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Finding Your City by Allee Futterer
Finding Your City by Allee Futterer… So I get it, you’re a bass player, maybe graduating college and looking to go make it out in the world and then you realize that being a “professional musician” is a lot more intimidating than your college professors made it seem. The good news is that today we aren’t just trapped into moving to New York and playing jazz clubs for fifty bucks. The question isn’t really ‘where’ or ‘who’ but realistically ‘how’.
Relocating is a big step but there are lots of advantages to doing it now versus twenty years ago.
Step 1- Who Are You?
Sure, you love the sunshine, so LA could seems like an amazing fit… but maybe driving isn’t for you. Or maybe you’ve never lived in a city that’s climate varies between freezing cold winters and sweaty humid summers packed with frantic people taking pictures of billboards in Times Square. Most importantly you’ve got to figure out what makes you tick so you can feel comfortable settling into a city and calling it home. You’ll learn a lot about yourself in a new place so it’s important to at least think about yourself and your likes/dislikes as you are going into it.
Step 2- Utilizing Relationships
As a musician and especially a bass player our work comes from friends and colleagues, which we have built trustworthy business relationships with. If you think of yourself as a private consultant in the field of music then moving somewhere that you have no work is a sure way to have your business flop. Not to say that you should just pick up and move with all your friends, but follow the path of your friends who have been successful and created a path that allows you to do well.
Step 3- Getting To Know The Local Music Community
London, for example has a huge open mic scene that is unique to any other city. Many of the clubs there host open nights with great talent and huge waiting lists to perform, some times they will have 30 people performing in an evening. Being a bass player and playing an open mic may not seem like the coolest thing to do but hey, there is a potential to meet 30 people who might need bass players! Events like that can be great networking opportunities.
Step 4- Your Local Bar
We’ve all been there, lonely and wondering why we left the land of our loved ones and desperately needing to make new friends. Not that I’m encouraging binge drinking, but go get to know your local bartender. Honestly, hip bars with people your age can be one of the best ways to make connections that could even be life changing (as long as you don’t act too silly). Maybe once you get familiar with the place they’ll even ask you to play there a few times.
Step 5- Twitter
Everybody is talking about it these days and about just how important social media is, with Twitter being probably the most important in the music industry. It’s a way that people can stay relevant in under 150 characters. This means that your old friend from high school can’t write a saga about her ex-boyfriend’s new lady etc., but it does allow you to make communication with people that may otherwise be virtually unreachable. Say you want to book a gig with a band and their manager won’t respond to any of the emails, Twitter may be a good option.
As my father always said, “If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly!” Our industry can be a bit of a bear itself sometimes but it’s not impossible to not get eaten alive. Research and networking will always be the key to staying afloat and taking a new place by storm.
Gear News
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Spector offers Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses…
Spector, a leading authority in bass guitar design, unveils two new Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses. Synonymous with bass excellence since 1987, Wimbish collaborated with Spector’s USA Custom Shop to create the DW-4 and DW-5 models, echoing the iconic instruments that have been favored heavily throughout his recording and performing career.
These signature basses faithfully replicate Wimbish’s originals, down to the smallest details like neck contours and nut widths. Customized EMG pickups, developed in collaboration with Wimbish, capture the distinctive sound that has shaped his monumental musical impact. These models invite players to explore the feel and response that have defined Wimbish’s signature style over the years.
Available in 4-string and 5-string versions, each model boasts unique features & finish options. The DW-4 comes in Amber Stain Gloss and Black Stain Gloss options, while the DW-5 offers Dark Blue Stain Gloss and Faded Natural Gloss. Every purchase includes a certificate of authenticity signed by Doug Wimbish. Wimbish comments, “Spector took the time to get every little nuance right, and that to me is dedication and being thoughtful enough to know ‘I want to nail it,’ and they did. I’m able to pick these instruments up for the first time and play them like I’ve already had them for years.”
For more information, visit spectorbass.com/doug-wimbish-usa-signature-series/.
Photo: Doug Wimbish, pictured with the new Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses
Bass CDs
New Campaign: Alberto Rigoni, Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings
Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI is thrilled to announce his brand new project “Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings”.
Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings features a super talented drummer from Japan (TBA) and tons of female guitarists such as SAKI, Giusy Busetto, Alexandra Zerner (TBC) and many many others (TBA). Furthermore, Alberto has also launched a Fundraising Campaign for the project. 20% of the income will be donated to Lega del Filo d’Oro legadelfilodoro.it/it, an Italian association that helps deaf and blind children!
Alberto shares:
“Hello friends and music lovers! I’m Alberto Rigoni, an Italian composer and.. a BASS GUY! Between 2008 and 2024 I released 13 solo albums, spanning from progressive, rock, ambient to funky and experimental music, which also features contributions from musicians such as keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), keyboardist Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), singer John Jeff Soto (ex Goran Edman (ex Y. Malmsteen), bassists Nathan East, Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Nik West (ex Prince) and many others. I’m also bass player for BAD As, Sunset Groove Society, Kim Bingham, The Italians bands and co-producer of Mistheria’s Vivaldi Metal Project.”
Alberto on the new project Nemesis Call:
“Even if my latest album “Unexpected Lullabies”, dedicated to my newborn Vittoria Parini Rigoni, will be released on June 4th, 2024, when Vittoria came to life I felt the need to compose new music (yes, I really can’t stop!!!!!). This time will be quite challenging because I’m willing to release an instrumental ambient/prog/rock/metal album, that will feature a talented and young drummer (TBA) and tons of female guitarists (that’s why I will call the album “Queens of the Strings”) such as Alexandra Zerner, YOKA and many others (TBA/TBC)). It won’t be easy to manage all such great musicians but I will make it!! Are you ready to face a new prog experience? The album will be released in Digipack CD and in high-quality digital format approximately at the beginning of 2025.”
The Fundraising Campaign:
As an independent artist, Alberto is looking for supporters who can help him reach the budget for the production (recordings, mix, mastering, artwork etc.) of this new album and has started this fundraising campaign that will end successfully on October 15th, 2024.
Get further information about Alberto Rigoni’s new project Nemesis Call Fundraising campaign at albertorigoni.net/nemesiscal
Bass Videos
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
Bassist Derek Frank…
Many of you will remember the last time I chatted with Derek Frank was back in 2017. The main thing that impressed me was how busy Derek was and how he juggled playing with many huge acts.
Now, I am happy to hear that Derek launched a new album last March titled “Origin Story” where he digs deep into his roots and pays homage to Pittsburg.
Join me as we get caught up after all these years and hear the details about the new album, how Derek gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Stephen Bradley
Featured Videos:
Visit Online:
www.derekfrank.com
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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
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Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
For more information contact Gaetanobass77@gmail.com or visit online at www.instagram.com/gaetanocostanzoluthier or www.facebook.com/GaetanoCostanzoLuthier
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
