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South African Bassist: Interview with Kai Horsthemke by Martin Simpson

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South African Bassist- Interview with Kai Horsthemke by Martin Simpson-1South African Bassist: Interview with Kai Horsthemke by Martin Simpson… I first met up with Kai in 2001, when I was in the process of getting to know other bass players in South Africa that might be interested in getting involved in putting a South African Bass album together. The fact that Kai Is German and I’m English, was completely irrelevant as the project was essentially aimed at bass players LIVING in South Africa as well as the wonderfully talented locally born bassists.  The project didn’t get anywhere in the end as politics messed everything up, but the monthly meetings we held to discuss the idea enabled the  South African Bass Players Collective to come into being. Kai, along with myself and Concord Nkabinde, was a major driving force  of the S.A.B.P.C.  and many great things came about over the next decade. Kai has been incredibly busy with an assortment of projects over the last few years and I cornered him last year and insisted that we really must do an interview to allow him to share his wisdom with everyone else that exists in our special, Low Frequency World.

What does the bass mean, Kai – to you, and more generally?

You know, Martin, there is this Fellini film, Orchestra Rehearsal, about a symphony orchestra rehearsing in a doomed building – actually the demolitions begin while the rehearsals are on. Anyway, at various points in the film they’re interviewing the different musicians about their instruments and their respective functions in the orchestra. And surprise, surprise, each musician claims that his or her instrument is actually the most important one … Well, this is a bit what I feel like now talking about the meaning and the value of the bass. Because I really want to say that it is essential to music. Not many casual listeners are really aware of the instrument – until it’s missing, that is. Take the bass away, and everyone is like, ‘What happened?’ What I love about the instrument is that it straddles both melodic and rhythmic functions. To adapt one of my favourite moments from Spinal Tap, the bass is what connects the ice of the guitar and the fire of the drums – it is the lukewarm water, so to speak …

Tell us more about your relationship with drums and drummers.

Bass and drums clearly need to lock in – so to have a solid and sensitive drummer is every bit as important as getting on with the drummer, to me at least. It’s not good when you’re fighting the drums (in several senses of ‘fighting’). The simplest figure can be made to swing, to groove beautifully – and you can play the most ridiculous stuff but still suck, because there is no vibe, because you and the drummer don’t lock in. I’m still in touch with most of the drummers I ever worked with – not only that, but they’re among my best friends. I don’t know what it is: there’s something almost beyond music that connects me to them, and that I really value. That’s always my first self-imposed task when I’m on the bandstand with a new group of musicians, to lock in with the drummer – to make the drummer feel comfortable, and (if at all possible) to give the impression that I am feeling comfortable myself. Because once that’s taken care of a lot of work has already been done.

How did you get started?

I started out on guitar, when I was 13 or 14. At that time, just post-Woodstock, post-Isle of Wight, everyone wanted to play some instrument or other; it was a wonderful time to be young, such a vibrant scene. I chose guitar, but I was never really comfortable with a pick (no one ever told me that Jeff Beck played with his fingers!), and the guitar didn’t suit my temperament either. I wasn’t comfortable with having this flashy, spotlight-grabbing function in a band. I preferred to be slightly in the background, but still play an absolutely vital role. As I said before, if the bass is missing everyone suddenly notices that something’s ‘wrong’ or incomplete. So when the possibility of changing to bass presented itself I leapt at the opportunity. It felt like the most natural thing, after having played guitar for three or four years and developed a fairly good harmonic knowledge. To propel the music with driving, melodic figures soon became my mantra.

South African Bassist- Interview with Kai Horsthemke by Martin Simpson-2And what were your influences?

My earliest influences were probably Andy Fraser (with Free) and Gary Thain (with the Keef Hartley Band and then, crucially, with Uriah Heep). They just played such memorable bass lines, powerful and full of hooks. I also liked Rick Danko (The Band) and Leland Sklar, who worked and indeed works mainly as a session player. Thain and Sklar had this way of playing bass lines beyond the bar line, and their phrasing was absolutely astonishing. When I first heard Jaco Pastorius (on Weather Report’s Heavy Weather) … well, that was it. He combined the power and attitude of the electric bass with the sound and lyricism of the acoustic bass (which I’d always loved, almost by osmosis, listening to my father’s jazz albums – but without ever really paying much attention to who the bass players actually were). So a friend of mine ripped the frets out of my Ibanez Jazz Bass for me, and I haven’t looked back since. The next important influence was (and continues to be) Charlie Haden. What this man does with a single note, a simple melody, is riveting. His commitment to the one note that matters, his tone, his choice of notes, and obviously his compositions – I’m not able to stop raving about him. As far as upright bass players are concerned, I also really enjoy Viktor Krauss, Rob Wasserman and Danny Thompson. And Eberhard Weber has been a long, inspiring presence too. And I’ve only noticed over the last decade or so what a completely amazing bassist John Paul Jones is!

Do you get much time to listen to other music nowadays? If so, what is currentlyon your IPod?

Haha, I don’t have an IPod! I have a large collection of CDs, but I’m even fonder of my vinyl. I have a huge LP collection, and still love my Monk and Mingus albums, my psychedelic and underground LPs; I really dig reggae, and I’m crazy about Japanese, Celtic, Native American, Gypsy, Klezmer and other folk musics. Also Dvorak, Debussy, Ravel, Satie, Shostakovich, Janacek, Eleni Karaindrou’s soundtrack music … But it’s strange, you know. Although I still listen a lot to other bass players – Mick Karn and Mark Sandman come to my mind (both sadly deceased) – I’m most inspired by slide guitarists, steel guitar players and some of the more off-the-wall guitarists. I used to love Ry Cooder (not his last four albums, though). I dig Jerry Douglas, Daniel Lanois, Marc Ribot, David Torn, Michael Brook, Nicky Skopelitis – and Bill Frisell! Pat Metheny! Terje Rypdal! And an oud player like Anouhar Brahem, a saxophonist like Jan Garbarek, a drummer like Paul Motian … I could probably fill pages.

Can you tell us a bit about the current projects you’re involved in?

There’s ‘The Lesser Evil’. We play … well, world-jazz-fusion. Tolga Tümay, our guitarist (who also plays a lot of fretless guitar), is from Turkey, and he brings the whole Eastern, Balkan thing to the music. But he’s equally adept at playing country, jazz, screaming rock or Celtic folk. A very sensitive and creative player who always takes risks: so refreshing! And Brett Collings is a wonderfully musical drummer. Then there’s KGB, a classic rock band. We mainly cover tunes by Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk Railroad and Budgie – and with Karin Jerg we have the perfect singer to get into these vocal ranges. Guitarist Tyler Meiring and drummer Brian Boshoff complete the band. I still work with Highway Jam, an original blues & jazz-rock outfit comprising Mike Meiring on guitar (Tyler’s father) and Reuben Samuels on the drums (with whom I have worked since 1985). We’ve worked as a trio on and off since 1997, and are currently recording a new album. We often work with Kathy Raven, one of my favourite singers in the world. And finally there is this studio project with my longstanding friend Micky, ‘Michael Voy & Kai Alami’: we cover all those beautiful tunes from the 50s and 60s. Our second album will be out later in 2013. For our third, we’ll finally focus on our own compositions. Micky plays guitar, guitar synthesizer and percussion, and our music is very gentle, almost pastoral, but always with a slight edge.

Why ‘Kai Alami’?

When Tyler was four years old, he told his dad Mike that my surname was ‘Alami’ – you know, after Kyalami, the erstwhile South African Formula 1 race-track. Neither Mike nor I got it initially, but I loved the idea and decided to use this name for my solo projects. Especially because it emanated from the mind of a four-year-old.

I see you’ve also credited ‘Kai Ruder’ for some slide bass playing on some of your earlier solo albums. Who is he?

That fooled a few people initially! It’s me (in a tongue-in-cheek tribute to Ry Cooder), messing around with a slide on a fretted bass. As I said, I’m a sucker for slide.

South African Bassist- Interview with Kai Horsthemke by Martin Simpson-3Would you elaborate a little on your current ‘hardware’?

I’m really not an equipment slut and usually not very interested in what people play etc. But here goes: I have a 1987 Höfner electric upright 5-string bass, and my wife Edda has just given me an acoustic upright bass for Christmas – the date and country of origin eludes me, but it is a beautiful instrument that I’ve been playing non-stop. My fretless basses are a 1994 Samick 5-string (which I play at virtually at every gig), a Fender Jazz (probably 80s) and a Godin acoustic fretless 5-string bass guitar. I also have two fretted basses, a sunburst 62 Fender Precision (what can I say?) and a mid-90s limited edition 5-string Trace Elliot T-Bass. Amps are a little Gallien-Krueger 150E and my old warhorse, an H&H Bass Baby.

Would you be able to stipulate any high point of your career?

There are so many! One was definitely winning the Jazz Band of the Year category in the Old Mutual (South Africa) Music Awards in 2000. I would definitely say that the positive impressions and memories far outweigh the negative ones.

And low points?

Going down on the ‘Achille Lauro’ in 1994 and losing all my equipment, including my first Gallien-Krueger (150S) and one of the best basses I’ve ever had, a fretless 4-string Fender Jazz Bass (1988 American). (I did several ships in the early to mid-90s and had several awful experiences in this regard, like not getting paid for weeks and being stranded in Athens/ Greece, and then having to pay to get my equipment back.) But in human terms (seeing people cooperate and care for one another, or completely fail to do so) and in terms of giving me an opportunity for personal growth, the ‘Achille Lauro’ experience was also very important. The low points usually involve playing for an unappreciative crowd or not getting paid your due.

In the age of ever-advancing technology, sampling, not to mention attention deficit disorder, what is the future of the bass? Is there any advice you have for kids just starting out?

Our boys (who are at the time of this interview 12 and 10) are into gangster rap and not really into the musics I like. But they can still trip out on bass riffs like from ‘Black Country’ (Black Country Communion) or ‘Seven Nation Army’. And then I have to show them how to play these, plus the ubiquitous ‘Smoke on the Water’ (although the actual bass line is very different to the guitar part). They were also completely enthralled by the recent film about Rodriguez, Searching for Sugarman. Yes, listening conventions have changed (with people now celebrating DJs as pop stars), but I can’t see real instruments ever being totally replaced, and that includes the bass in its various forms. Advice? If you like a particular melody or groove, try to play it – on whatever instrument. Make it your own. And go through life with your ears wide open. Get together with people who like the kind of stuff you do (and don’t be shy getting together with people who like other stuff too) – play together, ‘music’ together: it’s the next best thing to sex, but the thrill lasts even longer.

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
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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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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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