We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Giorgi Khokhobashvili. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Giorgi below.

Giorgi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I started taking violin lessons at the age of six. Back then my home country was still called the Republic of Georgia. Violin school was a very old, classical based, all-encompassing institution. Besides violin performance classes it also provided theory, soulfege, choir and listening comprehension. It gave me most of the skills that I still use today. However, after moving to the US I had to learn to be quick on my feet, become a better listener and sometimes even a problem solver. Many of the artist that I’ve worked with over the past 20 years didn’t always know what they were looking for in the strings parts, and I had to come up with my own solutions. I think the most essential skill (besides the obvious and basic ones) is listening. Being able to understand the heart of a song and adding something meaningful to it. The only obstacle I’ve had is the lack of time to learn more.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I came to the US as a student in 2005. Initially, I thought music would be my hobby, and I frequently played violin at wineries in Northern California in between college classes. I also enjoyed playing piano, and had a job playing at various church functions. Eventually, I grew my network of musicians and producers to where I felt that music was my only occupation. Playing symphonic music was a great way to learn some tips and trick about arranging and texturing. Musical theater taught me about story telling through music. Gypsy jazz taught me to be frivolous and creative. Pop music taught me not to take myself too seriously. And prog taught me that violin can be just as varied as the electric guitar. Pandemic turned out rather interesting for me, as I was granted an opportunity to arrange and record at home. I really enjoyed the process of enveloping songs with string quartet sounds. I expanded my studio range with viola and cello work, although minimalistic, compared to my violin skills. I have really enjoyed working in various styles, as I find myself discouraged when I play one style for too long. I am currently working with ReroRera (ethno-jazz), Jessica Malone (Americana), Peter Petty (Big Band), Jazz Gitan (gypsy swing) and Orbis Arcanum (a new prog project) in the greater Sacramento area. I also do session work for various artist locally and nationally.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I enjoy seeing a project come to fruition. It inspires me to do more. Every finished product is a learning experience. If you are not learning something new and gaining new skills from it, you are probably wasting your time. Every project should be an investment into your future. We cannot afford the time to do meaningless things. Our work should be rewarding for us, but also make a positive difference in the world. If your work inspires even one person in the crowd to be a better human, you’ve done something good and meaningful.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had a bad habit of undervaluing my work that I brought with me from the Old World. I thought that giving people a “break” on my services would be appreciated. Instead, I realized that it made people think that my work was cheap and low quality. Putting a fair market value on your work is necessary to help you continue doing what you love, and it sometimes helps people understand its value. Saying no to cheap and meaningless “gigs” also paid off in the long run. Yes, there were times when I had to take any and every gig that came my way, and I am grateful for those opportunities. But I have worked my way up to where I am able to pick and choose what I want to do. It is a very slow and gradual process, but it is worth it.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giorgisviolin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/giorgi.khokhobashvili.338
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@mr.kstrings4417?si=0A_4s7IOy8JX16ze

Image Credits
headshot by @drumphotos