Local artist profile: Christopher Blackshaw

THIS week we chat with our third teacher from the Bendigo Instrumental Music Program – bass player Christopher Blackshaw, who names groundbreaking 90s musicians Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Les Claypool from Primus as some of his biggest influences.

What motivated you to take up the bass?

When I was 10, Dad needed a bass player for one of his music projects. As it turns out the project didn’t come to fruition, but he found another use for my newfound bass playing skills and the rest just grew from there.

It wasn’t until I was 14 that I really started taking bass guitar seriously. It was a school production I played in called “Bats”.

How would you describe your style?

My style sits somewhere between disciplined and aggressive.

I love sitting on the beat and laying down a solid foundation for other musicians I play with to build on.

Give me a solo space and look out. I love letting go and giving my fingers and mind the opportunity to lay out anything. Loud, aggressive, nasty.

One of the best things to happen to my style was learning double bass.

It taught me a lot about the ergonomics of playing an instrument and economy of movement.

Nerdy talk, yeah, but my bass playing, technique and style became so much better for it.

Which other bass players inspire you?

Currently I’m loving everything Trevor Dunn is involved in (Mr Bungle, Tomahawk, session musician).

He’s played with so many brilliant musicians and has the perfect blend of everything a bass player should, at the same time as being an incredibly humble musician.

When I was younger, I worked super hard at emulating bass players like Flea (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) and Les Claypool (Primus). They had, and still have, an amazing flare in their playing which always makes me smile.

Ben Gibbons, a local bass player I met back at school. Ben was in the year level above me (and) I looked up to him a lot. He had a style of playing I really liked, and still do, and that pushed me to push myself to work really hard at improving. Cheers mate.

What are some highlights you have from your career so far?

Having played with so many different musicians is the highlight I hold closest to me at this point in my career.

I’ve been lucky enough to perform with family members, nationally renowned musicians (and) close friends.

Since moving into music education, I’ve been working with young people a lot, so the fond memories and highlights come thick and fast and watching them perform is a brilliant experience.

Can people check out your music online?

Sure can. (My band) The Funk Junkies are on Facebook and Instagram, and we’ll be starting the recording process later this year of our first album.

Do you have any shows coming up?

The FJs have some gigs coming up including a gig at Malone Park in Marong as part of the City of Greater Bendigo Summer in the Parks concert series. We love our outdoor gigs.

What would you say to young regional aspiring bass players who are thinking of making a go of the creative life?

The same thing I say every week. Pick your bass up and play it as much as you can. Find a band, any band and immerse yourself. Talk to as many bass players as you can, young, old, talented – all of them. Listen to music, love it and keep an open mind to everything.