Mike Hall | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Also known as | Michael Hall,[1] Mike Hall Bass |
Born | October 23, 1989 |
Origin | Madison, New Jersey, U.S. |
Genres | Instrumental, pop, rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Bass guitar |
Years active | 2010–present |
Website | mikehallbass |
Mike Hall (born October 23, 1989)[2] is an American bassist from Madison, New Jersey.[3][4][5] Hall is best known for his bass playing style as a solo instrumentalist, primarily through a playing technique that blends the use of two handed tapping, slapping, flamenco, and creating several solo bass instrumental arrangements.[6][7][8]
Early life
Hall was born on October 23, 1989, and raised in Madison, New Jersey. While in elementary school, he began playing the cello as his first serious instrument.[9][1] Upon entering middle school, Hall's orchestra teacher switched him onto the upright bass due to his poor posture from childhood scoliosis.[10] After graduating from Madison High School in 2008, Hall elected to switch over to playing the bass guitar.[5]
Musical career
Hall co-founded and managed the pop rock band Running Late.[1] In 2020, Hall left Running Late and pursued becoming a solo instrumentalist under the artist name of "Mike Hall Bass".[11][12][13]
Following his departure from the band, Hall received critical acclaim for his hybrid bass playing style that combines aspects of two handed tapping, slapping, and flamenco.[14] Hall's creative approach towards arranging solo bass instrumental covers has also been the subject of education within the bass playing community.[3]
Influences
Hall has cited numerous bassists as inspirations for developing his bass playing style, including Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cliff Burton from Metallica, Larry Graham from Sly and the Family Stone, and Victor Wooten from Béla Fleck and the Flecktones.[15][16][17]
Education
Hall graduated from Centenary University as a double major in criminal justice and political science.[5] He also graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with an MBA in marketing.[15]
Discography
Track list provided via Spotify.[18]
- The Next Step [EP] (2021)
- "Fireflies: Owl City (Solo Bass Cover)" (single) (2021)
- "You'll Be in My Heart (Solo Bass Cover)" (single) (2021)
- "Californication (Solo Bass Cover)" (single) (2021)
- "Heartless (Solo Bass Cover)" (Single) (2021)
- "Everlong" (Single) (2021)
- "Clair De Lune" (Single) (2022)
- "Playing God" (Single) (2022)
- "My Immortal" (Single) (2022)
- "Carol of the Bells" (Single) (2022)
- "Stairway to Heaven" (Single) (2023)
References
- 1 2 3 Keyz (23 September 2021). "Michael Hall -- Did You Say Bassist?". Keyline Magazine. p. 16,17.
- ↑ "Bio". MikeHallBass.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
- 1 2 "Artist to Artist: Creating for the Bass". Music Connection. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ↑ Cecolini, Vinny (14 July 2021). "Mike Hall – All About That Bass". The Aquarian Weekly. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- 1 2 3 McSorely, Nora (8 April 2021). "Madison native, professional bassist, hones skills, longs for return to the road". New Jersey Hills Media Group. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ↑ Lucena, Jorge (8 November 2021). "Mike Hall: The Modern Pioneer of Solo Bass". Flaunt Magazine. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 15 November 2021.
- ↑ Grant, Shawn (7 November 2021). "Bass Phenom Mike Hall covers "Heartless"". The Source Magazine. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ↑ Rothschild, Vanessa (6 June 2022). "Anything but Ordinary - Meet the N.J. residents who are forging their own path to the top". Advance Publications, Inc. Archived from the original on 16 June 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
- ↑ Amador, Raul (22 February 2021). "Interview with Bassist Mike Hall". Bass Musician Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ↑ Brown, Corey (20 April 2021). "Reader Spotlight: Mike Hall". No Treble Magazine. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ↑ "Mike Hall Releases Debut Solo EP 'The Next Step'". Bass Magazine. 17 March 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ↑ Screen, Llewlyn (28 March 2021). "That special light: Mike Hall Bass adds his own ambiance to classic single on 'Owl City-Fireflies (Solo Bass Cover)'". A&R Factory. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
- ↑ Howkins, Jane (23 December 2021). "Discovery: Mike Hall Bass". York Calling Magazine. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ↑ Flava, Hardcore (26 October 2021). "Mike Hall Reinvents Bass Playing With 'Heartless' Cover By The Weeknd". This Is 50. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- 1 2 Wein, Gary (15 March 2021). "An Interview With New Jersey Bassist Mike Hall". New Jersey Stage Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ↑ Howard, Paul (6 April 2021). "New Jersey Bass Guitar Maestro Mike Hall Discusses His EP 'The Next Step,' Victor Wooten, His Bass Rig, & Much More". Music Mecca. Archived from the original on 6 April 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
- ↑ Who learned bass in a bomb shelter? Who cites both Carol Kaye and Limp Bizkit as an influence? Meet Ashley Suppa from Plush, Itai Disraeli of Opium Moon, Soloist Michael Hall, and Harry Jordan's bassist Kris Hill, a quartet of talent who are coming your way. New York City: Bass Player. 2022. p. 45. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022.
Although there are so many iconic bass players to choose from, I have to go with the one who I genuinely believe is the greatest bassist of all time: Victor Wooten.
- ↑ "Discography". Spotify. Retrieved 25 October 2021.