I had the pleasure of meeting Eva when she replaced me as the violinist of The Thin Heir. Normally I would hate on anyone who tried to fill my shoes (even if they are way better) but you just can’t hate this girl, she’s too awesome! I had the pleasure of catching her live in Brooklyn early this past summer, it was everything i hope for and more. Please take some time, visit her website, watch her amazing youtube videos, both originals and covers, and support this sprouting artist. Give her a little bit of time, she’s certain to be a force to be reckoned with.
You are a classically trained violinist, and a very good one i might add, why the change of direction?
Well, thank you! When I went to college for classical violin, I developed a playing injury from how intensely I was studying and it took a mental toll on me as well. There was so much stress that I associated with it. In school, I was able to start exploring some other musical avenues that I had always considered “fun” but not “serious”. That’s when the fiddle, the bluegrass band and the ukulele and jazz voice lessons all started. The plan was to continue in classical violin for grad school, but I decided to pursue my “fun” music “seriously” instead. There were too many exciting new things I wanted to try with music. It was amazing—the stress went away as well as the shooting pain I had in my bow arm all through college, too. I realized my own unique musical identity and I loved having the creative power to pursue whatever I wanted to set my heart to. Shouldn’t you always consider your happiness like that? Luckily, I still love classical music and I’m doing something I love. Win, win.
What would you call what you do?
Good question… my solo project is indie-folk-pop, but my fiddle playing is all over the map—americana, old-time, bluegrass, progressive, rock, classical — and I love it. It keeps me on my toes. When I’m playing fiddle gigs with other songwriters, or with other bands or rap artists or whatever, I love delving into their music and tapping into their genre influences while complimenting what they do. I get to be creative with it. I’d like to think that what I do is fresh, and heartfelt.
How on earth did you end up in Boston?
I was originally supposed to go to grad school at Boston University for violin, but once I changed my focus I decided that I still wanted to move to Boston anyway. I mean, why not? I hadn’t spent more than 32 hours or so here, but I just felt a vibe. It’s kind of crazy, I suppose, that I ended up moving out here for the sake of a good vibe, but it turned out so well. I got a job in a local violin shop, packed up my instruments and got on a plane. I wanted to change my life.
What is your favorite thing to do in the bean?
To be honest, I just love walking around. Even though I have a car now, I walk to places and take public transportation as much as I can. I love being out and about in the city; people-watching, catching a magical moment in this friendly, bustling town, or a show! I feel very at home here.
Who is your favorite musician that not enough people know exist? Why?
Well, the first person who comes to mind is my bestie here in Boston: Steph Barrak. I love her and her music. She has absolutely changed my life through her songs and her friendship, and I mean that so seriously. You really gotta check her out because she’s about to drop a hot record. And she released a single already. You can download it for free on her bandcamp.
Who is the biggest influence on your sound?
For my solo project, it’s probably Ingrid Michaelson, although definitely not her new stuff. I get compared to Ingrid some, and I’m okay with that because I respect her so much, but there is a lot more variety in what I do, as far as style goes. For fiddle music, my favorite fiddler is Brittany Haas. Her playing is one of the biggest reason I got obsessed with playing fiddle. I listened to her solo record on repeat for months and months when I first got my hands on it. It rocked my world.
What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2012?
Well, I wanna get my album out! That’ll happen long before 2012 comes to an end (we’re thinking September for the official release), but I think my biggest goal is to reach out more through my music and connect with more people—all around the country… the world, even! Thank goodness for the internet.
If you could be doing anything else for life and living, what would would it be?
I had to think about this pretty hard. All my first thoughts all had to do with music and the arts. I would want to own a small, eclectic, totally local coffee shop, probably with a vintage vibe (and a small stage for musical guests and community activities!). I like making people happy, I like talking to people, and I love being a hostess. It would be so satisfying to look around and see all the momentary happiness you created, through a good latte, a smile and a quick chat, or just by providing a place to sit and relax. All those moments add up. Good vibes and good experiences affect people. I don’t make big change in the world, but I like making all the small differences I can.
Current guilty pleasure song that won’t get out of your head?
I usually have a guilty pleasure song stuck in my head from Top 40 radio. My current song is “Payphone” by Maroon 5. There is something so pleasing about the melody that imprints itself in my brain. Just the opening line, really. It’s like a broken record and it’s just that fragmented phrase playing over and over in my head. UGH. It’s not a song that’s gonna be a legend, but it sure as hell is gonna be stuck in my head for weeks.
Celebrity crush?
Hmmmmm… Seth MacFarlane. What a guy. Yum yum.
Any advice for the classical musicians of the world who are lost and uninspired?
Well, that’s difficult. It’s hard to go through school for classical music and to be able to trust yourself and your innate musicality when it’s all over. You listen to all this feedback from your mentors and professors, conductors and colleagues—fix this, phrase that, you’re doing that wrong— and it’s easy to forget who you’re doing it all for. Assess where you are, and how you’re feeling about it, and if you’re happy. If the answer is “no”, do a fun gig! A community outreach performance. Have a chamber music party (with beer!). Start a music listening club. Learn a piece you wanted to study, but your teacher never worked on with you. Listen to yourself, and trust yourself, and do what interests you. Inspiration will come from pursuing the things you most enjoy.
Anything random you’d like to add?
Ayesha—you are wonderful! I love your blog! And I was so touched you came by to my show when I was in Brooklyn! It was my very first solo set out of Massachusetts and I definitely hope to be back in Brooklyn/NYC soon!
For all things Eva Walsh visit: www.evawalsh.com