NIK WEST & NEW AND TALENTED FEMALE BASSISTS!

crazybazz · #1 10-22-2009, 12:50 AM

okay so I am hip to this young gal named Nik West. She is endorsed with FENDER AND SWR I saw her in Bass Player in an ad for SWR. She is actually really good. Funky and super sexy. Has anyone heard of her?

Rudyboy98 · #2 10-23-2009, 03:31 AM

Haven't heard of her, but I am going to check her out on youtube. Unless you got some more updated info on her.

R...

DWBass · #3 10-23-2009, 06:03 AM

She's ok as a bassist. Nothing super about her skills. She can sing and play at the same time, she's sexy and cute and the music is cool.

Dr. Cheese · #4 10-23-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

She's ok as a bassist. Nothing super about her skills. She can sing and play at the same time, she's sexy and cute and the music is cool.

I would agree, but I also think that both Tal Wilkenfeld and Esperanza Spaulding are not groundbreaking artists in terms of technique, instead they are noteworthy as examples of how gender equity is really showing itself within the newest generation of working bassists. I am, however, super impressed by both Nik West and Esperanza Spaulding's ability to play really well while singing lead expressively. That is a fairly rare skill, and I respect anyone who can pull it off.

DWBass · #5 10-23-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I would agree, but I also think that both Tal Wilkenfeld and Esperanza Spaulding are not groundbreaking artists in terms of technique, instead they are noteworthy as examples of how gender equity is really showing itself within the newest generation of working bassists. I am, however, super impressed by both Nik West and Esperanza Spaulding's ability to play really well while singing lead expressively. That is a fairly rare skill, and I respect anyone who can pull it off.

Me too. The minute I start singing and playing I start screwing up real badly!

But I'm gonna keep at it!

ERIC31 · #6 10-24-2009, 07:13 PM

Check this out. She's pretty interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIp5vC2W7bE

crazybazz · #7 10-27-2009, 11:31 AM

Check this out! She is a beaut! By far the most beautiful bassist out there. I can't wait for the album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2ZV9YOaxC0

DWBass · #8 10-27-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybazz

Check this out! She is a beaut! By far the most beautiful bassist out there. I can't wait for the album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2ZV9YOaxC0

Oh I don't think she's the prettiest! Esperanza Spalding is pretty hot! Rhonda Smith is hot too. The other chick from ATL (name escapes me) who plays a Yamaha TRB6 is cute too.

Dr. Cheese · #9 10-27-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

Oh I don't think she's the prettiest!

My Brother, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if I were young and single, it would thrill me to be holdin' any of those pretty women!

More to the point, I would be honored to take lessons from any of them too!

crazybazz · #10 10-27-2009, 12:02 PM

Yes I agree, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Esperanza has brushed up on her looks more recently, but she is more of a plane jane in my eyes with cool hair, which Nik has the same wild hair as her, she seems to wear it straight from time to time tho. Rhonda smith is alot older and isn't into "men" if you know what I mean. I guess I just love Nik. If you see her in person, you would definitely know what I mean. She has very beautiful model looks, she is tall and her bod is very fit, she's got those long legs and the most perfect smile I have ever seen in real life. she is only abut 23 and is STRIKING! I heard that Nik and Esperanza a really good friends and will collaborating soon so I can't wait for that!

krovx · #11 10-27-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

My Brother, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if I were young and single, it would thrill me to be holdin' any of those pretty women!

More to the point, I would be honored to take lessons from any of them too!

Amen brother!

Dr. Cheese · #12 10-27-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybazz

I heard that Nik and Esperanza a really good friends and will collaborating soon so I can't wait for that!

+100! Wow, I will have to buy that CD!

Alan Vorse · #13 10-27-2009, 03:08 PM

I just want to add Julie Slick who is playing with Adrian Belew right now as another talented (and young) bass playing lady.

Dr. Cheese · #14 10-27-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Vorse

I just want to add Julie Slick who is playing with Adrian Belew right now as another talented (and young) bass playing lady.

She truly has monster tone! I love her John Wetton style groove.

aikakone · #15 10-29-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybazz

Check this out! She is a beaut! By far the most beautiful bassist out there. I can't wait for the album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2ZV9YOaxC0

It's just my personal preference that I don't care for a 5 or 6 string bass. So when I saw teh first frame of her with instrument, it seemed so huge and out of place. Some people look right with their instruments, and that jarred me a moment.

crazybazz · #16 10-30-2009, 10:13 PM

yeah i agree.....the bass does look scary at first glance, but she plays it like its easy! I saw her at Namm one year and she can play that SIX WELL. Most gals only conquer the 4. Shes a singer so I can see why she would want the extra high notes to chord with.

dee rob · #17 10-31-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybazz

Rhonda smith is alot older and isn't into "men" if you know what I mean.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I know I never had a shot, but damn.......

dee

JAUQO III-X · #18 11-01-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybazz

Rhonda smith is alot older and isn't into "men" if you know what I mean.

How well do you really know Rhonda?

And yes Rhonda is a friend of mine.

You're really really pubbing Nik and that's a good thing but you don't have to cut the other women down to do it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

The other chick from ATL (name escapes me) who plays a Yamaha TRB6 is cute too.

Debra Killings.

aikakone · #19 11-02-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybazz

Most gals only conquer the 4. Shes a singer so I can see why she would want the extra high notes to chord with.

I know I shouldn't fall for this and get into a debate, but here goes anyway.

1. I just don't like a bigger (or rather more than 4-stringed) bass. It's personal preference, and my being female doesn't have anything to do with it. Plenty of men play a 4 string and yet they aren't less of musicians for not playing a six.

2. I am a singer. Classically trained and all that. Shiny music degree. I lead songs at my church singing and playing at the same time. So while I'm not a pro like Nik, I'm no fool. I don't see why it's important to have extra notes to chord with. If I wanted that, I'd just play guitar, which I can do, but badly. Of course, that goes to the preference things, but I still don't understand the implied logic of it being necessary, even essential, for a singer. It's not.

3. Misleading thread title much? I only originally clicked on the thread because I wanted to see discussion about the "New And Talented Female Bassists" because I take inspiration from news of other female players. Instead this is exclusively a Nik love fest. So where's the praise of the rest of the players? Instead we get sly put-downs, some that don't even have anything to do with musicianship (example: Rhonda)

Dr. Cheese · #20 11-02-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aikakone

3. Misleading thread title much? I only originally clicked on the thread because I wanted to see discussion about the "New And Talented Female Bassists" because I take inspiration from news of other female players. Instead this is exclusively a Nik love fest. So where's the praise of the rest of the players? Instead we get sly put-downs, some that don't even have anything to do with musicianship (example: Rhonda)

I started the thread after seeing a Fender/SWR ad featuring Nik West, and then doing a search on the net to learn about her. I simply mentioned that there seems to be a number of women ineir early twenties who are really making a big impact on bass. The focus has been on Nik West, but she is the latest to get most of our attention.

I did not put her down, nor did most of the other posters. There has been some mention of her looks, but it appears that Nik West, herself, focuses on her modeling background in her promotional materials.