We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Loren Hatcher. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Loren below.
Loren, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
In the landscape of Nashville, where country and fiddle music reign supreme, being a contemporary violinist has presented its fair share of challenges. The violin’s association with classical music is deeply ingrained, making it difficult for many to envision it in any other context. Yet, I’ve embraced this challenge, determined to showcase the violin’s versatility beyond its classical roots. By infusing elements of R&B, pop, and jazz into my music, I’ve carved out a space for myself in a city known for its traditional musical genres. While the journey has been met with skepticism at times, I’m proud to break free from the confines of convention and offer a fresh perspective on the violin’s role in Nashville’s vibrant music scene. Often when people see me, they’re like “Oh my gosh you play violin.” Many people are amazed that I even play this instrument, but when I start playing whether it be R&B or jazz or something else, the eyes open even wider. They hardly imagine a violin in any other context so watch me play, it’s like it opens a whole new world for them. I’m playing violin, and I’m playing some of their favorite songs, so it’s always a very fun and enjoyable atmosphere let’s play in. I think sometimes though, people are offended, they look at me like “how dare you?” But that’s fine too, they’re all giving me recognition, which will make my name go far.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started playing violin when I was 10. From the moment I heard of the instrument, it was something I always wanted to do. Once I picked up my first violin I never stopped clear at that time I was in the middle school orchestra as well as high school. About two years in, I was extremely comfortable reading sheet music, so naturally musicians scour the web and search for sheet music of their favorite songs. At first it was classical music, then I found that you can read pop or R&B or anything that has a music sheet. When I first started playing those songs it was in a very classical nature but as I grown with the violin I have took note of other violinists and how they play certain songs and a less classical manner. From then on, I would be my room all day for hours just playing song after song reading sheet after sheet; that’s what made me happy. And then, in general, I’ve always loved playing for people or performing was that being orchestra or solo at the school talent show. Now today I play some of my favorite songs for my clients. In Nashville, there is not a lot of contemporary or R&B staples or influences. There is a need for it, and I am accomplishing it. My clients host weddings, galas, and many different types of parties, and they simply don’t want country or classical, etc. I do play just about any genre from my clients, but I am able to meet those needs stated prior. I have also started hosting open mics once again, I am making it a place for other genres and four contemporary artists to get more exposure and find their client base, that isn’t just pop and country, being in Nashville. I am most proud of being able to provide a service that people enjoy, and being able to share what I love to do with others. What inspires me? I love to see other artists get down. I immediately want to learn from anybody and learn their style, every musician is different, and you can learn something from each and every one of them. There’s many other violinists that I find on Instagram and some of them I have played with, they’re certainly inspiring. But I guess most of all, it’s how music moves people, how people have fun and enjoy the experience. And that’s what I want to do, not just play but make a whole experience and make it memorable for everybody who hears.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
I started playing violin when I was 10. From the moment I heard of the instrument, it was something I always wanted to do. Once I picked up my first violin I never stopped clear at that time I was in the middle school orchestra as well as high school. About two years in, I was extremely comfortable reading sheet music, so naturally musicians scour the web and search for sheet music of their favorite songs. At first it was classical music, then I found that you can read pop or R&B or anything that has a music sheet. When I first started playing those songs it was in a very classical nature but as I grown with the violin I have took note of other violinists and how they play certain songs and a less classical manner. From then on, I would be my room all day for hours just playing song after song reading sheet after sheet; that’s what made me happy. And then, in general, I’ve always loved playing for people or performing was that being orchestra or solo at the school talent show. Now today I play some of my favorite songs for my clients. In Nashville, there is not a lot of contemporary or R&B staples or influences. There is a need for it, and I am accomplishing it. My clients host weddings, galas, and many different types of parties, and they simply don’t want country or classical, etc. I do play just about any genre from my clients, but I am able to meet those needs stated prior. I have also started hosting open mics once again, I am making it a place for other genres and four contemporary artists to get more exposure and find their client base, that isn’t just pop and country, being in Nashville. I am most proud of being able to provide a service that people enjoy, and being able to share what I love to do with others. What inspires me? I love to see other artists get down. I immediately want to learn from anybody and learn their style, every musician is different, and you can learn something from each and every one of them. There’s many other violinists that I find on Instagram and some of them I have played with, they’re certainly inspiring. But I guess most of all, it’s how music moves people, how people have fun and enjoy the experience. And that’s what I want to do, not just play but make a whole experience and make it memorable for everybody who hears.
I had to unlearn that I always have to play what people want to hear or what a envision you doing in their point of view. And I am still learning this lesson. Sometimes I know there’s songs that will move the crowd, but i don’t enjoy playing the song. And you know what? I get the last say if I don’t enjoy playing the song, how can I make other people enjoy it just because they might recognize this song. The whole point of this job is for it to be fun for me and then for them.
I also had to learn that not everybody wants to hear what you have to play. Some people will just simply not like it no matter how good you do. And others look at you like “how dare you?” But what’s important is that you just love what you’re doing and you can find like minded people. In the moment you just have to shake it off and ignore them and just show them how good you think you are and they should be envious of it.
I learned those lessons come up because while playing music, i am often paying very close attention to the crowd. It’s kind of like an energy exchange, they give you energy, and I give them energy. But some people come and just give you bad energy, and that can attack my confidence when I’m playing. But when I’m playing I have to be the most confident to perform. I have to present, and represent, you must be kind of egotistical when you play. That’s how I perform the best, so at least that’s what’s in my head pretty.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
That energy exchanged I talked about a second ago. That’s what’s the most rewarding to me. I love to enjoy the experience of me playing and for other people to enjoy it as well. That’s why we go to parties, and do fun things. Don’t get me wrong, I love getting paid, but I like to be happy and get paid. If you love what you do, it’s never work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/lorenplaysviolin/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenplaysviolin/
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/Loren-Hatcher/116554331526676/?locale=hi_IN
- Linkedin: Loren H
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6v4Q52CT1FM0P9mBAhn9ew
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lorenplaysviolin