KAV TEMPERLEY – BASS

Frontman of west coast Australian rock n roll luminaires, Eskimo Joe, acclaimed songwriter Kav Temperley is stepping out solo. The first taste of his upcoming album dropped recently, a new single called Pollyanna – an ominous reflection on the relativity of happiness – the single will be received instantly with all digital album pre-orders. Pollyanna precedes Kav Temperley’s highly anticipated debut solo album All Your Devotion, a collection of ruminating, thoughtful, and effecting songs from one of this country’s greatest talents, set for release digitally and on vinyl on September 28. To celebrate what is the culmination of years of hard work, Kav will be hitting the road in October and November this year, kicking off on October 5 at The Milk Factory in Brisbane, and moving through the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Belgrave, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle, Fremantle, Margaret River, before wrapping up in Bunbury at Prince of Wales on November 3. Ahead of he tour, Kav kindly delivered a bass-related Q&A for us

What was your first guitar?
I had owned a few bass guitars: A Hondo that look like a white and black P bass that I bought for $150 from the local hock shop because it looked like Syd Vicious bass and an Ibanez P bass, that I hacked apart and then sold to buy gold Sammick that’s sole purpose was to play slap bass on. But the first acoustic guitar that I was actually aloud to call my own (not including my mums old Ibanez nylon string acoustic) was a Maton Natural Series. I got it for my 16th birthday and I named it ‘Wilbur’ after the first song Stu and I wrote together. I bought it from the Fremantle Music Centre and it was literally the first guitar I picked up. I took that guitar everywhere I went, all over Australia and the world, busking wherever I could, playing a mixture of originals and covers.
I have this random fact that I always tell people which I’m not entirely sure is even true (I get all my facts from works of fiction), that an acoustic guitar takes six years to settle in to itself. Well, by the time we started Eskimo Joe and were recording albums it had been six years and the Maton had settled in to itself and it sounded great in front of a microphone, we’ve used that acoustic on every record we’ve ever made and I still write all my songs on it.

What’s your main bass now?
With my basses, I now use the Warwick Star Bass 2. It’s got a hollow body and kind of looks like a 335 but it has this perfect combination of plonky personality and hi-fi solidness. I thought only metal guys played Warwicks but here I am loving it. I also play a combination of different Maton acoustics. At the moment, I’m preferring the smaller body 808.

Through what amp and why?
My bass amp is the Aguilar 750. I’m yet to find another bass amp that sounds anywhere as good or is as simple to use. It just has a master, gain, bass treble and middle with a bass and brightness boost (if you need it) and 9 times out of 10 when you plug in and everything is on flat, it sounds perfect.

Which pedals are your standards?
A tuner

What’s your latest recording and when will you be back in the studio?
I’ve just completed my first solo album called ‘All Your Devotion’ which is due to be released on September 28th. I used my Maton acoustic and my 1969 Hofner Beatles bass.
I mainly worked by myself at my home studio but also with two separate producers, John Castle and Pip Norman. They both added another dimension to the album and made it much more of a collaboration.

What gigs have you been playing lately?
I’ve been playing some amazing shows with Eskimo Joe, playing all our songs re-imagined with a symphony orchestra, which has been mind-blowing. On the flip side, I’m about to head by myself with just an acoustic guitar in support of my solo album, which will be completely different experience.

Most memorable gig?
Playing with the SSO at the Sydney Opera House

Worst stage nightmare?
Going on stage with gastro trying sing a Christmas song that I haven’t learned the words for (this actually happened!!).

Album that changed your life?
It depends what day of the week it is but I’m with Jack White when he says, “I just don’t trust people who say they don’t understand Led Zeppelin”

What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
I’m hitting the road for an acoustic tour to support my new album – https://www.kavtemperley.com.au/shows

A guitar tip for the kids?
Learn songs they love, that way even if you suck you’ll be having a great time while you do it!

ALL YOUR DEVOTION NATIONAL ALBUM TOUR

Share this

Like and follow us on Facebook

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Stay up to date

Advertise with us

Categories

Categories

KAV TEMPERLEY – BASS

About us

Features

Gear

More information