Vitamin String Quartet – VSQ Performs Frank Ocean

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) How do you describe your sound? 

A) It’s interesting you’d ask that question because, surprisingly, no one has asked it before. A lot of the time we fall back on categories other people use, like classical crossover.  Obviously, we make what would be seen as traditional chamber music but the fact that we use that sound to cover modern music is what makes us so distinct.

Q) Who are some of the VSQ’s musical influences? 

A) I think we’re influenced by a wide array of musical acts that span the history of recorded music. Again, the team and players behind VSQ listen to quite a bit of classical music because that is the idiom through which we create these interpretations of modern songs. And then all anybody has to do to see what we like is look at the material we’ve interpreted for over twenty years on over three hundred releases.

Q) Your new album VSQ Performs Frank Ocean drops soon. Where did the idea for covering Frank Ocean songs come from? 

A) A lot of the people who work at the label behind VSQ are big Frank fans.  Everyone from the social team to people in accounting, all the way up to the creative directors like myself and Leo Flynn.  It just sounded like a cool thing to finally work on adapting his music for strings, since we’re always curious to see how that would work; turning modern music into strings is our experiment.

Q) What made you all decide to solely do an album based on his music?   

A) Frank Ocean’s music is so interesting.  It’s minimal, but lush.  Sparse, but psychedelic.  It’s got elements of R&B, hip-hop, alternative, electronic and more, which makes it seem even more experimental in the context of current music.  And it’s got solid hooks, things that stick in your head.  All solid criteria for us to want to try his music out in our sound.

Q) I absolutely love your cover of “Pink + White.” How do you all work out the arrangements for the songs you cover? 

A) The arrangements start with a producer or production team we work with to create the studio recordings.  On Frank Ocean we were working with Jim and Kathy McMillen.  Once Leo and I have picked the songs to cover, Jim and Kathy went and worked on arrangements.  They send those to Leo and I and we give notes and feedback for as long as it takes to get arrangements we’re all happy with.  Sometimes very little feedback is needed, which I believe was the case with Frank.  I think all were done in one or two drafts.

Q) How much of a hand does the VSQ have in the production aspect of the music that you make? 

A) Everyone is very hands-on with the production of the albums.  It starts with Leo and I, then Jim and Kathy work with us, as I mentioned above.  Then Jim and Kathy get in the studio with musicians, who will also have thoughts and feedback while working through the recording.  A similar process happens when the songs get used for live performances and more.

Q) I’m curious, do you have a favorite of the Frank Ocean songs you covered and what makes it such a standout for you? 

A) I think “Super Rich Kids” is incredible.  It’s just the most performative and demanding of the pieces on the album.  Pretty sure we’re adding that to the live show repertoire for that very reason.  I also really dig “Chanel;” it’s one of Frank’s later singles and it hasn’t gotten as much hype as some of the songs off his two albums, but I love the track and it makes for beautiful string music.

Q) Fans adore your work for “Bridgerton.” Does the show approach you with song ideas for the season or do you collaborate on what singles you think would fit where? 

A) Everything that happens on the “Bridgerton” shows comes from their creative teams.  They are incredibly savvy and very well-versed in our catalog, so they always seem to know which piece of music they really want for any given scene or moment.  Would love to collaborate with them a little more on some new recordings, but they are always so on top of our classic tracks.

Q) You have covered a number of incredible artists. Have you heard from any of the musicians and what did they say about the work you put into highlighting their music? 

A) Sabrina Carpenter and Benny Blanco have reposted and shared our work on TikTok. Also, one of the first live shows we ever played was on-stage backing up Thirty Seconds to Mars.  We got that gig because they really liked our tribute to them that we released on CD.  We also got some support from Danny Elfman when we were tagged to contribute to a NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS tribute album a few years back.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the beautiful music you make? 

A) We’re so happy that we’ve heard from so many of you, whether that’s from comments on social media, stories that people have shared of our music soundtracking their weddings or helping them get through the work and school days and for all the amazing fans that have come out to our live shows and taken the time to hang out and talk with the players after the gigs.  We can’t wait to hear more from you and we can’t wait for you to hear even more from us.  Cheers!