Local artist profile: El Wellard

THIS week we chat with bass player extraordinaire El Wellard, who said his technique has touched on at times 70s and 80s new wave, punk, prog rock, the blues and most recently heavy metal.

What initially motivated you to take up the bass?

It started one day when I was 14 or so and found a bass my father had borrowed from someone quite a few years beforehand.

I was starting to expand my music tastes at that age, when my brother showed me a video of Ken Casey, the bassist from the Dropkick Murphys.

How would you describe your style and how did you develop it?

I’ve always described it as a ‘hod-podge of unlikely sources’.

As I didn’t get any lessons on the bass for the first four or so years, most of my technique and style came from watching live concerts of my favourite bands (most of whom are also self-taught).

My bass playing, and learning, evolved with my music tastes, starting with 70s and 80s new wave, moving through to punk, then onto prog rock, studying the blues and my most recent bass infatuation has been with heavy metal.

It’s surprising how often I’ll play a song that has a combination of such a juxtaposition of sources.

Which other bass players inspire you and why?

Sam Kiszka of Greta Van Fleet is definitely my number one.

I discovered him in mid-2017, not long after I picked up a bass, and his rhythmic and counter-melody work has left a lasting impact.

Geddy Lee of Rush really opened me up to the bass guitar being used as a lead instrument.

Every time I listen to him play it always makes me strive to improve.

Mike Kerr of Royal Blood showed me that with the right attitude you don’t need anyone else to help you achieve your dreams.

For a band with just a bassist and no guitarist at all, he showed me how to fill the sound and craft a melody to get the blood pumping.

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

Possibly my favourite moment in my career thus far is a surprisingly recent event.

It was a gig with Relays and, after acquiring a cowboy hat halfway through the set, I ended up jumping down off the stage into the crowd.

Playing a thrashing riff while surrounded by cowboys who are yelling about kangaroos is definitely a hell of a good time.

How can people check out some of your music online?

Any way that suits their preference! Relays are on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp and Soundcloud and we’ve got social media on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

Do you have any gigs coming up?

Just a few gigs, one could say. As I write this Relays are currently on a 24 date, six State, ultimate tour, until 1 February!

We’re very focused on that at the minute, but we’re not a band that messes about, so you can rest assured that we’re always working on something new!

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

If you’re thinking about it, you have got to give it a crack. (There’s) no use getting to 40 years from now saying ‘I wish I’d done that…’ So do it now!

The future will be here faster than you can imagine, so get some (of your) mates, and get a start on the adventure of a lifetime!