violin. and electric violin. and viola. and live music in austin, tx. playing classical gigs for money and rock gigs for fun. i'm usually spending time with my girlfriend and checking out bands, trying every beer I can stomach (no Hefes!), eating at gourmet restaurants, scouring the thrift stores for tiny mens clothes.
I'm an idealistic vegetarian - give me organic, local stuff.
Whenever it doesn't depress me too much, I keep up with current events and progressive politics. supporting local businesses. biking downtown late-night. dreaming about traveling.
Music
Lately, the Invincible Czars new studio stuff. Look for the new CD "fortissimo" sometime in the next 9 months.
locally... Invincible Czars, Mostly Dead, The Old Holdouts (I don't just play, I'm a fan too!), Muppletone and Barrelhouse Dogs (my former bands, RIP), Golden Arm Trio and anything that involves Graham Reynolds, Peter Stopschinski, Opposite Day, Muchos Backflips!, Surfing Standing Still, Bee vs. Moth, The Jazzus Lizard, La Mancha, Attic Ted, Migas, Tia Carrera, Asylum Street Spankers, Limbs are Absent, Pong, Atash, 1001 Nights,
violinists: locally, you can't beat Erik Hokkanen. Historically... Joe Venuti, Stephane Grappelli, Stuff Smith, Jean-Luc Ponty (just cause he's the popular one).
For modern players, I LOVE Warren Ellis of the Dirty Three. Also L. Shankar, Joe Deninzon, Christian Howes, Stratospheerius, Carla Kihlstedt, Timb Harris, Eyvind Kang
generally... Frank Zappa, Estradasphere, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Ween, Pink Floyd, Giant Squid, Priestbird, Beastie Boys, Mr. Bungle, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Stinking Lizaveta, Secret Chiefs 3, Brian Kenney Fresno, Phish, Beatles, Grateful Dead, Nick Drake, Johnny Cash, The Decemberists, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, King Missile, The Who, Talking Heads, Radiohead, Ravi Shankar, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Dixie Dregs, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Rush, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Cream, Alice in Chains, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Bela Fleck, Bob Dylan, My Morning Jacket, Fantomas, Gentle Giant, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Philip Glass, Antonin Dvorak, Dmitri Shostakovich.
Television
I don't have cable on purpose. But I do like The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, That 70's Show, The Colbert Report, The Daily Show
Just recently Netflix has gotten me caught up on MI-5, Hustle, Little Britain, Weeds, Dexter.
I am a violinist in Austin, TX, currently playing symphonic rock with the Invincible Czars and bluesy country with The Old Holdouts. Hey, I just started playing with Mostly Dead as well. Y'all should check us out - string section and horn section!
The first band I ever joined, the world prog riff metal outfit Muppletone just had our farewell show. I'll keep y'all posted about the inevitable reunion.
Who I'd like to meet: violinists (especially if what you do is a little beyond Beethoven), artists, musicians, fun Austin people.
Musicians: feel free to friend-request me. Just don't be offended if I deny it (I like being able to read all my bulletins). For a sure-fire add, click the links for any of my bands listed above or below (in my top friends).
Unfortunately, not any time soon. Due to babies and day jobs we find it hard to get very far from home. We may make an attempt to come to my homestate this fall. I'll keep you posted.
Okay, so I'm gonna miss the Carousel Show... our string quartet Rosetta is playing a few numbers with Karla's new band SoS at Flipnotics on Saturday. It was fun hanging the other night, though - looking forward to next time!
Dude! Sup man? Hope all is well. Let's catch up. I'll get out to one of your shows. Be sure to send me email when you are playing so I know. Good luck with the ACL contest. We're trying to get in too!
hey Phil! I wanted to extend a personal invitation for you to come into the shop and try out our new NS Design electric violin- they are TOP OF THE LINE fiddles, and as a valued customer, we would love to hear what you think! : ) Thanks!
