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!

Episode 1: Mark Wood

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!

Duncan Monserud's Album

Episode 4: Tina Guo

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!

Episode 5: Kyla Vera

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 7: Ross Holmes

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 11: Ezinma

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.

Episode 15: Sarah Charness

**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 16: Earl Maneein

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 22: DSharp

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 38: ThatViolaKid(Drew Forde)

Brian King Joseph is a self-taught and self-produced electric violinist who rose to fame in season 13 of America's Got Talent, when he advanced to the finals and finished the competition in 3rd place. BKJ has made a name for himself in the music scene since the age of 4. He has performed with major touring acts such as George Clinton & P Funkadelics, Machine Gun Kelly, He has toured the country with his charting Reggae band Lucky Dub, were personally requested to perform for the Mayor of DC and Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor. He has appeared on hit TV shows such as "MTV Real World" and several commercials. In 2012, he was offered a Full Presidential Scholarship at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. ​BKJ consistently collaborates with lifestyle brands, independent designers, and event programmers for both sponsored and private events such as weddings (reception & ceremony), ribbon-cutting events, club openings, private parties etc ​ Brian King Joseph composes and produces all of his music independently.

Learn more about BKJ at https://www.briankingjoseph.com.

Music heard in this episode:

Intro: Brian’s first televised audition for AGT
Everything I Wanted - Billie Eilish Cover - Brian’s YT channel
BKJ and Lindsey Stirling performance on AGT
Centuries - Fall Out Boy Cover - AGT
Lucid Dreams - Juice Wrld Cover - Brian’s YT channel
Finals Performance on AGT
Semi-Finals Performance on AGT
Spark - Original Track by BKJ
Rebellion - Original Track by BKJ

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 50: Brian King Joseph

71bpm, B Minor

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Cloud Walk (Instrumental)

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A true renaissance musician, in all parts technical and organic - Marvillous Beats (Hometown: New Rochelle, NY) is not only the connector between classical and hip-hop music but an invaluable community servicer - a story that includes triumphing through failure, a love for family, and a passion for music production that inspires the world.

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