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Bassist Mike Sarkissian, Bass Musician Magazine Q&A

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Chevonne & The FuzzName:
Mike Sarkissian

Born In What City:
New Hyde Park, NY

Current Band(s) I Play With:
Chevonne and The Fuzz

Former Bands I Have Played With:
Carleigh Jade
Victoria Herrmann
The Better World

CD’s I’ve Released/ Been a Part Of:
(That actually matter…)
Fire At Will- Chevonne and The Fuzz

Describe The Way You Play Bass:
Hard, rhythmic and to the point. I wouldn’t consider myself a fancy bass player by any means, but I like to think all of my parts mesh well and compliment everything else in the song. My friend Kevin Walters (drummer for Those Mockingbirds) once told me he feels like I’m a drummer trapped in a bass players body. I think that’s because I’m more focused on bass drum hits and drum fills to line up with as opposed to the more melodic approach.

What Made Me Decide to Play Bass:
Growing up my brother Steve, from the time he was six years old, was playing drums. Excuse me, owning the drums. He is hands down one of the most talented people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing, playing with, and in this case, being related to. My cousin Nick, who’s mainly a self taught guitar player, Steve and I wanted to start a band and you know, revolutionize music like every other twelve year old out there thought they would do. The bass was the missing link, so who better than the drummer’s brother to play bass? With some previous training on piano and Steve teaching me drums over the years, I picked up pretty quickly and instantly fell in love.

Musical Influences:
I’ve been subjected to all types of music over the years, which I think is one of the best things that could have happened to me. Classical with my aunt, 50’s doo wop with my nana, disco with my mother and everything from Latin to Metal with my uncles, has made me have such an appreciation for all types of music. But if I had to specifically name people they would be Alex Katunich (Dirk Lance) formerly of Incubus, Flea, Jaco Pastorius, Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire, Ryan Martinie of Mudvayne and Mark Klepaski formerly of Breaking Benjamin.

Favorite Musical Styles:
Anything that makes my head bob and anything progressive.

My Bass(es):
Warwick Thumb 5
Music Man Stingray 5
Music Man Stingray
Music Man Sterling
Fender Precision Bass

My Amps and Other Gear:
Ampeg SVT Classic
Ampeg SVT 410 HLF
Fender Rumble 350 2×10 combo
Tech 21 SansAmp Programmable Bass Driver
Ashdown Lomenzo Bass Hyper Drive
Mark Bass Compressore
EBS OctaBass
Dunlop 105Q Cry Baby Bass Wah
Ernie Ball Volume Pedal
Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner

Best Bass Advice You Ever Received:
Simple and cliche, but stay in that pocket, man!

One Piece Of Advice For Other Bassists:
Surround yourself with exceptional musicians and try to learn, understand and listen to every instrument in your band. If you have time, jam on a guitar for a bit or have your drummer teach you some stuff. Being able to know exactly what’s going on with each instrument will make you be able to write the best lines for each part. And remember, we’re not lead guitar players. So there’s nothing wrong with just pumpin out quarter notes every now and again. However, we’re arguably the second most important element of the music (drums take first, sorry guitarists). So be creative, be experimental, don’t be afraid to hit a wrong note and just lock in with that drummer!

Favorite Quote or Life Philosophy:
“When life give you lemons, just say ‘F*#$ the lemons,’ and bail.”
-Paul Rudd

Most Amazing Gig so Far:
I had the opportunity to play the Highline Ballroom in NYC a few years ago. Great stage!

Dream Gig:
I don’t care what city, what venue, who we open for or who opens for us. I just want to see Chevonne and Chris hold their microphones to the crowd and watch every face there sing our songs.

Most Embarrassing Moment on Stage:
I played guitar in a hardcore band in high school (surprising). There was a measure break in one song where the other guitar player and myself would throw our guitars around our bodies and catch them right as the next part came in. Well, in that first break, my wireless system went flying off my strap and the body pack just burst into pieces. I made a quick recovery, but then the same thing happened to the other guitar player later in that same song. Pros.

Favorite Tip to Share on Traveling With Your Bass:
Let’s face it, no one wants to show up to a gig looking like an amateur. We all want to show up looking like “the real deal” with our stacks of amps and triple tiered pedal boards. Now you just look impractical. Travel light, bring only the necessities for that particular gig and don’t be afraid to bust out your 2×10 combo, even though the guy after you is running two 8x10s.

What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t A Musician:
Bartending at good old Restaurant L in Allendale, NJ.

The Question No One Ever Asks Me, But I Have Been Dying to Share:
The first album I bought: Millennium…Backstreet Boys….

What You Can Look Forward to From Me This Year:
Releasing “Fire At Will” with my musical brothers and sister, Chevonne and The Fuzz…and possibly a poorly lit sex tape.

Find Me Online:
Website – chevonneandthefuzz.com
Facebook – facebook.com/chevonneandthefuzz

Bass Videos

Interview With K3 Sisters Band

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Interview With K3 Sisters Band

K3 Sisters Band Interview…

It is very rare when I talk to a band where all the members play bass. The K3 Sisters Band is a perfect example of a group where Kaylen, Kelsey and Kristen Kassab are all multi-instrumentalists and take turns playing bass.

Hailing from Texas, these three sisters have been playing music since they were very young and have amassed an amazing amount of original music,  music videos, streaming concerts, podcasts, and content that has taken numerous social media platforms by storm. On TikTok alone, they have over 2.5 million followers and more than a billion views.

Join me as we hear the story of their musical journey, how they get their sound, and the fundamental principles behind these prolific musicians.

Here is the K3 Sisters Band!

Photo, Bruce Ray Productions

Follow Online:

k3sistersband.com/
TikTok
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook 

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Bass Videos

Interview With Bassist Danielle Nicole

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Interview With Bassist Danielle Nicole

Bassist Danielle Nicole…

Blues music has universal appeal. We all have our ups and downs and this particular musical genre often fits our reality. Just hearing that we are not alone makes us feel a bit better. 

Danielle Nicole writes and sings the Blues. She does an amazing job at delivering both exquisite smoky vocals but plays just the right bass line to drive the tune home. Danielle recently released “The Love You Bleed” last January and will be touring the album this upcoming year.

Join me as we learn about Danielle’s musical journey, how she gets her sound, her plans for the future and more.

Follow Online

daniellenicolemusic.com/
IG @daniellenicoleband
youtube.com/daniellenicoleband

Photo, Missy Faulkner

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Features

Bergantino Welcomes Karina Rykman to Their Family of Artists

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Bergantino Welcomes Karina Rykman to Their Family of Artists

Interview with Karina Rykman…

Karina Rykman…The high-energy bassist discusses her path on bass, her upcoming tour, how she came to find Bergantino through another Bergantino artist, and more!

A lifelong Manhattanite diehard New Yorker, Bergantino welcomes new Artist Karina Rykman. Jim and Holly had the privilege of meeting Karina and her band in Boston to see her perform. She lights up a stage with her charismatic passion as a bass player and singer – a true powerhouse of joy and energy. On stage, she smiles from ear to ear, hopping, jumping, and dancing; the entire room overflowing with positivity! If you don’t know this titan of bass yet, you will soon enough. Karina’s JOYRIDE 2024 tour picks up this month with the debut of her new album. We had the opportunity to ask Karina some questions about her career so far. 

You have quite the career that began at a very young age. You have so much going on!! Can you share some of your musical path highlights you are most proud of?

Oh man, thank you! What a long, strange trip it’s been. I’m proud of still being so absolutely enthralled by music after playing in a million bands and finally ending up at this current juncture: being able to make my own music and tour under my own name. It just seems completely surreal – every gig, every recording…I’m on cloud 9 being able to continue to do this, and we’re just getting started. I’m extremely proud of being so young and being able to learn so much from Marco Benevento, without whom I’d be absolutely nowhere. Being put up to a large task with enormous shoes to fill, and stepping in even though I barely knew what I was doing at the time. Every gig with Marco is extremely special to me. 

Tell us about your new album release Joyride and your 2024 tour.

Joyride is my debut record! It came out in August 2023, and we’ve been touring behind it nonstop ever since. You only make your first record once, and I’m so proud of this one – it’s fun, searing, lush, with chantable choruses and, of course, incredibly thick bass and infectious grooves. It was produced by Phish’s Trey Anastasio, who also contributes guitar parts to 5 of the 9 tunes. 

What makes the bass so special to you particularly, and how did you gravitate towards it?

There’s nothing quite like feeling the subs rumbling under your feet in a venue and being responsible for those sounds is thrilling. I played guitar first, at age 12, but essentially completely switched over to bass when I was 22 and got the gig playing bass with Marco Benevento. I haven’t looked back since, except for a few gigs on guitar here and there (notably in the house band on Late Night with Seth Meyers and on The Today Show backing up Julia Michaels). 

People hate this question, but: If you were constructing your personal Bass Mt. Rushmore, who are the four players that would make the cut and why?

Geddy Lee, Cliff Burton, Bootsy Collins, Les Claypool. The list goes on and on, of course, but those four have imprinted their unique styles upon my brain since I was so young, and I’m perpetually learning from them – even in the case of the deceased Cliff (RIP), going back and watching Cliff ‘Em All videos is something I do all the time. Endlessly compelled by these four players and their original takes on the instrument.

How did you learn to play?

I never took lessons, but in middle school and high school, I just surrounded myself with equally music-obsessed people. All we did was play music and go and see live music, which is wildly accessible when you grow up in New York City. I had a really tight-knit crew of amazing players as my friends, and everyone would teach each other riffs and licks. I was fearless – playing with people much better than me and saying “yes” to every cool opportunity that came my way. I essentially learned from playing in a million bands and playing along to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin records. 

Are there any other instruments you play?

I started on guitar, and still love to write on guitar. I can get around on keyboards a bit, but you’d never hire me as a keyboardist. The same goes for drums – I LOVE playing drums but you’d never hire me as a drummer. 

Describe your playing style(s), tone, strengths and/or areas that can be improved on the bass.

I play both with a pick and my fingers, depending on the specific needs of / vibe of the tune. I love playing fuzz bass and writing bombastic “lead bass” moments, which are a staple of my live show. I’d say I’m about the least “traditional” bassist in just about every way – which is both a strength and a weakness depending on how you frame it. I play what I hear, what I like, and I adhere to very few rules. I’ve always hated rules, and I didn’t start playing rock n roll to follow them. 

How did you find Bergantino Audio Systems?

I’m pals with Mike Gordon, bassist of Phish, and his tech is named Ed Grasmeyer. Ed suggested he bring Mike’s Bergantino for me to try out at a show I was playing in Vermont, and I fell instantly in love. 

You have been using the Bergantino Forté HP2 head. How have you been setting the controls on this and what changes to those settings might you make as you plug into your other individual instruments?

I love my Forté HP2! The versatility and headroom are incredible, and I’ve been having a lot of fun dialing it in at home. The real fun will begin this weekend when I take it out for 2.5 weeks of tour – dialing something in an apartment just isn’t the same as on a big stage with a PA and subs and all that good stuff. I like to roll my highs a bit and I keep “punch” on all the time. So far, it’s been a dream.

You are the inspiration behind Bergantino cab the new NXT410-C. Can you tell us more about this cab and your experience so far?

Firstly, I’m beyond touched to be the inspiration behind, well…anything! But this is truly insane, and such an honor. I love this cab. Not only is it light and extremely good-looking, it can handle all my loudest, most abrasive and obnoxious effects. My old amp didn’t come close, and could just fart out or I’d have to turn down to appease it. I’m a big fan of playing at earth-shattering volumes, so this is going to be a match made in heaven. 

We all love your custom-made Goldie Hawn bass guitar! Can you share more with us about this bass design and why it is so special to you?

Thanks! That’s made by “Zeke Guitars” – it’s the second custom bass he’s made for me! He reached out in the summer of 2019 and asked what my dream bass would be, and I said it was basically my 1978 Fender P-Bass, but lighter, whiter, with Lindy Fralins, gold hardware, and shorter scale. And, well..he did exactly that! I love that bass so much. And the gold, which is referred to as Goldie Hawn, was born in December of 2022, and has the same specs. I just love it, it sounds amazing and looks, arguably, even better. 

Jim and I were lucky to get to meet you in person when you came to Boston with the band. The members of the band are such a great group of people! Can you share more with all about the band and crew. 

I’m so lucky to keep such incredible company. My bandmates, Adam November and Chris Corsico, are not only unbelievable musicians but also incredible humans. We just laugh and laugh, and we’re there for each other when the road gets tough or we’re exhausted or whatever life throws at us. It’s the joy of my life to get to tour the world with these guys. And the crew! That night was Connor Milton on sound and Nick Koski on lights – we have a rotating cast of people who play those roles based on availability, and everyone who works for us are absolute consummate professionals and the sweetest humans. They are my team of experts and I just adore them so much. Shout out to Zach Rosenberg, Jeff Volckhausen, Dylan Hinds, Dom Chang, for being the best rotating crew a gal could ask for!  

What else do you do besides music? 

Not much! I love going to the beach! I love eating dinner! 

Because I am a foodie, I always ask people what their favorite food is!

Oysters, caviar, sushi. I’m a raw bar fanatic. 

At a very young age, Karina is a diligent hard worker. She juggles many balls managing her business and is savvy beyond her years. We are very happy to be working with Karina and are excited for her continued success!

Follow Karina Rykman:

Instagram: @karinarykman
X (formerly Twitter): @KarinaRykman
Facebook @karinarykman/

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Bass Videos

Interview With Bassist Ciara Moser

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Interview With Bassist Ciara Moser

Bassist Ciara Moser…

Ciara and I sat down for this interview a few months after the launch of her debut album, “Blind. So what?”

Blind since birth, she is a powerhouse of talent; she is not only a professional bassist, but also composes music, and is a producer and educator. I am just blown away by her talent and perseverance.

Join me as we hear about Ciara’s musical journey, the details of her album, how she gets her sound, and her plans for the future.

Visit online:

www.ciara-moser.com 
IG @ moserciara
FB @ ciara.moser

Photos by Manuela Haeussler

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Bass Videos

Interview With Bassist Travis Book

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Interview With Bassist Travis Book

Interview With Bassist Travis Book…

Bluegrass music has had a very solid following over many years and I am always happy to hear from one of the pioneers in that genre.

Travis Book plays bass for the Grammy award-winning band “The Infamous Stringdusters” and has recently released his first solo album “Love and Other Strange Emotions”. As if he wasn’t busy enough, Travis also hosts a podcast, Plays a Jerry Garcia music show with Guitarist Andy Falco, and is constantly gigging locally in his neck of the woods.

Photo, Seyl Park

Visit Online:

www.thetravisbook.com
www.thestringdusters.com
FB @ TheTravisBook
IG @ travisbook

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