Violinists are as geeky as the next musician, and one of the things that geeks us out most is pick-up systems. So you can imagine I’m geeking out today as I await my new Fishman V-300 pick-up for my acoustic metal violin, named Tristan. Tristan has had a few pick-ups in the sixteen years since he came into existence, and all of them have been piezzo bridge ones. The first was great for the time, but it was fitted with a little 1/8″ mini jack which always sucked a bit in terms of fidelity. When the day came that it broke, I decided to go with a tiny clip on microphone from Sennheiser, which I clipped onto the bridge.
Years later, and I had a new piezzo bridge fitted with a 1/4″ carpenter jack. I’d hoped it would be more robust, but it’s had to be re-soldered more often than I’d hoped. I’ve thrown in the towel, seen the light, and gone ahead and ordered a new Fishman V-300.
I’ve been very happy with the Fishman V-400 on my viola for a while now. It was fitted earlier this year, and came with me on tour with the Spirits in the Sky this summer. It was totally happy with the rigors of the bus, multiple temperature changes and jacks being pulled out of it a few times a day. Not a moment of solder unhappiness the whole time.
I’m confident Tristan will be pleased with his new V-300 tomorrow night. And this will give me the freedom to play live, secure in the knowledge that there will be zero ground noise and exceptional clarity and tonal range with no need to re-solder for many years to come.
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Tags: Fishman V300, Fishman V400, piezzo pick-up, piezzo pickup |
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Amy Farris was a violinist and string arranger living in Silverlake, the same neighborhood as me. She was a passionate member of the small worldwide community of people who love strings as much as we do.
A vibrant, beautiful woman, Amy passed this month, many moons before her time was due. I am saddened by our loss, as is everyone she touched with her talent and dedication.
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Just got back from the Windy City… Wind on my coat-tails, snow hammering the windshield as we sped to the airport like a whirlwind.
I had an incredible month in Chicago in the studio with the Smashing Pumpkins, the wind fully in their sails. The new album, “Teargarden by Kaleidyscope” is guaranteed to blow you away. It’s deep, multifacted, lush and powerful, with classic melodies, beautiful arrangements and killer hooks. Oh, and my strings are on there, I’m so thrilled. I’ll drop you the download as soon as there’s a song ready for you to hear.
Meanwhile, here’s ‘4th of July Asbury Park – Sandy‘, one of Bruce Springsteen’s most popular songs. This is a brand new version I recorded with Jason Heath earlier this year, and it’s endorsed by The Boss himself. Settle back and warm yourself to this American classic as I dust off my shoes here in sunny L.A.
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Tags: Jason Heath and the Greedy Souls, teargarden by kaleidyscope |
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I’m currently in Chicago working on the new Smashing Pumpkins album, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. You can see daily news about this incredible record at the Smashing Pumpkins official website and also at the producer’s blog, Glittercop.
Here’s a blog entry from this week with photos of Billy Corgan and me in the studio.
The tracks sound amazingly beautiful… Be excited, be very excited…
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Tags: billy corgan, smashing pumpkins, teargarden by kaleidyscope, violin |
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I’m excited, honored, grateful… Yeah, I got on board, got on board that train… nothing stops this train… I am with them… yeah, I’m ready to rock and roll!
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Tags: billy corgan, spirits in the sky |
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Incredibly talented Carre Calloway is a 22 year old girl who was discovered by Trent Reznor five years ago, at the age of 17. Trent’s been her mentor ever since, bringing her to Los Angeles and supporting her through her process of creative emergence. The guy has great taste – she is amazing.
I’m playing in her band, Queen Kwong on September 17. We’re opening for Nine Inch Nails at the Hollywood Palladium, but the 4000 tickets sold out in ten minutes, so you’re just gonna have to wait for the Youtubes…:)
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Tags: carre calloway, nine inch nails, queen kwong, trent reznor |
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I’ll be playing electric violin for Wendy Parr, the New York-based British composer and singer who co-wrote Golden Globe-nominated music with AR Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire.
The show is a celebration of Seth Riggs, perhaps the world’s most accomplished singing coach, collaborating with Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner and Barbra Streisand.
Also on the bill is multi-Grammy winner and back-to-back Oscar nominee James Ingram, and more very special guests.
It’ll be an incredible show…
Thursday July 23 at 8 p.m.
15600 Mulholland Drive
Los Angeles
CA 90077
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Tags: james ingram, seth riggs, SVP, wendy parr |
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I don’t want to give too much away, but I am so excited about the movie score I’m composing for To Be Friends.
This week I’ve been working with a soprano opera singer and a ukulele player, perhaps a first time duo combination? The movie is looking fantastic, cinematography is stunning, acting serious. The music is being drawn out of me to compliment the depth of emotion on screen.
Lots of strings. Can’t wait till you see and hear it…
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Sky Saxon has passed away. A true radical and visionary who coined the term Flower Power, Sky was ground zero for garage rock, psychedelia and progressive spirituality in Los Angeles, headlining shows with The Doors as an opening band.
Sky’s band, The Seeds, changed music, with their seminal track ‘Pushin’ Too Hard’ expanding the possibilities of what can be done, still. Sky remained an active creator for over forty years, writing, touring and recording through until a few weeks ago.
I am blessed to have known him, to have made music with him. His legacy remains, including a beautiful, tear-jerker of a track Sky co-composed with Billy Corgan, featuring my acoustic violin. You can hear this track along with a great photos from the sessions by Kristin Burns.
Rest in peace, Sky….
Hear the track and watch the video here.
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I’m back in LA, and settling into my new studio. First project is strings for David J from Love & Rockets / Bauhaus. I’m excited about how it’s sounding…
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