The Bass Geek

I’m getting a little more time to practice (courtesy of my soon-returning-practice-schedule-containing notebooks and some Meshell Ndegeocello bass line transcriptions), which also means that I’m getting a little more time to play around with Record as both a recording program and as a virtual amp. The program hasn’t surpassed the Ampeg as my amp of choice, but the SansAmp into the program gets a credible sound. Also helping me get a credible sound are some good video tutorials from the Propellerhead folks – I’m really enjoying the short, focused topics both the company and their product specialist provides.

Sure, I’m still not recording anything longer than your average ringtone, but it’s a little easier. Plus, I’ve got a patch that turns my bass and a random mic into a nice vocoder. And it’s better than listening to the new version of “We Are The World.”

Radio Radio presents Green River Ordinance, Sleeperstar, and Sun Domingo tonight. Tomorrow, you can take in the Dear Companion Tour with Ben Sollee and Daniel Martin Moore.

The Vollrath has HaHa Tonka, Jascha, and Nightjar tonight and Last Good Year, Kids in the Way, and Tyler Bender Band tomorrow. Sunday, there’s Modoc, Pictures of Then, and The Effects.

Naptown Juice brings in the Shirtless Biddles tonight. The jazz duo of Bergdall & Lismicchia take the stage tomorrow.

And finally, there’s live jazz at Maria’s Pizza tonight (and probably somebody at the Brass Ring, too). Enjoy!

It’s a little late to listen to the new IMN podcast on WFYI HD2 (normally airing Thursdays at 4pm), but you can still download it or listen at the site.

Before traveling off to New Orleans this past week (where I took in amazing music from The Tin Men, the Hot 8 Brass Band, and the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, among others), I was trying to put together a new practice regimen based on some topics taken from this excellent article on No Treble. So I printed out some sheet music, wrote out headings for practice time and schedules . . . and promptly left the notebook in New Orleans. So first – if there’s anybody down there who finds it, go ahead and send it back, please. The address in the front cover. Second, I’ll have a revised version ready soon and post on some progress from there. Practice habits need to be maintained, and I’ve been a bit slack in that department, I’m afraid.

Radio Radio brings in Lady Moon and Healing Sixes tomorrow. So you can, you know, rock out.

The Vollrath has The Perennials, Maravich, Rooms, TV Ghost, and Impure Jazz tomorrow night. Saturday hosts the latest reunion of the Lovemeknots and Hitchhike. Old friends getting together with old and new friends for the rock. So rock out, already!

Naptown Juice features The Magicians tonight and New Augusta tomorrow. Less rocking and more bluegrassy, I believe, but to each their own rocking, I suppose.

The Starlighters play Swing Night at the Fountain Square Theater tonight, and there’s also live jazz at Maria’s Pizza.

And, finally, the Indy Acoustic Cafe series present Barbara Higbie tomorrow night at the Wheeler Art Center.

Happy Valentine’s Weekend to you all. And, you know, rock out.

The new IMN podcast is up – download it or listen at the site or on WFYI HD2 Thursdays at 4pm.

Despite the title, the podcast and the Red Lion Grog House aren’t necessarily connected. I suppose you could listen to the podcast in said Fountain Square restaurant, but you’d be missing out on the conversation and other things happening there. Save the iPod for later. The place itself was extremely well set up, and the food was excellent. Yes, the fish n’ chips, bangers and mash, and all the typical fare was there. And it was tasty and delightful. So have at it – it’s finally open for business.

Feel like braving the hysteria that comes with a snowstorm? Why not trod out to Metromix’s best venue in Indianapolis, Radio Radio? Bigger Than Elvis takes the stage this Saturday.

The Vollrath Tavern gets all heavy and stuff tonight with Off With Their Heads, Junker, The Slow Death, and Stand and Deliver.

Big Car Gallery returns to the swing of things with a First Friday opening that features the music of Burnt Ones and The Perennials.

Naptown Juice goes all bluegrass and stuff with Andy DeCarlo tonight and Judd Juggs tomorrow.

And, of course, there’s live jazz at Maria’s Pizza tonight and some form of live entertainment at the Brass Ring Lounge as well. Have at it!

And, of course, there’s always the Playboy Psychonauts show at the Knickerbocker in Lafayette on Saturday. Tunnel your way there, if you can.

The new IMN podcast is up – download it or listen at the site or on WFYI HD2 Thursdays at 4pm.

The Playboy Psychonauts play up in Lafayette Saturday, barring delay or Snowpocalypse™©®, and thus you have a chance to hear a real sitar in action. However, a friend of mine shared this article on the iPhone pocket sitar with me, so you’ve got that to fall back on when the snow drifts engulf your house. It’s definitely not the same experience, but at least you don’t have to tune the thing.

The image below says it all – a great bunch of folks are putting on a benefit for Haitian aid and relief next Saturday, and everybody should probably go and drop off as much as you can.