Rockstar Violinist Podcast

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Episode 4: Tina Guo May 16, 2017

Show notes

Tina Guo is an internationally acclaimed and Grammy-nominated virtuoso cellist, recording artist, and composer. With a multi-faceted career and mastery in a wide range of genres, her passion for musical exploration, artistic expression, and technology are expressed through live performance and visual media. Tina can also be heard as a featured soloist in many Blockbuster Film, Television, and Game scores. Tina is a Yamaha artist and performs on an SVC-210 electric cello. You can hear her music, watch her amazing videos, buy her albums and more at tinaguo.com. Follow Tina on Instagram @tinaguocello, facebook.com/TinaGuoMusic and youtube.com/c/TinaGuoMusic. Since this is a cellist edition of Rockstar Violinist' our friend Shana Tucker conducted the interview with Ms. Guo. Below are timestamps for the broad range of topics covered in this great interview! (0:00) Intro: 'Forbidden City' by Tina Guo from her album Cello Metal (2:40) Growing up in a musical household and fitting in with the cello (4:34) Breaking out of classical and evolving into an electric player over time to meet the needs of her gigs. (11:34) Tina's electric cello, plus her own line of acoustic instruments and colorful bows. (18:05) Acoustic vs. Electric cello (23:38) Amp experimentation (25:47) Music: 'SkyRim' by Tina Guo from her album Game On! (27:28) Being a woman in the recording/performing music industry. (35:15) Building a following, expressing yourself and keeping it real on social media. (40:57) Music: 'Metal Gear Solid' by Tina Buo from her album Game On! (42:30) Talent vs. work ethic (44:18) Leaving school to start her career and her parents' reaction to Tina's non-classical musical success (47:34) The expressive advantages and difficulties of playing the cello while standing (50:18) On composing her own music vs. working on collaborative composition projects (54:47) Wonder Woman film project and touring with Hans Zimmer (57:16) Advice for acoustic cellists looking to go electric (1:00:23) Outro music: 'Genesis Rising' by Tina Guo from her album Ray of Light 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. Visit daddario.com/orchestral and codabow.com to learn more, or visit electricviolinshop.com to purchase their fine products!

Episode 3: Rachel Grace May 01, 2017

Show notes

Los Angeles based Dutch violinist Rachel Grace has been a pioneer in mixing virtuoso violin skills with electronic dance music. Rachel studied at the Royal Conservatory of the Netherlands, plays anything from classical music to EDM, and is known for her improvisational skills. She plays both electric and acoustic violin and loves to arrange, compose and produce music. Rachel recorded with and performed for: DJ Tiesto, Annie Lennox, Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Juanes, Daughtry, Tonight Show, Jane the Virgin, Usher, Will.I.Am, Marc Anthony and many others. She also plays solo shows/events and tours with her electric string band Saga Strings (www.sagastrings.com). Learn more about Rachel Grace at www.rachelgracemusic.com. 0:00 Intro: 'Aerodynamic' by Daft Punk, performed by Saga Strings 2:36 Rachel's musical upbringing 4:14 Unfortunate mishap with an 18th-century violin & a high heel 7:23 "Sketchy places lend themselves better to electric." 10:46 Rebelling at conservatory / improvising by ear 12:42 First electric violin 14:48 First EDM gig 19:59 Coming to the U.S. -- meeting Usher & other music celebs 26:15 Music: 'Sing2Me' by Thomas Gold, performed by Saga Strings 28:20 Backstage with Elton John 30:00 Some of the stars Rachel has played with or performed for 34:30 "Would you do this with an electric guitar player?" 42:13 Playing with Saga Strings 44:24 On the importance of learning electric violin technology 45:50 Rig rundown 49:21 Emulating sounds without using effects processors 52:03 Outro music: a spontaneous improv in Rachel's studio 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. Visit daddario.com/orchestral and codabow.com to learn more, or visit electricviolinshop.com to purchase their fine products!

Episode 2: Evan Garr Apr 15, 2017

Show notes

Evan Garr is an up and coming jazz violinist currently touring with legendary jazz fusion and Latin jazz guitarist Al Di Meola. Hailing from Detroit, Evan was discovered at a young age and has spent years perfecting his technical sound and unique style. Evan also writes, performs and records his own music. Enjoy this interview and be sure visit www.evangarrviolinist.com to hear more of Evan's music. 0:00 Music: “Race with the Devil” Al Di Meola w/Evan Garr 2:48 On his musical upbringing and moving from classical into jazz 8:29 Getting into instrument building 9:53 Evan’s current electric violin 11:34 Early gigs (Norman Connors) 13:30 Music: “A New Beginning” from The Chill Out Album, Evan Garr 15:29 How Evan landed a gig with Al Di Meola 21:26 Evan’s rhythm “guitar” and bowing techniques 26:30 Music: “Play Time” - from The Chill Out Album - Evan Garr 28:50 Playing with Jean-Luc Ponty 29:54 On how he learns jazz lines by ear 32:59 Evan’s practice routine 34:46 Looking ahead to new career opportunities 37:52 Music: 313 - The Live Experience featuring Evan Garr 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. Visit daddario.com/orchestral and codabow.com to learn more, or visit electricviolinshop.com to purchase their fine products!

Episode 1: Mark Wood Mar 29, 2017

Show notes

In the inaugural episode of the 'Rockstar Violinist' podcast, Electric Violin Shop's Matt Bell interviews rock violin legend and electric violin pioneer Mark Wood on the floor of the NAMM show. Mark Wood shares stories about: • his classical viola upbringing • his entry into rock music • his experiences performing and touring with world renowned acts like Celine Dion and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra • his invention of the Viper electric violin, first as a performance instrument for himself, then as the flagship instrument for his instrument company Wood Violins. 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. Visit daddario.com/orchestral and codabow.com to learn more, or visit electricviolinshop.com to purchase their fine products!

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