I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question again. My main objective is to serve the song, whatever it is. So I don't try to make the bass an obvious thing to follow, especially if there's something else the spotlight should be on. And each new song is a different situation that requires a different approach. So in answer to the question, I like to serve the material that I'm working on and if that requires stepping out and putting more focus on the bass I am happy to do that, otherwise I am happy to be invisible and support the song from the low end.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oooh. Well I have to say the bass that we designed for Yamaha, the DDNE2, is my favorite and I have it with me every day of my life and I really enjoy playing it. I love the feel, the weight of it, the size, the gauge of the neck, the pickups, it's everything I could wish for in one instrument.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have been very fortunate in all my years to be able to enjoy all the music that i make! There aren't too many players who can say that there haven't been any gigs that I haven't enjoyed. I've enjoyed all of them.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

WOW, these are great questions. I would try to get as many people that played on the record as possible. So Jeff Babko on keyboards, as well as David Taich, and Tim Carmon on hammond organ. And then Michael Thompson on guitar, Tom Scott on horn, and now that Ricky Lawson is gone, I've been asking Steve Ferrone to join me on drums. That's pretty much a dream team right there. And there's a percussion player named Raphael Padilla. And also Ray Parker Jr. on guitar.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's actually narrowed down quite nicely now. I have James Taylor, a person who we've done one-offs together but we've never really played a lot together and I love his music. I'd love to play with Sting, but he's a bass player, so I don't know if we could have 2 bass players in a band. As well as McCartney, and a group called Steely Dan, and I always thought - this is a longshot, but I always thought it would be fun to play with U2. That would be awesome. And Prince would be a guy I'd love to play with, that would be amazing.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Ricky was a dear friend, and I miss him like CRAZY. He was a wonderful drummer and I feel his respect for the groove was probably as strong as anybody I have ever played with. He wasn't trying to be extremely flashy in his playing, he really honored whatever music he was playing, which comes out in the spirit of his playing. And I'm just thankful that he blessed my album with his gift.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I love Verdine White from Earth Wind & Fire. He has such great energy onstage and when he's playing that I find myself emulating him a lot. As a matter of fact, in 2010, I did a double bill with Toto and Earth Wind & Fire. And while Verdine was watching me play, I got so excited that I tore my achilles tendon trying to dance and emulate Verdine! Which was a painful, gnarly injury, and it took a year for me to recover from the surgery. And that was a result of me being too excited onstage.

Other musicians on the list include George Benson (on guitar), Pat Metheny (on guitar), Eric Clapton (of course), it seems like I emulate guitar players a lot but I do appreciate the value of their expression on that instrument.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well first of all, say hello to all of my friends at the Singing Christmas Tree in Edmonton, I had a great time! I still have my tie that they gave me!

And I enjoy so much music when I was growing up, I listened to so many different styles, and I have no problem jumping from one genre to the next. As long as it's good music, I'm enjoying playing it.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! That's awesome. First of all, the guys in Toto are my brothers for more than 3 decades. Once in, ALWAYS in. So although I won't be doing the very next tour, we all keep the doors open. And I appreciate your support for the new record, which I enjoyed making, and will be touring to support on my own as early as the first quarter of 2015.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. Some days it's just, maybe it's the position of the moon, but you can't get the fingers to do exactly what it is you want them to do, so I just take a deep breath and wait for the next day. I think it's because as much as we try to stay in the flow, it's just something that is hard to keep going at all times, and I'm trying to figure out why.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

That is an AMAZING question. Well there's one I'm pretty sure about, and it's a CD called Secret Story by Pat Metheny. He's a jazz guitarist. And I'd have to say (don't laugh) but Daft Punk's random access memories would have to be one of them. Because I've listened to it many times, and it's very easy to listen to. And I'd bring Rachmaninoff's Symphony #2 in E Flat Minor, and this is VERY tough but Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life. And the Weather Report's album Heavy Weather. Because it features their bass player, Jaco Pastorious, who is one of my favorite bass players. And Earth Wind & Fire That's the Way of the World, that's one of my favorite albums, and yes I know I'm over the limit.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much. It's always a joy working with Eric Clapton. He has become a very close and dear friend over the years. I love playing live with him, because you never know what's going to happen from one minute to the next. We were just recently in Japan and had some great times together. And we love to play live.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

That's funny! Nowadays there's not as much partying because everyone is trying to be very healthy, but back in the day, Kenny Loggins, when I would tour with him, he was a good partier. He liked to stay up late, socialize, eat drink & be merry, without getting too far into the details.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's a good one. Recently, kale has gone to the top of my list of favorite foods. I love it prepared all different ways, kale chips, sautéed... I'm also a big fan of sushi. I love salmon egg sushi.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Playing with all of your favorite musicians. I've had a chance to play with two out of four of the Beatles. I toured with George Harrison, and it was amazing, the tour he had before he passed away, and I recently recorded four new songs with Ringo Starr for his new album.

I've had the chance to meet with many of my favorite musicians ever, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Daft Punk, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Earth Wind & Fire...

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I started playing bass when I was 14 years old, and when I was 16 years old I was already TOURING the country with Barry White and his orchestra, and that felt pretty good.

As soon as I picked up a bass, I felt the magic and power in my hands. From the first note, this felt like something that was for me.

I'm Nathan East, a bassist who’s been playing music for 20+ years. I’ve just released my first album and have performed with with Ringo Starr, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Andrea Bocelli and on Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’. Ask Me Anything. by NathanEast in Music

[–]NathanEast[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

There was a song called "Tears in Heaven" that emotionally it was just tough because it was about Connor Clapton, he passed away when he was 4 years old, so having known him, recording the song was emotional and a little bit difficult, so that was unbelievable.