Bass Musician Magazine - SPECIAL August 2014 Female Bassist Issue | Page 98

songs in such a tasteful way by not over playing or just playing roots, but by giving the bass lines incredible melodic movements with such a groovy feel. As for female musicians, I was really inspired by a local band called Vendetta, a riot girl band from Salisbury. I would go to their shows with my best friend Ally, as her sister was in it. They made me realize that girls can seriously rock and write really catchy tunes. They were really supportive and introduced us to all kinds of amazing bands such as Nirvana, Hole, Bikini Kill and Joan Jett. In an industry dominated by male musicians, do you find that this hinders or helps your opportunities? I feel that it has worked to my advantage and my disadvantage. I suppose the fact there are less female musicians means I do stand out, and people remember me a bit more. Then again I also haven’t got a gig because there was already another girl in a band and apparently it would look ‘weird’. I don’t really get it though, I just see my self as a bass player; if you like what I do and play then why should it matter if I’m a guy or a girl? What is your opinion of the image of female bassists in today’s music industry? I suppose if you look in the main stream day-to-day media - it’s non existent, which is a shame. It’s heartbreaking to see that the majority of female musicians are vocalists, that are perceived as sex-icons rather than talented women. I feel recently that the band ‘Haim’ have really pushed the idea of female musicians in a positive light. Este is probably one of the most well-know female bassists at the moment, and it’s great; she’s an amazing player that has fun on stage. I hope this inspires more girls to realized that you don’t have to prance about on stage, Photos: Ilan Terrell | Yokan Studios trying to be sexy... It’s about creati great to see Beyoncé using an allhow I found out about Divinity Ro watch the ‘Beyoncé: I Am World T backside to practice - those girls What spec as a femal Not getting say,“Wow yo What do yo I don’t think the end of th player and i or a girl. Do you find prove your musician th I’m always musician. I good enoug there is so m and prove myself to others as we I think if people don’t know me, they see and hear me play. I get a expecting that!” - it always make m here to play bass so what were yo to prove myself before I get respe What is your advice on how to the music industry? Be on time, be prepared and put y From a practical point of vi the weight of a bass challeng special techniques/advice? Not really. If I like a bass it’s som an Ibanez ATK when I was young practiced whilst looking at my pos