally at Berklee College of Music before returning to Nashville to pursue a career as a touring musician. In addition to fiddle, Lars plays banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar, Dobro, resonator guitar, electric guitar, baritone guitar, and sings background harmonies. His Nashville success can be attributed in part to his versatility--he's comfortable as both a rhythm and lead player, live or in the studio, and can help to create textures and sounds for artists when recording and recreate those studio sounds in a live performance situation. To learn more about Lars and his music, visit www.larsthorson.com. Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 42: Cassandra Sotos Oct 20, 2019

Show notes

Cassandra Sotos is a 7-string Viper electric violinist, acoustic violinist, fiddler, mandolin player, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and recording artist. Cassandra can be seen touring all over the world performing styles including pop, rock, and country. She began her musical journey at the age of 4 when she first picked up a violin and has been playing professionally since she was 15; touring worldwide and performing a wide range of styles including rock, country, classical, pop and electronica. Cassandra is currently stepping to center stage and is writing and recording her debut solo EP! Cassandra is an emerging leader in the violin/strings world and has been featured several times in publications including Strings Magazine for her achievements and dedication to the growth of the art and community. She is an active member and leader of the Women in Music organization and seeks to empower other young musicians and songwriters, especially female students, through her own hard work and success. Learn more about Cassandra at www.cassandrasotos.com. Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 41: Tracy Silverman Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

Redefining the role of the violin in contemporary music, Tracy Silverman has contributed significantly to the repertoire and development of the 6-string electric violin and what he calls “post-classical violin playing.” Formerly first violinist with the innovative Turtle Island String Quartet, Silverman was named one of 100 distinguished alumni by The Juilliard School. A concert electric violinist, Silverman is the subject of several electric violin concertos composed specifically for him by Pulitzer winner John Adams, “Father of Minimalism” Terry Riley, Nico Muhly and Kenji Bunch, as well as the composer of 3 electric violin concertos of his own. A long-standing advocate for music education, Silverman is the author of The Strum Bowing Method, is an in-demand clinician and on the string faculty at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Learn more about Tracy at tracysilverman.com. Tracks heard in this episode: 3rd Stone from the Sun I Wish 7 steps to heaven Bach Redux Matisse Who Do We Think We Are But Not for Me Europa Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 40: Rob Flax Aug 22, 2019

Show notes

Rob Flax is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator with a playful heart and an open mind. He has performed nationally and internationally with groups of many different styles, including opening for B.B. King and Tower of Power, playing viola and violin with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and YouTube star Jacob Collier, upright bass in an Argentine tango ensemble, mandolin and fiddle in various bluegrass bands, electric violin in several rock bands, collaborations with modern dancers, and more. As a composer Rob has written music for choreographers, film (including work on the soundtrack of James Franco’s film As I Lay Dying), and several original projects. Rob is a graduate of the New England Conservatory and he currently lives in Boston, MA. Learn more about Rob’s music at www.robflax.com. Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 39: Ben Karas Jul 15, 2019

Show notes

Known primarily for his work as a performer, composer and orchestrator in New Jersey based bands Thank You Scientist and Windfaerer, Ben Karas is a violinist with classical training whose drive as a musician has been fueled by his passion for louder and more extreme types of music. He is a versatile player who is able to utilize the violin in wide range of musical settings; from orchestral or chamber music to fusion rock, from acoustic rock to metal. Learn more about Ben’s music at www.benkaras.com Tracks heard in this episode: Intro: Dawn of Phantom Light - Windfaerer Swarm - Thank You Scientist Blooded Shore - Windfaerer Chromology - Thank You Scientist Anchor - Thank You Scientist Journey - Windfaerer Under the Sign of Sol - Windfaerer Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 38: ThatViolaKid(Drew Forde) Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

Violist Drew Alexander Forde, known online as ThatViolaKid, has a reputation not only as an accomplished performer but also as one of classical music’s most recognizable online brands. Forde maintains an active performing and recording career. In classical settings, he is a seasoned chamber musician, orchestral player, and soloist. Also highly sought after in popular music, Forde has shared the stage with A-List stars like Alicia Keys, Camila Cabello, Lindsey Stirling, Evanescence, and Josh Groban, among others, and has recording credits with the late Mac Miller on The Divine Feminine. He has also performed on several big-budget video game soundtracks and his own studio releases. Learn more about Drew's music at http://thatviolakid.com and follow him on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook as @ThatViolaKid. Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 37: Greg Byers May 14, 2019

Show notes

Greg Byers is a jazz cellist, a top-notch performer, a fantastic composer, an amazing singer, and a highly sought teacher. He begin cello at a very young age through the Suzuki method. By age sixteen, he was a talented cellist, but was frustrated with the lack of personal expression he found in youth orchestras. This led Greg to explore the possibilities of the cello in a jazz context. As a music major at University of Miami he was initially denied admission to the Studio Music & Jazz program because he was a cellist. He persevered and eventually became the first person to double major in Instrumental Performance/Studio Music & Jazz on cello and bass. As a performer, Greg enjoys balancing technical prowess and improvisation freedom. As a composer, he strives for melodies that reach the layman, and harmonies that challenge the stereotypes of Western popular music. As an educator, Greg is passionate about helping students avoid the pitfalls of traditional music instruction, with the student truncated from any sort of creativity or expression. Rather, Greg works to bring out the creative potential residing in every student by integrating improvisation, theory, and ear training into his pedagogy. Greg plays an NS Design CR electric cello. Learn more about Greg and his music at www.cellogreg.com. Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 36: Rudolf Haken Apr 11, 2019

Show notes

Rudolf Haken is a violist, composer, and professor of music internationally renowned for his creative melding of disparate musical styles and genres. He is particularly known for his work with extended-range violas, appearing in concert on four continents with his five-string Rivinus viola and six-string Wood Violins Viper electric viola. Haken is Professor of Viola at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as well as Founder and Director of the University of Illinois Electric Strings program, which offers a Bachelor of Arts in Electric Strings! Learn more about Professor Haken's music and Electric Strings studies at the U. of Illinois by visiting rudolfhaken.com/electric. Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

Episode 35: The Lost Episode Mar 01, 2019

Show notes

We've interviewed a lot of great string players so far, and it seems almost every one of them has a nightmare story about losing their instrument. This show, The Lost Episode, is a compilation of just some of those stories from Patrick Contreras (1:31), Ross Holmes (6:50), Joe Deninzon (17:10), Val Vigoda (22:14), Jesús Florido (26:31), Dr. David Wallace (31:57), Sarah Charness (42:09), Scott Laird (46:00), and Haydn Vitera (52:01). Rockstar Violinist is the Electric Violin Shop podcast, hosted by Matt Bell and featuring interviews with the most creative and noteworthy electric strings performing and recording artists. Electric Violin Shop is the world leader in amplified strings. Shop at www.electricviolinshop.com or contact us at info@electricviolinshop.com for advice.

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