Reader Spotlight: Antonis Mikelis

Antonis Mikelis

Antonis Mikelis borrowed a bass while attending college, and the rest is history. Now he spends his time playing, teaching and running sound.

Antonis is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story…

Bio:

Born on the small but picturesque island of Milos in Greece, his first introduction to music was classical piano. However, it didn’t really make sense to him until he picked up the guitar and began writing his own songs. He reached the bass via a seemingly endless list of instruments he is or was once able to play. He moved to the UK to pursue a Music Technology Masters degree and find a fertile environment for his musical ideas. Upon completing his studies, he moved to London where he started his new music journey, played in bands and composed his own music. Since then he has performed in numerous locations, venues and events. His performing experience varies from original acts and covers bands to theatre work . His calm, understated and affable demeanour, in the tradition of some of music’s finest bass players, hides a consummate musician.

Location:

London / UK

Day gig:

Functions Band, Bass/Guitar Tutor, YouTube Covers/Lessons, Sound Engineer

Years experience:

15-ish years

Bands & Gigs:

The main band that I gig with at the moment is a covers band that a drummer friend and I put together, Funk Republic.

Gear:

  • Warwick Streamer LX 2008 Ltd 5-String
  • Warwick Corvette Standard
  • NS Design CR5M
  • Epiphone El-Capitain 5-string acoustic fretless
  • SWR MO BASS
  • MarkBass Multi Amp
  • Phil Jones Bass Cub
  • SWR Big Ben 1×18 Cab
  • SWR Golight 4×10 Cab
  • GK Neo 115 1×15 Cab
  • EBS ValveDrive
  • EBS Tremolo
  • EBS DPhaser
  • EBS Bass IQ
  • EBS WahOne
  • EBS MicroBass

Why I play the bass:

I borrowed a bass when I was studying in uni so I could have a go and never stopped playing since then!

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

Arranging whole pieces for bass is one challenge that I really enjoy taking on. I like the full process, from transcribing, arranging, finding new sounds and tackling problems to recording, mixing, video editing etc. I find this experience very creative and refreshing!

However, I do enjoy grooving the low end when playing with a band etc. too

My influences:

Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Flea, Tim Commerford, Christopher Wolstenholme, Richard Bona, Damian Erskine, Pino Palladino, Yiotis Kiourtsoglou, Nat McIntosh, Guthrie Govan…

More on the web:

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