Meet The Newest Nashville-Based Alt Duo, Bassh!!
By : Leah Brungardt
Tag: All Access, All Access Music Group, Antler Records, Artist Interview, Bassh, Body
"Body" is the debut single from the Nashville-based duo, Bassh via Antler Records. Produced by Bill Reynolds of Band Of Horses, the song has an irresistible, haunting chorus, and a soothing, lilting vibe.
When asked about working with Reynolds, CJ explains, "We connected to Bill through mutual friends. We emailed him some demos asking if he wanted to produce it. He wrote back and said, 'I love this, lets do it,' and we were in the studio two weeks later. It was a ton of fun working with Bill. He made the songs come alive and also let us to our thing."
Bassh consists of Jimmy Brown and CJ Hardee of Matrimony who have developed a group with no rules. No limits. No agenda beyond making something loud, raw and rooted in distorted guitars, sweeping melodies, and the thrill that comes with creating art for the sheer fun of it.
Learn more about Bassh in the following All Access interview:
How's the year been treating you two? What were some of the highlights of 2015 for you and your music?
CJ: It has been great. We spent most of 2015 writing and recording..taking it a bit easier compared to what we're used to. But we've really started to launch everything since the beginning of 2016 and have gotten back on the road some.
Jimmy: So far 2016 has been non-stop with writing/recording and playing gigs. We have had the opportunity to play songs live that we're still in the process of writing which has been great for the overall process and it feels very much like we're discovering who we are as a duo. For me the highlights of 2015 and 2016 thus far have been watching the songs/live show develop and experimenting and evolving our sound. For example, the first gig we played I sang and played keys, the next gig I sang and didn't play much and now I'm playing lead/rhythm guitar and singing.
How did you two first meet each other and then decide to make music together? Why do you think you work so well together?
CJ: I met Jimmy through my older siblings and joined a band he had started with my sister. We've always just had a mutual respect for each other. We communicate to one another well, which I think helps a lot with any relationship.
J: We met in Charlotte NC at a gig and then we started a band together with CJ's sister (my wife) and their brother, Jordan. CJ and I always wrote together but honestly I don't think we realized the true synergy we have until recently. I attribute that to us being more experienced now. When we write together it's so easy and effortless – the last song we wrote and recorded most of it in 3 hours.
How did you come up with your band name? What other names were you considering?
CJ: I remember Jimmy texted me "What do you think of the word Bassh" and I thought it sounded cool. It made me think of a party and a fight which I thought was pretty fitting for our personalities and what we wanted this music to involve.
J: We were considering calling ourselves "flings" and some other names but "Bash" seemed to sum up the recording experience as it was wild, aggressive and felt like a party. We added an extra "S" because someone suggested it would look cool and it wouldn't conflict with other stuff called "bash". (I think that's what happened)
How was your recent LA show with Transviolet? What do you think makes a perfect Bassh show? What's been a favorite show of yours?
CJ: The show at The Satellite was one of my favorites for sure. We met the drummer the night before and just rocked it out as a three piece. It felt effortless and had a new energy compared to the 5 piece shows we had been playing. I'm not sure that there is a perfect Bassh show.. All the shows are very exciting for me and I seem to discover something new about who we are each time we play. I hope that continues. Strive for perfection but never reach it.
J: The Satellite show with Transviolet is my favorite so far. That night we played as a 3-piece for the first time and we went for it 'hammer and tong' and it felt fucking right. I think the perfect show for us is when the crowd is amped and when they know our songs.
Who are some of your favorite artists? Who would you love to work with in the future?
CJ: My favorite artists are Kendrick Lamar, Tom Petty, Arcade Fire, Interpol, Bob Dylan, The roots, Sting, Dave Matthews live, Blink 182, Kings of Leon, Radiohead and Mobb Depp. I would like to work with Kevin Drew and Kanye West in the future.
J: I'm a huge fan of this "new" band from Nashville called Repeat Repeat, they're pushing the envelope and I like that. I have been listening to Desiigner recently, love the melodic verses. I'd love to work with some kids that make banging beats to be honest – I want new shit, new perspective, innocence.
At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
CJ: I believe art, in general is a living thing inside of people. Most songs shouldn't tell anyone anything. The listener should discover something in the song. I want our music to sound good enough that people will want to listen again and maybe find something else about themselves, someone they know, help them in a situation, or just make them think differently about something. I feel like some of my favorite artists' songs have been vessels bringing information to me and I would like to be that for others. Also sometimes shit just sounds dope and that's what's up.
J: What a loaded question! (Laughter) I like to write and not think too much about the message because you can never predict your audience. I like to think that the songs I write will have a way of finding the ears that need to hear. If there is a message in music it's not singular but multi faceted, after all it's highly emotional and adaptive, it feels different in different places and means different things at different times and it also puts a hold on certain emotions from the past and can transport you back to that exact time and place – crazy.
Leah Brungardt (recently married) joined All Access Music Group in August 2011 and has been enjoying getting to know a new side of the music industry ever since. Having worked to promote radio stations in the past, seeing what makes a successful radio hit has been a thrill. As a lover of all genres of music, working at All Access Music Group is a perfect fit for Leah, and she loves learning about up and coming musicians as well. Most of her friends have come to rely on her for new music. Leah grew up overseas attending American international schools and attended The University of Arizona, where she earned a BA in Music Management. She roots for the Wildcats every chance she gets. Leah has been able to work at a variety of music-related jobs including several internships at small independent labels, ClearChannel Radio and Journal Broadcasting Group. She also spent time working retail at a store that specializes in vinyl, which was a lot of fun for her. Her favorite movie is Empire Records, so that makes perfect sense.
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