“If I had a young musician, I would get them to an Accidentals show. They set the bar for inspiration and their concerts are vaxxed and masked. Three women all playing multiple instruments insanely well, energy off the hook, and a killer drummer holding it down, this is the show to see.” – NPR

Be sure to catch these amazing women who’s compositions and performances tie together the spirit of their journey during the past two years.  Tour Dates.

Captured in April 2021, at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival their poignant and touching tune Might As Well Be Gold brings together beautiful folk harmonies with rolling changes and rhythms.

“We wrote Might As Well Be Gold as a reminder of what we have in the midst of what we have lost… there is so much to be thankful for even in the darkest hour, finding gratitude every day keeps the depression at bay and gives us a sense of hope and purpose. It’s part of our mental health improvement program over Covid. It’s one of those things that we will carry forward as we exit this space and continually adjust to new situations.” – The Accidentals

Check out the reviews from The Accidentals latest release Vessel in Localspins and Northern Express publications.

More on Katie . . .

The post Katie Larson appeared first on NS Design.

NS Design recently hosted another ConnectLIVE event with NS Design Founder and award winning instrument designer Ned Steinberger in a “Coffee with Ned” Zoom chat. Ned was joined by several fans, friends and NS Artists on the call in a lively and informative discussion. Check it out here!

The post CONNECTLIVE “Coffee with Ned” ZOOM Chat appeared first on NS Design.

thinkNS.com/connect

The post CONNECTLIVE Electric Strings Educator Edition with NS Artist Educator Scott Laird appeared first on NS Design.

The post CONNECTLIVE! Cello Edition with NS Artists Greg Byers and Calum Ingram appeared first on NS Design.

For Bass Players Only conducted its 700th bass player interview with none other than NS Artist Tony Levin. Congrats to Jon Liebman for many years of wonderful interviews with some of the world’s best bass players! https://forbassplayersonly.com/tony-levin/

In the interview, Levin chats with FBPO’s Jon Liebman in some detail about Levin’s reunion effort with Prog supergroup Liquid Tension Experiment (LTE). Levin, John Petrucci (guitar), Jordan Rudess (keys) and Mike Portnoy (drums), have returned with their third studio album, just released last Friday, LTE3. Safely bubbled during the sessions, the album had been recorded secretly in August, 2020 at the Dream Theater Studio (DTHQ). Levin talks gear including the variety of basses he selected for making the album. Check out what he says about the song “Chris & Kevin’s Amazing Odyssey” and why he chose the NS Upright for that particular song, despite being “an upright and it’s got big strings… and it’s not meant for playing super fast.”

An avid photographer and blogger, Levin had time this past year to organize a selection of his tens of thousands of photos, negatives and transparencies into a ‘coffee table book’, called Images From A Life On the Road, sharing his visual chronicles from a most unique perspective.

It’s not a surprise that it will be a busy year for Levin, with upcoming tour plans including Stick Men, King Crimson and Levin Brothers. Visit Tony Levin’s Website and Road Diary for tour dates and to buy the book!

Levin plays the CRM Upright and CR Cello.

The post Tony Levin For Bass Players Only Interview appeared first on NS Design.

The Electric Strings Extravaganza from The American String Teachers Association 2021 National Conference is Wednesday, March 3rd from noon to 3PM, EST. with live Q&A and guest appearances from several acclaimed electric violin, viola and cello artists. Are you a music instructor? Make your plan this week to recharge, learn, connect, and make music together at the American String Teachers Association⁠ annual conference.⁠

You are invited to join NS Artist Educator Julie Lyonn Lieberman and friends to enroll early and participate in the The Electric Strings Extravaganza. A special cameo appearance by NS Cello Artist Educator Greg Byers is sure to be inventive and full of the joy and dynamism that he brings to all of his performances!

Byers is an award winning performer, educator and producer. Check out his NS artist page for more information and a selection of video performances.

Register directly https://www.astastrings.org/

The post NS Artist Greg Byers Featured during ASTA’s 2021 Electric Strings Extravaganza appeared first on NS Design.

Are you a music instructor? Make your plan in March to recharge, learn, connect, and make music together at the American String Teachers Association⁠ annual conference.⁠
⁠
The Electric Strings Extravaganza is Wednesday, March 3rd from noon to 3PM, EST, with live Q&A. You are invited to join NS Artist Julie Lyonn Lieberman and friends to enroll. Julie will co-present with Martha Mooke, Joe Deninzon, and Matt Bell.
⁠
Learn about amplification, tone-enhancement options, preamps, amps, special effects, and more. Learn how to use the looper as a tool to teach composition, rhythm, bass lines, and improvisation as well as applications for all of the above in the private studio and/or classroom or orchestra for practice as well as performance. ⁠
⁠
This 2021 ASTA conference promises to be a huge success and enrollment will be high so be sure to register soon!⁠ https://www.astastrings.org/NationalConference ⁠
⁠
Julie Lyonn Lieberman has performed on and presented workshops about Electric Strings over the last four decades throughout the United States as well as abroad to contemporize string education and serve her artistic vision. She has presented for IAJE: International Association for Jazz Education, TODA: Texas Orchestra Directors Association, ASTA: American String Teachers Association, ESTA: European String Teachers Association, as well as state string teacher sessions and school residencies. Check out her website www.julielyonn.com⁠ or https://thinkns.com/artists/ns-design-artist-julie-lyonn-lieberman/

The NS Electric Violins

The NS Electric Viola

The NS Electric Cello

⁠

The post The Electric Strings Extravaganza is at ASTA 2021! appeared first on NS Design.

NS Design recently showcased an online series of informative and entertaining events including special performances, demonstrations, and live roundtable discussions among NS Artists, and NS founder Ned Steinberger, hosted by NS Artist Relations Manager Corey Redonnett. You can see a collection of videos and demonstrations at thinkNS.com/connect.

A message from NS Design founder Ned Steinberger⁠

I would like to express my special thanks to all the wonderful musicians who helped to make our NS Connect 2021 a success. Your knowledge, insight, and creative spirit, so freely shared for everyone’s benefit, was inspirational for me and I’m sure for all who participated in the event. I believe this is the beginning of a new level of connectivity for our growing and vibrant NS family. Thank you for making all this possible. I hope you have a great year! Ned⁠
⁠
Violinists and Violists⁠
Anna Blanton
Eliza James⁠
Ernest Bisong
Dr. Gregory Walker
Ion Zanca
Jason Yang⁠
Jonas Peterson
Jozef Nadj
Julie Lyon Lieberman
Ken Ford⁠
Matt Bell
Luis Montilla
Rebecca Schlappisch-Charles⁠
Rudof Haken
Scott Laird
⁠
Cellists⁠
Brian Webb
Calum Ingram⁠
Daniel Achebes
Greg Byers
Guy Michel⁠
Katie Larson
Kirsten Jones
Maddy Herdeman
Zack Clark⁠
⁠
Bassists⁠
Bakithi Kumalo
Brittany Frompovich  ⁠
Chance Onody  ⁠
Chris Wyse
Daniell Escortell
Derek Menchan
Donald Waugh  ⁠
Jake Moore
James “Hutch” Hutchinson
Lucas Steinberger ⁠
Marcos Varela
Michael Micucci
Nick Cañas
Nick Villalobos
Noor Che’ree
Pepe Hernandez
Yorgis Gioricelaya
Zach Rudulph

The post CONNECT2021 with NS Design – A Virtual Gathering appeared first on NS Design.

In his recent For Bass Players Only interview, NS Artist Noor Che’ree tells the story of his journey as a musician, how important his family has been on his path as a creative artist, and how his ongoing collaborative project with violinist and producer Jonas Petersen, called Symphonic Planet, has transformed his time in Los Angeles into the work of his dreams, traveling the world to create and search for music in it’s myriad forms.

Che’ree’s journey through music has made many stops around the world with many different genres of artists and organizations. A former US Marine Musician for the 1st Marine Division Band, award winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and international touring artist, Noor strives to explore new territories in his eclectic taste of world sounds and cultures, while marrying his jazz influences to the creative process of all music.

Find the full FBPO article here:

https://forbassplayersonly.com/noor-cheree/

Che’ree plays the CR Radius Bass, the NXTa Upright Bass and the NXTa Cello.

https://thinkns.com/artists/ns-design-artist-noor-cheree/

#thinkNS #NSDesign #NedSteinberger #ElectricUpright #upright #nsartist #FBPO #ForBassPlayersOnly

The post NS Artist Noor Che’ree’s Interview with For Bass Players Only appeared first on NS Design.

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Be sure to check out his fun looping improvisation on his NXT Cello for the Berklee World Strings Department.

More on Eugene . . .

The post Eugen Friesen – Creative Cello Workshop 2020 appeared first on NS Design.

The NAMM Show 2020 Ultimate Jam Night is a concert that brings all the legendary and top musicians of the world to play music together on one stage. This year’s stellar performances included NS Artists Quartet405 with violinists Eliza James and Rebecca Schlappich Charles, violist Jayna Chou, and cellist Danica Pinner rockin’ their NXTa’s! Check out the amazing photographs of the show taken by NS Artist Noor Che’ree of Cookie Monstah Media.

The post NAMM Show 2020 Ultimate Jam Night appeared first on NS Design.

We have a number of great players at the Winter NAMM 2020 booth performing and demonstrating NS, including: legendary bassist Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon), violinist Daneille Turano, Marcos Varela – Grammy nominated Jazz artist and composer, Los Angeles’s favorite electric ensemble Quartet 405 with a special demonstration including Symphonic Planet, solo bassists Noor Che’ree, Chance Wilder Onody, Donald Waugh and much more!

The post NS Design Booth at Winter NAMM 2020 appeared first on NS Design.

https://mysteryloves.com/

“My NS cello has a sleek design, powerful and warm sound and the unique frame strap system allows me to wear it and dance around the stage.” – Maddy Herdeman

Maddy plays the NXT5a Cello with the NS Frame Strap System.

Check out Mystery Loves Company’s single “Numbers and Lines”

More about Maddy . . .

The post Maddy Herdeman appeared first on NS Design.

NS Artist and esteemed bassist Tony Levin and his long-time band mates in King Crimson are embarking on their 2019 50th Anniversary Celebration American Tour.   With his CR5M Upright Bass, Tony and the rest of the KC camp will be ploughing through their extensive history of fan favorites.

Tour dates at:   https://www.dgmlive.com/tours?liveshow=on

Tony will also be doing a run of December dates with The Levin Brothers.  Featuring tinges of mid-century Afro-Cuban Jazz, Tony on his CR5 Cello and CR5M Upright Bass along with keyboardist brother Pete Levin, carve out fiery improvisations and groovy compositions rooted in classic Jazz of their childhood.

Tour dates at:  https://tonylevin.com/tour

Tony Levin plays the CR5M Upright Bass and CR5 Cello.

more about Tony . . . 

The post Tony Levin – King Crimson’s 2019 50th Anniversary Celebration American Tour appeared first on NS Design.

Classical crossover trio Simply Three plays music that is anything but simple.

They have performed covers of artists from Adele to Michael Jackson to Queen, winning the hearts of thousands of concert-goers and millions of YouTube followers. Blending top-notch musicianship with high production value and a dose of good humor, their recent music video—a cover of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”—sums them up pretty well:

(Please note: NS Design does not endorse playing your bass on top of a moving car. Even if you can.)

NS Design’s electric bowed instruments are integral to Simply Three’s music, both live and in studio. They perform with a matching set of CR Series instruments (CR Violin, CR Cello, CRM Upright Bass) with custom slate gray finish, in addition to their acoustic instruments.

The group takes full advantage of their NS instruments’ broad tonal palette and strong, clean signal. They also rely on NS Design’s ergonomics and patented support systems for their choreographed performances.

After all, not just any cello sounds good inside an AMC Pacer!

Here’s what Glen McDaniel, Zack Clark, and Nick Villalobos say about their NS instruments:

Glen McDaniel (CR Violin)

“NS makes a fantastic violin. It stands out against all the major brands in its ability to produce a warmth and resonance that sound natural despite being an electric instrument. To me, it has the most interesting and visual appeal as well.”

 

Zack Clark (CR Cello)

“The NS CR Cello is the best sounding electric cello on the market today. I absolutely love its unique look as well as the versatility I have with its dual pick-up system. It’s the only electric cello I use both on the road and in the studio.”

Nick Villalobos (CRM Upright Bass)

“I continue to discover the versatility of this instrument and it continues to impress me every day.”

Acclaimed by everyone from the Boston Philharmonic to the Huffington Post, Simply Three has over 1.1 million followers on YouTube. (Check out their channel here.) Their upcoming East Coast tour begins in Delaware on June 19. A new album is due out later this year.

Learn more about Simply Three by visiting https://simplythreemusic.com/.

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Welcome to the fifth edition of The Lyonn’s Roar, “Rhythmize Your Bow with Chop” by NS Violinist and Educator Julie Lyonn Lieberman.

For those of you returning to school this September, put fiery bounce in your bow by developing your “chop” percussion techniques on your violin, viola, cello or upright bass.

Starting as what was called the “chunk” technique and made popular by the father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, “chopping” has quickly become a fun and funky way for players to keep the groove moving. Bill Monroe’s fiddler Richard Greene (pictured below) further developed the “chop” technique into his own artful musical language.

Be sure to check out an excerpt from his guest appearance at the Strings Without Boundaries Summer 2016 Session in Seattle, Washington:

For lessons in how to develop this technique in your own playing, check out the Lyonn’s Roar – Fifth Edition “Rhythmize Your Bow with Chop”.

Go to Julie’s Strings Without Boundaries website page to learn more about contemporary and alternative string techniques or check out her book How to Play Contemporary Strings: A Step-by-Step Approach for Violin, Viola & Cello. Complete with video tutorials, backing tracks and a step-by-step approach including explicit notation, it will get you on your way to building new skills and techniques.

For more information about all of NS Design’s instruments including the NXTa Electric Violin that Julie plays and its eco-friendly, active yet battery-free features, and the affordable and road-worthy WAV Electric Series of instruments visit ThinkNS.com.

The post The Lyonn’s Roar by Julie Lyonn Lieberman – Edition Five – “Rhythmize Your Bow with Chop” appeared first on NS Design.

With much anticipation from fans and followers, NS Cellist Katie Larson and her Indie Folk-Rock band The Accidentals are celebrating their recent signing as Sony Materworks Artists and the release of a new album, Odyssey.

https://www.facebook.com/theaccidentals/videos/1380526258651606/

The Odyssey Album Release Tour kicked off in New York City and continues with several dates throughout the US, continuing into Canada, back to their beloved Michigan and beyond.  With many musical stories to tell along the way, be sure to check out a show and share their journey.

“The Accidentals draw inspiration from just about every kind of music you can think of, but it really doesn’t matter what you label them as long as your label contains the word ‘great’.” -“45 of the Best Up & Coming Rock Bands to Check Out in 2017,” GoodDeedSeats

Katie Larson along with bandmate Savannah Buist, violinist/vocalist, are both multi-instrumentalists, and combined with the talents of singer/songwriter/drummer/percussionist Michael Dause, The Accidentals provide an edgy and energetic soundscape that renowned musicians have noticed and that audiences around the country respond to.

Photo credit: Max Sharp

“The musicianship and delicate preciseness to their music is unparalleled to anything else we’ve heard from talents of this age.” Raves from the Ann Arbor Indie Music Examiner

This hardworking young trio have toured extensively as supporting acts and have also joined the stage with some of the greats.  The list is both diverse and impressive: Martin Sexton, Brandi Carlile, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Keller Williams, Andrew Bird, Dar Williams, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Rusted Root, The Wailers, and so on.

“Displaying a genre-hopping range of influence and some smart songwriting skills to go with their abundant musical chops.”-“SXSW: 7 Breakout Acts”, Billboard Magazine

The Accidentals first single released from Odyssey is called “KW”.  Check out an exciting live version of “KW” from Founders Brewery featuring Katie moving and grooving with her NS CR Cello and NS Frame Strap System.  In Katie’s own words: “The NS Design cello and harness system are so versatile in design and tone that they lend themselves to any situation; jazz jams, symphony concerts, outdoor music festivals, theater shows, house concerts, punk clubs, etc.  I’ve used it in every situation and I’ve never had this much fun playing cello.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmqWis5k044

To find links to their new album, tour dates and much more about The Accidentals visit their website: http://www.moreaccidentals.com/

For more information about the NS Cellos Larson plays and the entire family of NS instruments, including our newly released affordable and road worthy WAV Cello Series and the new high-performance Eco-friendly active NXTa’s, visit ThinkNS.com.

The post Odyssey Boldly with NS Cellist Katie Larson of The Accidentals on tour with a new album release as Sony Masterworks Artists appeared first on NS Design.

Welcome to the fourth edition of THE LYONN’S ROAR, “Electric Technique:  The Same . . .or?” by NS Violinist and Educator Julie Lyonn Lieberman.

Whether you’ve just unboxed your new NS Violin, plugged in your acoustic for the first time, or are just ready to unleash into new territory on the instrument you already love to play, these exciting iNSights will take your playing to another level and help you stand out in any performance setting.

Chord connection fills, textural ghost notes, chopping techniques, and incorporating guitar and horn like riffs to electrify your string sound, Lieberman highlights a range of suggestions for expanding your violin’s voice using several alternative techniques.

http://www.stringswithoutboundaries.com/string-resources/string-blog/electric-technique.html

This fourth edition includes a bonus interview with violinist Papa John Creach of Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna.  Papa John is an exciting and unique violinist and performer that understands how to truly stand out on a stage. In the interview, he talks about how to “Get Down, Get Dirty and Give it some Guts” on your electric.

How else do you achieve these techniques? Attend a summer program that will help you build new skills, there are quite a few to choose from.  Check out Julie’s book, How to Play Contemporary Strings: A Step-by-Step Approach for Violin, Viola & Cello, with its video tutorials and backing tracks, it’s a sure way to gain skills and have some fun.  Visit her website for more information on all her books, DVDs and courses. http://julielyonn.com/

For more information about all of NS Design’s electric violins and electric violas and the new eco-friendly, active yet battery-free NXTa Electric Violin, or the affordable and road-worthy WAV Electric Violin visit ThinkNS.com.

The post The Lyonn’s Roar by Julie Lyonn Lieberman – Edition Four – “Electric Technique: The Same . . .or?” appeared first on NS Design.

NS Bassist Bakithi Kumalo is back on tour with Paul Simon this summer playing several dates around the country throughout the month of June.  The tour kicked off June 1^st in St. Augustine, FL and ends at SummerFest in Milwaukee, WI on June 30.  Don’t miss it!  Tour and ticket information can be found here: http://www.paulsimon.com/news/paul-simon-announces-us-summer-tour/

Kumalo plays a variety of NS Basses and his go-to on this summer’s tour are the WAV5 RADIUS Bass Guitar and the NXT4 Electric Upright.  He also plays the NXT Omni Bass and the CR RADIUS Bass Guitar.

Joining him with an NXT Electric Cello is fellow multi-instrumentalist, composer and tour mate Mark Stewart who has been recording and touring with Paul Simon since the late 1990’s. Stewart is also one of the All-Star musicians in Bang on a Can, awarded Musical America’s Ensemble of the Year and heralded as “the country’s most important vehicle for contemporary music” by the San Francisco Chronicle. Mark is also a member of Steve Reich & Musicians and the comic duo Polygraph Lounge with Rob Schwimmer and in 2013 was in a year-long residency at MIT in the Glass Lab teaching students to design and create a glass orchestra.

Photos: Bakithi Kumalo and Mark Stewart in rehearsal for tour with Paul Simon.

Watch:  Paul Simon‘s debut performance at Austin City Limits with “Wristband” from his album Stranger to Stranger. The album is described by Andy Greene of Rolling Stone as “an experimental album heavy on echo and rhythm that fuses electronic beats with African woodwind instruments, Peruvian drums, a gospel music quartet, horns and synthesizers.”  A great showcase for Kumalo’s talents, who opens this funny song playing his NXT Upright.

Watch:  Bass Musician Magazine Interview with Bakithi Kumalo in which he describes how he got his start on stage at just 7 years old playing a Gibson bass in his uncle’s band in South Africa; his ultimate respect for finding the tone, the most influential bassists for him and his willingness to share lessons he has learned along the way to a successful career playing his music for audiences around the world.  And at 22:00 in this interview…see and hear the slap sound technique he’s having fun with these days on his CR5 RADIUS Bass Guitar, it’s a real treat and is as fun, adventurous and masterful as Kumalo himself. Enjoy!

Watch:  Bakithi Kumalo and his quartet at 2016 Bass Bash at Winter NAMM, with special guest and fellow NS Artist Avery Merritt playing his NS Custom Exotic Top Zebrawood CR4 Electric Violin.

More details and features for all the NS Basses that Bakithi plays along with our new eco-friendly NXTa active series EUB’s, Omni’s, Cello’s, Violin’s and Viola’s featuring battery-free electronics are found at our website ThinkNS.com.

The post NS Design Bassist Bakithi Kumalo with Paul Simon – 2017 U.S. Summer Tour appeared first on NS Design.

For the cellist

WAV4 – 4 string (CGDA)  WAV5 – 5 string (FCGDA)

FEATURES

Compact and Light Weight
The WAV cello is incredibly easy to travel with. WAV4 – 4.5 lbs; WAV5 – 4.7 lbs. 37″ long. Length: 37″. Width: 5.5″.

Maple Neck and Body
For rich tone, strength and visual grace.

Expertly Graduated Fingerboard
Rosewood, asymmetrical relief for easy playability, even in the highest positions. Intonation referenced with cascading dot markers.

Battery-Free NS Polar™ Pickup System
The great natural sound of our piezo-based passive pickup system. Volume and Tone controls; Pizzicato / Arco select switch. The WAV delivers beautiful, full-bodied tone, no batteries required.

Adjustable Truss Rod and Bridge
Tweak the string heights and neck relief to suit your music and playing style.

Padded Gig Bag
For the instrument, stand and accessories. Goes anywhere, anytime.

NS Support System Options
Includes cello tripod stand. Compatible with the optional NS Cello End Pin and CR Tripod Stand, Boomerang™ or the Frame Strap System.

The WAV Cello is available now from authorized NS Design dealers. Visit the dealer locator on our website to find a dealer near you. To learn more about the WAV Cello and our other NS cello models, visit the Electric Cello section of ThinkNS.com.

The post Introducing the NS WAV Series Electric Cello appeared first on NS Design.

Welcome to the third edition of THE LYONN’S ROAR, “Get The Best Tone On Your Electric,” with highlighting iNSights into Choosing an Electric Instrument, Amplification and Effects, and Strings and things by Julie Lyonn Lieberman.

This edition features a special interview with Fan Tao, Director of Research and Development for D’Addario Orchestral Strings. 

Check out this informative article and the many videos of Julie demonstrating the use of multiple effects units and changing strings on the NS Violin.

Learn more about all the amazing electric bowed string instruments NS Design offers at ThinkNS

The post The Lyonn’s Roar by Julie Lyonn Lieberman – Edition Three -“Get The Best Tone On Your Electric” appeared first on NS Design.

NS Design’s founder and instrument designer Ned Steinberger was invited as a featured speaker at the Skidompha Library “Chats With Champions” series this past month in co-sponsorship with Sherman’s Bookstore in Damariscotta, Maine.

In the talk titled “Trial, Error and Invention” Ned discusses the evolution of his life’s work from his childhood passion for woodworking, early career as a furniture designer interested in ergonomic design challenges and the path that ultimately unfolded for the state-of-the-art innovations he brings to the musical instrument world.

Ned describes his forays into business, his early collaborations with Stuart Spector, meeting Les Paul for the first time, and the trials and tribulations of his process for finding the optimal sound potential of an instrument as it relates to its design and construction.

Guest guitarist, David Martin provides examples of the sonic variations and technological advances that make Ned’s instruments so exciting and versatile for players and listeners alike.

For more interviews and discussions with Ned, please visit the Interviews link on our website or go to the NS Design YouTube channel linked here.

The post NS iNSight – Chats With Champions – Ned Steinberger appeared first on NS Design.

The Levin Brothers Band are on tour now.  With bassist Tony Levin and his brother Pete Levin on keyboard along with fellow bandmates sax player Erik Lawrence and drummer Jeff “Siege” Siegel, the band have select dates on the U.S. East Coast and in South America this Spring.

Playing the classic retro sound of the Afro-Cuban influenced jazz referenced from Tony and Pete’s childhood this combo is sure to please!

Check out Tony stretching his wings on the NS Cello and NS Bass on the first single from their debut album: “Not So Square Dance”

Click here for a recap of Tony and Pete’s appearance at the NS Design booth during Winter NAMM 2015.

For more information on the Levin Brothers visit their website at:  http://thelevinbrothers.com

The post The Levin Brothers Band on tour! appeared first on NS Design.

At only five years old, after piano failed to spark her interest, Abi started playing the cello. Within five years she had played for Robert Cohen and appeared on television with Yo-Yo Ma in a Master Class at the World Cello Congress.

Studying both dance and cello simultaneously gave her unique insight into how each artform complements the other. “I learned how dancers and musicians feel music differently. The beat divisions in music can be perceived as the human heart while the cello is the instrument closest to the human voice.” Her combinations of the two are deeply felt, as is her belief that each discipline depends on the other. “Every dancer should take up an instrument and every musician should go to dance classes—the two need one another to survive.”

The NS Design NXTa Electric Cello is the perfect instrument for Abi to combine her two loves. The NS cello with the Frame Strap System frees the player from the stand or chair. The mobility has allowed Abi to explore the connections between her music and her dance in ways that would be impossible with a traditional cello.

Likewise, the ability to experiment with amps and effects pedals has broadened her artistic horizons. Her rig is simple, a VOX AD30VT and an amp. The versatility and portability of this system mean more opportunities for her career: “I wanted to make myself a part of any type of band in any genre, be able to travel easily without sacrificing sound quality, have a more ergonomic set up, be able to combine movement with playing and last but certainly not least, help protect the environment.”

In much of her work and life, Abi commits to improving the environment. The capacitor system in NS Design’s NXTa Cello gives her the power of an active pickup while eliminating the need for on-board batteries. “NS Design is at the forefront of string instruments. The eco-friendly charge of the NXTa, along with its clear tone and portability, make it a must have.”

As might be expected of such a diverse talent, Abi’s influences span the musical spectrum. “I love playing hip-hop fusion with many different genres—be they electronic, R& B, jazz, soul, hints of classical, or gospel. As long as I am playing music, I’m having fun!”

Now recording and performing under the name “Abi-L-ity”, Abi is currently at work on a new EP. She just finished a project with DWayne Saint Orbin Bennett. She also continues to work closely with band mate Eddy Bayes, and is in collaboration with Joni Fatora, The Gallactic Effect among other artists.

For more information, news and videos of Abi’s work and collaborative efforts, visit her website www.abi-l-ity.com.

The post NS Artist Abi Loutoo – Fusing Music and Dance with her NXTa Cello appeared first on NS Design.

NS Cellist Geoffrey Kartes leads Michigan’s indie-rock outfit Watching for Foxes on the 2017 Spring Tour supporting their debut album “Undone Bird.”

“Watching For Foxes make every song feel like it’s that half-triumphant, half-weary, all-around cathartic march up the hilly knoll towards the unknowable-yet-still-hope-splashed horizon, as if every song were the build up to the closing credits of the indie-arthouse film of the story to your life. ” – Jeff Milo (Detroit Free Press, PASTE) – DEEP CUTZ

Check out their video from Session LIV performing the single “Bad Kids”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5WekjL5LrY&feature=youtu.be

The post Watching for Foxes – Spring Tour 2017 appeared first on NS Design.