Archive for October 2015 - Page 5
3Leaf Audio Revamps Proton and Wonderlove Envelope Filters
3Leaf Audio has revamped their Proton and Wonderlove envelope filters, saying the new versions “take the sound made famous by Stevie Wonder and push it to new heights.” Each effect retains its unique voicing with some added features for more flexibility. The Proton now has a Tone knob for fine tuning the filter cutoff frequency. 3Leaf also increased its sensitivity...
Snarky Puppy: Dunlop Sessions
Dunlop brought Snarky Puppy in for their “Sessions” series, which blends performances and interviews with artists. In this episode, members of Snarky Puppy discuss “their beginnings and the risks and rewards of standing by your musical vision.” There’s also the music of course, with Michael League and the band performing “Binky” and “Flood”. Enjoy.
Last Album Leads to New EP for Decemberists
The Decemberists have released the five songs that didn’t make it onto its January album, What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World as the EP, florasongs. Featuring Nate Query (also Black Prairie) on bass, the album’s title references the Portland studio belonging to Tucker Martine, who co-produced What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World with the band. Arguing...
The Lightbulb Moment: It’s All in Your Head(space)
“Um, hey guys… excuse me… guys?!… Can you turn it down a little?” I glance behind me at the drummer and our eyes meet with the same surprised expression. He can’t be serious, right? We’re not playing rock and roll here… the drummer has yet to play with sticks instead of brushes, the keyboard player is running through a small...
Ilja John Lappin: Bass Playthrough of The Hirsch Effekt’s “Bezoar”
I’ll admit I hadn’t heard of The Hirsch Effekt before watching this, but this video has put bassist Ilja John Lappin on my radar. His playthrough of “Bezoar” has an intensity that will put you on the edge of your seat. The song falls somewhere between technical death metal and prog-rock with a Latin-American-tinged interlude. Its intro is sure to...
Small Faces Decca Years Box Set Released
The Small Faces, the 1960s band that evolved from mod to psychedelic in four short years before retooling its lineup and transforming into The Faces, has received the box set treatment for its 1965-67 tenure with Decca Records. Led by bassist/co-songwriter Ronnie Lane and guitarist/co-songwriter Steve Marriott, the British band, in its Decca days, was firmly mod. The five CD...
Mr. Divine: An Interview With Nate Brenner
As a member of the eclectic band Tune-Yards, Nate Brenner spent much of the past few years touring the world in a blur of tour busses, hotels, and planes. The experiences helped to shape the music in the bassist’s own project called Naytronix, culminating in the new release, . Trained in jazz at Oberlin Conservatory, Brenner has a deep understanding...
Spector Introduces CodaP 4 Pro and CodaPJ 4 Pro Basses
Spector has expanded their Coda Pro line with the CodaP 4 Pro and CodaPJ 4 Pro basses. The models are inspired by vintage design and are fitted with P and P/J pickup configurations, respectively, matched to the company’s TonePump Jr circuit. Both basses feature a one-piece maple neck with a 20-fret rosewood fingerboard and an alder body, while the CodaP...
Aaron Gibson: Not Good Enough
I have good news. A new Aaron Gibson video is here. Aaron sent me this last night. He’s busy working on his new album too, which is more great news. “‘Not Good Enough‘ will be one of the tunes on the new album (Which I will get around to recording soonish)”, Aaron shared. “My son Barrett (11) did some of...
The Zombies Release New Album, Mount Unusual Tour
The Zombies, the British rock band known for 1960s pop hits “She’s Not There,” “Tell Her No,” and “Time of the Season” have released the album Still Got That Hunger with a lineup featuring Jim Rodford (Argent, The Kinks) on bass. Rodford’s son’s Steve also handles the drumming duties for the band, which features original members Rod Argent on keyboards...
Can You Learn Bass Using a Guitar?
Q: Is it possible to learn to play bass by using my six-string acoustic/electric guitar? I don’t really have the extra bread to buy a bass and amp right now, but I feel called to learn and with time, become proficient on the electric bass and maybe double bass eventually. My goal is to take a solid musical approach, learning...
George Duke, Stanley Clarke and Howard Hewett: Heaven Sent You
I’m not sure if I would have ever seen this video if it hadn’t been for Pete Skjold sharing it. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve watched it since then. In this clip, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, and Howard Hewett sit in a studio for a nice acoustic performance of “Heaven Sent You”, which appeared on Clarke’s album,...