Bio
Past. Present. Future.
Vir grew up in Venice, California. From an early age, he was
exposed to eclectic musical instruments. As a teenager, he explored
exotic sounds, particularly those used in ceremonial and trance music.
In addition to playing guitar, bass and keyboard, Vir plays world
instruments including the Sintir and Guimbri from Morocco, Djeli Ngoni
from Mali, Yali Tanbur from Turkey, a self-created camel-skinned
instrument called The ‘Arkbass’, and many others. Vir plays these
instruments in non-traditional ways through various effects pedals, as
well as in funk, hip-hop and electronic music to create distinctive
textures and tonalities.
Vir is a tone-master, always looking for that hypnotic sound.
Vir founded the world music band Hamsa Lila, who has toured
through the United States. Hamsa Lila headlined the renowned Fillmore
auditorium twice, and received a Bay Area ‘best world music band’ prize
in 2004. The album Gathering One went to number 2 in the world music
charts. Vir toured and recorded with the Mickey Hart Band (drummer of
the Grateful Dead) in 2011.
Vir has performed with or opened up for Mickey Hart, Tinariwen,
Bombino, Beats Antique, Bassnectar, The String Cheese Incident, Shiva
Rea, Yossi Fine (David Bowie), and many others.
Vir currently composes, produces, records and tours with Hamsa
Lila, House of Hamsa, The Dogon Lights, and his self-titled solo work.
Has worked with:
BASSNECTAR, BEATS ANTIQUE, STEVE KIMOCK, MICKEY HART, MC YOGI, KARSH KALE, STRING CHEESE INCIDENT, RALPH GUGGENHIEM OF PIXAR, LYNX, AIRTO MORIERA, YOSSI FINE (David Bowie), BILLY SHOES JOHNSON (Drummer of Santana), IAN “INKX” HERMAN (Sting, Paul Simon, Mickey Hart)
"A futuristic, funktastic seeker of the groove. Vir channels centuries of sounds & spirits to create progressive, aural tapestries. Astral projection via sound waves!"
-Barnett English, Joshua Tree Music Festival
Music Lessons
Vir has been teaching music for over 20 years - Piano, guitar, voice, drums, and ethnic instruments among others.
From private lessons to school rock band, Vir's intricate knowledge of musicality is empowering, and his playful approach is infectious.
His thorough understanding of music theory, music history, and ethno-musicology spark up any lesson. His emphasis on finding hidden gems of talent help students to develop a characteristic approach to their own music.
Vir is available for private Skype lessons anywhere in the world, or in-person lessons int the Los Angeles and Bay Areas of California.
