Cyndee Lee Rule

"The Inner Light"

Interview with the excellent violinist Cyndee Lee Rule

By Sergio Vilar

Cyndee, would like me you to talk us a little about your history. Please, count us about your beginnings and of your musical evolution and of how you began in the violin… 
I began playing the violin in school, when I was 8 years old.  After several years, I started more intense private instruction. During my first 15 years of playing, I was focused basically on classical music.

Who your relating ones are at artistic level? Who have influenced you in your formation stage like musician? 
Artistically, I have generally been more influenced by guitarists than by violinists. Steve Hillage is a major influence in my violin playing, and I am a huge fan of his work in Gong and his solo work as well. 

When it comes to violinists, though, I have to say that Mark Wood is my biggest influence. I really enjoy his versatility on the electric violin!  I also own one of his handmade electric violins called the Viper, which is an incredibly beautiful instrument!

How would you describe your music? Inside that am used the you would locate? 
Well, hopefully my music is not so easy to categorize. I draw from many different elements including classical, spacerock and world music, which I enjoy combining into new genres. 

What do you want to express through her? 
I hope to express that the violin's voice can take on many different colors. I like to use guitar effects to change the tone of the violin drastically, so that at one moment is very airy and ethereal and at the next, it is very heavy and aggressive. 

How do you develop your compossitive work? That you devise takings like base? 
Most of the compositions were written by my engineer and his partner in their band Systems Theory. I have done violin tracks for their albums, and they have worked with me on “UFOsmosis”, providing backing tracks for me to add the violin to. 

I have also used several traditional and cover tunes, which I have personally done the arrangements for. I usually start with the backing tracks, adding the lead violin afterwards. For these tunes, I want them to be recognizable but hope that my versions will be refreshing to the listener.

Could you give us a brief impression about the songs of “UFOsmosis”? 
Many of the songs on “UFOsmosis” are composed by Steven Davies-Morris and Greg Amov of Systems Theory.  The pieces composed by them tend to be very scenic and cinematic, while the ones I have contributed to the album lean more towards rock, spacerock and world fusion. The balance between these two perspectives is the element that hopefully draws the listener to listen repeatedly. 

Musically, the album is of a great compossitive and instrumental wealth. How long did it take you to carry out it? 
We had the album wrapped up in 4 months. I was approached to perform a solo gig, so then had to create the material in time for the gig. During that time, I was also learning the technical aspects of using recording software and exchanging files from long-distance. It was a steep learning curve for me, but greatly rewarding to have a final product like “UFOsmosis” to show for it.

How so important the improvisation is in your music? How is the habitual compossitive process that you use? 
Improvisation is very important. Even though I have the backing tracks to work with, I do use improvisation for composing my violin parts.  All of the "shred" solos on the album are done through improvisation, and every time I play live, the solos come out differently.

What is it that more you are attracted by it of your work like musician? Which is your motivation to make music? 
I have always wanted to be a classical violinist for many years. Now that I have gotten the electric violin, however, things have become much more exciting for me. The possibilities of my own personal expression are much more interesting for me with the Viper. Plugging the violin into an amp really gets my adrenaline pumping, and using effects such as distortion, flanger and delay are opening new pathways for my expression. 

What things do you have left pending how musician or how person?       
I have many collaborations in the works. The next CD that will be released with my violin on it is "Codetalkers" by Systems Theory. I have also been working with Moscow-based spacerock band, Space Mirrors and also Don Falcone of Spirits Burning. I am also currently working on some tracks for the spacerock band I play live with--Scattered Planets. 

Which are your future plans? Are there already compound songs or conceptual ideas that the new CD integrated? 
I am focusing on getting some collaborations finished, then will turn to my 2nd Viper CD. I have some pieces to work with and lots of ideas. 

Thank you Cyndee. Some final words?
Yes. I would like to thank you for requesting “UFOsmosis” for your show and for interviewing me as well.  I also have a website with soundfiles and a mailing list for my future projects:  www.cyndeeleerule.com

Nucleus interview: 21/11/06