Nick LaBate has been playing bass guitar for some 15 years now. In that time he has played in a number of bar bands before having an epiphany in the mid 1990's and started working exclusively on original music. Since then he has gone on to be a member of Programmed Response, The Jeff Gaynor Band and ShoeMania.
Along the way there have also been a number of recording sessions. There have been recording sessions for records by A Brief Interruption, From The Desk Of Sally and most recently Incomplete Denial. These recordings feature work that is primarily on electric bass guitar, but also fretless bass and electric upright bass as well.
Along with the session work and band positions has come a progression of production roles over the years. Credits include co-production of the second Programmed Response album, Knives Inside Me (unreleased), co-production of the Jeff Gaynor Band CD's, The Jeff Gaynor Band, and Wear A Mask To Face The Daylight, the ShoeMania release of "A Fan To See" plus some production work and playing on the upcoming Incomplete Denial record Our existence is an accident.
There isn't a defined style of production per se. His production philosophy is to try to make the artist and the heart of their material shine. Certainly there are some common threads in the work, but that almost certainly comes from trying to elicit the best performances possible.
If ever there was a stylistic chameleon, it might be the musician whose page you're visiting. He cut his teeth playing all night blues jams and 4 hours cover band engagements. Combine that with 10+ years of playing in an assortment of eclectic original rock bands, and the styles run the gamut. It's a playing style that can range from bluesy, to rocking, to power/indie-pop and beyond. The instrument itself doesn't matter, either. Whether it's on a 4 string fretted bass, 5 string fretless, 6 string fretted or electric upright bass, Nick is a capable player on them all. A current staple of his sound is a muted picking style that's reminiscent of luminaries like bass legends Paul McCartney and Carol Kaye, ala her playing on The Beach Boys "Good Vibrations". But the essence of his style? It's all about playing what's right for the song.
br> NOW PLAYING ON MYSPACE
In addition to the tracks that I have posted here, you can also hear some of my work at the following myspace pages. The tracks that I'm featured on are listed under the artist names.
Programmed Response "Goodnight Mr. Goodbarr" (6 string bass) "The Porpoise Is In The Can" (Music by Nick LaBate, lyrics by Dan McCarthy; 6 string fretless bass) "One Big Family" (6 string bass) "Tire Iron Rag" (Lyrics by Dire & Nick LaBate; 4 string fretless bass) "Elevator" (6 string bass)
ShoeMania "Indecision Confessional" - recorded live - (Music by Dan McCarthy; 5 string bass) "Harder To Breathe" - recorded live - (Music by Dan McCarthy; 5 string bass, backing vocals) "U-Turn" - recorded live - (Music by Dan McCarthy & Nick LaBate; 5 string bass; backing vocals) "James" (Music by Dan McCarthy, Kevin Bernardo & Nick LaBate; 4 string bass; hammond organ) "A Fan To See" (Music by Dan McCarthy; Electric upright bass) "Sleep (And that's it)" - recorded live (Music by Dan McCarthy, Nick LaBate & Kevin Bernardo; 5 string bass)
Clearcut Recording "Sample 2" - Excerpt of "James" by ShoeMania (4 string bass, hammond organ)
BANDS TAKE NOTE! I am only accepting friend requests from artists that I know and artists in search of a Producer or session player. I will not be accepting random friend requests. Bands or singer-songwriters that are interested in my Production or playing services should send a message along with any friend requests. PEACE!
Hey Nick, Connect Your Career and Business in the NEW Bass Musician Magazine Community! Join for FREE now: www.bass-musician-mag.com I hope to see you there. Best... Raul
Wishing a very Happy Saturnalia to you, your neighbours, your neighbours' frogs, any elephants that happen to visiting the frogs, and most importantly anyone who owes you $5. Saturnalia, after all, is the time for giving gifts of silver.
"Though plastic-covered aluminium discs could count as well I suppose," he said hintingly... "And a fire truck, and hula-hoop, and electric train set..."
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Happy Solstice!
From Stephen and H.R.H. Queen Elizabeth II (who thinks she's funny!)
