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Elvin Bironien – The Great Journey

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French born Bassist/Composer Elvin Bironien is one of the most exciting bassist to happen onto the active World Music scene in recent years!

In November 2016, he released A Quest, and the collection of great music thereon is definitely amongst my favorite instrumental releases of 2016!

Elvin Bironien - The Great Journey-1Along with his group of young, hungry, big-eared musicians: Guitarist Ralph Lavital, Pianist Laurent Coulondre, and stunningly vital Drummer Pierre Alain Tocanier, Elvin accomplishes the near impossible feat of musical telepathy to offer up a masterpiece. The unison lines that season A Quest find the bassist and, in particular, monster guitarist Lavital, in an obviously ongoing conversation between musicians who have willingly entrained to a common vision. In fact, the entire outing functions as a picture of musicians listening deeply and conversing intimately with one another! A Quest was recorded at the House of Artists in Chamonix, and produced by André Manoukian.

a quest - Elvin BironienIf you’ve been fortunate enough to hear Elvin with FDH Trio, Conga Libre, Mamy Wata, or the wonderful Dorliz Trio, you will understand completely when I state that his continued use of the virtual melting pot of African/Caribbean melodies and rhythms that mark his compositions, coupled with a cool use of effects in order to articulate his conversational soloing style, is fully stated on his first full-length release as a leader, and the follow-up to the 2014 Jazz Family Label release Elvin P-leez 4tet 16 Mars.

Born on 26 September 1986 to multi ethnic parents Elvin began his instrumental education, at the age of 6-years-old, as a pianist. He then turned to percussion, and remained there until turning to the bass guitar at age 13. For the first several years of his bass studies, he remained completely self-taught. But in 2003, he enrolled in the Music Halle, in Toulouse, for 2 years of intense music education.

In 2005, he successfully auditioned for the bass spot with Pape N’Diaye and Pamaath in the afro-pop group Kaa, and launched his career as a sideman bassist with several touring and recording groups.In 2008 he co-founded the FDH Trio with pianist Thibaud Dufoy and drummer Arnaud Dolmen, which began his career as a composing and contributing member of a regular band. FDH performed at numerous concert events and the group also began competing in jazz band contests around France that included the winning of the Jazz Springboard Prize in Porquerolles, the 2010 National Jazz Competition in La Défense, Jazz Festivals On 31, Jazz in Millau, Souillac in Jazz, Jazz in the North, and the Afters Hours Duke of Lombard Competition. FDH won a 1st Prize at the Golden Jazz Trophy Jury Prize, which was chaired by Omar Sosa.

In 2012 FDH recorded their premier release Le Free du Hazard? with guest musicians: saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart, percussionist Mino Cinelu and drummer/percussionist SonnyTroupe. At this writing, Elvin continues to participate in several World Music projects. The future looks bright for this incredible young player!

BAJ: Elvin! Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to talk with us at Bass Musician Magazine! A QUEST is a very exciting album, and I am anticipating a very good response from the listening world, once the record has been heard! Tell us about your process for composing music, and how you present that material to your band. Is the music complete? Or, do you allow each musician to translate your vision?

EB: Thank you for letting me to talk about it! I compose over a period of several consecutive days. Then, I dedicate focused time to develop one or more of the ideas. As I write everything from my bass, I first record chords and then add bass lines and any additional voice which helps me achieve the superstructure that I hear. Sometimes all the melody and harmony is already present in my mind and everything is going very fast! But, most of the time, I need to come back several times to my ideas – as I often set them aside for awhile, in order to re-think my direction. Sometimes I spend several hours on only 4 bars!

In general, I bring the musicians the most complete material possible in the form of audio model and partitions then I explain to them my vision precisely. For example, even some drum breaks are written but when they make me a proposal that will enrich my basic vision I am open and I take it into account. They each have a strong personality, but they manage to put their involvement and energy into the service of the composition Also, they have free reign to perform their solos!

BAJ: Your use of harmony is very impressive! How do you decipher and navigate the tight intervals that are throughout your compositions?

EB: In fact, I purposely do not put a theoretical barrier upon myself when I compose. I think, it is my self-taught side that makes it easier to think this way. So, some chord sequences may seem quite complicated, because they are very personal to my tastes… But, in the end, I do not think it is so very difficult.

BAJ: Talk with me about your soloing concept!

EB: Over time I tried to develop my own phrases and refine my style. My purpose is being recognized after only few notes. My solos are also very related to the musicians I play with. In any case, I think it is difficult to tell a true story that makes sense while being original and without making a prepared musical direction.

Elvin Bironien - The Great Journey

BAJ: Your unison work with both Ralph and Grégory is fantastic! How much conversation goes into the lines you are playing together? Also, there seems to be a deep sense of togetherness and shared sense of humor. Do you find that important?

EB: I think there is a lot of listening between us, and our common musical vocabulary allows us to dialogue. I also try to write compositions while thinking of the musicians who play with me. The unity and the humor are the reflection of our complicity in the life and, yes, I think it is absolutely primordial for the music to be alive.

BAJ: You began your bass studies from a self-taught perspective. What were you listening to, musically, that directed you toward studying at the Musical Halle School?

EB: At 13, or 14 years old, I studied the bass lines of the artists I loved and that helped me to develop my memory and my ear. At the time, I listened to artists (and groups) like The Police, James Brown, Rage Against The Machine, Bob Marley, the rhythm section work of Sly and Robbie, and the Great Jaco Pastorius – who is the only jazz artist I loved at the time. At home my father listened to a lot of jazz or artists like Frank Zappa for example and it has enormously influenced me subconsciously. My mother advised me to take classes That would present me with things I did not know.

BAJ: What were your most invaluable lessons from your formal education?

EB: I was very immature, and stubborn, and I did not really know how to take advantage of it at the time. It was afterwards that I understood certain bases of harmonies and analysis of listening that I acquired while at school. It also allowed me to meet several good musicians with whom I have subsequently played including an excellent pianist who hired me for his trio and with whom I learned a lot about harmony and jazz music.

Elvin Bironien - The Great Journey-2BAJ: You have worked in African-based World Music for some time. How has that helped you grow as a musician?

EB: Yes! Especially music from West Africa and Maghreb! The incredible rhythmic richness of these musics where tradition is very important has made me discover rhythmic flows and placements that I could never have imagined or understood alone. I can’t consider myself a specialist because it would take years of work… but it clearly influenced my playing, especially in how I support other musicians.

BAJ: How do you achieve your bass tone? What type of gear are you using? Finally, what is your ideal bass tone, and how would you achieve that?

EB: I think it comes, mainly, from the fingers and how I approach articulation. I also feel that personal tone is inexplicable, a bit like a human voice. When I listen to my first recordings, when I was playing lower quality instruments, I could already hear my sound except that the instruments could not respond as precisely as my current basses.             I have collaborated with the French Luthier COMBE for 3 years and I am really a fan of his work. The two basses played on the album were made by him. In addition, I often use pedals, like an octaver, (Electro Harmonix) Q-tron, or a reverb Toneprint. I also like Aguilar very much for amplification.

Currently, I think I’m very close to the sound I’m looking for. It is possible that it has evolved over time. But, I also like the change! So, if I play a P-bass for a project that requires this type of sound I find it very interesting.

BAJ: I am very excited for the next release! When can we expect more from you?

EB: I have already composed several new songs, and I am thinking about the next release. But, for now, I am not in a hurry. I want to make this album exist as much as possible. So, I do not think I’ll be back in studio until 2018.

BAJ: Congratulations on the birth of your daughter! How has becoming a father affected your musical life?

EB: Thank you very much! What happiness! My daughter Soa is only 3 weeks old! So, it is really early to see the direct impact on my musical life, yet! But, she brings me a lot of joy, and I think it is felt in my playing.

BAJ: Please tell us about your practice regimen, and those factors you feel are most important to your musical articulation.

EB: I do not practice exercises every day. But, I am always playing the bass! When I was younger, I listened a great deal Jaco or the (Gerald Veasley, Richard Bona, Matthew Garrison, Victor Bailey, Étienne M’Bappé and Linley Marthe) lines of the Zawinul Syndicate! I also worked hard to exploit my skills to their maximum and refine them. I work on scales and arpeggios every day.

BAJ: Let’s talk about your very nice interpretation of The Police tune, “Tea in the Sahara”.

EB: The mystical atmosphere of the original version inspired me a lot. As I do not have the vocal talent of Sting, I wanted to be able to articulate the emotion of singing with my fretless bass. I chose a fretless bass to give a softer side to the vocal interpretation, and I did not want to touch the overall harmony of the song, but I allowed myself to incorporate a short melodic theme in the introduction. The piano also brings a lot of poetry to the version.

BAJ: Where can we listen to and purchase your other recorded materials?

EB: My first EP was released in 2014; it is available on all legal download platforms.

BAJ: Who are your musical influences?

EB: Not easy to choose but I can definitely site: Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul, Ultramarine, and many Caribbean artists like Mario Canonge, Sakésho, Marius Cultier, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Havana D’ Primera.

At the moment I am listening to a lot Kneebody, Walter Smith 3, Wayne Krantz, and Terence Blanchard. As far as bassists… Jaco Pastorius, Richard Bona, Linley Marthe, Michel Alibo, Anthony Jackson, Hadrien Feraud, Etienne Mbappé, John Patitucci, and Christian McBride are important players.

BAJ: What have you never been asked in an interview that you would like to be asked?

EB: That question! (Laughs)

BAJ: Thank you for the release of A QUEST! It is a beautiful statement, and I look forward to hearing more from you! Thank you, again, for taking the time to talk with us!

EB: My pleasure.

Visit online at elvinbironien.com

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

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k3sistersband.com/
TikTok
YouTube
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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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