Bass Musician Magazine - SPECIAL August 2014 Female Bassist Issue | Page 161

In an industry dominated by male
musicians, do you find that this hinders
or helps your opportunities?
I don’t focus on those things. The way I see it,
what’s for you is for you and nobody will ever
be able to take that away from you.
What is your opinion of the image
of female bassists in today’s music
industry?
There are a handful of us and we’re all different,
but we’re all very strong; at the end of the day,
we are just doing what we love to do.
What, if anything, would you do to
change the industry for female bassists?
Growing up, I would have loved to see more
female bassists. I’m working hard for it to be
the “norm” for the younger generation to see
that playing bass, or any instrument, is cool
and actually normal. And I think that this has
something to do with being heard and being
visual on gigs, like Beyoncé and Jay Z.
What specific challenges do you face
as a female bassist?
I do believe that the bass is made for a man.
I’m still working on what works best for me
and what’s the most comfortable. Also, being
a female bassist in this industry, there are
some challenging moments dealing with the
opposite sex. I don’t feel like I need to ever
sell myself short or kiss anyone’s butt to get
what I want. No one should.

What do you feel are the advantages?
It’s very rewarding playing bass. You can’t go
wrong when you’re doing what you love. I get
to travel the world and play for Presidents, in
stadiums, arena’s, etc. I get to create music
that the world can listen to.
Do you find that you constantly have to
prove yourself... as a musician, or a
musician that happens to be a female?
My biggest competitor is myself. I don’t live
my life based on what other people, musicians,
male or female, think of me. I’d never leave the
house if I did - LOL. So no, I do not feel like
I have to prove myself to anyone but myself.
I control my destiny, not anyone else... Can’t
please everybody.
Do you feel, as a female bassist, that
you receive the professional respect
afforded male bassists?
I am very well received by the male bassists
and have become great friends with them. I
am a professional and so are they. At the end
of the day, male or female, we’re all working
musicians working towards a better life for
our family and ourselves.
What is your advice on how to be taken
professionally in the music industry?
Study you’re craft, be on time, respect others
and yourself, never put all your business out
there, don’t get too personal, build you’re
brand, make sure you manage you’re money,
and have fun. At the end of the day, we’re all
running a business and you never want to hurt
it.
From a practical point of view, do you
find managing the weight of a bass
challenging? If so, do you have any

bassmusicianmagazine.com | aug 2014 | #bassmusicianmag | the face of bass

JTroy, Calvin Parmer, Josh Dunham, Debra
Killings, Divinity, Tim Rawbiz, Dwayne “DW”
Wright, Derek Dixie, Rie Tsuji, and of course
Beyoncé. I’m very grateful to have those that
inspire me be so ‘reachable’.