Cody Wright and Chaisaray Schenk: Drum & Bass Groove
The connection between a bassist and a drummer is a special thing. Here’s a great example of that bond with Cody Wright tearing it up with Chaisaray Schenk on a drum and bass groove. Wright kicks things off with a killer bass riff that Schenk immediately syncs up with to form a tight pocket.
Bass of the Week: Brutal Guitars Egregore 5
Vitaly Ganya sent us a note suggesting we check out the Brutal Guitars Egregore 5, and I’m glad he did. The instrument is the first bass by Latvian luthier Andrew Schultz and was made in collaboration with Ganya for his band avant-garde band Theatrum. Ganya gave us the whole scoop: “The body of this five string instrument is made from...
Steve Lawson: Looping Improv
Steve Lawson is a master of looping and effects to create enormous soundscapes. He recently sent us this great clip of an improv session that turned out very musical. “[It] started out as a video test and ended up featuring some rather nice music, sort of by accident,” Lawson shares. “It starts out with an ambient loop using my toneprint...
Mike Gordon Announces Interactive Tour
Mike Gordon has announced he’ll be be hitting the road in June in support of his latest album, Overstep. Starting in Charleston, South Carolina, the tour will focus on the East Coast and Midwest with 16 dates. It wraps up June 28th at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer. Gordon will be joined by guitarist Scott Murawski, percussionist Craig Myers, keyboardist Robert Walter,...
BadBadNotGood: Kaleidoscope
If you like jazz, hip hop, and a little bit of punk, this video is for you. BadBadNotGood’s genre bending style ranges from intimate to epic, and it’s all showcased in this clip of their song “Kaleidoscope” from a performance at the Moran Plant in Burlington, Vermont. Bassist Chester Hansen lays it down with innovative lines and an energetic solo...
Artisan Bass Works Announces Fidelity Bass Series
Artisan Bass Works has introduced the Fidelity Series of basses, which they describe as the pinnacle of five years of development and testing. Featuring their ANSIR angled neck technology, the Fidelity series is available in several configurations with the main version being the Fidelity Maple. The Fidelity Maple comes with a figured maple bookmatched top and walnut stringer over a...
Richard Bona and MonoNeon: Engingilaye
One of the best parts about social media is the spread of great art and inspiration. Bassist Dywane “MonoNeon” Thomas has a knack for harnessing that inspiration into new creations by taking existing videos and adding his own bass line to them to put a new spin or idea on the original. Here’s a great clip he took of Richard...
Hartke Introduces 210 HyDrive Cab
Hartke has expanded their HyDrive series of bass cabinets with a 2×10? model. The 210 HyDrive Cab is fitted with a pair of the company’s 10-inch HyDrive paper/aluminum hybrid cone drivers with neodymium magnets as well as a 1-inch tweeter. Built with solid plywood construction, the new cab weighs in under 40 pounds and is rated at up to 500...
Stories Behind the Songs: Chuck Berghofer
As a member of the Wrecking Crew, Chuck Berghofer helped change the sound of popular music. His big, warm bass sound has laid the foundation for artists from A to Z with recordings by Frank Sinatra, Glen Campbell, Christina Aguilera, Frank Zappa, The Beach Boys, Diana Krall, Robbie Williams, and more. It has also set the mood on over 400...
Esperanza Spalding Announces New Project, Tour Dates
After wrapping up her successful Radio Music Society tour cycle, Esperanza Spalding has announced she’ll be hitting the road this Spring and Summer in support of a new project. Emily’s D+Evolution is described as rekindling the bassist’s childhood interest in theater, poetry and movement to expand her performances. “Emily is my middle name, and I’m using this fresh persona as...
Bass of the Week: Bilodeau Basses #010
Bass #010 is a landmark instrument for Bilodeau Basses. Completed in 2011, the intricately designed bass was the culmination of years of work and the last before luthier Mathieu Bilodeau took a break from building to focus on his family. “I managed to complete his instrument in fall 2011 which represent the last bass before my break,” Bilodeau explains. “A...
Hiatus Kaiyote: Nakamarra
A friend of mine recently turned me on to Hiatus Kaiyote, and I’m glad she did. The Australian neo-soul quartet has a buttery sound that’s fronted by singer/guitarist Nai Palm and supported by the fresh grooves of bassist Paul Bender. Here’s a great clip of the band playing through their song “Nakamarra” live on WNYC’s Soundcheck. I’ve played it a...