Cellist artist Tina Guo has taken her exceptional talent to a whole another level by taking on the metal music genre with her classical aspect to create a head banger's ball of tunes. Many various artists appear on "Cello Metal" to help her create the uniqueness and creativity that can only be Tina Guo. In fact, Tina Guo herself discusses her take on the metal genre and insight into her musical background and future plans.
1. Introduce yourself, tell me what you do as Tina Guo?
Tina: Hi! I'm a musician- I compose, and play acoustic and electric cello.
2. How would you categorize the style of the music that you play?Tina: I play a lot of different styles but classical and industrial metal are my specialties. :)
3. Who or what inspired you to become a musician, what is your musical background?
Tina: My parents are both music teachers and I was roped into the family trade. :D
4. What are your songs about? What specific themes do they cover?
Tina: I've written a lot of songs about love- longing for it, breakups, the usual. On my latest album, Cello Metal, the original songs are inspired by spirituality and power.
5. Do you write your own songs? Discuss the songwriting process in detail.
Tina: Yes, I write my own songs and also collaborate with others. Many of my more classical/new age compositions are written in a stream of consciousness way where I just push record and start playing. For the 'Cello Metal' album, I collaborated with my friend and producer Frank Klepacki on three of the songs and we actually did everything remotely, I sent files to him, he would add things and send it back to me, we went back and forth and that was the songwriting process for those.
6. What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Tina: My latest release Cello Metal is an album I've wanted to do for the past 10 years, it's my first full length industrial metal album and I would love for people to hear it! If you love metal, instrumental music, industrial music, or cellos, I think it may be interesting.
7. You’re known for your talent as a classical artist but have switched gears to take on the metal genre, why go from classical to metal, let alone combing the two together?
Tina: I've been playing classical and metal for over a decade, touring with other artists and recording on a lot of projects but this is my first full length album in the Metal genre. I have 7 other albums out in classical/cinematic genres.
8. Do you have any favorite metal musicians, that you have taken a liking to the most?
Tina: My favorite bands are Rammstein and Metallica, as well as Apocalyptica of course because they're the original cello metal pioneers!
9. Why did you pick out the metal acts that you did for "Cello Metal"?
Tina: I went through the classic metal songs and just picked ones that I really loved and would make sense somewhat without vocals or lyrics!
10. Will we be seeing another metal style release just like this one in the future or was this release a one-time effort?
Tina: I hope to do more metal style albums in the future, my next album is called Hollywood's Greatest Themes which will feature my covers of well-known TV and Movie themes including Gladiator, Last of the Mohicans, Game of Thrones, and more. I love cinematic music because there is no limit on genre and it really encompasses every style.
11. What's the story behind Queen Bee, and why did it win an award for being the Best Short Film/Music Video at the Downtown Los Angeles Film Festival?Tina: Queen Bee was my first music video, I don't know why it won the award but you should check it out on YouTube! It's still my favorite video I've done so far. <3 nbsp="" p="">
12. You have appeared in film, TV and video games, how were you able to get the chance at those opportunities and will we be seeing more of them?
13. What are your current show/tour plans, if any?
Tina: Coming up, I'm performing at the Fortune Global Forum as well as concerts with Nathan Pacheco, an amazing classical crossover singer in Miami with a full symphony. I'm excited about January when I'll be playing the Saint-Saens Concerto and Haydn Concerto in Texas and Northern California, and touring with Joe Bonamassa including 2 concerts at Carnegie Hall that will air on PBS. I'm also going to be touring with Hans Zimmer in his live concert series- we're currently recording and writing for 2 movie projects, and I'm typing this from Warner Brothers during a break!
14. Can you describe your live performance for those who have never seen you live?
Tina: Depends on the music I'm playing but there are lots of live videos on my YouTube page.
15. What one item do you have to have with you out on the road that you can't live without?
Tina: Good hair conditioner.
16. Do you have a favorite song you like to play live?
Tina: Flight of the Bumble Bee is always fun and seems to get a good reaction from the audience, no matter what genre/style I play it in.
17. What's your favorite city/venue to play in the world?
Tina: I played once in a medieval church in Nantes (France) with fantastic natural reverb- I love reverb!
18. Tell us about your thought on your local music scene?
Tina: I'm actually not that involved in the local scene in LA because I'm constantly traveling for shows elsewhere- I did recently do my record release show at Bar Sinister which was great and the venue reached maximum capacity- I love that place! I also jammed at Ultimate Jam Night at Lucky Strike Live which was really fun!
19. Are there any new and upcoming bands that you are into?
Tina: I recently met my bass player's girlfriend Kokoro, and I watched some of her music videos which are amazing!
20. Why do you think people are into your music?
Tina: Insanity? Boredom?
21. What does the next year hold for you as far as plans?
Tina: Lots of recordings and finishing my TV/Movie Theme album, and starting my next album which will be music from Video Games- also a lot of touring and live performance.
22. Where can our readers find your band on the internet?Tina: At the following websites;
www.TinaGuo.com
https://www.YouTube.com/user/demix500
www.Facebook.com/TinaGuoMusic
www.Instagram.com/TinaGuoCello
www.Twitter.com/TinaGuo
23. How has Social Networking (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) impacted your band?
Tina: I love social networking and doing it all personally- it's my main outlet!
24. Do you have any last comments or words of advice for aspiring musicians and people trying to get into the business?
Tina: Be kind and nice to everyone! Stay humble, work hard (I remind myself that whenever I'm not working/practicing, someone else is) and try to be communicative and easy-going. Be organized and have a healthy sense of self-worth, but flexible.
25. Is that your final answer?
Tina: Thank you! xo
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