Double Bass Paul Kowert - Hawktail

unbrokenchain

unbrokenchain

Supporting Member
Jun 8, 2011
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Black Mountain, NC
#1
Made it to the Hawktail show last night at Ambrose West in Asheville. "Inspiring" doesn't cut it, "mind-blowing" is getting there.

Had a gig myself earlier in the evening so I missed the opener and arrived just as HT were about to start. Dealing with the grief of a family member's passing the same day, I can't find words for how impactful and transcendent this music is for me. Most of it comes from the band's dynamic with each other, and the literal dynamics of the material. There was no moment when they lost my attention, no room for boredom in what they're doing. They are all virtuosic players, but being a bassist of course I was especially blown away by Paul's effortless technical skills and the adaptation of Appalachian fiddle styles to arco on the upright, it's something I haven't seen anyone else approach. Especially inspiring for someone like me who does a lot of support work in that style.

May have embarrassed myself a little talking to them after the show, I should know better than to drink whiskey before I gush over people I admire :bag:, but Paul and Brittany were very gracious and down to earth, just great folks.

Check out this show if they tour through your area!
 
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#8
Just to revive the Paul Kowert love fest. I saw him last night with the Punch Brothers in Athens, GA. What a show! A few tidbits for anyone as obsessive/nerdy as me.

Paul's bass was strung with Spirocore mediums on all strings; he got a great sound out of them both pizz and arco. He also had no less than three different cables coming out of his bass, I'm assuming from different pickups. I saw one magnetic, a clip-on mic, and some sort of custom made clamp contraption to hold it all together. All through a grace felix and some other outboard gear I couldn't make out.

At several points Paul was basically playing (fast) fiddle tune melodies arco jumping from first position all the way up to thumb position and back again. I don't know how he does it.
 
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#9
Paul Kowert is giving virtual lessons as part of a new project called "Virtual Lessons for Actual Change."

"Professional musicians volunteer to teach their skills in a collective effort to raise funds for the advancement of racial justice ... 100% of the profits [go] to organizations working to end systemic racism, such as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Color of Change."

I signed up for a 30-minute session with Bridget Kearney of Lake Street Dive, another heavy hitter who is part of the project.

Virtual Lessons for Actual Change
 
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