Vanessa Nassar threatens to take the violin to new heights, and us along with it. After watching her carry it, I’m a believer.
You were born in Canada, albeit to Lebanese parents. Why didn’t you launch your career there?
I was born there yes, but was brought here as an infant. So initially I guess I was here because my parents were, but by the time I could, choose I was already in love with this place.
As are we. So your parents also started you off in classical music…
At first my mother pushed me into it, like many parents do to their children. And later on I acquired the taste for it of course. But what I play isn’t classical anymore.
What is it then?
It’s a fusion of occidental grooves and oriental spirits.
Sounds fancy; why the change?
It’s something new, and it’s more my style. I don’t feel as happy while I’m playing purely classical music, and I feel the audience reacts better to it. It’s something new, and it makes me much happier than classical did. It’s groovy, and I have a bigger repertoire to choose from.
Plenty of concerts so far?
A couple of dozen, mostly abroad. I’ve held 3 or 4 carefully chosen ones here. The album isn’t out yet, and marketing-wise I’m still relatively unknown. What concerts I have under my belt now are from word-of-mouth advertising.
When will the album come out?
Soon. We’re waiting for the right time. Everything’s done, including the video clip.
Your first I presume?
Yes, I was freezing… It was a difficult time.
Freezing?
Yeah, I can’t tell you about that; we have to wait for the video to come out. All that alcohol… it was freezing.
Oh come on!
I can’t. It’ll be out soon.
Be that way; are you gearing yourself for Middle Eastern audiences?
I’m not gearing for anything specifically. You have to focus on your region because fame has to come from the home country; that’s the way it works here.
How were you discovered anyway?
Well, Music is My Life had the idea to launch an artist in this genre, and a teacher of mine was working on some CD, and they asked him if he knew a girl that played a classical instrument in a modern way, and he mentioned me. And we started working.
And slowly you developed your own style?
That’s a difficult thing to define anyway. I guess my style is, well, fast. The violin is a very versatile instrument; you can speed music up: fast classical, house music…
Excuse me? House music?
It’s very nice, I have one song like that; it came out great. You’ll have to hear it and decide for yourself.
Music is My Life picks up on quite a bit of local talent. If you’d like to see what they’re working on now, head to their website here. Written for Time Out Beirut
I'm Karl, and I'm an acquired taste.
I've been an editor for 4 years, a writer for 5 more, and a geek ever since I wrote Pong on my first Atari. I'm married to the perfect woman and we live in the desert. 
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