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  • LEGEND'S CORNER: Bernhard Lackner

    Thunder Row's new Bass Legends Corner features interviews with artists whose contributions to the art of bass guitar have earned them legendary status. Our inaugural article features Austrian electric bassist Bernhard Lackner whose extraordinary work is showcased on his latest album In Between (http://www.abstractlogix.com/xcart/p...roductid=21875) *



    Currently based in Nashville, TN, Bernard has worked with many artists, among them: Mino Cinelu, Adam Holzman, Marco Minnemann, Horacio El Negro Hernandez, Adam Nitti, Trip Wamsley, Florian Bramböck, Steve Cunningham, Christian Wegscheider, Franz Hackl, Jeff Coffin, Derico Watson, and Chester Thompson. He's performed for Red Bull at their Hangar 7 in Salzburg(Austria), at the Eurobassday (Italy), at the Outreach Jazzfestival (Austria), at the Noibassisti Bassfestival(Italy), at the BassUp! Event Atlanta (USA), at the NammBassBash (USA), at the National Guitar Workshop (USA), at Pasadena Bassday (USA), at the Groznjan Drumcamp (Croatia)... Bernhard also works as a clinician for La Bella Strings, Aguilar Amps, Hemage Bass and Vovox Cables. In 2006 he released his debut album Those Days, and in 2009 his second album In Between.

    In his young career, Lackner has earned the respect of some of the industry's pre-eminent musicians, as evidenced by the following comments:

    "Bernhard Lackner is an exceptional talent both as a bassist and composer that you will be hearing a lot more from in the future. His debut CD release, Those Days demonstrates a musical maturity that extends well beyond his years; a unique and diverse collection of tunes that are the perfect backdrop for his 6 string bass sensibilities."
    -Adam Nitti*

    "Bernie is burning on this CD!! He displays his command of the chordal possibilities on his 6 string bass while at the same time showing he can lay down a serious groove on his 5 string. The CD is produced flawlessly by another bass wizard, Adam Nitti. The tunes are contemporary without drifting into smooth jazz. Berhard is a serious up an coming bass player to be reckoned with! Great debut all the way around! Dig!!"
    -Lucas Pickford*

    "Bernhard Lackner's work on Those Days sounds like someone with several records already under his belt. Both compositionally and in his playing, his choices are mature, confident, musical, and always serve the song in question. He just knows what to do on the bass, period."
    - Bryan Beller

    ThunderRow posed some questions to this already-legendary young bassist. Here's what he said:

    TR: When and why did you start playing bass?*
    I started when I was 14 *years old.

    TR: Is there a bassist or other musician you look to as a mentor?
    I don't even have to think about that one. Adam Nitti is my mentor. Six years ago I came across Adam’s website and I immediately knew that this is the guy I have to study with. I left Austria to come to the USA to study with Adam in Atlanta and Nashville. He's my main influence and assists me with all of my projects as a producer.

    TR: What is your most memorable gig?
    That would have to be when I played the Austrian Outreach Jazzfestival in 2006. I had just come out with my first solo album and therefore the festival director, Franz Hackl, put me on the mainstage with an all-star band including Marco Minnemann on drums, Adam Holzman on Keys, Thomas Kugi on Sax and Steve Cunningham on Git. It was my CD-Release Show in my home town ... with that great band! It was just a very special show for me for that reason.

    TR: What would be the ideal gig, as far as you're concerned, and why?
    To me the ideal gig is if the players are great, the music is great, the hang is cool and the money is right.

    TR: Tell us about your first bass.
    My first bass was a Ken Rose, 5-String. I bought it when I was 14 years old.

    TR: Tell us about your first paid gig.
    That was with a Metal Band from Austria. I was substituting in their band on a regular basis and that’s when I first got paid. I remember thinking, "I can get paid for this?!" Cool.

    TR: Was the bass your first choice as an instrument?
    No. Like many bass-players I played guitar first. Actually, I started on piano, then switched to guitar and then to bass.

    TR: What musician (not necessarily bassist) do you admire most?
    There are too many. It wouldn't be possible to single one out.

    TR: If you could only play one kind of music, what would it be and why?*
    For me, it would have to be contemporary Fusion. I find that the most challenging in all different kinds of ways. And you can only grow if your always challenging yourself.

    TR: What is the best professional advice anyone ever gave you?
    To keep following your dream and work hard on it, then you will get there.

    TR: What's the best personal advice anyone ever gave you?
    Be a good person.

    TR: If you couldn't be a musician, what would you be?
    I would learn how to fix cars.

    TR: Which bassist do you think is the best vocalist?
    I personally like Richard Bona and Victor Wooten’s singing a lot.

    TR: Describe the perfect combination of equipment for:

    The studio:*
    Aguilar Tonehammer Preamp/DI, M-Audio Firewire Interface *
    going directly into the Computer.

    The stage:*
    Aguilar DB 750 Amp, Aguilar DB 4x10 Cabinet

    Rehearsal:*
    Aguilar DB 750 Amp, Aguilar DB 4x10 Cabinet


    TR: Do you have a preference in strings?*
    I use La Bella Strings. I love the feel and tone of them and I am very happy to be part of the La Bella Family. I use their “slappers” series. They have great tone, last a long time and respond very well to a light touch.

    TR: What's the most exotic or interesting place you've ever played?*
    I once played a jazzbrunch in Austria way up in a ski resort. We were brought up there by ski mobiles with trailers and played outside of this restaurant on almost the very top of the Alps..the view was just unbelievable from up there.

    TR: If you could play with any drummer in the world (past or present), who would it be, and why?*
    I always wanted to play with Dave Weckl. I am a fan of his playing since I was a kid. I love his groove, sound, the way he floats around the kit and the amazing musical sense he has for any style of music.

    TR: Tell us about your worst gig.*
    My worst gig was when I played at a Fashion Show back home in Austria. I played with a Jazz Quartett while female models were presenting the newest underwear. So I was slightly distracted and had issues focusing on the charts...

    TR: What is your favorite song?
    Avenue D by John Patitucci. Great Groove, great chords and amazing improvisation.

    TR: What's the best bass tip anyone ever gave you?
    Play with a light touch in the right hand. It help me to create better tone.

    TR: If you could relive one day of your life, what day would it be and why?
    When going on vacation with my family when I was a kid, the day of departure was always such a special day. I think I would choose that day.

    TR: What do you hope to achieve in your life?
    I want to keep making my own CD’s, I soon want to start making DVD’s and books too. And want to keep traveling with my own music on a regular basis. I want to become the best player and composer I can become and try to be a positive impact on people through my music and maybe have my own recording studio. Besides music I want to re-learn Italian (I used to be able to speak Italian after school). Other than that, I want to stay active and in good shape physically.

    TR: What kind of music do you listen to when you're alone?
    Contemporary jazz, R&B, some Pop. Atlanta composer/pianist Randy Hoexter’s Album Radiant has been one of my favourites for years; John Patitucci's music, Yellowjackets, Mike Stern, MeShell, Sting, Peter Gabriel…

    TR: What teacher had the most positive impact on your life, and why?
    Adam Nitti. First Adam was teaching me many things on the bass and in music, then he helped me significantly with my albums and with my start in the USA. I basically followed and still follow his path in my own way.

    TR: What advice would you give someone who is just picking up bass for the first time?*
    Start playing along your favourite songs and try to keep your hands in a natural position so you don’t get hurt.

    TR: Tell us about your most recent project.
    I am currently working on my third solo album. It features Horacio El Negro on drums, Pete Lockett on percussion, Marco Minnemann on Drums and many more. Also I am working on a book on Rhythmic Concepts for Electric Bass with a Playalong CD attached. It includes many exercises starting at the very basic level going into complexer rhythms.

    TR: Tell us some of the musicians/singers you've performed with.
    Jeff Coffin, Horacio El Negro, Pete Lockett, Marco Minnemann, Chester Thompson, Adam Holzman, Adam Nitti, Derico Watson, Mino Cinelu…it's a long list. There are some great musicians and singers out there!

    TR: Thanks for your time, Bernhard.
    It's my pleasure. My best to all the players at ThunderRow!
    *
    Take a few minutes to tour Bernhard's website www.bernhardlackner.com, and find out for yourself why he endorses the following products: Hemage Stringed Instruments (www.hemage.com), La Bella strings (www.labella.com), VoVox Sound Conductors (www.vovox.com), and Aguilar Amplification (www.aguilaramp.com).
    Comments 2 Comments
    1. thunderman's Avatar
      thunderman -
      Check this out! Follow the links to preview some cuts from this album. Most tasty!
    1. Roy's Avatar
      Roy -
      Bernhard is a great young player and one of my favorites of the New Generation that includes Damian Erskine, Tal Wilkenfeld, Esperanza Spalding and Hadrien Feraud. Check this guy out-he plays great and writes great as well.
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