ReadysetDC A CREATIVE URBAN ENTERPRISE

Words w/ Matthew Hemerlein

(Ed. Note: I’d like to introduce our new contributor and intern Tori! Below is her first contribution to ReadysetDC. Enjoy!)

The first time I saw Matthew Hemerlein grace a stage I had just left from an Andrew Bird show and was under the impression that I had gotten my lifetime fill of violin playing. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The moment he and DC’s U.S Royalty turned up the volume and began to cover the Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place” -I was hooked. Besides being an extremely talented musician, Matthew is one of the nicest people I have ever met. I was able to spend a morning talking with Matthew about his evolution as a musician, his future plans, and his involvement in the ever-growing DC artistic community.

TMilko: So let’s start with the basics: How did you end up playing violin? When did you start writing your own music?

MH: I started playing violin at 5 but had been listening to my brother practice since I was two or so. My parents home schooled us and music was as an extremely important aspect of our education. I began writing music at around 11, making new melodies on my cello, but didn’t start codifying them until about 17.

TMilko: 2009 was a big year for you. What can we expect to see in 2010?

MH: I am having a show on January 29th at The Art’s Club of Washington and it’s at the former home of President James Monroe so that’s exciting for me. After that I will be recording a new album.

TMilko: You currently call the District home. What about the city keeps you here?

MH: I was born in Maryland and my parents and sister are in this area so that’s a natural draw. But I really feel at home in DC because of the people in the district and the creative relationships that have blossomed here. I am also deeply tied to my students and wish to continue cultivating those bonds as an educator.

TMilko: Being a music teacher must give you some insight as to how the younger musical community of DC is developing. How do you see DC ‘s musical community fitting into the greater musical community?

MH: I’ve had the fortune of meeting and teaching some amazingly focused and open young musicians and I can assure you there are young bands and artists growing that will come to a sublime fruition in a matter of years.  Hopefully I’ve been able to show them some new technical terrain to explore on the instrument they’ve chosen, as well as the importance of writing from your heart and the act of listening. Listening is the greatest skill a musician can have. It allows you to hear what to play and most criticism regarding music I have stems from a lack of critical and active listening. A far as the musical community goes as a whole, DC is a terribly intelligent and sophisticated place. The music that is made here is directly influenced by that level of sophistication. I also heard something about this band called, Fugazi but never have actually heard their music.

TMilko: How have you seen the DC art community, and city as a whole, evolve in the past few years?

MH: I have been here for about two years now and was mainly concerned with establishing myself as a teacher and performer so I can’t really comment on the growth of DC as whole since my perspective is skewed by my focus on my own growth.

TMilko: You were recently granted a Young Performing Artist Grant from the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities. What are your plans for that?

MH: To digitally release the album made this past year and to also buy some recording gear and then record and digitally release that new album.

TMilko: You play a lot of shows in the Atlas District (H Street NE). What draws you to that area specifically?

MH: I love SOVA. It’s in the heart of H street and proprietor Frank Hankins knows how to treat musicians. It also feels like the nicest living room you’ve ever been to and the bartenders are so kind as well. H Street is a great area mainly because of Ryan Kibler, who tends bar at Sticky Rice and gives free lessons on style every time he works.

TMilko: Are there any other venues or areas you enjoy playing?

MH: I like playing at “1905″ although its been (since August). I really liked The Darlington House in Dupont- and Crabs Claw in Mt Pleasant. I also have a lot of fun playing at Art Gallery’s such as The Corcoran, The Walter’s (in Baltimore) and Hillyer Art Space simply because of the visual stimuli and people that go there.

TMilko: Any favorite musicians/artists you enjoy in the city? You’ve played with U.S Royalty in the past; can we expect any other collaborations in the future?

MH: I’m Playing with U.S. Royalty on New Year’s Eve at the National Building Museum. On January 22nd I will also be collaborating with Visual Artist Katie Schuler on a show called “Creatura” (latin for creature) which will feature Katie’s Artwork and Photography inspired by nature- in particularly the bio-luminescent creatures of the deep sea. I’ve set up a big jam session on January 27th with DC fav’s Pree, Laughing Man, Frau Eva, Avant-Garde Cellist Janel Leppin, and many more as part of “The Family Hemerlein” at Asylum. I also will be recording with Percussionist Jeff Franca and I also have a dope track in production with DJ Chris Burns.

TMilko: And of course I have to ask- what’s playing on your iPod right now?

MH: Usher, Prince, Chris Isaac, Ginuwine, MGMT, Radiohead, Edgar Meyer, Sam Sparro, Basement Jaxx, Cocorosie, Dead Mau5 and of course new idea’s I’m working on.

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For more information on Matthew Hemerlein visit: www.mmmmmusic.com