Artists Fashawn, Contreras do the talking [The Fresno Bee, Calif.]

Aug. 26--It's an eventful weekend for two of Fresno's top young music talents.

Both Patrick Contreras, the busy violin virtuoso, and Fashawn, the jet-setting rapper on the rise, have CD release concerts this weekend.

Friday, Fashawn, 21, headlines Star Palace to celebrate the release of his new mixtape, "Grizzly City 3," while Contreras, 27, holds another block party in the Tower Theatre parking lot on Saturday night to unveil his new EP, "Audio Revolution."

Instead of us asking these two guys more questions -- because let's face it, we've been there and done that many times -- we had Fashawn and Patrick interview each other.

------

Patrick Contreras is a classically-trained violinist who has branched out to play rock, jazz and Latin music with his violin. These days, he's playing with his band, The American Gypsy Experience.

He's conquered just about every stage in town, including opening for B.B. King at Warnors Theatre and headlining Tower Theatre.

His first Tower District Block Party last summer drew about 900 people, making it the biggest show by a local artist.

In addition to being a musician, Contreras also opened the Tower Violin Studio, 1468 N. Van Ness Ave., where he teaches.

Last weekend, Contreras and his band advanced to the finals of the Las Vegas Hard Rock Cafe's battle of the bands.

PATRICK CONTRERAS INTERVIEWED BY FASHAWN

Question: If you could rock any stage or festival what would it be?

Answer: Bonnaroo Festival has always been my favorite. I'd love to be there some day rockin' a show!

What inspired you to become a violinist?

The sound always drew me in. I remember back in seventh grade stuffing tapes of violinists in between my Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. cassettes because I didn't want people to know I listened to classical music.

How do you balance musician life and your personal life?

It's hard. Really hard. You're always busy on the weekends, and weekdays are filled with late rehearsals, music is such a 24/7 job. I'm really blessed and lucky to have a family and friends that understand. One thing I like to do after a couple grueling weeks of being on the road is to have a day of just watching movies and relaxing.

What was it like growing up in southeast Fresno? I spent time over there too.

It's rough, no doubt about it. I grew up around First and Tulare/Belmont area. I remember practicing my symphony music in our garage and regularly hearing gunshots close by. It made me tough though, which is a good thing in the music business.

How did you end up making a violin school? When did it begin? What made you want to do that?

I started my own school in the Tower District, Tower Violin Studio, because I wanted to teach violin my way and incorporate different styles. I love teaching my students how to play rock, hip-hop, jazz, blues, all while using classical technique. It's a blast -- I have students young and old, from Fresno and Clovis, all ethnicities.

Who are the new up- and-coming violinists that keep you on your toes?

Oh man, there are a couple. First Paul Dateh out of Los Angeles is my favorite, he's a really good hip-hop violinist. There's this girl Tina Guo, she's not a violinist, she's a cellist who plays metal who's awesome and a big up-and-comer.

------

Fashawn was picked by XXL, the predominant hip-hop magazine, as one its top 10 "freshman" of 2010. He was on the cover of the magazine's April issue.

His debut album, "Boy Meets World" was released in October and was lauded by many critics as one of the top hip-hop albums of 2009.

He has toured with artists such as Ghostface Killah, Brother Ali, Wiz Khalifa and Evidence, plus performed at the big Rock the Bells hip-hop festival in 2009.

He's a posterboy for skateboarding apparel company Etnies and urban clothing line Orisue. His most recent video hit the front page of YouTube.

Fashawn just finished a 20-date tour of Europe, performing in clubs and festivals. It was his third time touring abroad and ninth overall tour.

FASHAWN INTERVIEWED BY PATRICK CONTRERAS

Question: When was your first show? Were you nervous?

Answer: My first actual "Fashawn" show was at Babylon here in Fresno back in 2007. I was nervous no doubt, but more aggravated by the fact they wouldn't let me in until it was time to perform due to my age at the time. I was just happy they let me perform at their venue at the end of the day.

Who's your favorite rock artist?

Queen.

What's your favorite city you've played in so far? Mine was Austin, Texas.

Mine too. Ha, ha. I recently did SXSW (South By Southwest) this year and it was amazing. Austin, Texas, is definitely a place any musician should play.

When you come back to Fresno after playing on the road, where's your favorite spot to eat?

Castillo's Mexican Restaurant on the east side of Fresno. It's located on Ventura Street. I suggest everyone get a plate there. You'll thank me later.

How did you get the name Fashawn?

I made it up when I was 12 years old because I never liked my birth name (Santiago) for some reason. There's no particular meaning to it. I just liked the way it sounded, truthfully. I guess it's sort of my alter ego.

Who do you look up to as an artist?

I look up to people who are fearless about their ideas. I look up to other artists who love the craft just as much as I do. Doesn't matter what the genre is, it's inspiring to watch. I admire that.

The reporter can be reached at [email protected] or (559) 441-6479. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com.

To see more of The Fresno Bee, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.fresnobee.com

Copyright (c) 2010, The Fresno Bee, Calif.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544)