Bass Videos
Behind the Notes Launches Video Documentaries Website
Behind the Notes (www.behindthenotes.com) is new website which hosts video documentaries with renowned musicians sharing insight into the creative process of making music.
The content is designed for an audience of musicians and music enthusiasts who are interested in seeing first hand how great musicians do their thing. “It’s like when all the notes are right, but then there’s just something else, cause if it was just about the notes – anybody can play the notes” [Branford Marsalis]
“We asked ourselves, ‘What would our audience want to discuss if they had the chance to sit down, one on one with their favourite musician?’ This is narrowcasting, where we aim to give less people more of what they really want – we are not interested in celebrity exposés, just performances and discussion about the music directly from the guys who created it.” [Martin Gibbons– Director]
Rapid advancements in broadband technology are allowing people the freedom to choose what they want to watch and when they want to watch it. Behind the Notes has teamed up with Australian based video streaming provider Vividas to deliver the content in full screen TV quality – no additional hardware, set top box or software is required, it streams straight to your computer. This technology allows the viewer to be totally immersed in the viewing experience while still having all the interactive functionality of a website with a range of information, forums, links and other interesting material to support the videos.
Featured artists include: Dominic Miller, John Patitucci, Vernon Reid, David Gilmore, Horacio Hernandez and Speech from Arrested Development.
How it Works
Each documentary has a 4-5 minute free preview. These previews are entertaining and engaging on their own. In combination with all of the other free content on site they provide a rich and rewarding experience without the need to part with any money.
The full features run for approximately half an hour plus live performances. Viewers have the option to purchase premium viewing time in 30, 60 and 120 minute units. This premium viewing time allows access to all of the video content on the site. It’s a unique concept which couples free and paid for content with a payment system that allows the user total flexibility as to what they watch and when.
Background
Behind the Notes is the result of an idea that morphed through many phases. The concept was originally for a cartoon character to be used in a music teaching program for primary school children. One thing lead to another. The primary school children gave way to the wider musical community and the cartoons were replaced by real people. And not just any real people…
The whole concept rests on the idea that those who are best placed to pass on the musical tradition are not teachers or middlemen or even cartoon characters. They are the working musicians who have created the music that people know and appreciate.
Through various contacts developed the story began to unfold. Countless phone calls and emails to musicians and their ‘people’ became filming trips from London to New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Bordeaux and Frankfurt.
Now the platform is set and ready to grow with the regular addition of new artists to the site. To experience this content please visit www.behindthenotes.com.
Oteil Burbridge & Lamar Williams Jr. Champion Love Over Hate in New Single “Hush” | New Album ‘The Offering’ Out May 1.
Bassist Oteil Burbridge and vocalist Lamar Williams Jr. continue the rollout of their forthcoming collaborative album The Offering, with the release of its second single, “Hush”. A slow-burning Southern soul meditation rooted in love, peace, and emotional clarity, the track is a centerpiece on the album with a potent, thematic statement, in Williams’ words to “block out all of that nonsense” and “remember that there is more love in the world than hate.” The full-length album arrives May 1 via Flóki Studios, recorded on Iceland’s northern coast and produced by drummer, engineer, and Soulive co-founder Alan Evans.
While much of The Offering grew out of Burbridge’s banjo-based writing, “Hush” emerged from he and Williams’ shaping a deliberate sonic vision. Burbridge says they were “trying to capture a more old school Memphis, Macon, Muscle Shoals vibe,” leaning into a Southern soul feel that fits Williams’s phrasing. The end result is a song that is unhurried with a deep pocket that allows the groove and the song’s message breathe and stand at the forefront.
The album features an all-star lineup of drummer John Morgan Kimock, percussionist Weedie Braimah, organist Melvin Seals of the Jerry Garcia Band, pianist and violinist Jason Crosby, guitarists Tom Guarna and Jaden Lehman — musicians whose overlapping histories connect the Allman Brothers Band, Dead & Company, the Jerry Garcia Band, Soulive, and West African percussion traditions.
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When I heard that American Vanity, formerly known as Burn the Jukebox, was gearing up to release a new album this summer, it felt like the perfect moment to catch up with bassist and vocalist Virginia Franks.
With a fresh name unveiled just this past January and a clear shift in musical direction, the band is entering an exciting new chapter, one defined by both sonic evolution and a deeper, more focused message.
In this conversation, Virginia opens up about the inspiration behind the upcoming record, how she crafts her distinctive bass tone, what fans can expect from their upcoming tour, and where she sees both herself and the band heading next.
Join me as we dive into it all.
Here is Virginia Franks.
Photo, Devin Kasparian
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For decades, we’ve had the privilege of following the remarkable career of Nathan East, listening closely to his albums, tracking his milestones with Yamaha Instruments, and watching his evolving partnership with Laney Amplification with great interest. Along the way, we’ve talked gear, tone, and technique, while hearing his unmistakable musical “voice” woven into the work of more iconic artists than we could possibly list.
Today, we’re thrilled to reconnect with this true giant of the bass world following the release of a very special new album, Father Son, produced by Nathan alongside his son, Noah East. It’s a deeply personal project that showcases not only extraordinary musicianship but also a powerful family bond.
Join us as we dive into the making of this outstanding record, explore the new Laney Nathan East Signature Bass Preamp, and look ahead to what the future holds for one of music’s most respected and influential bassists.
Here is the one and only… Mr. Nathan East.
Photos, John Abbott @johnabbottphoto
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Disclaimer: This bass strap was kindly provided by Italia Leather Straps for the purpose of this review. However, this does not influence our opinions or the content of our reviews. We strive to provide honest, unbiased, and accurate assessments to ensure that our readers receive truthful and helpful information.
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect wide bass strap, something that delivers both comfort and durability without compromising on style. That search ended nearly two decades ago when I discovered Italia Leather Straps.
Handcrafted in the USA from premium Italian leather, Italia Straps offers an impressive range of straps for both bass and guitar players. What immediately stood out to me was the exceptional craftsmanship; every detail, from stitching to material selection, reflects a commitment to quality. These aren’t just accessories… they’re long-term investments for serious musicians.
After more than 19 years of consistent use with my original strap, I can confidently speak to its longevity and comfort. Even under the demands of extended performances, the support provided by a 4” wide strap makes a noticeable difference.
In this review, I’m taking a closer look at the 4” Elite Series Leather Backed Bass Strap, now available in a sleek new Slate Black finish. It’s a refined addition to an already outstanding lineup, combining aesthetic appeal with the same trusted performance.
For more information, visit www.italiastraps.com.
Since 2012, Tom Doyle has been holding down the low end for UK alt-rock heavyweights Don Broco, helping to shape the band’s groove-driven, genre-blurring sound into one of the most distinctive in modern British rock. With thunderous tone, razor-sharp precision, and an instinct for hooks that hit just as hard as the riffs, Doyle has become a crucial force behind the band’s ever-evolving sonic identity.
As Don Broco gear up to unleash their highly anticipated new album, Nightmare Tripping, this feels like the perfect moment to dive into the mind of the man anchoring the chaos. From his musical roots and influences to the gear and techniques that craft his signature sound, Doyle opens up about the journey so far and what lies ahead.
Join me as we explore Tom’s evolution as a musician, the creative process behind Nightmare Tripping, and his vision for the future in a band that refuses to stand still.
Here is Tom Doyle.
Photos by Ton Pullen
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Gear News: Fender Unveils Highly Anticipated Vintera III Series
New Music: Oteil Burbridge & Lamar Williams Jr. New Single, Hush
Interview With Bassist Virginia Franks
Nathan East, Echoes of a Lineage – April/May 2026 Issue
Gear Review: Italia Leather Straps
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