V2SYNC and the Podcast

 Vira Burmenko, is an award winning artist, Violinist and Composer from Toronto, Ontario.  Last year I was included in World's Top Electric String Players. After watching it, Vira asked me for a Podcast interview which gave me some time to reflect upon my journey as an artist. I was really glad to share my experiences.

Later, Vira and I came to know each other, became friends and we did a virtual collaboration - V2SYNC.

Here, I am sharing the excerpts from the podcast. 

​Q 1: How did you come up with your unique style?

As any regular artist or violinist, I learned Indian traditional music at the University level. At that time I did not have many professional people to guide me. I just wanted to keep playing the Violin. At one point, the Western style of playing was very appealing to me, I got interested and I turned towards it. I learnt the Western style too and  I was able to excel in both styles. In my state Kerala, most of the artists were playing the Indian Traditional style. But I wanted to be different, stand out, stand apart and started working on my own style. That's how I ended up with my rock_n_fuse genre.

Q 2: When did you decide that the classical world of music was no longer enough? When did you come up with your first original piece???

I have never felt that classical world of music is not enough because I learnt both these styles.  The audience for classical music is different. I play according to the situation and audience and their tastes on the occasion. Right now, public likes the fusion kind of music more and that is what I do more these days.

I have done albums and pieces in more traditional style during earlier days. Folk music or regional music is another area - I have made music connecting those as well. In many of my performances I include the traditional music based pieces as well.

Around eight years ago, I had the opportunity to play for a TV channel in connection with the harvest festival Onam of my state Kerala. I came up with a song based on Indian Folk music. I also composed another one based on traditional carnatic music - carnatic music is based on a group of notes called Raga - my composition is based on the Raga called Sreeranjini. Me and my band played that in the studio for telecast during the festival season eight years ago. We still play these during our shows and have a lot of fun.

Q 3: When did you switch to electric violin and what has it done for your sound?

Initially I was learning in my acoustic violin only. I was using the acoustic violin for my initial concerts as well. Later when I formed my band Rithuragas, we included drums, guitar, keyboard and it became difficult to catch the sound of acoustic violin into the microphone - you know, it is hard with distortion and all.

I got my first electric violin more than eight years ago. It was not a branded violin or anything. Then I slowly learnt more and more about electric violins. I started experimenting with other brands and finally ended up with one of my favorites - Cantini.

Now I also own the seven string Mark Wood Viper. I understand that only a handful of Violinists in the world own and play the Mark Wood brand. Very excited and proud to own the Viper, play the Viper.

​Q 4: Let’s have a listen to your song, and then we’d like to hear about your process on it??? How do you go about creating your music? Do you have a rhythmic idea first, melody? What inspires you?

The music I played just now is titled "The Tantric Storm".

It's one of my own original compositions. I did find the rhythmic pattern first and then imposed my melody on top of it. I took this idea to my band mates. We sat down and had a discussion. Everyone threw their ideas and thoughts into the piece and that's how the composition was completed.

We rehearsed, improvised and fine tuned it before we went for a studio recording.

Most Indian players may not be able to play a rock genre music and most Western players cannot compose based on traditional music. So again my training in both came handy and that's how we were able to come up with such a unique piece of music.

We played it live for the first time to a huge audience who were there to listen to popular movie numbers. Yet, it was very well received. We also collaborated and played the same music with some Western players. They were fascinated by the music and we enjoyed playing together live - so I believe it was well received.

Mark Wood watched my video and had sent a feedback on how much he loved it. That was a great gesture and I think it shows how much effort went into the making of the music. It is also my first album with the Viper.

This piece of music was created with inspiration from regional folk music of my home state.

Q 5: What was the most memorable performance you have done so far?

According to me, every performance, every venue is new.  I do not get on any stage with a predicted or calculated success. When you look at it that way, I am excited for every show and all of them are memorable. I am not able to pinpoint any one of my performances - it's also dependent on the response of the audience. In some shows in spite of very good performance, the audience do not receive it well - so I may think that it's not a highly successful show. 

Every show is an interaction of the performer with the audience. So if you ask me, I do not have an answer for you. I really do not have a clear answer on which was my most memorable performance.

Q 6: What advice would you give to younger performers on being genuine and finding their voice???

To begin with I am not a musician who can give advice to others. But I can tell you about my experience. Listen to a lot of music from various genres and that is definitely helpful. If we restrict our listening to one type of music it is possible that our style of playing will also get restricted. I listen to Indian, Western, Rock, Metal, Pop. Later choose what you like from that. 

Listen to a lot of music. Practice. Find time for practice. These are not advice. This is from my experience on what works for me.