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SA With Martin Simpson: An Interview with Denis Lalouette

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Meet Martin Simpson –

Denis (or Denny, as we all call him) originally hails from Mauritius but has lived here in South Africa for most of his life. Denny is one of SA’s first call bassists and is one of the busiest low-end session men in the country. I was privileged to play some duets with Denny at a South African Bass Collective recital evening in November 2007 and was astounded by his articulation, precision, speed and execution. This man plays every note as though it’s the last he’ll ever play. Although he makes no mention of it in this interview, Denny’s secret is his HUGE ears – he’s the fastest listener this side of the Equator. [Martin] How long have you been playing Denny? [Denny] I’ve been playing Bass for about 36 years. [Martin] You played drums before you played bass. Was there anything you tried your hand at before the drums?

[Denny] I’m the 2nd to last in a family of 6 (2 girls and 4 boys – in that order) and my oldest brother Gerard was into the shadows, Beatles, Cliff Richard and he played Guitar and Bass so I started playing guitar at the age of 8. [Martin] What other instruments do you play? [Denny] Apart from guitar and drums, I love percussion and although I never did a gig on perc, I used to drive my family and teachers mad by constantly tapping out rhythms on anything I could lay my hands on. [Martin] Do you come from a musical family? [Denny] Yes, my whole family played something or sang at one point. My father was a judge of the Supreme Court but he played the Banjo as a youngster and the Piano later. [Martin] How did you make the transition from drums to bass? [Denny] When I was 16, a guy at school came to me and said: “You play drums, right?’ I said yes. He said: “Good. We need a bass player; will you come and play with us?” I said: “I told you I play drums”. He said: “If you can play drums, you can play bass, so will you come and play?” I thought about it for a few seconds and said “Ok.” I have never looked back since… [Martin] Have you taken formal musical training? [Denny] I was born and raised in the island of Mauritius and I absorbed an incredible amount of rhythm from growing up there – our local music there is called the “Sega” which has a kind of 6/8 feel. I absolutely love 6/8’s, be it the Yellowjackets’ type or the African or Latin type. I feel very grateful for whatever I have absorbed as a musician that even the local musicians here have said, “if I close my eyes, I would swear that I was listening to a black bass player”…

I never had any formal training whatsoever. I learned everything I know by listening to and copying/transcribing whatever music I loved at the time. In my early 20’s I felt the urge to do studio work and thought to myself “I’d better learn how to read, then!” and proceeded to learn and practice reading on my own. I’ve been doing session work ever since…

At the age of 20 or so I was “discovered” by a Brazilian pianist called Izzio Gross who took me under his wing when he found I had a certain affinity for Latin music. I played with him for 3 years and I’m ever grateful to him for influencing me, teaching me and pointing me in the right direction as far as Latin music is concerned. Because he was a personal friend of his since their early days in Brazil, I had the privilege of meeting and recording with the great Drummer/Percussionist Airto Morreira and sax player Gary Meek. It is also because my “apprenticeship” under him that much later on, when I was called to play with Steel Pan virtuoso Andy Narell, I was able to handle the gig in such a way that Andy insisted on having me play with him on all his subsequent visits to South Africa. What an honor!!! We even recorded a live double album here entitled “Andy Narell – Live in South Africa”. That album was reviewed by “Bass Player” magazine and they gave me a really favorable review, which was very validating for me. [Martin] It’s quite incredible that you’ve taught yourself. A friend of mine that came to you for some lessons was totally amazed one day, at the way you flew through the modes with your left hand while writing out his homework with the other hand – he felt like giving up there and then. [Denny] It’s not at all what it sounds like – I can explain… No, really, it must have looked more impressive than it actually was – I was probably just going through the notes with my left hand to make sure I wasn’t making a mistake with what I was writing down… [Martin] Who are the musicians that have influenced your career?

[Denny] The Beatles, Shadows, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Genesis, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, Herbie Hancock (Paul Jackson), Anthony Jackson (BIG TIME!), Izzio Gross, Clare Fischer, Yellowjackets, Michal Urbaniak (Polish fusion violinist), Slipknot, System of a Down (yes, you read right…) [Martin] What instruments have you owned over the years? [Denny] Chronologically (The ones in bold I still have): Hofner Beatle Bass, Fender Mustang Bass, Fender Jazz, Fender Precision, Musicman 4 String Stingray, Double Bass (no-name…), Yamaha, Roland GR77, Warwick 6 String Thumb Bass, Yamaha John Patitucci signature, Yamaha TRB1005F 5 String Fretless, NS 5 String Upright electric, Yamaha JM2 (John Myung). [Martin] What are you playing currently? [Denny] Mainly the Yamaha JM2 and the NS. Sometimes the Warwick and the Yamaha fretless. I use the Jazz Bass on some rock or punk sessions. I have a small Ampeg combo (B3), I also have an Ampeg SVT 3 Pro head two EBS speakers – one 10″ and one 12″. And I use the EBS Micro Bass II DI box. [Martin] Are you an endorser of these products? [Denny] I endorse YAMAHA products and AMPEG amplifiers. [Martin] Any chance of us seeing a Yamaha DL signature bass in the near future? [Denny] I honestly don’t know – I would be very humbled and feel very proud if that had to happen but if you ask my colleagues or the person who helps me set up my instruments, you’ll find out that I am not very fussy. I probably would be able to design a Bass I really like though if I were to be given the opportunity. I guess that would be really nice, now that you mention it! [Martin] What projects have you been involved in over the last five years? [Denny] Hundreds of studio recordings including albums, radio and TV commercials, live DVD recordings; I’ve also been involved in many live shows where I’m part of the “house” band backing many different artists as well as corporate functions and some Jazz/Latin gigs.

I’ve played at the North Sea Jazz festival at The Hague with Paul Hanmer as well as the Cully Jazz festival near Lausanne in Switzerland. I also play at many of the local festivals around the country here (SA) such as KKNK, Inniebos, Aardklop, Cultivaria etc

I’ve been part of the Idols TV show band since its inception in SA as well as “Skouspel” (the biggest Afrikaans yearly extravaganza) for the past 8 years or so, which is also televised, recorded for CD and DVD. I’m also on some other Afrikaans TV show series such as “Sweepslag” (current and past) and “My Storie” (showing early next year (Jan 2009).

Some of the more noteworthy projects I’ve been part of have been:

* Andy Narell (recording and live)
* Dan Siegel (live)
* Miriam Makeba – Reflecting (2003 studio recording)
* Louis Mhlanga – Shamwari (studio recording)
* Hugh Masekela (studio recording, TV show and a few live jams here and there)
* Zamajobe – MTV video award winner (studio and live) [Martin] What are your goals – long term and short term? [Denny] I intend carrying on doing whatever I’ve been doing all along. I intend expanding my horizons by doing more work online – I already do this for various clients/studios locally. I’d love to market myself globally for that sort of thing whereby a client would send me tracks with certain instructions and I would lay down the bass here at my studio and send the bass tracks back to them. I know that I have plenty of experience and passion and that I could possibly give a different feel (where necessary and in that way contribute a fresh approach to the music. I am busy creating a website for that very purpose.

I have so many ideas stashed away on my computer that I’m hoping to use to create an album/project.
I love playing and don’t intend stopping any time soon – I’m so grateful to have been able to support my family for what is actually a lifetime in spite of never having had a proper job… [Martin] Your daughter is currently carving a solo career for herself and this is one of your main focuses at the moment – could you tell us a little bit about it? [Denny] I’ll try and be as succinct as I can about this:

Véronique has been a source of inspiration to me since she was 14 or so. She showed a keen musical ear since much earlier (4 yrs old) but at 14 she said she’d like to check out the Jazz thing. So, when I was in Singapore on a gig, a friend of mine suggested I buy a Rachel Ferrell CD. When I returned home I suggested she learn Rachel’s version of “Blackbird”. 15 minutes later or so she comes to me and says, “Ok, I got it”. So I skeptically follow her to her room and there she sings along with the CD to the whole thing – including ALL the scatting – note for note, this song she had never heard before. That’s when I realized that she had an incredible ear. She went on from there to be a respected artist in her own right, did the Idols thing for exposure, recorded her debut album “As I Am” and is still climbing the musical “corporate ladder”. Producers love working with her because she’s so quick and I love working with her because I always learn from the way she approaches music. [Martin] What advice would you give to a youngster starting out on a music career? [Denny] You don’t choose music – music chooses you. It has to be that way for me. Once you have established that you really want to make music your life, I would give you these following tips (from my own experience and from observing others):

* Keep up to date with whatever is going on around you in your chosen field.
* Never become complacent – you never stop learning.
* No one is indispensable.
* Be ethical
* Be punctual. Always.
* Be reliable – don’t suddenly drop a gig and take on another because the pay is better. You can always discuss the matter with the first client, but if he/she insists, you should honor your commitment.
* Having a positive attitude, being amiable and communicative is just as important, if not more important, than being excellent on your instrument.

I would like, if I may, just express my views about reading, writing and theory of music in general:

* This may not appeal to all but it is what I feel personally: Just like a child first learns to understand language and eventually starts to speak and converse, so can it be with music. The child only starts to learn to read and write once he/she can already speak – why should it be any different for music?
* You will have decided on an instrument you would like to play. Start learning how to play from someone who can play it already. Learn lots of tunes by ear and from friends who can help you along. Develop your ear by working out tunes you like on your own. By now you will have learned to “talk and converse” musically.
* You are now free to learn to read and write and further your education any way you wish…
* I have observed that this way, a person is far more likely to develop a good ear, and so can “jam and busk” easier and be more musical in general than coming from a “first read and write – play later” background. [Martin] It’s quite amazing how your attitude is so positive all the time. There’s another top professional bassist that lives on the other side of Johannesburg that would rather be off doing a spot of fishing with his buddy than playing his bass – he regards his career more like one would look at a routine 9-5 kind of job. What kind of advice would you give to someone with that approach? [Denny] Hey, each to his own! If he can be a top professional bassist and still have that attitude then good luck to him! All I know is that producers will eventually feel if you are genuinely passionate about giving them what they want or if you’re pretending. Maybe he’s a very good actor… [Martin] Thanks for your time Denny [Denny] Thanks for the opportunity to share my thoughts and experiences with you…

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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