As more and more B&Gs look for ever more varying options for their big day, one type of act we’re finding we’re getting asked about a lot is are electric string bands and acts, here’s a selection for hire in the UK through Freak Music.
Asteria (above) are an electric string quartet comprised of four elegant, glamorous girls who are musically trained at the highest level, and graduates of London’s top musical conservatoires. The girls perform their renowned show at concerts and parties all over the world; at events, private celebrations, and every conceivable opportunity where people gather to enjoy themselves and require a performance of international music and world class quality to set the stage alight. The world’s most exciting electric string group take a glowing pride in the quality of their show, which they have honed into a fast paced impressive spectacle. When you see an Asteria performance you experience four dedicated girls delivering a high impact show with slick choreography and impressive musicianship.
Kate Chruscicka (right) first picked up the violin at the age of six, after hearing Vanessa Mae’s music. This was the start of a lifelong obsession with both violin music and live performances. Kate will soon graduate with a Masters degree in Violin Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music (one of the UK’s most prestigious musical conservatoires), and already has a 2:1 BA Hons degree in Music from the University of Leeds. She has studied under a number of world-famous tutors that have included Mieczyslaw Szlezer, Lukas David, Miranda Playfair (co-leader of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra) Raimonda Koco (Opera North) and Leland Chen (a Mehuhin pupil). Kate is currently giving an average of around two performances every week, and is also currently promoting her first album, with another two on the way in the near future! Kate’s own creative vision comes into focus in her recording work, where she transforms the violin from being predominantly a classical instrument into a contemporary masterpiece, infusing aspects of traditional music with a modern edge. Kate performs using her distinctive one-of-a-kind electric violin, which has been hand-made by world famous British violin maker Ted Brewer.
It was while growing up in Stroud, Gloucestershire, that Tim Gill first began his classical training in both viola and violin. He progressed quickly, performing Bach’s Double Violin Concerto by age 12 and later going on to play with the Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra as a teenager. Academic study provided the next stepping-stone in Tim’s musical progression, when he sought and achieved a BA Honours degree in Music at Oxford Brookes University. It was here that Tim was presented with a broad selection of new musical opportunities that he eagerly met, allowing him to greatly expand and develop his repertoire and playing styles. Collaborating with diverse acts such as an electro-acoustic group (Message to Bears), a folk-blues-reggae hybrid band (The Alchemists) and contemporary classical pianist Jean-Philippe Rio-Py (Cutting Edge Records), Tim was able to both challenge and test himself in an eclectic array of different musical formats.
Stringfever are a unique ensemble, all from the same family, these four very different characters bring you a truly unique show thathasto be seen to be believed. Skeletal electric string instruments and vocal percussion played by world class musicians.
The show includes…
‘The History of Music in 5 Minutes’ – 40 tunes packed into a 5 minute finale, Ravel’s Bolero with all four of them playing one cello at the same time anda game of ‘name that tune’ with twenty of the world’s most famous film themes! Last year Stringfever performed their show in over 20 countries! They have recently played sell out shows to standing ovations at the Suncoast Casino in Las Vegas, the Cayman Arts Festival, and the Henley Festival as well as several appearances on prime time ITV and BBC Television.
