The Bass Geek

I’m not alone, it seems.  Even if it’s another bassist, it’s good to know that the call for more bass players is being heard. Quasi’s Joanna Bolme says in the Willamette Week article:

…so, in a way, I’m on a mission to remind people that bass guitars are very important in music, and they actually do serve a purpose. When people are like, ‘Wow, it’s just so much heavier.’ It’s like, ‘Well, duh.’ [laughs] Stop playing music without bass guitar. Get a bass guitarist.

Upright bass and, in some extreme cases, tuba will also be accepted. Let it be heard far and wide.

There’s a new podcast up at Indianapolismusic.net, and this week’s episode turned out pretty well. The fact that we were able to include something from Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, was especially cool, and I’m eagerly anticipating the show at the Vogue on Sunday. Not only is this group purveying some of the greatest soul music to come around in a long time, but the band has recently shown up in Tape Op and Bass Player magazines. I can’t say I’m always a fine of the “analog only” spirit and attitude, if only because it tends to calcify some old attitudes and prevent any growth or progression. But it’s damn hard to argue with the results in this case. I’m sure it’s because they have great musicians in the band, but having a bassist at the helm of both the live act and the recording certainly can’t help but reinforce the groove.