Cover
Bass Musician Magazine: Feb/Mar 2010 Featuring Jonas Hellborg
Jonas: I think that when you first play an instrument, I don’t mean a category of instruments, I mean a specific instrument, there’s always time that you have to spend in order to get used to it, to learn it, to get comfortable with it. And as soon as you switch to another instrument, you have the challenge to know it. I mean, it’s like a women. When you’ve been with a woman for a number of years, you know what you see and you like— that’s it. Once you start with a new one, it’s kind of awkward, and it’s the same thing with an instrument. It takes some time to bond, and to really be able to totally express yourself. And you want to forget about the instrument…that’s really the main goal, to be so comfortable with it that you don’t even think about the fact that you’re playing an instrument anymore.
Jake: Tell me about your project, Art Metal.
Jonas: I started working with Mattias Elunda a while ago, and he has a very extensive background. Earlier on, I used to listen to a lot of metal—Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, and the like, kind of the first wave of metal. I always thought that sound could be linked to more challenging music. And following the aftermath of these mathematical metal bands that came up in the last decade or so, I thought that the Indian influence could be really great there, fusing the Indian music to the metal sound, and that is what that project is about. It started out with some very traditional Indian style compositions, rhythmically, and then we dressed them up in a metal uniform and expanded on them.
Jake: Is this the most recent project you’re involved with?
Jonas: No. But that was a specific project in the sense that we included the Johansson brothers, and it was more of a record thing. Now I’m once again working in a trio format, and it’s going more in the direction of what I used to do, more of a fusion trio, and we’re working on a new record. We’re also talking about doing the Beethoven thing again and making a DVD or a record.
Jake: Final question here, and you’re welcome to go wherever you’d like with this. How do you feel about the state of music these days, in your opinion?
Jonas: Once again, being a little bit contradictory, I think there’s just too much music out there. Too many people want to be producers of music…there’s just too much production and consumption of music these days. At the time when you couldn’t buy records and music was something that you experienced live, or you played in your home, I think that was a much healthier time for music in a sense because I truly feel that everybody needs to play music—I think it’s as essential as eating and sleeping. Music is part of the need of the human organism. Consumption of music doesn’t satisfy you as much as playing music, and it’s hard to navigate nowadays in the enormous ocean of stuff that gets released and produced. But even having said that, I cannot deny anybody the aspiration and the right to make music and express themselves. I think that’s a good thing. I live on both sides of that issue. I think it’s important, and great that people pursue music. Let’s look at it this way…it’s become too much of a career orientated thing. People have this idea that you have to make a career out of it, and I never thought about music that way myself, even though I do have a career and make my living playing music. But I guess that aspect is not really important to me. If I couldn’t make a living playing music, I’d still be playing music, and I’d probably run a café or something. It’s like what I told you in the beginning of the interview, I play Bach, and Mozart, and Beethoven for myself in my living room because I just love it, I just enjoy it. And I don’t care if people here it or not. I don’t have a need to go out and show it to people…it’s just for the pleasure of it, and that is where music should be. You play music as a meditation, as a spiritual exercise—something to release you, to focus you, to make you healthy…that’s what music is.
Visit online at www.hellborg.com
Bass Videos
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro, April 2024
Brian Bromberg, Paying Tribute to Scott LaFaro, April 2024…
Brian Bromberg is one heavy-hitting bass player and I am in awe of his talent as one of the few individuals who is equally proficient on electric and upright bass.
You might remember our conversation back in 2018 when he released his powerhouse Funk album. Brian’s “A Little Driving Music” album is a staple on all our road trips and his Jaco and Jimi Hendrix tribute albums are mind-blowing… and I could go on and on.
Now, Brian has taken on the arduous task of producing an album paying tribute to the late, great, Scott LaFaro. He teamed up with pianist Tom Zink and drummer Charles Ruggiero and Brian delivers a commanding performance on upright. The entire album is a masterpiece and a real treat to listen to track after track.
Join us as Brian shares the details behind this project and more.
Photo, Michel Bocandé
Featured Videos
Visit Online
brianbromberg.net
FB @BrianBrombergBassist
YouTube
Cover
Leland Sklar, Over Half a Century of Bass, March 2024
We all have enjoyed Leland Sklar’s Bass lines for over half a century.
You might remember that we had him on our cover back in 2017 and did an update when he launched his book “Everybody Loves Me” in 2020. It was exciting to hear that The Immediate Family had got back together in the studio to work on their own music in 2019 and are now up to two albums.
Just last December, Magnolia Pictures released a documentary titled “Immediate Family” where we got a behind-the-scenes look at the massive contributions Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Ross Kunckle, Leland Sklar and Steve Postell have made in countless songs that are the very essence of our daily personal musical soundtracks. Seeing the astronomical roster of performers they have supported over many years is very eye-opening. It is a must-see for any music lover!
Now, I am thrilled to bring you a special chat with Leland Sklar where we go more in-depth into the bass side of his musical journey.
Photos: Header, Rob Shanahan – Cover Photo, Jay Gilbert/Chris Schmitt
Featured Videos:
Skin In the Game – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhbnzIrdjJ8
from new album Skin In The Game
The Toughest Girl In Town – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVQLZIRfLjU
from new album Skin In The Game
Fair Warning – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DN18DYwLsU –
from the self-titled album The Immediate Family
Visit Online
www.immediatefamilyband.com/
www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily
www.instagram.com/theimmedfamily/
Bass Videos
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More – February 2024
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More…
I have always been a huge Styx fan. Their music kept me awake during countless nights studying and gave my imagination a place to escape when I had a moment to take a break.
I had the immense opportunity to chat with STYX bassist Ricky Phillips for our August Cover in 2017 and follow his projects as time passed. Now, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to catch up with Ricky as he has been super-busy over the past six years.
Join me as we take a deep dive into the band’s most recent album “Crash the Crown” and EP “The Same Stardust”. Ricky shares some insights into the herculean team effort behind the scenes and the musical process that keeps them ever so busy and how he has updated his sound.
Without further ado… Here is Ricky Phillips!
Photo: Jason Powell
Featured Videos:
“Crash of the Crown” lyric video
“Reveries” lyric video
“Save Us From Ourselves” lyric video
“Sound the Alarm” lyric video
“Too Much Time On My Hands” Zoom video 2020
Visit online:
www.Styxworld.com
FB & IG @styxtheband
Bass Videos
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024…
Those of us who were around back in the 70’s remember how certain songs on the radio resonated with us. It turns out that many of these iconic melodies came from Foreigner and they were part of our personal soundtracks!
After all these years, the band is going as strong as ever with Jeff Pilson firing away on bass midstream into a 2-year farewell tour.
I am excited to be able to bring you all the details about Jeff’s musical Journey, the farewell tour in progress, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.
Cover Photo: Krishta Abruzziini / Video Photos: Krishta Abruzzini, Karsten Staiger, Gina Hyams
Featured Videos
For more news on FOREIGNER and upcoming Farewell Tour dates, fans can visit:
foreigneronline.com
facebook.com/Foreigner
twitter.com/ForeignerMusic
instagram.com/foreignerlive
youtube.com/user/FWebTeam
Also on FB @officialjeffpilson
Bass Videos
Rodney O’Quinn, Rockin’ Hard Through the Years – December 2023
Interview With Foghat Bassist Rodney O’Quinn…
Many rock fans have enjoyed music by Foghat, who originally formed in London back in 1971.
Over the many decades of playing, the band members have changed, leaving behind only Roger Earl as the only original member. Bassist Rodney O’Quinn left the Pat Travers Band and joined the group in 2015 and has been laying down the low end for this iconic quartet keeping the Foghat legacy alive. With a new album titled “Sonic Mojo” which dropped on November 10th, the band is as busy as ever and there is lots of very tasty music to come.
Join me as we learn of Rodney O’Quinn’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photos:
Cover, Jake Coughlin
Video Thumbnail, Tom Apathy
Photos used in the video: Kerry Quinn, Chuck Lanza, Kim Granger, Kenneth Strohm, Jake Coughlin, Jay Jylika
Featured Videos:
1st Single from Sonic Mojo – Official “Drivin’ On”
2nd Single from Sonic Mojo – “She’s a Little Bit of Everything Official Video
“Road Fever”- California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
“Stone Blue” – Rodney O’Quinn Bass/Lead Vocals – Don Odell’s Legends – Woonsocket, R.I – 10/15/22 – The Stadium Theater
The Earl’s Court – Season 2, Episode 7: Funny Guys
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – CasinoRama – 6-9-23
FOGHAT “Somebody’s Been Sleepin’ in My Bed” – Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT – 1/28/22
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
Visit Online:
www.foghat.com
www.facebook.com/Foghat
www.twitter.com/FOGHAT
www.instagram.com/foghat_official
www.youtube.com/user/FOGHATMUSIC
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
New Gear: Spector Woodstock Custom Collection Volume II
New Gear: The Dingwall John Taylor Signature Model
Interview With Bassist Edmond Gilmore
Have Fret Sprout? Sharp Fret Management… a How-To Video
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Tour Touch Base (Bass) with Ian Allison
Interview With Audic Empire Bassist James Tobias
New Album: Avery Sharpe, I Am My Neighbors Keeper
