Israel Heller is a violinist based in Los Angeles and performs original material while using electronic backing tracks, effects, and beats. A frequent performer along The Sunset Strip, most recently at The Roxy’s VIP lounge On The Rox as part of Sunset Strip Music Festival 2012, he has performed with guitarist Christopher Crecelius, Gemi Taylor, of Mandrill, and rock bands such as The Pyramids and electro-pop sensations The Magical Planets, the latter with members of The Mowglis. Studying with Michael Ferril, Robert Lipsett, and David Updegraff, he attended California State University, Northridge, Encore School for Strings, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. While still an undergraduate, Heller had the opportunity to have four lessons with violinist Ruggiero Ricci as well as perform in two master classes for the late virtuoso. Concerning Israel’s performance at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles for a RAW Artists event, Shea Depmore, of RAW Artists LA, has this to say: “Israel is one of the most dynamic and inventive musicians I have had the pleasure of working with. His work stands apart not simply because of his mastery of technique, but because he welcomes risk and allows his impulses to guide him. That is the mark of a true artist.” Wanting to showcase the violin differently than is usual, Israel, is releasing his first solo album of original songs and music, The Violinist, which offers an eclectic mix of sounds and genres. Musically, the new album draws from a number of influences ranging from the music of Russian composer Dmitry Shostakovich to that of Philip Glass, and presents them through a variety of filters such as avant-garde electronica and classical as well as contemporary pop. Influenced by the short stories of Borges and pop-culture science-fiction, Heller tells the story of The Violinist, who is a computer program storing an eternal consciousness acting as a storyteller in some instances and the receiver of stories in others. Although squarely in the tradition of classical programme music, the album’s twelve tracks pass through realms of dubstep, a tribute to Prince, electronic pop rock, and film music. All feature the violin acting as the primary vocal or unaccompanied. In addition to The Violinist itself, whose awakening is depicted in the first track, the listener will meet characters such as Jack Minor, a drunk and sometime angel of death, the Starship Captain, grammar-challenged Beings of Light, and the Starship itself. There are musical tableaus depicting the Android Hygiene Police, the Starship’s journey through time and space transporting dead souls to the center of the universe, and the City of Angels, a city that is all cities known to humanity (at the intersection of Past and Future). The Violinist is produced by Mark Vogel and engineered by Luke Tozour. A short film, STARSHIP, depicting one of the many journeys of the Starship and its Captain, may be seen on Vimeo and YouTube, directed by Austin Saya. Upcoming versions of the story, its stories, and their accompanying music may be read and listened to on Israel’s Tumblr, Soundcloud, and Facebook. Enjoy!