Rockstar Violinist Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 34: Chuck Bontrager Jan 18, 2019

Show notes

Chuck Bontrager is the very definition of the the versatile 21st-century violinist: classically trained, yet experienced in multiple performance styles, and fluent in several variations of his instrument including viola, chin-cello, mandolin and mandola, and especially his 7-string Wood Violins Viper electric violin. Chuck currently serves as Concertmaster of the Chicago company of Hamilton: An American Musical. He has performed in over twenty other productions on the Broadway In Chicago series as well as with countless pop, rock and heavy metal bands, and numerous Chicago-area classical ensembles. In addition, he teaches at Columbia College Chicago and the Merit School of Music, and is a faculty member at the annual Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp (MWROC) where he joins a world-class group of performers and teachers, including Mark Wood, Rachel Barton Pine, David Wallace, and Tracy Silverman, in helping future generations find their creative voice. To learn more about Chuck and his music visit chuckbontrager.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 33: Bar Markovich Dec 18, 2018

Show notes

Award-winning cross-genre violinist Bar Markovich is taking the electric violin to places it's never been before. No seriously, he's taken his Viper parasailing! As one of Israel's most promising young musicians, his latest solo work has led to a host of commercial successes which included performances for the BBC and other well-known media outlets. Born in Israel in 1991, Bar began studying the violin at age 6 and was a member of the Young Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Jerusalem Music Center program for outstanding young musicians. He graduated the Royal College of Music - London. Bar’s recent original work has led to worldwide acclaim, winning a GoPro Award and performing at high profile events in Europe and USA. To learn more about Bar and his music visit barmarkovich.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 32: Scott Laird Nov 01, 2018

Show notes

Scott Laird is an electric violinist, recording artist and nationally renowned strings educator. He is also well-known for his electric violin work with the thrash metal band, Believer. He has shared the stage with other well known artists including Dave Brubeck, Lost in the Trees, Mike Marshall, Joey Calderazzo, Jon Metzger, and others. Scott is an Instructor of Music and Fine Arts Coordinator at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics where he directs the orchestra and teaches courses in Recording Technology. He is nationally visible as an Education Specialist for D’Addario Strings, NS Design Violins, and CodaBow, where he is a noted as an authority on string education, electric and MIDI string instruments and their applications in the classroom. To learn more about Scott's music and pedagogy visit www.scottlaird.net. 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 31: Zach Brock Oct 05, 2018

Show notes

Zach Brock is a Grammy Award-winning violinist and composer whose music evokes the spirits of John Coltrane, Béla Bartók, and Jimi Hendrix. He has been recognized for his "soaring lyricism, audacious ingenuity, and masterful command of the instrument." Downbeat Magazine named Zach it's 'Rising Star Violinist' of 2013. Besides fronting his own critically acclaimed projects, Zach has recorded and toured all over the world with Snarky Puppy, Stanley Clarke, and Phil Markowitz. Learn more about Zach, his music, and upcoming projects and performances at zachbrock.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 30: Abigail Stahlschmidt Sep 16, 2018

Show notes

Classically trained from age 4, Abigail Stahlschmidt started to explore alternative styles in her early teens. At that point she started fiddling for almost any band that would have her and delved into everything from Country to Rock to Jazz to Contemporary Christian. Since then, Abigail has joined many artists and bands on stage and in the studio. Her discography includes recording on albums like TransSiberian Orchestra guitarist- Christopher Caffrey’s “Your Heaven is Real” and her own EP collaboration with Eric Strothers entitled “ The Merge: Subliminal Intent.” Abigail’s music has been featured on the soundtrack of full feature film “Four Color Eulogy” and her voice-over work can be heard as the voice of Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Relic Run for iOS and Android. Abigail recently received the endorsement of Mark Wood and now joins his Artist roster alongside world-class Wood Violins instrument players. 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 29: Amanda Gookin Aug 17, 2018

Show notes

Adventurous cellist Amanda Gookin champions the future of music through bold performances of new works, and a dedication to education, culture, and community engagement. She is the co-founder of the innovative string quartet, PUBLIQuartet, specializing in new music performance and improvisation. Amanda serves on faculty at Mannes School of Music and SUNY Purchase, leading courses on career development and women in music and was a speaker on music and activism at TEDx MidAtlantic. Her initiative, the Forward Music Project, commissions new works for solo cello by today’s forward-thinking composers that explore the female experience and encourage social change for women and girls. Learn more about Amanda and find his music at www.amandagookin.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 28: Haydn Vitera Jul 17, 2018

Show notes

Since launching his solo career in 2005, former Asleep At The Wheel fiddle player and Austin Latino Rocker/Electric Violinist HAYDN VITERA has made his mark sharing the stage with headliners as diverse as Grammy winners Los Lonely Boys, Rock En Español pioneers Los Enanitos Verdes and 80’s rock legends Dokken. His music has been featured in various on-screen projects including Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. VITERA has been featured on stage with the legendary George Strait and the iconic Stevie Wonder and most recently, has joined the Electrify Your Strings program as an Artist Mentor, traveling nationwide to empower and expand the horizons of middle school and high school orchestra students along with program creator Mark Wood. Learn more about Haydn and find his music at www.viterarocks.com. Tracks heard in this episode: “That’s Just La Vida” - Vitera - Tequila Rock EP “Que Pasara” - Vitera - Tequila Rock EP “El Cascabel” - Tequila Rock Revolution - Single “Poison and Wine” - Vitera - Tequila Rock EP “Livin for the Ride” - Vitera - Tequila Rock EP “La Vibora” - Vitera - Subete album “iTeWatcho” - Vitera - Tequila Rock EP 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 27: Martha Mooke Jun 18, 2018

Show notes

Acclaimed for her electrifying performances and compositions, pioneering composer/electro-acoustic violist, Martha Mooke transcends musical boundaries, enhancing her classical training and expertise with extended techniques, digital effects processing and improvisation. A Yamaha Artist and leading clinician on electric and progressive string playing, she has toured with Barbra Streisand, Peter Gabriel, Andrea Bocelli and Star Wars in Concert and has performed or recorded with Elton John, David Bowie, Trey Anastasio, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Laurie Anderson, Tony Bennett, Bon Jovi, Patti Smith, Damon Albarn, Blur and many others. Learn more about Martha and find her music at http://www.marthamooke.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. Photo credit: Tina Fineberg, New York Times

Episode 26: Ginny Luke May 16, 2018

Show notes

Ginny Luke has played and recorded with artists including Foo Fighters, Brittany Spears, Nicki Minaj, Snoop Dog, Dave Matthews, Ricky Martin, Meatloaf and Iggy Azalea to name only a few. As a classically trained violinist Ginny has held concertmaster positions in eight orchestras. Not only is she an incredibly accomplished violinist, she is an amazing singer and songwriter as well, and has released her own singles, music videos, and a solo EP called ‘Dark Charade’. Learn more about Ginny at ginnyluke.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 25: Jesús Florido May 01, 2018

Show notes

Jesús Florido’s knowledge and experience in modern violin is nearly unparalleled. In addition to classical violin performance, he also has studied Afro-Cuban, Jazz, Rock, and Fiddle music, which - combined with his Latin American roots - has produced a unique and eclectic vision of music interpretation. Jesús has shared the stage with a wide variety of artists from Zubin Metha, Pinchas Zukermann and Itzhak Perlman to Whitney Houston, Moody Blues, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page among many others. With his recent debut solo recording, Heading North, Jesús introduces a compelling artistry balanced on a fine axis of musical virtuosity and pure heart. Learn more about Jesús at jesusflorido.com or @latinfiddler on social media. 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. Track list: • Heading North – Heading North album – Jesus Florido • Black Pool - Heading North album – Jesus Florido • Mi Negra - Heading North album – Jesus Florido • Ultra - Heading North album – Jesus Florido • Division – Nima Collective • Take Me Down – Nima Collective • Con Todo - Heading North album – Jesus Florido

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