In Clownworld 2026, my mantra is, Stay Human. If your with me on that you might partially understand why I am releasing a mini album of improvisations on a bass 6.
The nuance of human touch in music is being killed today. I aint having it. What I want to hear and feel is the touch and resonance of human soul in music, the sound of wood, steel, flesh and soul electrified through human touch.
So, my contribution here is very human. No high polish, just the bass, the amp, a few effects and the flow. This is what it sounds like in my house when im trying to ease my mind.
On July 25, I sat down to play and felt like i should try and capture whatever was about to happen. I wasn't warmed up or planning on playing anything familiar. I recorded these 3 improvisations in one session with only a few minutes clipped at the beginning or end of each piece. Track 4 was recorded a few months back when I first got the Ibanez Bass 6. These recordings will serve as a snapshot of my discovery stage with this new family member.
The musical focus here lately has been persuing a natural progression into blending percussive harmonic tapping with the surprise of melodic dissonance while exploring the multi-harmonics of the Bass 6.
My approach to getting to know this instrument is to, as usual, leave behind any framework confining me. The percussive tapping thing was never my style but the right instrument has opened up that door. The harmonics on this thing are beautiful.
One influence im hearing is my love of Pan Drums. Particularly in Bells and Whiskers, the harmonic tapping almost sounds like a Pan or Tongue Drum. And yes, that's my cat, Camo adding his part in there.
As always, the over tones and spaces between the notes are where i find my colors. I hope you find yours.
This is not road music. Headphones and a quiet room.