Throw everything you knew about classic music and violin out the window because Mia Asano is here to change it all. A skillful, classically trained artist, Mia uses the violin in ways you would never expect or really be able to imagine. With the use of an electric style violin, she shreds as if it’s a mini guitar, transforming music in other genres with the touch of her bow. Think Metallica hits with a wailing, melodic but nearly gritty violin over top. Better yet, see her for yourself at Crafthouse Stage & Grill in Pittsburgh on March 13.
We sat down with Mia ahead of the performance to get the inside scoop on what killer songs could be in store and what exactly to expect when she and her violin hit the stage.
Talking Pittsburgh, Classical Music, and More with Violinist Mia Asano
TABLE Magazine: How would you describe your genre?
Mia Asano: This is a great question, because what I do really spans a lot of genres. The best way I can describe it is classical crossover meets symphonic metal. You could also call it violin rock—there are a bunch of ways to describe it—but classical crossover makes the most sense to me. I’ve actually charted on the Billboard Classical Crossover charts. I’m taking a very traditional instrument and turning it into something you’ve probably never heard before, so that’s what I’d call my genre.
TM: What makes the violin so special to you?
MA: Like I mentioned before, the violin isn’t just a traditional instrument. It’s capable of so much more. With electric violin, I can make it sound like almost any instrument, especially an electric guitar. It’s incredibly diverse—I can play so many styles of music, whether it’s something beautiful and symphonic or heavy rock and metal. That versatility is what I love most, because it lets me express my very diverse music taste through one instrument.
TM: How do you blend modern and traditional playing styles to create your own sound?
MA: When I was young, I was a huge fan of rock music—alternative rock, metal, all of it. I realized early on that I could play my favorite songs on the violin. I started by learning the vocal melodies, but pretty quickly I figured out I could play guitar parts, synth lines, even bass parts. With my seven-string violin, I basically try to learn every single part of the song I’m covering.
Now that I’m writing my own original music, I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from all these different styles and put it into one record. It’s a mix of symphonic music, metal, electronic, pop—basically all my favorite genres—and I’m really excited about it.
TM: What’s one word you’d use to describe your tour?
MA: Electrifying. It’s going to be so exciting and very rock-focused. You’ve never seen anything like this with a violin. I’ll be headbanging, dancing around, shredding—I have an amazing band. There’s really no better word for it.
TM: What are you most excited about playing in Pittsburgh? Have you been there before?
MA: Yes, I’ve been to Pittsburgh a few times. I’ve played at City Winery before, and I love the city. I used to live on the East Coast—I went to music school in Boston—so I spent a lot of time bouncing around different East Coast states.
I’m especially excited because I’ve never played a solo headline show in Pittsburgh before. It’ll be my first time at Crafthouse. It’s going to be a huge party, and I’m so excited.
TM: What do you hope audiences take away from your show?
MA: I hope people walk away realizing that the violin isn’t just a classical instrument—it’s capable of so much more. I also hope they enjoy hearing my unreleased original music, because I’ll be debuting it live at these shows for the first time.
It’s going to be a big party. I’ll also be playing a lot of fan-favorite covers that have gone viral online, so there’s something for everyone. It’s a show you can bring your grandma to, or take your friends to—there’s a little bit of everything.
I’m also excited because my good friend Billy Wilkins will be opening for me—he plays guitar with DragonForce—and my bass player, Alicia, is actually also the bass player for DragonForce. It’s going to be a super fun show, and I can’t wait to play in Pittsburgh!
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photos Courtesy of Mia Asano
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