Exclusive Interview with Alex DePue
A truly outstanding virtuoso, Alex DePue has amazed audiences worldwide with his playing and music. In 2007 he joined legendary rock guitarist Steve Vai for a world tour and you can see some of Alex DePue's brilliance on 'Where The Wild Things Are' live DVD!
EGMA 2012's mission is to find the world's most unique and original talent. What do you look for in music that inspires or excites you?
AD: Firstly, I find all genres of music equally inspiring and exciting... as long as it is GOOD. Now, "GOOD" is highly opinionated and beauty is truly found only through the eyes and ears of the individual. Having said that, and because my life has been surrounded mostly by instrumental prowess from my classical upbringing all the way to the rock vibe with Vai, I have always been drawn to music which does not consume my life, specifically, vocal ensembles.
Bobby McFerrin has been a vital influence in my musical life and a lot of my arrangements for solo violin have been inspired by what it is Mr. McFerrin does with his voice, i.e. accompanying himself with rhythm and bass lines while still maintaining a recognizable melody. He is an absolutely amazing talent. Aside from that, other notable music I listen to for enjoyment come in the form of barbershop harmony (Max Q, Acoustix and others) and also a cappella ensembles like the King's Singers, Manahattan Transfer, etc. My father was (is) a full professor of music composition/theory and I did grow up hearing his music performed regularly at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. His forte was and still is arrangements and original compositions for choral ensembles... i.e. Mens' Chorus, Women's Chorus and mixed voices as well.
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