Nashville, TN
Bassist/Producer
Question:
As a bassist who plays both electric and stand-up instruments, you seem to be drawn to a wide variety of eclectic artists. Was that part of the plan?
Answer:
I’ve always been somewhat of a chameleon musically. Growing up I was listening to and playing punk rock while, at the same time, being obsessed with bluegrass and jazz.
All of this variety was compartmentalized, but a few artists broke down those walls for me. Willie Dixon was a big one. To hear Willie play the upright in more of a visceral sort of place gave the bass power and took it out of the delicate world that I had known it in. I loved jazz and in particular The Modern Jazz Quartet. That was amplified by The Flat Duo Jets who played rockabilly and blues but with a modern, punk attitude. A Tribe Called Quest used jazz samples and hard beats. Hearing Ron Carter on those records was also a pivotal inspiration.
Nowadays I intentionally try to blur those lines. I’ll play upright on something where my instinct says otherwise or use an effect with it. There’s beauty in going against the grain as long as it serves the song in the end.
