Rockstar Violinist Podcast

Matt Vanacoro is one of New York’s premier musicians and an expert at studio music recording production. With a strong understanding of technology for today’s modern musician, Matt is able to utilize the latest equipment and software to make his rig work for any situation. Experienced in both hardware synthesizers and software-based samples, Matt is able to call up the perfect sound every time. In this interview Matt discusses recording, music technology, and content creation with a focus on information specific to bowed strings players, with whom he has a lot of experience recording and producing. Learn more about Matt at www.mattvanacoro.com. Intro – Groove by Matt Vanacoro 1:10 - Why are we interviewing a non-violinist? 4:35 – Forefront of tech for years. Content creation and how tech is relevant for string players in 2019 6:38 – What advice would you give string players who are wanting to get into content creation? 12:10 – BREAK – Vulcan Worlds by Mark Wood 12:10 – You have to know what you know and kn

Born in Nashville, TN, Lars began playing fiddle at age six. He started gigging around Nashville at age fifteen and by seventeen was working the Broadway circuit. He studied violin performance formally at Berklee College of Music before returning to Nashville to pursue a career as a touring musician. In addition to fiddle, Lars plays banjo, mandolin, acoustic guitar, Dobro, resonator guitar, electric guitar, baritone guitar, and sings background harmonies. His Nashville success can be attributed in part to his versatility--he's comfortable as both a rhythm and lead player, live or in the studio, and can help to create textures and sounds for artists when recording and recreate those studio sounds in a live performance situation. To learn more about Lars and his music, visit www.larsthorson.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 t

Cassandra Sotos is a 7-string Viper electric violinist, acoustic violinist, fiddler, mandolin player, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and recording artist. Cassandra can be seen touring all over the world performing styles including pop, rock, and country. She began her musical journey at the age of 4 when she first picked up a violin and has been playing professionally since she was 15; touring worldwide and performing a wide range of styles including rock, country, classical, pop and electronica. Cassandra is currently stepping to center stage and is writing and recording her debut solo EP! Cassandra is an emerging leader in the violin/strings world and has been featured several times in publications including Strings Magazine for her achievements and dedication to the growth of the art and community. She is an active member and leader of the Women in Music organization and seeks to empower other young musicians and songwriters, especially female students, through her own hard work and success. Learn more

Redefining the role of the violin in contemporary music, Tracy Silverman has contributed significantly to the repertoire and development of the 6-string electric violin and what he calls “post-classical violin playing.” Formerly first violinist with the innovative Turtle Island String Quartet, Silverman was named one of 100 distinguished alumni by The Juilliard School. A concert electric violinist, Silverman is the subject of several electric violin concertos composed specifically for him by Pulitzer winner John Adams, “Father of Minimalism” Terry Riley, Nico Muhly and Kenji Bunch, as well as the composer of 3 electric violin concertos of his own. A long-standing advocate for music education, Silverman is the author of The Strum Bowing Method, is an in-demand clinician and on the string faculty at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Learn more about Tracy at tracysilverman.com. Tracks heard in this episode: 3rd Stone from the Sun I Wish 7 steps to heaven Bach Redux Matisse Who Do We Think We Are But Not

Rob Flax is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator with a playful heart and an open mind. He has performed nationally and internationally with groups of many different styles, including opening for B.B. King and Tower of Power, playing viola and violin with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and YouTube star Jacob Collier, upright bass in an Argentine tango ensemble, mandolin and fiddle in various bluegrass bands, electric violin in several rock bands, collaborations with modern dancers, and more. As a composer Rob has written music for choreographers, film (including work on the soundtrack of James Franco’s film As I Lay Dying), and several original projects. Rob is a graduate of the New England Conservatory and he currently lives in Boston, MA. Learn more about Rob’s music at www.robflax.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. Electri

Known primarily for his work as a performer, composer and orchestrator in New Jersey based bands Thank You Scientist and Windfaerer, Ben Karas is a violinist with classical training whose drive as a musician has been fueled by his passion for louder and more extreme types of music. He is a versatile player who is able to utilize the violin in wide range of musical settings; from orchestral or chamber music to fusion rock, from acoustic rock to metal. Learn more about Ben’s music at www.benkaras.com Tracks heard in this episode: Intro: Dawn of Phantom Light  - Windfaerer Swarm - Thank You Scientist Blooded Shore - Windfaerer Chromology - Thank You Scientist Anchor - Thank You Scientist Journey - Windfaerer Under the Sign of Sol - Windfaerer 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.electri

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

Greg Byers is a jazz cellist, a top-notch performer, a fantastic composer, an amazing singer, and a highly sought teacher. He begin cello at a very young age through the Suzuki method. By age sixteen, he was a talented cellist, but was frustrated with the lack of personal expression he found in youth orchestras. This led Greg to explore the possibilities of the cello in a jazz context. As a music major at University of Miami he was initially denied admission to the Studio Music & Jazz program because he was a cellist. He persevered and eventually became the first person to double major in Instrumental Performance/Studio Music & Jazz on cello and bass. As a performer, Greg enjoys balancing technical prowess and improvisation freedom. As a composer, he strives for melodies that reach the layman, and harmonies that challenge the stereotypes of Western popular music. As an educator, Greg is passionate about helping students avoid the pitfalls of traditional music instruction, with the student truncated from any

Rudolf Haken is a violist, composer, and professor of music internationally renowned for his creative melding of disparate musical styles and genres. He is particularly known for his work with extended-range violas, appearing in concert on four continents with his five-string Rivinus viola and six-string Wood Violins Viper electric viola. Haken is Professor of Viola at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign as well as Founder and Director of the University of Illinois Electric Strings program, which offers a Bachelor of Arts in Electric Strings! Learn more about Professor Haken's music and Electric Strings studies at the U. of Illinois by visiting rudolfhaken.com/electric. 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.co

We've interviewed a lot of great string players so far, and it seems almost every one of them has a nightmare story about losing their instrument. This show, The Lost Episode, is a compilation of just some of those stories from Patrick Contreras (1:31), Ross Holmes (6:50), Joe Deninzon (17:10), Val Vigoda (22:14), Jesús Florido (26:31), Dr. David Wallace (31:57), Sarah Charness (42:09), Scott Laird (46:00), and Haydn Vitera (52:01). 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.

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

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 l

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 recor

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.

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

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.el

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

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@electr

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.

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 c