INTERVIEW: Drew Forde

Viewing the 2025 NAMM Show performance schedule, I devoted time each day to peep live amazing live acts from a myriad of music genres. Arriving on Wednesday, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to catch hip-hop and R&B/soul string quartet wholesoul at the cozy Westin Hotel which served as the perfect venue to showcase the group’s skills as their music floated in the air from afar. Featuring Julliard classically trained violist Drew Forde aka “ThatViolaKid” among the foursome, their short set flew by.

Chatting with Drew after their performance, I inquired about his gradually building impressive musical résumé which includes sharing stages with legends Adele, Anderson Paak and Alicia Keys, playing viola on the last Beatles track, recording for Paul McCartney and other artists like Mac Miller and John Legend. His viola’s also been heard in the “Hamilton” Musical orchestra pit, and on TV and streaming platforms in such as “Lovecraft County”, “Coming 2 America” and “Star Trek: The Lower Decks”. Check out the interview soundclips below and visit wholesoul’s site here and Drew’s site here for more music!