Reader Spotlight: Catalina Villegas

Catalina VillegasMeet Catalina Villegas, a bass player from Miami, Florida, who now resides in Medellin, Colombia. She had us hooked with the very first sentence in her interview. We think you’ll like her story too.

Catalina is the No Treble reader in the spotlight for the week of May 27, 2013.

Bio:

I’m Cat and I am madly in love with the bass.

Raised in Miami, Florida and currently living and playing in a prog rock band called OtraBanda in Medellin, Colombia.

Heavily influenced by classic rock grooves, I am a sucker for anything 70’s.

I swear by Fender basses and that’s what I’ve always played and will continue to do so forever.

Musical highlights include opening for and jamming with Monte Pittman (Madonna’s guitarist) last year.

Location:

Medellin, Colombia

Day gig:

I freelance as a graphic designer and illustrator.

Years experience:

14 years

Bands & Gigs:

Yup. I have a prog/psychedelic band called OtraBanda. We are currently working on pre-production of our third record.

I also have a cover band with some really good friends. We play stuff from Iron Maiden to Rush.

Gear:

  • Fender American Jazz 60th Anniversary Bass
  • Ampeg B-410HE
  • Gallien-Krueger Backline 250 bass head
  • Fender PT100 Tuner
  • Boss CS3 Compressor
  • TC Electronic Corona Chorus
  • TC Electronic Spark Booster
  • BBE Sound Maximizer
  • Boss BF3 Flanger

Why I play the bass:

Whenever I would go to concerts I loved feeling of the bass resonating in my body. It’s the only instrument that makes you feel it aside from hearing it. I love the role of the bass in a band, the amalgam between everybody else… often misunderstood. It’s feminine and powerful.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

I’ve been told I take great care of my sound. I think it’s really important. I also have lots of fun when I play… if you’re not having fun then you’re not really doing much. And I get lots of different comments because I often play barefoot.

My influences

John Paul Jones, Geddy Lee, Paz Lenchantin.

More on the web:

Want to be featured in an upcoming Reader Spotlight? Just fill out the interview questionnaire.

Get daily bass updates.

Get the latest news, videos, lessons, and more in your inbox every morning.

Leave a Reply to Erika López Campero Cancel reply

  1. Nice to hear from bassists stationed in my home country and especially in the city which happens to be my second home back in Colombia :) Rock on!

  2. You rock, Cata. I’m so proud of you.

  3. wow felicitaciones

  4. Felicitaciones Cat D Bass. Siempre lo he dicho: MI BAJISTA PREFERIDA!

  5. would love to hear you’.