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booking gigs…

Been a rather frantic time for gig-booking, trying to fill in extra dates on the European trip for March, and getting dates booked in for the UK in April when i get back… Been chasing some more masterclasses, and have been invited back to my old college in Perth, Scotland – just need to sort out the date. I love going back up there – it was a great place to study, and as I’ve said before, the head of bass there, Pete Honeyman, not only taught me how to play, but taught me how to teach – he was very ‘hands off’ in that it wasn’t about just giving us some piece to learn and ticking it off, but more about pointing us in a creative direction and letting us run with it. It’s an approach that definitely favours players like me, and can be uncomfortable for players that want to be spoon-fed, but it definitely produces more creative thinking musicians than doing graded exams does…

So thanks, Pete – there’s your blog mention – see you soon! ;o)

and the rest of you, email me if there’s somewhere near you that you think i should play, or a festival you’ve got a contact at that might be cool for me this summer…

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Duke Special video for 'Freewheel'

here’s the video to ‘Freewheel’ by Duke Special – Duke Special, AKA Pete Wilson, is a genius. Pure and simple. I’ve known him for years, been listening to him play since he was in dreadful bands he’s rather forget ever existed, and now he’s on the brink of a major breakthrough. Go and buy the single, or download it from iTunes or wherever. He’s great. Go on, do it!

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All four solo albums up on iTunes

Finally, I’ve succumbed to the digital revolution and all of my four solo albums are now available on itunes. The following links work if you’ve got itunes already installed on your computer –

this goes to my artist page there, with links to all four album downloads

And Nothing But The Bass
Not Dancing For Chicken
Grace And Gratitude
Behind Every Word

I also found a handful of copies of And Nothing But The Bass on CD while I was in the US – if you want one of those, email me and we’ll sort it out. They are £10 each including worldwide P+P.

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Last full day in the US

So today’s my last full day in NYC, having been here in the US for almost a month. Those of you waiting for bass lessons when get home will have noticed that I’m a week later than I said I would be, which is due to me adding an extra week in NYC to the end of the trip to chase of some of the contacts I made at NAMM, do some recording with Janek.

And of course, on top of all of that, I’ve been to a load of great gigs. Top of the tree this time was Wayne Krantz, with Anthony Jackson on bass and the amazing Keith Carlock on drums (new favourite drummer). A great band, to be sure. Also last night went to see Kenny Young And The EggPlants, who were fab too. A very fine band, set to be at the Fringe this year in Edinburgh, and good friends with the Shark, so we went out to dinner after the show with the whole band. Much fun and games.

So tomorrow I’m flying home – if you want a bass lesson in the next couple of weeks, now’s the time to email, and I’m booking things in now starting Thursday evening. See you on the other side of the pond… x

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gig at the Found Theatre, Long Beach

Lovely gig last night – the wonderful Kerry Getz organised a post-NAMM gig for her friends that were in town – me, Rodney Branigan, Mary Coppin, Vicki Genfan and the amazing Alabaster Rhumb – I saw Alabaster play last year, and in the same way that when I first heard Tom Waits I thought my speakers were broken, when I first heard him play, I thought he was taking the piss. I soon noticed that no-one else was laughing, and adjusted my perception of what he was doing, and realised he’s a genius. One of the most original talents I’ve seen in ages. And last night I got to hear him do four songs, all of which were great.

As was everyone else on the bill – Vicki and I have done three gigs together this week now, Rodney and I have been sharing a house, Mary was new to me, but wonderful, and Kerry was her usual magical self. All in all, a great evening. we each played four songs, two sets with three artists, playing alternately. Rodney played a lovely solo on one of my tunes, and a fine time was had by all. More please!

Anyway, check out all of them via their sites linked above… Vicki may well come and play with me in Santa Cruz next weekend

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Gig tonight…




Vicki Genfan

Originally uploaded by solobasssteve.

Got a gig tonight in Long Beach – at the Found Theatre. This ‘ere in the photo is Vicki Genfan – she’s playing tonight and it’ll be our third gig together in a week – last tuesday we played in Santa Barbara, Saturday we did a wonderful house concert together in Korona, and then tonight. She’s amazing, a fantastic singer and guitarist, and totally lovely. Go check out her music on her site, or come to the gig!

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