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...
EWS Introduces the Tri-Logic Bass Preamp III and Bass Mid Control 2
EWS has introduced two new bass pedals with the Tri-Logic Bass Preamp III and the Bass Mid Control 2. Both pedals are upgrades to the company’s existing models with new features and benefits. The Tri-Logic Bass Preamp III has a 3-band EQ with adjustable frequency centers for Bass, Mid and Treble. While the sweepable mid-frequency was retained, the new pedal...
Ana Karina Sebastião and Lari Basilio: Groove Delas
Mitch sent us this great clip of Ana Karina Sebastião locking in with guitarist Lari Basilio on the bassist’s original song, “Groove Delas.” This one has it all: great vibe, great groove, and great bass.
Motörhead: Ace Of Spades, Live
We’re rocking it out today with a clip of the quintessential Motörhead song, “Ace of Spades,” from a 2004 performance in Dusseldorf, Germany. The one and only Lemmy Kilmister leads the charge by ripping into the main riff with his unmistakable tone. Get ready to bang your head.
TC Electronic Announces Ditto Stereo Looper
TC Electronic has added to their lineup of looper pedals with the Ditto Stereo Looper. Continuing the simplified design of the original Ditto, the new pedal adds three features: stereo input and output functionality, nine-volt battery power, and loop importing and exporting. The Ditto Stereo Looper features a compact design with a single level knob and a single footswitch to...
Points North, Featuring Uriah Duffy: Ignition
Instrumental power trio Points North is releasing their sophomore self-titled album this month, and if this video of “Ignition” is any indication, it’s going to be a great one. The band is anchored by bassist Uriah Duffy, who brings the fire with rock solid groove and interesting countermelodies. He gets some time to shine at the 2:47 mark with some...
Inside Geddy Lee’s Bass Guitar Collection
Geddy Lee may be known for his association with two types of basses, but this clip from a recent episode of That Metal Show proves that they aren’t his only axes. The Rush bassist took the TMS crew into his bass lair to show some of collection and talk about the instrument’s evolution. “I’ve tried to recreate the history of...
Williamscot Basses Launches with Gagliano, Panormo and Da Salo Models
The double bass and electric bass are two quite different instruments, but bass builders Thomas and George Martin are bringing their 30 plus years of double bass making into a new electric bass company called Williamscot. The company, which was launched in January, builds each bass by hand in the UK without the use of CNC machines or PIN routers....
Kevin “Brandino” Brandon: Where is the World Going
Seven-time Grammy winning bassist Kevin “Brandino” Brandon has worked with artists ranging like Outkast and Justin Timberlake, but his first break was in jazz with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Here’s a clip of Brandino showing his musical roots on a five-string double bass performing the original tune “Where is the World Going” with pianist Andy Langham.
Bass of the Week: Prometeus Guitars Kirlian 8
Prometeus Guitars has a way with creating interesting body shapes that still function well. They also have a knack for extended range basses. Both of those features are showcased on their Kirlian 8, a multi-scale eight-string bass that will stop you in your tracks. The Prometeus is built around a padouk neck and wenge fingerboard with fanned frets. The strings,...