Reader Spotlight: Ben Janning

Meet Ben Janning, a man who loves bass so much, he ditched rhythm guitar in favor of the low end. Ben keeps busy with original music – both as a member of Strange Attractor and his own solo work. He’s No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of February 9, 2015, and here’s his story…

Bio:

I started playing bass when I was 16, after having played rhythm guitar in a metal band for years. After starting, I fell in love with funk, Motown and jazz and decided to study the bass in BIMM Dublin.

Last year I played at least one gig a week and played at Ireland’s best music festival – Electric Picnic, The Guinness Jazz Festival – and did a 10-day tour in Germany.

Location:

Dublin, Ireland

Day gig:

I play for various bands/projects and teach from home.

Years experience:

5 years

Bands & Gigs:

I am in an original band called Strange Attractor, based in Ireland. We play a fusion of soul, funk and disco music and are releasing our debut album Wacky World in April 2015. Our debut music video will also be released in the next two months. We played over 100 gigs together last year alone.

Gear:

• Fender Jazz
• Fender Jazz Fretless
• Fender Precision
• Zon VB Bass
• TC Electronics Ditto Looper
• TC Electronics BG 250
• NS Design Omnibass – Electric Upright

Why I play the bass:

I always loved the groove of funk and Motown music (James Jamerson) but it was bass players like Marcus Miller who brought bass to the forefront and made me interested in playing.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I write original all-bass compositions, using harmonics and various techniques, with loop pedals.

My influences:

James Jamerson, Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Zander Zon, Stuart Zender, Bob Babbitt, Carol Kaye

Videos:

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More on the web:

• Strange Attractor on Bandcamp
• Strange Attractor on Facebook