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Once
you hear modern rock artist Antonio Pontarelli, you will never forget the sound
of this passionate electric violinist. He puts a spin on everything he plays to
make it his own creating a signature trademark.

Antonio picked up a violin at the age of three and started winning competitions
by age seven. His parents shortly discovered that their child was gifted in
music and it wasn’t long before he was playing on national television. His
electrifying performance and arrangement of Jimi Hendrix’s "Purple Haze" won
NBC’s ITV’s "America ’s Most Talented Kids" in Nov.2004. In February
2005, he delivered the performance of the season in their "Tournament of
Champions" episode when he ignited the audience with his very first note. Later
that year he had the honor of being the "Young Artist Awards" winner for
"Outstanding Young Rock Musician." The awards are helmed as the Oscars for
talented young people in film, television and music.

After his successful collaboration with’Elect The Dead’.
In addition with sharing the stage with Serj, SOADFans were curious to Ask
Antonio some questions about what he did, what he dose and what he’s gonna do in
the future…

There was never really a moment where I suddenly realized I wanted to be
violinist. From the time I was in the womb, my parents were always playing music
for me, so I was fond of music from the time I was born. However, when I started
playing the violin, it was very much a hobby and I wanted to be a doctor, not a
musician. However, I think my dedication to the violin gradually developed from
playing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" at my family Christmas parties to
performing in recitals and competitions. I became seriously involved as a
musician as my family began to invest more time, money, and effort into
obtaining violin lessons, driving me to orchestra auditions, and just being
supportive of my music. The reason I continue to play is because I have an inner
desire to spread music and somehow make people feel a little better about life.
Despite the problems that may exist in the world, life has a undeniable beauty
and I think the subtleties of music perfectly portray that quality.

 Since I can remember, my grandmother has always had KUSC, the Los Angeles
classical music station, playing in her house, and when I was three years old, I
would always ask about the "viowen" that was playing on her radio. I asked for a
violin a few months later, probably just because I liked the way it sounded, and
the way it looked too.- What do you feel would have the biggest impact if music wasn’t
encouraged for today’s kids growing up, like it has been taught in schools up
until now? Has music in school made a difference for you?While school music programs are invaluable in K-12 education, I got a music
education from private instructors and community orchestras. The schools I
attended did not have in-depth music programs and I was lucky enough to have
supportive parents who funded my music instruction. If public schools did not
support the arts, I feel that non-for-profit organizations and community
programs could fill that role. However, it is still important for the public
education system to encourage music education.

I use different violins for different circumstances. I have a regular
classical violin that I use when I perform classical music and record in the
studio. I used that violin the most in the session with. I also have a
flying V electric violin that I plug into a guitar amp for solos, but I do not
use that instrument as much as used to. I used this violin in the bridge of
"record.
The violin that I use the most for live is an acoustic violin with an electric
pickup that keeps a warm classical sound, but has the ability to scream when I
put it through a half-stack.

I do not like to think of definite "genres", but like you said, the violin
is considered a classical or country instrument rather than something used in
rock music. However, people used to think the same about the flute until Jethro
Tull became popular in the 70’s and brought the flute into the rock genre. I
think any instrument can work in any genre, just as long as it is presented
tastefully. Also, in my opinion, the general direction of rock music is moving
towards chord progressions and melodies that are typical of classical music, so
I think that the violin definitely has a place in rock music.

Well, I had been working with Dan Monti at the Village Studios in Santa
Monica for about a year. As a matter of fact, almost all of the music that I
have recorded was done with Dan. Dan and Serj met through the "Buckethead &
Friends" record, so Serj used Dan for Elect the Dead. When they needed a
violinist, "Commander Dan" came through and gave me a call. Serj was awesome to
work with. He was laid-back and casual, but he knew exactly what he wanted for
each song.

To be honest, the only song that I heard that I don’t think was released to the
public, was the studio recording of "Charades". It’s a great song, but I think
he only plays it live.

Well… He did have this medieval sword from Scotland that he wanted me to
try to play the violin with… It didn’t really work… to say the least.

I listen to a lot of rock music, particularly System of a Down and Fair to
Midland. However, my music library ranges from Disturbed to Chopin to Imogen
Heap to the Supremes. The only music that I really don’t listen to is country
music.

To be honest, I don’t have a steady band that I always play with. In the
beginning of last year, my band comprised of Dan Monti on guitar, Mario
Pagliurulo on bass, and Thomas Lang on drums. Understandably, Dan and Mario took
the opportunity with, and Thomas did not want to be in the band
without Dan or Mario. Ever since then, I have been playing shows with local
musicians and friends who are actually great players. At the moment, I’m playing
with three brothers: Matthew Rodriguez on guitar, Nic Rodriguez on bass, and
Jules Rodriguez on drums. Russell Berkley, a friend of mine, joins in on
keyboards. We’re quite the wild bunch.

- Besides your love for music and being on the stage, what other artists have
encouraged you? Are there any favorite artists in particular that you enjoyed
working with?I was inspired more than anything by my violin teachers and orchestra
conductors. I am not the most disciplined person when it comes to practicing
exercises and repertoire, so their support helped me grow as a musician. The two
artists that I have really enjoyed working with are Serj Tankian and Jethro Tull.

I am not very famous by any means, so my popularity has not had much of an
impact on my life. My goal isn’t to become a celebrity. I’d rather continue
doing what I love, which is creating and performing music.- You have inspired others to follow their dreams. Knowing this, has anyone
told you what your music means to them and how has that inspired you in your
songwriting? Do you now only write songs based on what you feel you want to
convey to everyone?In the past, I have received emails from people who were not really interested
in the violin until they heard it in rock music. Other people have told me how
certain songs helped them through tough circumstances in their lives. However,
when I write, I just take a basic idea and develop it in any way I can. Whenever
I have tried to over think the purpose or direction of a song, the quality of it
has suffered.

I am recording and mixing my official EP at the moment. I still have to
finish my freshman year at USC, but after that, who knows what could happen.

For more info & to hear music samples, you can check Antonio’s
myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/antoniopontarelli