Hotspur99 + Musician in Seattle, WA

SEEKING

ABOUT

Experienced lead singer and strong bassist with excellent ear plus theory background, accomplished songwriter, some piano/keys. Decades of experience playing and recording in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Seattle (bands here include Goodwin [still active] and KillEye Candy [dead as a doornail]). Equally comfortable fronting a band or holding down rhythm section and backing vocals, and ideally I'd love to do both and switch back and forth. (I love bands like the Beatles or Fleetwood Mac who have multiple writers and singers--makes for great harmonies and takes pressure off everyone.)

Right now I'm looking for people to play with who I click with both musically and personality-wise--in my experience, bands are most fun when you're friends too, or at least have some things in common--and I'm especially interested in playing with folks who don't necessarily look like me (meaning, diverse across gender, racial, and sexuality identities). Same is boring; different is exciting and fresh.

Right now I'm mainly interested in starting two very different projects. The first is a classic soul/R&B cover band--like an Ike & Tina Review for the 21st century, but with room for both funk in the peak Prince era mode (Dirty Mind through Lovesexy) and in the vein of more recent music like Erykah Badu, Janelle Monáe, and, hey, artists you might introduce me to. The second is more guitar rock-oriented, maybe with a mildly progressive flavor--think a Bends/OK Computer kind of sound. If either of those interest you, drop me a line.

By the way, the songs I've uploaded here are ones I did some years ago with an old band of mine. The songwriting is mostly me. The style, however, is very specific and not necessarily indicative of what I'd like to do now. Should suffice as evidence that I can write, sing, and play, though. :-)

Screen name:

Hotspur99

Member since:

Mar 15 2009

Active within 2 weeks

Level of commitment:

Moderately Committed

Years playing music:

35

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

1 time per week

Available to gig:

1 night a week

Most available:

Nights

Influences

Beatles, The Who, the Heads (Talking and Radio-), Prince, Peter Gabriel, Rush, Bowie, Pink Floyd, XTC, Kate Bush, Police, Zeppelin, Queen, Squeeze, Supertramp, Janelle Monae, Thomas Dolby, Tears for Fears, James Brown, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, U2, Jellyfish, Tangerine Dream, Fleetwood Mac, Billie Holiday, Bruce Springsteen, Green Day, Janis Joplin, Yaz, Yes, Marvin Gaye, Steely Dan, The Clash, Alabama Shakes, Crowded House, The Breeders, Hall & Oates, Duran Duran, ELO, Elvis Costello, Firewater, Imogen Heap, Jill Scott, Living Colour, Hedwig & the Angry Inch, Lyle Lovett, Nine Inch Nails, Pretenders, on and on. My musical interests are diverse, as is my musical background as a performer and songwriter. (If I weren't limited to four genre selections, I'd add blues, funk, punk, electronic, jazz, and maybe even Southern rock.)

Instrument experience:

Vocalist:

Expert

Vocalist - Tenor:

Expert

Background Singer:

Expert

Bass Guitar:

Advanced

Trumpet:

Moderate

Keyboard:

Moderate

Piano:

Moderate

Electronic Music:

Moderate

EQUIPMENT

As far as bass I primarily play a Kubicki Ex-Factor and a Fender Mustang PJ through an Ashdown ABM 500 EVO III head and an Epifani UL 210 cabinet. No keyboard gear at the moment, but I'm happy to change that according to need. I also have a trumpet. The less said about my guitar skills, probably, the better. I'm also willing to just sing, especially if I'm the primary singer, but as I said I'd be just as happy handing the lead mic back and forth between two or more of us.

MUSIC