Rana Ross: Feature Interview [Archive]

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TalkBass

03-23-2004, 04:55 PM

<center>Rana Ross: Maximum Bass</center>
Interview
for TalkBass.com by John C. Smith
Editor's Note: This feature was published on TalkBass.com in October of 2001. Rana Ross passed away in May of 2003. Rana was our first feature on TalkBass.com, and am proud to archive this in memory of her.
<a href="http://www.talkbass.com/html/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=34"><img src="http://www.talkbass.com/images/featureindex_ross.jpg" align="left" border="0"></a>If you're wondering about who's going to be in the vanguard of players when
we're more seriously into this millennium, let's consider (in addition
to the obvious) whose careers are on overdrive and just about to blossom
big-time. We can all "name names", and yes, most bassists will
still be into Jaco, Stanley, Victor et al, but there are some outstanding
players that will attract a lot of attention very soon and may well end
up on that influential list.

TalkBass

03-23-2004, 04:58 PM

Enter Rana
Ross, recently featured in BASSICS magazine. She and her band Sinboy have
been getting rave reviews in LA, and the recorded works are a trip to
experience. Via cyberspace she gave me some of her time to answer some
questions I've been wanting to ask her for some time now….

J.C.S.:
Tell me about some of your bass influences. 

R.R.:
All of my bass influences started with my Mom Anne. When I was a kid she
turned me on to Sly and the Family Stone, Zeppelin, Stanley Clarke, Earth,
Wind & Fire. So I grew up listening to HER favorite records. 
As far as my OWN "Bass" influences....well.everyone. I really
do get something from everything I listen to, and my listening habits
are eclectic and diverse. I have listened INTENSELY to: (in no specific
order)... Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Les Claypool, Pino Palladino,
Bootsy Collins, Rocco Prestia, Jeff Berlin, Jaco, Billy Sheehan, Anthony
Jackson, Geddy Lee, Fernando Saunders, Flea, Fieldy (Korn), Alain Caron
Currently in my CD player now is: The new "System of a Down"
(they are amazing), Primus' "Antipop", both Radiohead's "OK
Computer" & "The Bends", Rob Zombie Remixes, Korn "Issues",
Macy Gray, Sublime's Greatest Hits, NIN, Yo Yo Ma's Bach Cello Suites
 

J.C.S:
Have you ever taken or given lessons? 
R.R.:
Both. But I must profess, I really don't have the patience it takes to
be a really great teacher. For a while, I taught privately and out of
a music store here in Los Angeles. But here comes the Good Stuff.......

I have studied
Bass Guitar with the best. 
I've studied bass with Gary Willis, Jeff Berlin, Nathan East, Joel DiBartolo
(upright player in Doc Severson's Band from the old "Tonight Show
with Johnny Carson"), Alphonso Johnson (who once let me sit in with
Carlos Santana during a rehearsal), Alexis Sklarevski (human slap metronome
machine), Hilliard Greene (for Upright), 

J.C.S.:
Do you have a standard practice regimen? 

<img src="../images/ross2.jpg" width="158" height="239" align="left">R.R.:No,
not really. I DO practice my Upright everyday lately, because it's pretty
new for me, and I also need to build up the muscles that you use for bowing.
It's so much different. I could play 5 or 6 string for hours, but right
now, a half hour of strait bowing on the upright is Killer on my right
hand. I love it, I'm always up for a challenge. 
Of course, any practice of the bass (electric or upright) ALWAYS involves
using the metronome. I think that it's wasteful of your time to practice
without the metronome, so you should always keep one handy. I also subscribe
to the technique of starting Really Slow on the metronome and then moving
up little by little. I actually start ridiculously slow. That in itself
is good practice, because it's sooooooooo slow, that your timing must
be really on to anticipate the next beat. 
I also take breaks when I'm in full practice mode, so I don't get burned
out. Stop, put the bass down and take a 5 minute break. I also take breaks
when recording in the studio. It just clears my head. 
J.C.S.:
You endorse several gear manufacturers.........your Hohner endoresment
has been going for 9 years, I believe. That's incredible loyalty, Rana!
 
What's so special about these products? 
<img src="../images/ross3.jpg" width="223" height="182" align="left">R.R.:Actually,
I've endorsed 2 companies for 9 years each, Hohner Basses, and LaBella
Strings. They both make great products, but furthermore, I'm treated with
respect by these companies, and I see them as part of my extended family
now. Nine years is a long time, yes. But they stuck with me when I went
through the leaner years, when there wasn't a gig to get, because they
BELIEVED in my talent as a Bassist, and spokesperson to represent their
company and products. Like any close business a&r relationship, we
work together to perfect their products, and at the same time, get me
the exact things that I need. 
My first full page color Hohner ad came out in the last edition of BASSICS,
and I believe that it's a great thing for the company. Lots of people
don't know about these basses, so I guess that they'll find out now. FROM
ME!!! 
I just signed on about a year ago as a FULL SWR endorsee, but I've been
using SWR cabinets all my life. I believe I bought some of the first Triads
and Goliath Jrs. 
Still have them, in fact, the Jr. is my practice cab. at home... 
I love the SWR sound, it's totally part of MY sound, tonally, I'm a big
fan of mid-range, but at the same time, I want that heart-jerking bottom
end. I get everything that I need with my SM900. Great EQ's. You can just
tweak and tweak all day...it's so much fun.....I am presently using a
Goliath Sr. cabinet, but SWR just came out with the "Megoliath"
(isn't that a great name?), which is what I plan to add in accordance
with my Goliath. 
Other companies that I endorse are Digitech (presently, I'm using the
BP8 Bass Valve Preamp), and this is a company that I used to buy the equipment
from. I used to use the Digitech IPS33B Smart Harmonizer midi'ed in my
old rack, and when the BP8 came out, I bought it. Of course, I have signed
on as an endorsee since then, and I'm looking forward to newer products
and working more closely with this company and my rep. there, Paul Muniz.
 
I am a full endorsee of EMG pickup's, (again, have used them all my life)
- in fact, I just signed on with them recently also. LOVE ACTIVE SOUND......
 
I also use a Budda Phatbass distortion Pedal, which is bad-ass, and represent
them as well. 
I have also signed on with Aquilar, for their preamps, infact, I had one
just put into my new Hohner Prototype, but I haven't gotten it back from
my guitar man yet. 
Am I forgetting anyone??? 

J.C.S.:
I believe you've recently gotten into playing an upright......is it a
permanent switch or just another weapon for the arsenal 

R.R.:Yes,
my new baby is my Jack Read Custom Electric Upright. What a trip!!! 
I've been wanting to play electric upright for a long time now, and I'm
knowledgeable about stringed instruments because I played cello for so
long. But for the longest time, I could NOT find anything that I could
play, because my hands are incredibly small. So, as much as those other
companies make great electric uprights, it didn't help me....Then came
Jack. We worked together, and I told him exactly what I wanted and needed
out of my upright, and sure enough, he made the most gorgeous and most
awesome sounding instrument that you have ever seen or heard. Thank God
my bowing technique is still in tact, and for the record, I use a cello
bow on this upright. It's just better for my hands and the size of this
particular instrument. 
No, not a permanent change, just more weapons for the arsenal, although
I can see myself really expanding musically on this instrument. 

J.C.S.:
What do you look for when trying new gear? 

R.R.:Very
good question.... 
There are alot of factors that draw me to a piece of gear. 
a) I have to like what it does and foresee it's function somewhere useful
in my playing, whether it's for the studio or a live show, which are of
course, two totally different animals. 
b) It HAS to be user friendly. 
c) It has to be able to withstand the abuse of touring and not die on
me. 
d) Sometimes, a company will come up with something that's so totally
tight, new and different....I like those kind of things too. 
e) I don't particularly care for very HEAVY things (cabinets aside), but
otherwise, I like to be able to know that I can lift it. Does that make
sense? 
f) The Company. If it's an endorsement situation, I want to know that
they are behind me as much as I'm behind them and their product. It really
makes a difference with me to work with people I really, really like.

TalkBass

03-23-2004, 04:58 PM

J.C.S:
Do you find it easy to switch between 4, 5 and 6 string instruments?
 

R.R.:
Well, actually, I haven't played a fretted 4 string for about 9 years
now. I do play a fretless Pedulla Buzz 4 string which I usually tune down
to "D", but otherwise, I would have to say the 5 string is my
main staple always. ALWAYS. 
To me, a six string is really a different animal, you can do things chordally
on a 6 that cannot be done on anything else as effortlessly, and also
solo wise, it's all the more fun, with so many possibilities. I usually
do not use the 6 string live because it is heavier to wear, and I feel
that I cannot put on the show visually that I want to with so much extra
weight on my shoulder. For studio, definitely. 

J.C.S.:
Any thoughts/plans on performing or recording solo? 

R.R.:
Solo....No, not really, not yet. 
I do forsee somewhere down the line putting out a kick-ass instrumental
release, and get all of my favorite guys to sit in and play on it. 
I would have to start making my wish list of players now, I'm sure they
would come and play if I asked them really nicely.... 
J.C.S.:
How do you see the Internet in regards to your self-promotion (and that
of Sinboy)? 

R.R.:
The Internet, has been/will always be - instrumental in everything in
our lives. It's revolutionized society in a manner I don't think any of
us have ANY idea of. 
As for me, it's done nothing but great things...remember, your computer
is your friend. 
No really, if it wasn't for online promotion, I might not be doing this
interview now. Really. 
Whether I am doing it myself, or if it's my publicist (Steve Levesque
at www.luckmedia.com ), or the TALKBASS site, people are hungry for information,
and can share that information across the planet in a split second...
 
And when this interview is posted on your site, you will have readers
who will go there because they know me and also readers who will hear
about me for the first time. Then they send the link to another bass player,
and so on and so forth. It brings people of like minds together. 
I would dare to say it's the greatest promotional tool ever, and I am
eternally grateful for the response that I've gotten online. 

J.C.S.:
When people ask me about Sinboy, I describe the music as sexy, primal
and violent......how do you describe it? 

R.R.:
Violent....hmmmm, I've never heard that, I like it, it's cool... 
I think that sometimes people see a photo of me and they are blown away
because they don't expect me to be playing such hard music. 
I describe SINBOY as "Extreme Rock". Sexy? Very. Very Sexual
lyrical content. Primal? Definitely. I feel primal playing it onstage...even
in rehearsal. 
Isn't it great to do what you LOVE to do for a living.....???? 
When I'm asked what the music is compared to, I believe that it's easy
to say it's like a Female Fronted NIN, with some Zombie, Prodigy and Portishead
thrown in for good measure. 

J.C.S.:
And how do you see bass in a band situation? Do your share writing and
arrangement duties? 

R.R.:
This is TalkBass here, so let's be real.... 
The Bass is the anchor of the band. 
We bassists can create the vibe, keep the groove, make people move. The
bass is an EXTREMELY important instrument, and I say "F*** YOU"
to anyone who thinks that bass players are frustrated guitar players.
They are sooooooo wrong, they don't have a clue what they are talking
about. 
Have you ever been on the search for the PERFECT groove line for a certain
tune...??? I mean,...perfect... It's not the easiest thing, is it? 
But when it happens, you know it, and everyone else feels it, and that's
what the bass is all about. Getting the listener or the audience to FEEL
you. Some of the best tunes are the ones where you remember the bass line,
i.e. Anthony Jackson's line in the old soul tune "Money" by
the O'Jays... 
Remember...? 
All one needs to hear is that 2 bar phrase - and you know the song...Actually,
I believe that Anthony and THAT bass line were instrumental in changing
the 
copyright and publishing laws to include "certain" bass lines
to receive a part of the writers share of the publishing. Yeah Anthony....!!!!
Thank you, my brother. 
As for writing and arrangement, SINBOY is pretty democratic. Yes, we are
all part of the writing process, although Elysa writes all the lyrics.
She's the singer, and she's gotta feel what she sings....so I have no
problem with that. If I have a cool melody line or vocal hook for a chorus,
say, she has no problem listening to me. 
Because of the democracy, it probably takes a little longer for things
to get done, because we all have to agree, we all have to think it works
for all and that everyone is down with it. Needless to say, there's alot
of ideas that are thrown away - but it's SUCH a good feeling to be an
equal part of the writing process, I'm so thankful that I'm not someone's
sideperson anymore. 

J.C.S.:
Do you plan solos or "wing" them? 

R.R.:
I like to plan my solo's, in that I need to know in my head the general
musical idea that I want to put across in that particular tune. There's
not alot of "soloing" in SINBOY, but I do get my moments. So
yes, I do plan them, because I want it to be as BAD_ASS as possible, and
for a brief moment- shine, shine, shine. 
Of course, as in any jamming situation, solo's get "winged".
That's also alot of fun. 

J.C.S.:
If you had your druthers, are there any people/bands you'd really like
to play with? 

R.R.:
I am so passionate about SINBOY it's crazy, but, if I were to have a wish
list of persons that I could work with/alongside - even in my dreams,
it would be: 
King Crimson, Metallica, Kid Rock, duets with Les Claypool and Flea (are
you reading this LES & FLEA ???), Radiohead, Macy Gray, Puff Daddy,
Eminem, Lou Reed, Annie Lennox, Rev. Al Green, Rush, NIN / Trent Reznor,
Rob Zombie, Dr. Dre, Static-X, Cannibal Corpse, Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio,
Whitney Houston & Christina Aquilara. 
Is that diverse enough? 

J.C.S.:
How's the biz treating you? Is it worth the time and effort? 

R.R.:
I'm one of those people that LOVES Music so much, I would never choose
to do anything else. Ever. 
So asking me if it's worth the time and effort.... I mean, YES, it's worth
the time and effort if you are true to your art, your bass, your belief
in yourself as a person and as a player. I think that if all those things
are in order...life will end up treating you well. 
It's ALL GOOD. 

J.C.S.:
Having put in years of work, your career is really starting to take off.......where
do you want it to take you? 

R.R.:
EVERYWHERE...!!! 
I want to travel the world, play for audiences from every nation and move
them, keep getting better and better as a bassist (one is always growing...)
 
In the future, I know that I want to score films. Definitely. My singer
and programmer from SINBOY, Elysa Grey and I have already spoken about
scoring music for film. 
We would be like the young, female version of Danny Elfman...just as talented...,
and some would say prettier too. 

J.C.S.:
Any major tours coming up? Will you go international? 

R.R.:
Not on my calendar right now at this moment. We still need to go through
all the steps that a new band needs to go through, but people are digging
us so hard....it seems that the label executives are always following
us....It sure has our attorney Kim Guggenheim busy. 

J.C.S.:
Lastly, any advice for TalkBass people on how to "make it" as
a professional player? 

R.R.:
Yeah..... 
~First you live... 
~And then you die... 
~And in-between... 
~KICK MAXIMUM ASS...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
For
further details and information on Rana, visit her site at <a href="http://www.bassgirl.com">http://www.bassgirl.com</a>

There's
also some killer links to MP3s and the site for Sinboy. And, as she says,
it's all good.
 
John C. Smith 
smithrey@senet.com.au