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Where are you based Amanda?
San Antonio, Texas USA
When did you first take a bass in
your hands? when I was about 12
years old my sister put down her bass and picked up the guitar so I
decided to pick up what she left behind.
What attracted you to playing bass?
My sister who I really looked up to at the time
Did you play any other instrument
before you started playing bass? I
played the violin and the piano
Can you remember the first song you
ever learned on bass? Zombie by the
Cranberries
What was your very first public
performance? It was on a small stage
in a bar called Salute, in San Antonio, TX. To me it was so surreal.
What's your current band?
Ledaswan
What's your main bass? Fender P Bass
Body colour/wood?
Blood red
What strings to you like best?
Elixir strings have been working out nicely. they have a great smooth
sound and last quite a while.
What is your backline bass amp
setup? Crate Combo with a 15 inch
speaker
Fingers, plectrum or both?
Depends on the song, but with the band I usually use a pick.
If plectrum, which ones?
I stick with Fender and Tortex Dunlop
What type of music do you play?
Alternative mostly, but the band is a bit more diverse if you ask me.
Who do you listen to when you're not
playing? Mostly Indie and old school
alternative like Belly and Portishead. I could probably go on all day
about music though.
Have you recorded/released any CDs?
Not as of yet, but we will be heading into the studio very soon.
What was your best gig/venue ever?
Probably the Wiggle Room, in San Antonio, TX with locals, Big Soy and
Transponder. It was awesome getting off the stage and getting so many
compliments on our music, and then afterwards hanging out with so many
amazing people. it might have been a small crowd, but it was definitely
one worth remembering.
What was your worst moment onstage?
The first show I ever played with Ledaswan we had to start a song three
different times because I kept playing the bass line wrong. it was very
embarrassing but Jaime and Erica never beat me down about it so now I can
laugh about the situation and believe it or not, that's my favourite song
to play now.
What's your favourite album/CD?
That is such a hard question, but I'd probably have to say Summer in
Abaddon by Pinback. It's one of those albums that I never get tired of and
every song is as amazing as the one before it. Pure genius.
What's your opinion on basses with
more than 4 strings? I think they're
very nice but I don't see why I'd ever really need one. Plus I don't think
my hands are big enough.
What do you feel is the bass-players
function in a band? Keeping the
sounds deep, catchy and adding a nice backbone beside the drums.
Do you have any other instruments?
Yes, I have a violin and three guitars.
Do you sing?
Yes, I sing backup vocals in Ledaswan.
Did you ever perform onstage without your bass?
Yes, I've played by myself on stage singing with my guitar and I've been
active in theatre for about five years.
Do you come from a musical
family?
My mom and dad both play guitar and
my sister does as well. Plus my great
aunt is the very talented folk singer/songwriter Tish Hinajosa, she is a
national recording artist and resides in Austin, Texas.
Are your siblings and/or parents
involved in music? My sister was in
a band for a while but that didn't really last.
If forming your ideal live band,
what instruments would you have with you onstage?
A guitar, piano, harmonica, drums, bass, a couple of cellos, and a
cowbell.
Do you see the bass as a solo
instrument?
I think you can do just about
anything with the bass, as long as you know what you're doing. Sounds like
a very interesting concept though.
What other bands have you been a
member of? Ledaswan is my first
actual working band and I don't think I'd have it any other way.
Have you ever been to Ireland?
Sadly I've never been out of Texas but hopefully that will change soon
enough. I've
always wanted to go to Ireland though.
What other instrument would you like
to play?
To tell you the truth, all of them.
Every instrument that I come across draws me to it. I love picking up
random things and seeing what I can do with them.
If you could be taken to a concert
anywhere on earth tonight, who would you want to see live?
Probably the Red Hot Chilli Peppers,
they amaze me to no end. They've been around for so long and they're still
coming out with such astounding music. Not to mention the fact that Flea
is one of my biggest inspirations.
What CD are you listening to most
these days? Trying to Never Catch Up
by What Made Milwaukee Famous. It's an awesome band that I saw when they
opened for Snow Patrol in Austin and ever since, I've been infatuated with
them. They're a local band but I think they're getting a bit bigger which
is awesome because they really deserve it.
What are your ambitions, musically
and personally? Just to keep
improving on what I do and giving people some good tunes to dig. I want to
put out really awesome music that sounds legendary without incorporating
into it the flaws in today's society.
Do you have a pet?
I have a few actually. I have two
cats inside, Wendy and Stinky, two cats outside, Ozzy and Grey Cat, and
one dog, Toby, who acts more like a cat any way.
Do you write/compose?
I try, I'll write a song that I really dig, but then I'll write another
one that I love and hate the one before it.
Do you have a day-job or do you play
professionally?
Yes, I work at Starbucks by day. I
really can't complain though, this is the first job I've ever had that I
truly enjoy.
Give one piece of "golden" advice to
someone who has just bought their first bass?
Don't hold back. Hit the strings
hard and feel the music and you'll end up inspiring yourself.
Did you ever have a famous person in
your audience? Not yet, but I have
high hopes!
What are your ambitions?
To have to do nothing but be on stage with the most awesome people ever
and to perform for people that love and support our music.
Thanks Amanda, would you like to add
anything? Yes, these are my dreams
and I'm fortunate enough for them to be coming true.
See Ledaswan website on
our Links page - Ed.
thanks to Amanda for being part of BassGirls.Com
text and images are copyright
of Amanda Flores and
BassGirls.Com
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