Rockstar Violinist Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 24: Patrick Contreras Apr 16, 2018

Show notes

Patrick Contreras has branded his unique style of violin playing with influences of Blues, EDM, Rock and Hip Hop. He's opened for artists like BB King, Al Jarreau, Stanley Clarke and others, has been featured on WorldStarHipHop three times as ‘Talent Of The Week’ and has well over a million views on YouTube! Patrick’s latest project, which he calls “El Violin,” mixes the sound of violin with mariachi, rock, soul and hip-hop. He sat down with Matt to discuss his musical style and the new directions his violin playing is taking him. Learn more about Patrick at patrickcontreras.com and be sure to check out his YouTube channel! 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 23: Razz Apr 01, 2018

Show notes

Razzvio is an electric violinist and singer who reinvents familiar pop and rock arrangements from an entirely different angle. Through live looping, she blends powerhouse vocals with her unique violin designed to build songs with the sophistication of a string quartet. This episode is sponsored by Wood Violins, makers of the famous Viper electric violin and its patented self-supporting Chest Support System. Razz performs on a 6-string Viper, which allows her to sing and play at the same time and encompasses the range of a violin, viola, and cello! Learn more about Razz and book her for a show at www.razzvio.com. Shop the full line of Wood Violins at elecvioln.shop/2J8f9Lq. Photo credit: Manny Espinoza Music heard in this episode: • Intro: "Tide Is Rising" - Direct Divide • “Called Out” - BlowUpDollz • “Down the Road” - Take Powell • “Particles” - Razzvio • “Feeling Good - Live in Monterey” - Razz - fromYouTube • “Kick It” - Direct Divide • “Crossroads” - Razz - from YouTube • “Here Comes the Rain” - Razzvio • “All Along the Watchtower” - Razzvio

Episode 22: DSharp Mar 16, 2018

Show notes

Derryck Gleaton, better known as DSharp, is an American violinist, DJ, singer and producer based in Los Angeles. Known for his trademark colorful violins, he writes his own music as well as performs cover versions of popular songs, focusing on hip hop, electronic dance music and classical pieces. DSharp has played in clubs around the world, where he has performed with Smokey Robinson, American DJ Kaskade, Dutch DJs Afrojack, Chuckie, Nicky Romero and R3hab, and Swedish DJ Sebastian Ingrosso. He has played with The Dave Matthews Tribute Band, and on four tracks of rapper Rick Ross's album ‘God Forgives, I Don’t.’ Follow @whoisdsharp on Instagram and at youtube.com/iamdsharp. Find upcoming dates at www.whoisdsharp.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 21: Daniela Padrón Mar 01, 2018

Show notes

Daniela Padrón is a Venezuelan-American violinist, nominated to the Latin Grammy (2013) as the violinist of the acclaimed Venezuelan world music band Gaêlica, in the Folk Music Category. Daniela released her first soloist album "Bach to Venezuela" in May 2016, where she adapts some of the most well known masterpieces of Johann Sebastian Bach into different Venezuelan Folk Rhythms including joropo, gaita, merengue among others. Daniela is a proud Conductor for one of the children orchestras of the Miami Music Project, an institution that uses music as a tool for social transformation. She also runs her private studio with local and international students in Miami, Florida. Along with her mother, the renowned Venezuelan pianist Olga López, she is in the recording process to release (in the second half of 2018) a duet album (violin-piano) that would feature Latin American academic composers. Learn more about Daniela at her website, www.danielapadron.com. 'Rockstar Violinist' is presented by Electric Violin Shop, the world leader in amplified strings! Contact EVS for personalized gear recommendations or shop online at www.electricviolinshop.com.

Episode 20: Alex DePue Feb 15, 2018

Show notes

With a background in classical violin, Alex Depue developed an amazing ability to turn on a dime towards bluegrass fiddling, jazz, rock, and/or any improvisational style available to the instrument, resulting in surprisingly eclectic musical career. He won youth classical violin competitions, is a highly decorated fiddle champion, and for three years went toe-to-toe with rock guitar virtuoso Steve Vai in the latter's World Tour band! Follow Alex on Facebook and you'll be treated to virtuosic solo violin arrangements of pop and rock songs. Among his most popular videos are his arrangements of "Take On Me" by A-ha and "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" by Yes. Aside from extensive touring and teaching, Alex DePue spends his spare time as a record producer, and with his established OVNI Studio, he will record on any project, turning his addition to a track within 24 hours! You can learn more about Alex at www.alexdepue.com. This episode is sponsored by Glasser Bows, makers of the fantastic new Glasser Carbon Fiber Acoustic-Electric violins, which Alex DePue plays and even tested throughout their development! Glasser violins are available at www.ElectricViolinShop.com.

Episode 19: Val Vigoda Feb 01, 2018

Show notes

“Val Vigoda is a compact bundle of talent. She plays a strapped-on electric violin like a demon. She sings with a voice that pushes the walls into expanded dimensions. She acts with great charm.” This is how drama critic David Finkle opens his HuffPost review of our guest’s rock musical ’Ernest Shackleton Loves Me.’ An electric violinist, singer, writer, former Army lieutenant, and founding member of the band GrooveLily, Val has toured the world with Cyndi Lauper, Joe Jackson and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and is now launching her solo live-looping multimedia project, Just Getting Good. In this episode, sponsored by Wood Violins, Val and Matt—both Viper players—sat down to discuss her projects, her unique theatrical approach to the electric violin, and her proficiency as a singer/player and complex live looper. Learn more about Val's current and past projects at https://www.valvigoda.com/ Special thanks to Wood Violins, makers of the Viper, for their sponsorship of this episode. Visit https://www.electricviolinshop.com to shop our selection of instruments and gear. Music heard in this episode: •Intro music: “Just Getting Good” from the Album “Just Getting Good” by Val Vigoda •Opening Number from Ernest Shackleton Loves Me: video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIOWm2XUD2Y •Apocalyptic Love Song (I Don’t Care) - Groovelily •Striking 12 at 54 Below - video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PniqNsBpHXg •Money and Musicians - preview track from the upcoming Cast Album “Ernest •Shackleton Loves Me" •Outro music: “This Sucks (from Ernest Shackleton Loves Me)” from the Album “Just Getting Good” by Val Vigoda

Episode 18: Jenn Cornell Jan 04, 2018

Show notes

As a solo cellist Jenn Cornell delivers a progressive groove oriented experience through intricately spun looped compositions. You may have heard her music before--she was half of the genre-bending fusion duo Montana Skies, whose music was featured on the Travel Channel and NPR. These days Jenn records in her Atlanta studio and can be seen performing at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport! Jenn's playing is equal parts music and performance art, as she emotes a true joy for life where rhythm and movement become a dance of instrument and body. Learn more about Jenn at www.jenncello.com/. If you enjoyed this interview, please subscribe to Rockstar Violinist on your favorite listening platform, and be sure to check out www.electricviolinshop.com for great products and information.

Episode 17: Christian Howes Dec 05, 2017

Show notes

Since establishing himself as a world-class jazz violinist, Christian Howes has also become an in-demand composer, producer and educator. He has played Lincoln Center, been a professor at Berklee School of Music and has served as a cultural ambassador at the invitation of the U.S. State Department. He is the founder of the annual Creative Strings Workshop, which began in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio and is now branching out into multiple locations. He travels the globe to educate music students about how to become creative with their music as well as teaches aspiring professionals how to earn a living doing what they love through his Music Biz Mastermind courses. Tracks heard in this podcast: Intro: Just a Closer Walk - American Spirit Album 16:18 - Amazing - American Spirit Album 24:00 - America - American Spirit Album 28:40 - Invasion of the Forest - Heartfelt Album 35:17 - Christian Howes and Les Paul - YouTube Video 44:38 - American Spirit - Americaan Spirit Album 1:06:04 - Postlude - Live in the Studio 1:13:55 - Postlude - American Spirit Album Christian Howes is a Yamaha artist and plays an SV-250 violin. Please listen and subscribe to his fantastic "Creative Strings Podcast."

Episode 16: Earl Maneein Nov 16, 2017

Show notes

**Note: This version of the interview with Earl Maneein contains bleeped words. If you are not sensitive to language feel free to seek out the uncensored version of the interview on our SoundCloud page.** While a versatile violinist comfortable in styles ranging from classical to bluegrass, jazz, rock Earl Maneein pursues his artistic voice in what he refers to extreme music! Earl is both inventive, having pioneered highly specific bow techniques for playing drop tuned metal on his custom extended range Jordan electric violin, and highly creative, composing songs and pieces in many genres, including rock, metal, string quartet and even a violin concerto, which was premiered by Rachel Barton Pine! Earl's current projects include the experimental grindcore/metal duo Black Heart Sutra, and his new music/hardcore crossover string quartet SEVEN)SUNS, (sevensunsmusic.com) whose album, "For The Hearts Still Beating" was released on Party Smasher Inc. in June of 2017. The latest Black Heart Sutra album, "Zersetzung" is out now on Stillwater Recordings. He has been featured in The Strad, Strings Magazine, Vice, and Guitar World and has recorded, played and or collaborated with such varied artists and groups as Jay-Z, Florence+The Machine, Paul Weller of The Jam, Rhianna, Blood Has Been Shed, Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes, The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Sean Lennon, Janet Biggs, Blake Fleming (Mars Volta), The Dillinger Escape Plan and Alicia Keys, among others. Hear more of Earl's music at earlmaneeinmusic.com. Jordan violins and other great gear that will take your playing to extreme levels are available at electricviolinshop.com.

Episode 15: Sarah Charness Nov 01, 2017

Show notes

Sarah Charness, known on Instagram as @sarahpinkviolin, has done everything with her custom Pink 6-string Viper from playing the halftime of NBA games to performing with huge acts including Trans Siberian Orchestra, The Chainsmokers, the Jonas Brothers, and Sigala. Her vibrant, physically thrilling live performances bring to life her musical blend of of classical, pop and electronic dance music (EDM). Find Sarah on Instagram or visit www.sarahcharness.com. You can customize and order a Wood Violins Viper in pink or any number of other colors at www.electricviolinshop.com.

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