As the world continues to recover from the Coronavirus, we’re all finding ourselves in unfamiliar territory given the subsequent lockdown that is keeping us off of stages and confined to our homes. Luckily, there’s comfort in the fact that we’re all in this together, and that there are still many outlets for us musicians to keep us active and sane throughout this quarantine. We’re checking in with bass players from all over the world to see what they’re doing to stay entertained, healthy, productive, and safe during this trying time.

Bass Player: Julio Tavarez

Bands & Artists: Bob Moses, WORK, The Dylan Farnum Collection, Extremely Bad Man, Jesse Jo Stark, The Dirt and the Grime, The Black and the White, Dawn Richards, Jamie N Commons, Empires, Kilimanjaro, As Tall as Lions, lliikkeeaagghhoosstt

Home: Los Angeles, California

How have you been passing time during the lockdown?

I’ve been writing a lot of music and recording for my new projects. That’s been taking up most of my time lately.

What have you been working on in terms of your bass practice routine?

To be honest, I don’t practice much. I’m always writing and recording, which gives me a purpose to play daily.

What music, songs, recordings, artists, bass players have you been listening to as a source of comfort and inspiration that you recommend?

I’ve been digging Cindy Lee’s “The Last Train’s Come And Gone.”

What Bass gear have you been playing and trying out?

Because I’ve been home recording a lot, I’ve been playing around with pedals—not just for bass but also for guitar and vocals. I’ve been playing my short scale Fender Mustang at home, as well. My new favorite toy is the Red Panda Particle pedal.

What non music activities, books, shows, movies or workout recommendations do you have?

I’ve been skateboarding and watching the TV series Unsolved Mysteries and The Last Dance.

What projects do you have coming up when the world gets going again?

I’m planning on playing shows with my new project, Work. I’ll also, release music from my other projects: lliikkeeaagghhoosstt and The Dylan Farnum Collection.

What advice can you offer fellow bassist for staying positive and keeping morale high?

Play only the E and A strings, and the D string only if you really need it. If you’re playing the Gstring at all, something’s not right. I’m just kidding… kind of.

Follow Julio: Here

Read all 150+ Bass Magazine Check-in Features: Here

All check-ins compiled and edited by Jon D’Auria & Chris Jisi