Bass Musician Magazine - SPECIAL August 2014 Female Bassist Issue | Page 138

KATHERINE
Interview by Ty Campbell

Katherine Held
facebook.com/katherineheldbass
Twitter @katheheldbass
MTD Int. Emerging Artist
Some of the band(s) I Play With:
Angela Pico, Sebastián Sero,
Katherine Held Jazz Band (started
just this year), Los Angeles
Gear I Use:
MTD Kingston Z4, Czech
Republic Upright made in 70’s,
Epiphone El Capitan. La Bella
Strings, and soon I will add
TecAmp to the Family. I record
with a PreSonous home studio
kit. Also use T-Rex squeezer,
Big Muff Pi, Ditto X2, Aby bass
Switch from Mooer!

What made you decide to play bass?
I fell in love with bass when I saw Aterciopelados
at a festival back in 2001. I also remember
hanging out with my mom while listening to
the Beatles! I knew I wanted to be a bassist;
felt it in my heart!
How/Where did you learn to play?
When I turned 15 my dad gave me a bass
guitar, I embrace that moment because he
believed in supporting me in whatever I chose
to do with my life. Then my uncle Cary took
me to Attina’s Music Store and I bought my
very first Fender Squier Bass; my dear uncle
was my first teacher, he is a talented guitarist
and helped me with the bass. Then I got some
lessons in Bogotá. And my journey began.
Who are your musical inspirations, both
male and female?
I really like Israel Cachao Lopez, I think he
was one of the most talented musicians. I
listen to James Jamerson, Ron Carter, Carol
Kaye, John Deacon. In contemporary music:
El Papa Pastor, Rodner Padilla, Richard Bona,
Armando Gola, Victor Wooten, Esperanza
Spalding, Adam Nitti... I could go on with the
list for days...