Julie DeLano (USA)

Julie Marie DeLano, at what age did you first take a bass in your hands? 17

Where are you based? Brooklyn, New York, USA.

What attracted you to playing bass? Low frequency and 4 strings.

Did you play any other instrument before you started playing bass? A little piano and flute.

Are your parents or relatives involved in music? My father played organ and piano as a second job. My older brother plays piano and organ and writes music. My little brother plays drums and sings.

Can you remember the first piece you ever learned on bass? "I wanna be your dog" I learned it for the school talent show.

What was your very first band? Glamoursikk -a punk cover band. When I was 18.

Tell us about your current band? I am currently in three bands: The Leader, Kansas State flower,and Dream Bitches. I will talk about about The Leader since it is my band and I write
and sing most of the songs besides playing bass.

How did you come to join/start this band? I was a late bloomer because my family was so musical, I was kind of insecure about playing in front of people. I was writing super simple songs secretly for a long time before I played them for my boyfriend who is a drummer and had been in many bands. He was very supportive and so we started playing together.

What's your main bass? Dan Armstrong Ampeg. I don't know where it was made but it is a 1969 reissue and is clear lucite with a faux wood pickguard and no matter what happens
at a gig I can always count on at least one compliment on how beautiful my bass is.

Have you a preference for active or passive electronics? Passive

What is your backline bass amp setup? I have a old Sunn tube amp. and a 15" speaker

Do you play with your fingers, pick or both? I play with a pick.

What type of music do you prefer to play? punky alt. rock

Who do you listen to when you're not playing? These days I am listening to alot of local stuff from around Brooklyn. Double deuce, Schwervon,Glove compartment...that's sort of in the rock genre but I also like listening to Peggy Lee, Bobby Darin, Johnny Mathis, etc. I like
country music alot too.

Who did you listen to as a young teenager? I grew up with classic progressive rock and metal and then started discovering The Clash , X, the Pixies, Fugazi, etc.

Tell us about any CDs you may have released? We are just about to release our third recording, "Dorian Gray Days" and the two before are "Judgement Day - Not Applicable" and a self titled EP.

What was your best gig/venue ever? A gig in Portland at Satyricon. The best big sound and performance for four people.( they loved us!)

Has anything funny happened with a fan or fans? No except that I know we have one...a true fan that is.

Do you play/own any other instruments? I own a ashburn black and white striped star shaped bass from the eighties and I own a cool Strat guitar from the '60s and a weird keyboard from the 60's as well.

What other instrument would you most like to play? I'd like to play the organ and the guitar better.

What was the best concert you were ever at? That's hard... I can't say one. PJ Harvey at the Academy in NYC for "To Bring You My Love", I saw a great Pavement show in New Jersey when Slanted and Enchanted came out, I saw a great X reunion show 5years or so back in Los Angeles, Tom Jones In Las Vegas and Bjork at Radio City Music Hall a few years
ago...oh, and Elvis Presley when I was 8!

Do you write/compose? Yes I write on the bass.

If forming your ideal live band, what instruments would you have with you onstage? Bass, Drums and Organ.

Do you see the bass as a solo instrument? Yes. I play it in place of a guitar.

What CD are you listening to most these days? Joe Williams

Do you have a pet? Two cats, Mr. Bascums and Gaylord.

Do you have a day-job or do you play professionally? I make props and displays for theatre and stores.

Give one piece of advice to someone who has just bought their first bass? Have fun.

Have you ever performed onstage without a bass? Yes. I sing in a little jazz standards band.

Have you ever been to Ireland?  Yes! I travelled all over Ireland for about 4 weeks.

Where would you most like your band to play/visit? Europe.

What do you feel is the bass-players function in a band? It depends. In The Leader it is the only tonal instrument so it provide the treble and bass of the band. I generally have my settings on the trebley punchy side. But in my other bands I play more of a standard bass role. I do like to play alternative lines rather than following the guitar lines. Counterpoint I believe it's called.

What are your ambitions, musically and personally? To enjoy music and surround myself with plenty of art and artists to explore and to help foster creativity for creativity's sake.

Anything else Julie? All three of my bands can be found at Olivejuicemusic.com which is a DYI collective record label with alot of great NYC bands on it.

Thanks Julie. See our Links page for the Olivejuice website - Ed.

thanks to Julie for being part of BassGirls.Com
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