Vai.com Home > News and More > Latest News
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Vai.com Home > News and More > Latest News |
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Check here regularly for the latest news from Steve Vai - including new releases, performances, events, appearances, competitions, publications and site updates. For information on live shows, check out our Tour Dates page.
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April 14, 2008Steve on YouTube!Steve now has an official account on YouTube. In the near future, we'll be adding new video, interviews and other video nuggets that we're unearthing from the vault. Stop by and add Steve as a friend, and add his videos to your favorites!
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April 23, 2008Crazy Film Festival DatesCrazy, the independent feature film inspired by the tragic life and groundbreaking music of legendary 1950s-era guitarist Hank Garland, is an official selection at Newport Beach Film Festival (April 24 - May 01) in Newport Beach, CA. Crazy screens at 5:30PM on Friday, April 25 at the Edwards Island Cinemas (999 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660). Immediately after the screening, cast member and recording artist Stacy Earl will sing, accompanied on guitar by Evans Forde, who appears in the film as Nashville music legend Chet Atkins. Their set will be followed by a Q&A with director Rick Bieber and Waylon Payne, who stars as Hank Garland. Click here to buy tickets! Crazy chronicles Hank Garland’s rise to fame in the Nashville music scene, from playing on hits for icons including Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline and Roy Orbison through his brief but influential solo career as a visionary jazz artist. Garland’s flame-out was as spectacular as his success. In 1961, a near-fatal car accident, his tempestuous marriage and personal life and repeated clashes with the “Nashville Mob,” who then controlled the country music establishment, led to a series of electro-shock treatments that tragically ended his playing career. Though he ceased performing, Garland lived until 2004, and was involved in Crazy’s development. Ray Scherr and guitar hero Steve Vai (who also performs a cameo as Hank Williams) are the film’s Executive Producers under the Favored Nations Films mantle. Crazy is also an official selection at upcoming 2008 festivals including: Charleston International Film Festival (May 1-4); Jacksonville Film Festival (May 15-18); Big Island Film Festival (May 15-18); New Jersey International Film Festival (May 31-June 15); Boston International Film Festival (June 6-14); Maui International Film Festival (June 11-15); Long Island International Film Expo (July 9-17) and the Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival (July 16-28). For more information, and to see the film trailer, log on to www.crazy-themovie.com You can also visit Crazy on MySpace!
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April 14, 2008Steve Performing With Tom Morello in LAThis just in: Steve will be performing this Tuesday night - April 15 - with Tom Morello's “The Nightwatchman + Friends” show at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. Tickets are $10 (advance) and doors open at 8:00pm. Discuss...
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February 19, 2008New Vai track on Musicians For Minneapolis Benefit CDSteve has contributed a previously unreleased song to the new Musicians For Minneapolis - 57 Songs for the I-35W Bridge Disaster Relief Effort Benefit CD. This special 3-CD collection of tracks features contributions from a multitude of artists including Sparklehorse, Los Lobos, Calexico, Howe Gelb, Simple Kid, DJ Spooky, Les Claypool, Bobby Bare Jr., Lee Scratch Perry, George Clinton, Joe Bonamassa, and Steve Vai. The compilation is dedicated to the survivors and those who lost their lives on the I-35W Bridge, August 1st, 2007 - and to their families and friends, the rescue teams and volunteers. All proceeds from the sale of this compilation CD go to the Minnesota Helps - Bridge Disaster Fund. Electro-Voice (the producer of this CD) hopes to sell out of the first pressing of 5,000 copies and raise $100,000 - in time for the Aug. 1 anniversary of the collapse. Steve's track “Without Me” is a soaring ballad originally recorded during the Ultra Zone sessions, and features Philip Bynoe on bass, Mike Mangini on drums and Mike Keneally on keyboards. Says Steve of the track:
Musicians For Minneapolis is already on sale at a number of Twin Cities independent record stores, and everywhere through CDBaby.com. You can read more about the project at the EV Musicians For Minneapolis website. In tandem with the release of Musicians for Minneapolis: 57 Songs for the I-35W Bridge Disaster Relief Effort Electro-Voice will also be launching a celebrity memorabilia charity auction for the same cause, which includes an Ibanez guitar signed by Steve Vai, two signed Les Paul guitars from Ozzy Osbourne/Black Label Society guitar phenom Zakk Wylde, a Dean bass signed by all members of Megadeth, and a custom Minarik Dick Dale flame guitar, among other items to be listed in upcoming days at www.electrovoice.com/musicansforminneapolis.
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February 11, 2008Congratulations to Ann Marie Calhoun!Big congratulations to Ann Marie Calhoun for winning the MyGrammy Moment competition at last night's 50th Annual Grammy Awards! You can view Ann being announced the winner, along with her performace with the Foo Fighters here. Thanks to all the Vai fans who voted for Ann!
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February 4, 2008Real Illusions Transcription Book - Now AvailableThe long-awaited Real Illusions: Reflections guitar transcription book is now available from Hal Leonard. This 176 page book features authentic note-for-note transcriptions with tablature for all eleven tracks on the album including: "Building the Church" • "Firewall" • "Freak Show Excess" • "K'm-Pee-Du-Wee" • "Yai Yai" • and more. Also featured are photos by Larry DiMarzio from the Real Illusions period. We'll have this book available shortly in the Official Vai.com Store. In the meantime, it's also available now through Amazon.com.
Steve featured in DiMarzio's Feedback E-zineAn audio interview and beautiful photo gallery of Steve is featured in the latest DiMarzio Feedback e-zine. You can visit the magazine HERE.
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December 06, 2007Steve Receives GRAMMY Nomination!Steve Vai has received a GRAMMY Nomination for Best Rock Instrumental Performance for the track "The Attitude Song" from Sound Theories Vol. I and II. Steve's fellow nominees for Best Rock Instrumental Performance are: Metallica - The Ecstasy of Gold (Track from: We All Love Ennio Morricone)
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November 30, 2007Steve Vai/Music Cares Charity AuctionSteve Vai and MusicCares are giving you the chance to bid on a one hour private guitar lesson with Steve, with all procees being donated to the MusicCares Foundation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from world-renowned, GRAMMY® Award-winning guitarist, Steve Vai. From his early days with the legendary Frank Zappa to his 1985 appearance in the film Crossroads to his current and longstanding success as a solo artist, Vai has made his mark in music history. Whether you are a guitarist or your loved one is a guitarist, there is no denying the perfection of this experience as a holiday gift. So place your bids now! Visit the EBAY AUCTION for more details and bidding requirements. This auction ends on December 6, so don't miss out on the ultimate holiday gift for yourself or a loved one! CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE AUCTION!
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Noveber 21, 2007Musician's Friend Steve Vai VIP SweepstakesThe only thing anyone knows about the enigmatic Steve Vai for sure is his towering technique on the guitar. But now, Musician's Friend is offering one very lucky Grand Prize winner an all-expense-paid VIP trip to meet the Sultan of Shred for a personal Q&A—at a time and place of Steve's choosing—so be ready to call in sick and hop a flight to anywhere! Now that’s rock 'n' roll! But that’s not all! You’ll also take home an Ibanez Steve Vai Signature JEM77V electric guitar valued at $2,199.99! Will Steve autograph the guitar for you? Maybe he will … and maybe he won’t … we don’t know. But it won’t hurt to ask. (Bring your own felt-tip pen.) You will be automatically entered every time you place an order with Musician’s Friend from November 01, 2007 through January 31, 2008. No purchase is necessary to enter, see the official rules for details.
Musician's Friend 2007 Rock n' Roll Santa Revealed!Steve Vai has been revealed as Musician's Friend's 2007 Rock 'n' Roll Santa, and will appear on the cover of their December catalog. Check out Musician's Friend's Special video intervew between Steve and Larry DiMarzio, and check out the making of the cover!
Guitar Hero III - Halo Theme Featuring Steve VaiActivision, Neversoft and Bungie have announced that tomorrow (Thanksgiving), Guitar Hero III players will be to download the Halo theme (MJOLNIR Mix) through Xbox Live Marketplace for free. This special version of the Halo theme was created for Halo 2 and featured the guitars of Steve Vai.
Zappa Plays Zappa DVD - Out Now!Steve guests on the amazing new Zappa Plays Zappa DVD - which is available now through the Zappa.com Barfko-Swill Online Store. Steve appears on the tracks: "The Black Page #2", "Regyptian Strut", "Peaches En Regalia", "Montana", "Villiage of the Sun", "Echidna's Arf (Of You)", "Zomby Woof", "Trouble Every Day" and "Sofa". The DVD features over 3 hours of performances from two shows - at the Roseland Theatre in Portland on December 21, 2006 (Frank's Birthday!), and the Paramount Theatre in Seattle on Dec 22 2006. Also guesting on the DVD along with Dweezil Zappa and the Zappa Plays Zappa band are Napoleon Murphy Brock and Terry Bozzio. Click here to purchase the Zappa Plays Zappa DVD.
Free Vai Download through iTunes and TuneCoreTuneCore is offering a free Various Artists album download through iTunes - including Steve's song "Juice" from Alien Love Secrets. To download the album, visit TuneCore's special page here: http://www.tunecore.com/freealbum
Give the Gift of Vai this Holiday SeasonIt's a great time to be a Vai fan, with many tasty new releases and goodies available for you or your favorite guitar freak. VISUAL SOUND THEORIES: SOUND THEORIES VOL I & II OFFICIAL CONCERT PHOTOS: Also available in our Vai.com Online Store are $25, $50 and $100 gift cards.
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November 07, 2007EVO Start Times for Chile and ArgentinaHello folks! For those of you who have purchased EVO Premium Experience and EVO UPGRADES in CHILE and ARGENTINA, please be advised that the start time has changed. Please arrive at the venue for EVO at 5:00pm (1700h). We still have a number of EVO Experience and EVO Upgrade tickets available for all shows. Don't miss out! We close EVO sales 24 hours before each show. Click here to purchase EVO Premium Experience and EVO UPGRADE tickets.
Vai.com Tour DiaryDon't forget to check out the Vai.com Tour Diary where we'll be updating you regularly with photos and comments from the road! Click here to visit the tour diary!
November 01, 2007More About EVO South AmericaWe have received a lot of questions from fans in South America about the EVO Premium Experience and EVO UPGRADE tickets. We have information pages with FAQs in both English, Portuguese and Spanish, and we urge people who buy EVO Premium and EVO UPGRADE to READ these information pages to understand what they are getting for their money. Here is some further information based on questions we have received:
These tickets are in limited supply and will sell out quickly. Don't miss out! Click here to purchase EVO Premium Experience and EVO UPGRADE tickets.
October 31, 2007EVO Premium Experience - ChileA reminder to fans in Chile who are considering purchasing EVO Premium Experience tickets: the ticket that comes with EVO Premum Experience (not EVO UPGRADE) is a FRONT ROW seat. These tickets are in limited supply and will sell out quickly. Don't miss out! Click here to purchase EVO Premium Experience and EVO UPGRADE tickets.
Aftershow Passes - South American TourPlease be advised that due to security issues and our tour schedule, we are unable to hold aftershows at any of the South America shows. Sound Theories aftershow passes are not valid for the South American tour. Steve will be doing a number of instore/public appearances during the tour. Stay tuned to Vai.com for more details in the coming days. Though selling fast, there are still EVO Premium Experience and EVO UPGRADE tickets available for all shows (except on Nov. 5th).
October 29, 2007EVO Premium Experience South America
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| DATE | CITY/COUNTRY | VENUE | ON SALE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 05 | Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL | Freegellsmusic | NO EVO | |
| Nov 06 | Sao Paulo, BRAZIL | Bourbon Street | BUY EVO TICKETS | |
| Nov 07 | Curitiba, BRAZIL | Hellooch | BUY EVO TICKETS | |
| Nov 09 | Viña del Mar, CHILE | Sausalito Stadium | BUY EVO TICKETS | |
| Nov 10 | Santiago, CHILE | Court Central (outdoor) | BUY EVO TICKETS | |
| Nov 12 | Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA | Gran Rex Theatre | BUY EVO TICKETS | |
| Nov 13 | Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA | Gran Rex Theatre | BUY EVO TICKETS | |
| Check the Vai.com Tour Dates page for more information... | ||||
Prices for EVO tickets in South America are:
$200 USD (plus a $12 USD booking fee) for EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE packages
$167 USD (plus a $10 USD booking fee) for EVO UPGRADE packages (you MUST buy your own ticket to the show.)
For shows in Brazil: there are 10 EVO Premium Experience (including ticket) and 30 EVO UPGRADES available (without ticket) available on November 6th and 7th. We will not be holding EVO Experience on November 5th.
For shows in Chile: there are 25 EVO Premium Experience (including ticket) and 15 EVO UPGRADES available (without ticket) available for each show.
For shows in Argentina: there are 20 EVO Premium Experience (including ticket) and 20 EVO UPGRADES available (without ticket) available for each show.
For information about the EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE package visit the following pages:
- EVO EXPERIENCE information in English
- EVO EXPERIENCE information in Spanish
- EVO EXPERIENCE information in Portuguese
Please note that the information on the pages above applies to EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE packages. EVO UPGRADE packages receive the same items and benefits but MUST buy their own ticket to the show. If you buy an EVO UPGRADE package without having a ticket, you will not be let into the show. AGAIN, YOU MUST BY A TICKET SEPARATELY IF YOU PURCHASE EVO UPGRADE TICKETS.
If you have friends who do not visit Vai.com regularly, but would also like to buy EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE tickets, please tell your friends!
CLICK HERE TO BUY EVO TICKETS FOR SOUTH AMERICA!
For a limited-time only, Steve Vai is allowing his fans to purchase professional photos shot during the band's North American tour for a 15% discount -- only at www.frcphotos.com.
Front Row Center also has a very limited quantity of photo mats autographed by Steve Vai for 11"X14" horizontal prints, available at checkout. Customers who purchase a photo mat or three or more Steve Vai photos (any size) will receive an authentic Steve Vai guitar pick exactly like the ones he's using on his current North American tour. Limit one per purchase.
Prints are available in 11"X14" and 8"X10" sizes, along with photo mats autographed by Steve Vai for 11"X14" horizontal prints. (Please note: Photos are not autographed.) To get your 15% discount off photos, you'll need this promotion code: GUITARHERO.
Prints from all North American shows that were photographed are now available. Check out all the galleries here!
If you have an AOL email account, you may not have received Vai.com Email Newsletters from us recently, or experienced problems registering on the Vai.com Message Board.
This is because AOL recently blocked Vai.com from sending emails to its users. Although this block has occurred in error, AOL are proving difficult to deal with on this issue, and so far have not been cooperative in having this email block lifted.
As a result, we are no longer able to cater to AOL users. If you would like to sign up for our message board or E-Newsletter, you will have to do so with a non-AOL account. If you are an AOL user, please contact them and ask that the block be lifted.
We apologize for this inconvenience.
Steve Vai and his amazing band String Theories will be touring South America this November! One date has been added to the tour, along with a change in venue/city for one of the shows in Brazil. The confirmed tour dates are now:
November 5, 2007: Belo Horizonte, BRAZIL - Freegellsmusic
November 6, 2007: Sao Paulo, BRAZIL - Bourbon Street
November 7, 2007: Curitiba, BRAZIL - Hellooch
November 9, 2007: Viña del Mar, CHILE - Sausalito Stadium
November 10, 2007: Santiago, CHILE - Court Central (outdoor)
November 12, 2007: Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA - Gran Rex Theatre
November 13, 2007: Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA - Gran Rex Theatre
Bryan Beller is out touring with Dethklok in November. Philip Bynoe will be handling bass duties on the South American run. Visit the Tour Dates page for more information.
Expect an announcement regarding the EVO PREMIUM EXPERIENCE in South America in the coming days...
An important announcement for fans attending Steve's New York City show on September 25: The venue has changed from the Hammerstein Ballroom to The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza.
We're excited to announce that we will be filming the Sound Theories Tour show in Minneapolis on September 19th for a future DVD release. If you are thinking of coming to the Minneapolis show and don't yet have a ticket, don't miss out on this show!
We're excited to announce a great new service from Vai.com and our friends at Front Row Center!
Starting after our first show in Las Vegas NV, you'll be able to purchase artist-authorized professional photos from the Steve Vai concert YOU attended. These high-quality photos can be purchased online from the Front Row Center store and will be shipped to you within 2-3 weeks. We will also have limited edition photo mats hand-signed by Steve Vai and ready for framing. These are true photographic prints (not inkjet or dye-sublimation prints) and are available in two sizes: 8"x10" and 11"x14". Photos are printed on high-quality Fuji Crystal Archive photographic paper with longevity of up to 200 years.
These photos are taken by official Vai Photographer and Art Director Michael Mesker, who shoots the whole show and has access to all areas of the stage and dressing rooms, allowing him to capture unique shots that press and freelance photographers can not. Check the Vai.com homepage for examples of the kinds of shots that will be available as the US tour progresses.
You can subscribe to Front Row Center's e-reminder email service for regular updates on show galleries and photos as they become available by clicking here.
For more information on how the Front Row Center service works, visit their website at FRCphotos.com.
Visit the brand-new Vai.com Tour Diary regularly while we're on the road for photos, videos, mobile/iPhone posts and blog entries from Steve, Mikey and the band.
We're planning a multi-media extravaganza, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the Vai Tour as it unfolds.
You can visit the Tour Diary HERE.
Steve's long-awaited and much anticipated DVD, Visual Sound Theories will be released through Sony/Epic on September 18, 2007. This DVD features the live performances from the Aching Hunger concerts with the Holland Metropole Orchestra in July 2005.
With a total running time of over 2 hours, the DVD includes 14 tracks in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound:
Kill The Guy With The Ball
The God Eaters
The Murder Prologue
The Murder
Answers
Lotus Feet
I'm Becoming
Salamanders In The Sun
The Attitude Song
Gentle Ways
Liberty
For The Love Of God
Shadows And Sparks
Frangelica Pt. I & II
Bonus features include:
- An Orchestra-only performance of "Bledsoe Bluvd."
- A behind the scenes featurette
- An interview at De Oosterpoort with Steve Vai
- "Steve Speaks"
- Feature length commentary with Steve Vai, Michael Mesker and Jason Feinberg
The DVD will be available in all major record stores, Amazon.com and through our Vai.com Online Store. Fans in the USA can also pick up the DVD at the merch booth on Steve's upcoming Sound Theories USA Tour. Check back in the coming days for a sneak-peek DVD trailer.
Steve is coming to Australia as a special guest on the Zappa Plays Zappa tour in late November/early December.
Zappa plays Zappa features Dweezil Zappa on lead guitar, and a phenomenal backing band including Joe Travers (drums), Billy Hulting (percussion), Scheila Gonzalez (keyboards, saxophone, vocals), Aaron Arntz (keyboards/trumpet), Pete Griffin (bass) and Jamie Kime (rythm guitar). Special guests on this tour of Australia include original Zappa band members: guitar virtuoso Steve Vai and vocalist Ray White who performed on countless Zappa albums and tours.
The dates are:
November 27: Brisbane, QLD - Lyric Theatre
November 29: Melbourne, VIC - Hamer Hall
December 02: Adelaide, SA - Thebarton Theatre
December 03: Sydney, NSW - Enmore Theatre
Tickets go on sale through ticketmaster.com.au on September 6. Check the Vai.com Tour Dates page for updated info and ticketing links.
Please note that Steve Vai is a guest performer on this tour and does not appear on stage for the entire show. This is not a solo Vai show and will not include EVO tickets. Sound Theories aftershow passes are NOT valid on this tour.
Due to popular demand, we are making another 10 extra EVO UPGRADE tickets for every show on the Sound Theories USA Tour (not including Chicago, IL). These UPGRADE tickets are extremely limited, and will sell quickly, so if you missed out on EVO before, don't miss out on your last chance!
EVO UPGRADE tickets include everything you get with a normal EVO Premium Experience ticket, EXCEPT that they DO NOT include a ticket to the show. You must purchase your own ticket to the show separately. You will need to display this ticket when checking in for EVO at 3:30pm on the day of the show. You will not be able to attend EVO without a ticket to the show.
Purchasing an EVO UPGRADE ticket will not give you preferred seating in seated venues. In general admission venues (standing room only) you will have early entry into the venue to find the best place to watch the show before the doors open for the general public.
You can purchase EVO UPGRADE tickets in our Vai.com Online Ticket Store. As we have only added an extra 10 tickets per EVO Experience, these will sell out very quickly.
For more information on the EVO Premium Experience (including EVO UPGRADE tickets) visit the EVO Premium Experience FAQ page.
We have received many questions regarding the aftershow pass included inside one in four copes of the Sound Theories Vol. I & II limited edition digipak. We hope that the following information will answer some of our more frequently asked questions.
By using your Sound Theories aftershow pass to gain entry to the aftershow, you accept and are bound by these terms and conditions.
Check out the October 2007 issue of Guitar World Magazine (on news stands now) for an interview with Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, along with a bonus diagram and tour of Steve's live rig, a re-print of the much sought-after 10 Hour Workout (with accompanying video); and an exclusive video tour of Steve's setup with Steve himself - shot during rehearsals in Los Angeles in late June 2007.
For more info visit Guitar World.com or visit your local news stand.
Thanks to all the fans who contributed reviews to the various shows in Europe. If you went to one of the shows on Steve's European tour and want to add your thoughts about the show you saw, you can visit the Vai.com Concert Reviews forum on our Message Board. If you're heading to a show in the USA - check out the reviews for a preview of what you're in for!
Sound Theories Vol. I & II is in stores now! A limited edition deluxe digipak is also available exclusively through Vai.com. The deluxe digipak features extra photos and a full-color booklet and 2,500 random copies will contain a satin pass that will admit the purchaser into any one (1) meet & greet aftershow on Steve's upcoming Sound Theories tour.
We have created a special reviews thread on our Vai.com Message Board to hear your thoughts and feedback on the new album. Click here to visit the special thread.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VAI.COM NEWS ARCHIVES...
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