Rockstar Violinist Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 14: Ned Steinberger Oct 17, 2017

Show notes

Ned Steinberger, inventor of the headless Steinberger basses and guitars that became quite famous in the 1980s, founded his current company NS Design in 1990 with a primary focus on bowed instruments – the violin, viola, cello and double bass. Ned explains, “Bowed electric instruments have been made since the mid-thirties. Unfortunately, most of these instruments are the victims of the misplaced idea that an electric instrument should sound exactly like its acoustic predecessor. I want to take it a step further, I want to see what these instruments can do when they are set free.” We hope you enjoy Matt Bell's conversation with this instrument design genius and trailblazer in the bowed strings field. Follow our podcast on SoundCloud or subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher or Google Play music. The full line of NS Design instruments is available at electricviolinshop.com.

Episode 13: Joe Deninzon Oct 02, 2017

Show notes

Joe Deninzon has been hailed by critics as “The Jimi Hendrix of the Violin,” because of his innovative style on seven-string Viper electric violin. Joe has worked with Sheryl Crow, Bruce Springsteen, Phoebe Snow, Everclear, Ritchie Blackmore, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Robert Bonfiglio, Les Paul, and as a soloist with the NY City Ballet and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Joe is the lead singer and violinist for the progressive rock band, Stratospheerius is also a member of the Sweet Plantain String Quartet, which combines Latin Jazz with hip-hop and Classical music, and has toured throughout Europe and the U.S. As an educator, Joe has taught rock violin at Mark O’Connor’s String Camp and Mark Wood’s Rock Orchestra Camp. Track list: (Intro)Take Your Medicine - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - Guilty of Innocence Album • Excerpts from Dream Diary, Concerto for Electric Violin - Joe Deninzon • The Simpsons - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - Live Wires Album •Chunga Changa - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - The Adventures of Stratospheerius Album •Guilty of Innocence - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - Guilty of Innocence Album • Behind the Curtain - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - Guilty of Innocence Album • Hysteria - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - Guilty of Innocence Album • Dream Diary Cadenza - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - Guilty of Innocence Album • Parallel Reality - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - Guilty of Innocence Album • Affluenza - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - Guilty of Innocence Album • The Prism - Joe Deninzon Live in Matt’s Apartment • The Prism - Joe Deninzon and Stratospheerius - Guilty of Innocence Album This episode of 'Rockstar Violinist' is generously sponsored by Wood Violins, makers of the Viper electric violin (played by Joe Deninzon) and other fine electric bowed string instruments. Shop the full line of Wood Violins products at www.electricviolinshop.com.

Episode 12: Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Sep 15, 2017

Show notes

In this episode of the Rockstar Violinist podcast Shana interviews our first rock star VIOLIST, and truly one of the most prolific musicians we've had the pleasure of sitting down with. Miguel Atwood-Ferguson is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, music director, producer, DJ, and educator based in his hometown of Los Angeles, California. Miguel writes and records and produces his own music but has appeared as an arranger, session player and featured soloist on so many records with so many famous artists that we could not begin to list them all here. (Visit http://miguelatwoodferguson.com/ to learn more.) Miguel is a musical philosopher and a great interview. Sit back and enjoy his conversation with Electric Violin Shop's Shana Tucker. Musical excerpts heard in this episode are (in order): "The Lung" - Hiatus Kaiyote (string arrangement by MiguelAtwood-Ferguson) "Mezame" - Miguel Atwood-Ferguson "Twelve O'Clock Shadow" - FLAKO feat. Miguel Atwood-Ferguson "Reminisce" - Miguel Atwood Ferguson Special thanks to our sponsor, CodaBow, pioneers of carbon fiber bows serving a worldwide network of professional artists and teachers. Visit electricviolinshop.com to shop the full line of CodaBow models.

Episode 11: Ezinma Sep 01, 2017

Show notes

Ezinma (eh-zee-mah) first picked up the violin when she was three-years old. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska to a Guyanese father and a German-American mother, her’s mixed cultural and ethnic background influenced her musical upbringing and helped mold her into the versatile artist she is today. Ezinma’s style cannot be limited to one genre. Her music is a blend of virtuosic melodies and orchestral soundscapes with hard hitting beats. This fusion, this juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated worlds, allows her to connect with diverse audiences and communicate her passion in a way that is uniquely her own. Ezinma has collaborated with jazz, R&B, pop, hip-hop and electronic artists such as Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, Mac Miller, and Clean Bandit. Notes: Intro music: Give It Up Produced by Velocity Music 2:00 Early beginnings 7:00 Social media beginnings 8:20 First viral video 10:50 - Mask Off Challenge by Ezinma - from her Instagram page 11:50 - Beyonce calls 15:10 - Stevie Wonder show 17:00 - Gig life in NYC 23:00 - Despacito - from her Instagram page 24:00 - Career vision 26:40 - Classical player learns how to improv 30:00 - Teaching styles 32:10 - Did U See - J Hus 33:20 - Ezinma’s electric violin 36:45 - Unforgettable Dance Challenge - Ezinma 37:15 - CodaBow info 39:30 - Collaborations 42:40 - Kendrick Lamar video 44:15 - Authenticity in music - #onetakeandpost 49:05 - Practice routine 51:50 - Contact info Outro music - Give It Up Produced by Velocity Music

Episode 10: Artyom Manukyan Aug 16, 2017

Show notes

Artyom Manukyan is an Armenian born cellist, bassist and producer. At the age of 8 he started taking cello lessons and in 2005 graduated from Yerevan State Conservatory. During those years he also studied abroad in Russia, Germany and Greece. He won numerous Armenian and European classical competitions. Inspired by Avishai Cohen and Marc Johnson, he started to study electric bass and jazz cello. Artyom moved to Los Angeles and worked as a session musician, appearing on Bobby Brown, DMC, Beto Cuevas and Frank Zappa Tribute albums, independent films, and the TV serial Hannibal. He has aslo recorded and toured with numerous jazz musicians and with Latin super star and Grammy winning artist Draco Rosa. Music heard in this episode is from Artyom's album 'Citizen' and include the tracks: - Cityzen - Sailor Song - Mas Dub A big thanks to our sponsor CodaBow, pioneers of carbon fiber bows serving a worldwide network of professional artists and teachers. Visit codabow.com to learn more, or visit electricviolinshop.com to purchase their bows!

Episode 9: Taylor Davis Aug 02, 2017

Show notes

A self-admitted “proud nerd” and avid gamer, Taylor Davis' unique arrangements of many of gaming, anime and film’s most iconic soundtracks have been viewed over 250 million times by her delighted audience of over 1.6 million YouTube subscribers. Taylor’s amazing journey has included her personally mastering a wide range of audio and video technologies to produce her art, the establishment of her own independent music label, Highwind Records. A frequent live performer, Taylor has headlined tours in the U.S. and Europe, and has appeared at numerous anime and game themed conventions, industry events and colleges. Intro Music: "He's a Pirate" Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Theme • 1:54 - How Taylor got started playing music • 3:40 - How she got started on YouTube • 4:45 - How she got started on other social media • 10:30 - Patreon and sheet music • 16:20 - "Starfire" Original song • 17:34 - Touring • 20:20 - Internet bullying and trolls • 23:33 - A typical day/week in Taylor's life • 27:40 - Sex sells? • 30:37 - "Megalovania" - Undertale - violin cover • 32:00 - Gear talk • 35:16 - Taylor and Matt talk about CodaBow • 37:45 - "Wilderness" - Original song • 38:57 - Where do you see yourself in 5 years? • 52:10 - THAT question • 55:55 - Taylor's links and social media • Outro Music: Game of Thrones Theme A big thanks to our sponsor CodaBow, pioneers of carbon fiber bows serving a worldwide network of professional artists and teachers. Visit codabow.com to learn more, or visit electricviolinshop.com to purchase their bows!

Episode 8: Amanda Marks Jul 18, 2017

Show notes

Amanda Marks, also known as Violin Girl, is a professional electric violinist, vocalist, and recording artist who has graced the stages of music festivals, clubs, and venues nationally and overseas. She takes tracks, often being mixed by DJs, and improvises over them on the electric violin, thus infusing electronic music with live instrumentation and lots of love. Amanda's performance experience runs the gamut from transformational festivals like Burning Man, Lucidity Festival, Envision Festival, and Northern Nights Music Festival; international appearances in Amsterdam, Costa Rica, Peru, Mexico, and Canada; and high-profile venues like the Mixmag Lab Los Angeles, Public Works, Couture, King King, and 1015 Folsom. She currently holds residencies at Drai's Beach Club in Las Vegas and Spin Nightclub in San Diego. Tracks in this episode: Intro and Outro: Jamba Master - MSVG First break - Holding Back - MSVG Second break - Blue Dust

Episode 7: Ross Holmes Jun 30, 2017

Show notes

Texas-raised, Nashville-based Ross Holmes has lent his talents to country stars, pop icons and bluegrass standouts. Just a partial list of artists Ross has toured and/or recorded with includes Bruce Hornsby, Mumford & Sons, Ricky Skaggs & The Del McCoury Band! In addition to playing for other established acts he's also formed genre-shattering bands of his own including the adventuresome instrumental trio ChessBoxer. This conversation with Ross covers a lot of ground, but perhaps most importantly it get's to the heart of the amazingly intersectional moment that is cross-genre string playing in 2017. Tracks heard in this episode: Intro: Wish I Could Say I Was Drinking - Cadillac Sky; Bacon - Chessboxer First Break: Musical post on Instagram.com/Rossholmesfiddle Second Break: Insomniac Blues for Matthew - Cadillac Sky Third Break: Musical post on Instagram.com/Rossholmesfiddle Alamo Song: We Fall A Sacrifice - Ross Holmes Outro: Calon Lan - Chessboxer For tour and other info, please visit http://rossholmes.net/ A big thanks to our sponsors D'Addario, a manufacturer of the finest in strings for violin, viola, cello, and upright bass, and CodaBow, pioneers of carbon fiber bows serving a worldwide network of professional artists and teachers. D’Addario is giving away a set of Zyex strings to a lucky Rockstar Violinist listener! To enter in the new giveaway go to daddario.formstack.com/forms/rv2. Visit daddario.com/orchestral and www.codabow.com to learn more, or visit www.electricviolinshop.com to purchase their fine products!

Episode 6: Black Violin Jun 16, 2017

Show notes

When the members of Black Violin first learned to play their signature instruments--Wil Baptiste at the viola 14 years old and Kev Marcus the violin at the tender age of 9--neither could have foreseen that it would become their livelihood, though it was already becoming their passion. With influences ranging from Shostakovich and Bach to Nas and Jay-Z, Black Violin breaks all the rules, blending the classical with the modern to create something rare-a sound that nobody has ever heard, but that everybody wants to feel. In this interview: Intro Music: “Stereotypes” from the album “Stereotypes” 0:45 - Sponsor shoutout - D’Addario and Codabow 1:45 - How they got started playing 9:00 - How they got known before the age of social media 9:45 - The “Showtime at the Apollo” story 11:00 - Shows with Alicia Keys, Linking Park, P. Diddy, Kanye, Jay-Z 12:12 - Writing original music 13:20 - Kev talks gear and tone 19:45 - Wil talks gear and tone 23:00 - Discussion on improv 24:40 - Live improv - from Portland, Oregon. April 3, 2017. From YouTube 27:00 - More on improv 30:30 - How to make the instrument your own 34:00 - How to inspire young kids to practice 37:54 - Tour life 41:12 - What’s after this tour? 44:40 - Vivaldi 4 Seasons Remix 45:00 - D’Addario giveaway info 46:35 - Endorsements - CodaBow info 48:50 - How to put on a great show 53:00 - Authenticity 55:25 - “We got arrested in China” 1:00:00 - Adventures in Thailand 1:02:00 - Traveling with family 1:03:30 - “A-Flat” from the “Classically Trained” Album. For tour and other info, please visit http://blackviolin.net/. A big thanks to our sponsors D'Addario, a manufacturer of the finest in strings for violin, viola, cello, and upright bass, and CodaBow, pioneers of carbon fiber bows serving a worldwide network of professional artists and teachers. D’Addario is giving away a set of Zyex strings to a lucky Rockstar Violinist listener! Debbie Roper, Anatoliy Khomenko, and Mia Herlinger were randomly selected as winners of the first giveaway. To enter in the new giveaway go to https://daddario.formstack.com/forms/rv2. Visit daddario.com/orchestral and http://www.codabow.com to learn more, or visit https://www.electricviolinshop.com to purchase their fine products!

Episode 5: Kyla Vera Jun 01, 2017

Show notes

Queen Kyla Vera is the violinist for Metalachi, the world's first and only heavy metal mariachi band! Based in Southern California the band has toured extensively throughout the Southwest and now performs even further afield as their (rabid) following grows. Kyla has lots of interesting and funny stories about tour life, interacting with audiences and the crazy things that happen on stage. She also talks about how she overcame shyness and stage fright to become a show stopping, crowd-engaging performing in what is a truly outrageous act. To our delight it turns out that Kyla is also a bit of a gear head and talks about her ever-evolving effects chain and her custom prototype Joe Domjan (Wood Violins) 5-string semi-hollow body electric violin (15:18). Visit http://metalachi.com/ for tour info and social media links. A big thanks to our sponsors D'Addario, a manufacturer of the finest in strings for violin, viola, cello, and upright bass, and CodaBow, pioneers of carbon fiber bows serving a worldwide network of professional artists and teachers. D’Addario is giving away a set of Zyex strings to a lucky Rockstar Violinist listener. Go to ddar.io/VR1 to enter. Visit daddario.com/orchestral and codabow.com to learn more, or visit electricviolinshop.com to purchase their fine products!

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