MAY-JUNE 2010 ISSUE

Karin Proidl talks to Austrian electric bassist Bernhard Lackner

KARIN: Bernhard, you have lived in the US for several years now. Atlanta, Nashville, now Los Angeles. Please tell me about your musical journey so far and what made you come to the US?

BERNHARD: After graduating from the Anton Bruckner University in Linz in 2003, I received financial support from the Austrian Government to continue my studies in the US. I did not really know where I should go and who I should study with. By chance, I came across the website of US-Bassist Adam Nitti, who at that time lived in Atlanta. I listened to his music and playing and it just blew me away … I instantly knew I had to study with Adam. I e-mailed him. He wrote back, telling me that he would be able to teach me in his studio in Atlanta. I packed up my stuff and flew to Atlanta. So, the only reason why I came to the US was to take lessons from Adam Nitti. Everything worked out fine. Adam was just the perfect teacher for me. I stayed in Atlanta for several months and I also went to San Francisco to take lessons from a bassist named Kai Echardt. Adam then moved to Nashville and I again followed him to study with him. Adam introduced me to great musicians who I then recorded my first Solo Album “those days” with, which Adam produced. Over the years, he definitely became my mentor. I started to perform in Nashville, some studio, some touring, my own music, some teaching etc. and composed my second album “in between”, again produced by Adam Nitti. I release the CD in July 2009. Ever since I started making my own records, I also got involved as an artist and clinician for  “La Bella Strings” and “Aguilar Amps”.

KARIN: Talking about your equipment, your bass guitar is built by an Austrian luthier, right?

BERNHARD: Right. My bass is built by Hermann Erlacher who runs his own company Hemage Gitarren & Baesse in the Austrian town of Hall in Tyrol. I have known Hermann since I started to play bass when I was 14. Some eight years ago, I had Hermann build a bass for me. And a couple of years later, he built my main instrument, a 6-string bass which is just perfect for me. It has a particularly warm, round and clear tone and it feels just great in my hands. I would never trade that bass against any other instrument. It became an essential part of my basstone and my playing style. Hermann and I, we also work together on some of the bass days or workshops, where I present his basses. If anybody is interested in great handbuilt guitars, basses, electric upright basses etc., it is worth visiting his store (www.hemage.com).

KARIN: You recently moved from Nashville to Los Angeles. Why?

Bernhard: I always played with the thought of moving to Los Angeles. Many of my favorite musicians live here and I really like the fact to be able to see them perform around town. I also wanted to experience the many opportunities Los Angeles is offering for musicians. Plus there are quite a few amazing Austrian musicians/composers in L.A. who I knew of, but never worked with. Guitarist Alex Machacek, Drummer Thomas Lang, Composer Gernot Wolfgang, Drummer Bernie Galane, of course, Peter Wolf and many more.

KARIN: What projects are you currently working on?

BERNHARD: I will start doing clinics at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood this month. I am also working on my 3rd CD right now, which I will partly record in Los Angeles working with musicians from here. I am also laying out the concept for a bass-educational book on “rhythmic concepts for bass” which I intend to finish by the end of 2010.  Also, my band will start to play in L.A. by September with Alex Machacek on Git, Dennis Hamm on Keys and Marco Minnemann on Drums. And I aim at playing with many other great musicians while I am here and to further improve my playing and composing.

KARIN: It's great to have you here. Welcome to L.A. and all the best.  

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