IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Bassh
As a duo, Bassh shares a sound marked by heavy guitar topped with upbeat vocals. Formed and based in Nashville, Tennessee, Bassh combines the efforts and talent of Jimmy Brown and CJ Hardee. Following the release of their debut track, “Body,” they recently released “Animal,” a little over a month ago, on October 21. Generously taking some time out of their lives, they shared the process of creating “Body,” what the “Bassh” drink would consist of, and what happens before they go onstage.
What's the story behind the formation of Bassh?
JIMMY: CJ and I got together to work on some new ideas, and we ended up cranking out a bunch of demos that we really liked; we quickly realized we had a new project on our hands.
What was the first instrument (musical or non-musical) you started making music with?
JIMMY: My first instrument was the trumpet. The school I went to (in Ireland) said my ear wasn't good enough for violin lol, so they gave me a trumpet.
CJ: I started on the pots and pans, and that gradually progressed into hand drums, and then a full kit. A few years later, I picked up the guitar.
You just released a new single, "Animal," on October 21. What was the process of writing, recording, and producing it?
JIMMY: I was hanging with my buddy, Lincoln Parish, who happens to be a killer guitar player/writer/producer, and he had a cool beat and bass line pulled up; I started writing some words to it. The next thing I knew I was in the vocal booth laying down vocal ideas. We ended up working on it for another couple of hours, and when we listened back the next day, we both were like "This is pretty dope right?" So we sent it to CJ, and then he sent it back with a rap on it and we thought it was killer. Lincoln added some production, and we ended up adding live drums, but overall, it was quick and easy and painless.
CJ: Jimmy had most of "Animal" written with Lincoln Parish. They sent me a rough demo, and I got inspired to write the rap section in my car. I sent it back over, and they liked it. Then I went to Nashville, tracked it at Lincoln’s, and we had our drummer track real drums, added some guitars, and that was pretty much it.
Which song (released or unreleased) are you most proud of?
JIMMY: I'm pumped about this track we just cut with producer Tim Anderson called "Come Into My World.” I think we got into some cool bass and drum grooves, and some of the sounds we used were new to me.
CJ: "Night Moves"
What happens before you go onstage? Is there a Bassh pre-show ritual?
JIMMY: Drinks, smokes, dip and a quick look at the setlist is the norm.
CJ: No real ritual. I normally just try a hug a beer and make sure I have one on stage.
Out of all your songs, my favorite is "Body." Can you touch on the inspiration and creation of that particular song?
JIMMY: Thank you! I love playing that song live. Yea, I mean I can't say what it's about exactly because it's more about how each person knows the sound of their intuition and how you can feel that sound in your body; I guess people resonate with it because they know it's true.
CJ: Jimmy and I wrote "Body" at his house. He had the his verse and some of the chorus goin’ already, and he mentioned it might be cool if I just wrote and sang the second verse, so we just went with that. The biggest inspiration came when we were writing the bridge section. It's kinda long and building and we weren't sure if that was what the song needed at the time, but we thought it was cool. We liked the lyrics. "Change is coming for the runaway." I remember people telling us that it sounding like two different songs at first. Now I can't imagine that song without that part.
What's your favorite restaurant and/or food in San Francisco? Any places back home in Nashville?
JIMMY: I can't remember the names of restaurants that I have been in SF, but I do remember getting great Thai food in a few different spots. I'm a big fan of "The Smiling Elephant in Nashville.”
CJ: I don't remember many restaurants in San Fran. Only because I have the memory of a goldfish.
If there were a drink with the name "Bassh," what would it have?
JIMMY: Bulleit, Lemon, Lime, Rocks.
CJ: "Bassh" drink would have to be some sorta flaming whiskey dropped into some kinda beer chased with tequila.
What can listeners expect in terms of upcoming projects and/or shows?
JIMMY: We will be announcing tour dates ASAP, so please keep an eye out for that. We have an EP coming out early 2017.
CJ: We should be announcing a lot of dates and some about our next release at the start of 2017.
What's a question you have wanted to get asked in an interview, and what's the response to it?
JIMMY: Hmmmm. I'm really not sure I can think of one. I'm more interested in what people want to know; it intrigues me to hear what people are interested in.
Don’t forget to check out Bassh’s tunes below, and be sure to follow them on Twitter at @Basshmusic, Instagram at @basshmusic, and Facebook at /basshmusic.