This A-Profiler we bring you classically trained violinist, Paul Dateh. Find out what some people thought when Dateh expanded into other music styles, how he discovered he could sing, and why doing nothing is one of his favorite things.

Your site URLs:
www.pauldateh.com

How did you get started playing the violin? Why the violin over any other instrument? What other instruments do you play?
I've been playing the violin since I was a little kid, so I honestly don't remember exactly when or why I started. My parents swear that it was entirely my choice, and I'm sure they're right (knowing how stubborn I am)! In addition to the violin, I also sing. I also have very (limited) keyboard skills, and I'm doing my very best to learn guitar. Wish me luck.

Going from being a classically trained violinist to expanding into other music styles and disciplines, what was the initial reaction from people? At this point, how would you now classify Paul Dateh's music style?
To be quite frank, people did not like it. Much of my classical friends and teachers practically disowned me, and moving into the jazz world wasn't very easy either. My first year of jazz school was pretty rough; some students regularly bullied me for being classically trained. I find that there's a lot of bad blood between the two camps, and I can't figure out why. It's too bad, really. Those hard-headed knuckleheads (on both sides) are really missing out on a lot of great music and fun.

My current musical style is a mixture of all the styles I was exposed to growing up. And as time goes on, it'll change to integrate all the new styles I become exposed to. It's hard for me to choose an actual genre or category to describe my music, because I really love them all.

When did you first discover you could sing? Have you had any formal voice training?
When I was in high school, my friend Brandon was a director of a gospel choir. He invited me to come sit in for fun one day, and so I decided to give it a shot. That day forever changed my life for the better, and I'm very grateful for the experience. I was able to take vocal lessons during college, and I'm grateful for those, too.

Do you remember the first song you wrote? What inspired that first song and what was it about?
The first song I truly ever wrote was called "There for You". It was a super cheesy R&B song that I wrote during high school as my best attempt to mimic what was playing on the radio. Needless to say, I will not be sharing it with anyone. Ever.

Many first discovered you on YouTube with the hip-hop violin performance with Inka One back in 2007. That video has now been viewed over 3.3 million times. Did you expect that video to launch you into an Internet spotlight? Will there being another hip-hop violin video performance coming up?
I had no idea that the video would get the kind of incredible response that it has gotten. I honestly expected maybe a couple of my friends to pass it along to their friends and that the chain would end there. But when the video made the front page of Digg, I began to truly understand the amazing power of the Internet as a platform for musicians. I am forever grateful to everyone that gave me their support, and I look forward to continue making things for everyone to enjoy.

You have been offering a song a week from your latest self-title album. How has that gone?
I love making music, and I just want to share it with anyone that's willing to lend me an ear. Therefore, it's important to me that money not be a barrier to entry for any prospective listener. And I'm happy to report that giving away my album has been a blast! I'm having a lot of fun interacting with everyone online through the videos I post each week.

Who are some of your musical inspirations? What album are you currently listening to?
I honestly have too many musical influences to name them all, but a few of my favorites are The Clientele, Pink Floyd, and A Tribe Called Quest. In terms of what I'm listening to now, you can always keep tabs on me via my last.fm profile (http://last.fm/user/pauldateh).

On your weekly videos you look to be very comfortable in front of the camera. Have you ever thought about hosting a TV or online show?
Seriously, I would LOVE to host a TV or online show. Know anyone that's hiring? ;)

Outside of music, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time? What is your guilty pleasure?
Coffee. Video/computer games. And I know this is going to sound weird, but sometimes I like to sit and simply do nothing. I don't get to do much of "nothing" these days, so whenever I get the rare chance, I revel in it.

And finally, what advice do you have to other aspiring musicians who are striving to break boundaries?
Don't worry about others that say what you can and can't do; just do what you makes you happy. Music is meant to be enjoyed, and as long as you're having fun, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

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This issue of A-Profiler is brought to you by Nelson Wong.
Special thanks to Paul Dateh.

Photo Credit: The Bui Brothers. Photos used with permission.
Copyright retained by original copyright holder(s).