The Hammer On Bass

Think about the state of the music industry in 1982 – 1983.  There weren’t computers in every house, there weren’t streaming platforms pumping every kind of music into every kid’s palm on demand.  If you wanted to hear a piece of music, you had to buy the record or cassette, or you had to catch it on the radio.  My friends were all buying guitars, inspired to learn music by breaking artists like Van Halen and Def Leppard.  Their older siblings are jamming to Led Zeppelin, Cream, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.  I found myself drawn to the basslines, especially in music where the bass is more prominent.  For this reason, I was secretly listening to Motown, disco, and funk.  I ultimately chose to play the bass because it’s what moved me, and it’s also the one instrument that none of my friends played.

In walking the paths of what music I loved, what music my professional musician parents loved, and what music my friends loved, I developed an appreciation for “bass-forward” artists like The Police, melodic and memorable artists like Journey, and specific performances of classical music like “Winter” from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.”  I decided to make music a career based on two things:  I knew I loved it, and I thought I was pretty good at it.  There have been a lot of bumps in the road along the way, as I had to learn the ins and outs of the business by trial and error.  Early on I thought my path to success lied in having a band, making music people want to hear, and playing shows.  There was a lot I wasn’t prepared for on the business side of things.  After spending years cutting my teeth in a touring band doing original music, I found a natural transition into freelance; playing bass for other artists both in studio and on the road.  I eventually found the right gear that allowed me to produce the sound I’d only heard in my head for many years. And while earning my performance degree from Berklee, I also found the vibe and honed the skills I needed to bring a unique and complimentary voice to the projects I’d go on to play for.

The most memorable experiences I’ve had in my music career don’t come down to specific shows at specific venues.  It’s all about putting a friendship on the stage, and sharing the magic of that with audience.  When you’re on stage making music with people you really like, and you’re all “in the moment” crafting something special, it’s pure fire.  And the audience knows that and feels that too, and becomes a part of it.  It’s a connection like no other.

- Hammer