Paz Lenchantin - Bassgirl

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B a s s G i r l s W e b M a g a z i n e - C O V E R S T O R Y - O c t o b e r 2 0 0 6

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Paz Lenchantin's latest release 'Songs For Luci' is available only through her MySpace page

Enchanting Paz!

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Paz Lenchantin is an Argentine-American musician who came to Los Angeles, California with her family at the age of four. She speaks fluent Spanish and English. Being that her parents were both professional concert pianists, she was motivated to follow their path and began playing piano at age five.

She then took violin lessons at age eight and taught herself how to play guitar at age twelve. Led Zeppelin's bassist John Paul Jones later influenced her to play bass which became her forte in her music career.

With Billy Howerdel, Josh Freese, Troy Van Leeuwen and Maynard James Keenan , she formed A Perfect Circle . She contributed to their albums, 'Mer de Noms' by playing mostly strings, bass guitar and back-up vocals and to 'Thirteenth Step' by co-writing the song 'Gravity'. She subsequently left the group to join with Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlain, Matt Sweeney , and David Pajo to form a short-lived band, Zwan .

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She contributed strings to former Hole and Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf Der Maur's solo album, on the track My Foggy Notion. However, she returned to play strings and piano with A Perfect Circle to record their cover-album 'eMOTIVe', released in November 2004 and reaching the No. 2 spot in Billboard's Top 200. She also contributed a solo cover of the song 'The Hollow' to A Perfect Circle's CD/DVD release, 'aMOTION'. Paz is a diverse musician and has therefore worked with many different artists; not limited to those aforementioned.

She appeared on the robot-rock group Queens of the Stone Age's album, 'Songs for the Deaf'. She has also played with David Pajo in Papa M , as well as contributed fiddle on the Silver Jews record, 'Tanglewood Numbers'. She toured with RTX/Jennifer Herrema of Royal Trux and has contributed to and went on tour with Jarboe of Swans .

She is currently working with Entrance and has finished her second album with Entrance 'Prayer Of Death'. 'Brightblack Morning Light', out on Matador Records is now available. Paz recently worked for Michael Mann on latest film 'Miami Vice', which was released in the summer of 2006. This month, Paz was gracious enough to give BassGirls an exclusive interview.

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Paz Lenchantin, having been born in Argentina, how did you and your family come to live in USA? The most important step in my life was moving to the USA (S. California). I was 5 years old....I love Southern California!

My mother's sister moved here in the late 60's, my Grandma came soon after and my mom made the decision to follow. I became a citizen on my own 6 years ago. I visit Argentina about once a year.

Did you ever perform onstage as a child? I performed piano minuets at a very young age. I also played violin.

At what age did you first take a bass in your hands? I think I was 14 or 15.

Are your parents or relatives involved in music? Yes. My mother AnaLia is not only a great pianist but she also composes music. She just finished an Argentine film that won for best music called 'Captiva'.

My father Mario is a concert pianist. He just put out a compilation CD called 'Romantic Classics'. My brother Luciano (1995-2003) put his life's work on his band 'Big Milk'; he was lead singer, song writer, and played guitar.

He was raised classically with piano, violin and viola. You can hear his viola playing in A Perfect Circle. My latest CD "Songs For Luci" is in memory of him. My sister Ana plays the cello. Any chance I get I try to get her in with the bands I am working with. It's great to work with family.

Can you remember the first piece you ever learned on bass? Yes, Sly and the Family Stone's “If You Want Me To Stay".

Are you self-taught or did you have a teacher? I taught myself how to play bass and guitar.

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What was your very first band? Big Milk. It was my brother’s band.

Tell us about your current band? I am currently playing with Entrance. The album will be released with Tee-Pee records in a few month. I also just finished recording with BrightBlack Morning Light (Matador Records).

We recorded the album at the house I grew up in, Idyllwild, CA. I have also just released my solo works “ Songs For Luci” only available on my MySpace page.

Why did you decide not to sell ‘Songs For Luci’ through record-stores? I want to try something different. Something only for those that contacted me in some way for this. I want to show those people that they are not part of a factory here. That I hear every one of them. Each CD is personalized by me to the individual that bought it. This album for Luci is really for him...for my late brother Luciano. 1975-2003.

How did you come to join Entrance? I met Guy of Entrance in Chicago when Zwan was recording in 2002.

What’s your main bass? My favorite bass that I use the most is a Fender Precision bass from 1969. Blonde. I bought it in Chicago.

Have you a preference for active or passive electronics? No preference. I like both....what ever works really. I own a P bass with Active pick-ups which I use with APC and my 1969 is passive which I used for Zwan and many other recordings.

What type or brand of strings to you like best? It depends on weather if I am recording or playing live. But you will find me using Ernie Ball most.

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What is your backline bass amp setup? Mesa Boogie 400+. Best amps made today.

Do you use pedals/effects? Sometimes.

Do you play with your fingers, pick or both? Both, a .80 pick.

Have you played fretless bass? I have played fretless before and I was recently thinking of buying one. Rick Danko, one of my heroes, use to play one and he made it sound GREAT!

What exactly did you contribute to the movie Miami Vice? Michael Mann asked me to play violin on a few scenes.

How did you find working with Michael Mann? He is one of the great directors of today...he told me what he wanted me to do and I tried my best to do it. It was an honor to work with him.

You are a multi-instrumentalist Paz, do you have a big collection of instruments? A lot of my instruments got stolen recently. But I try to have as many as I need to play.

Of all your instruments, which one is ‘irreplaceable’ …and why? All of them, I guess. I tend to customize them to function in a way that can be irreplaceable. Most of my instruments are vintage. My violin for instance in from 1786.

Zwan had a very exciting line-up which included Billy Corgan and David Pajo…why was it so short-lived? Like any relationship, some last longer than others...but the music last as long as we listen to it.

What bands do you enjoy listening to? I love listening to the bands I play with.

What’s the last CD album that you bought? Neil Haggerty’s - Howling Hex - “All Night Fox”

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Who did you listen to as a young teenager? Sly, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd.

What was your best gig/venue ever? I think it was with Papa M. There were only about 10 people there in Jackson, Mississippi but the show was unforgettable!

Do you write/compose? Yes, I have written songs with A Perfect Circle and Billy Corgan. I made string arrangements with these bands and many other (Entrance, Vietnam, Queens Of The Stone Age, etc.

I have written the music for a Japanese featured film 'Hen', and collaborated on video game JAK 4.

If forming your ideal live band, what other instruments would you have with you onstage? Horns. But it really depends, don't you think. I like changing twisting mixing it up a bit. keeps it new. Gotta take the dust off the pillows, you know.....Bob Dylan is best at that.

If you could be taken to a concert anywhere on earth tonight, who would you want to see live? If he were alive - Woody Guthrie.

Do you have any pets? Yes, a Jack Russell Terrier named Harvey, like the big imaginary bunny!

What are your hobbies and interests outside of music? I don't really have much time outside of what I do. But the most important things I focus outside of music is family..... I love the beach, the mountains.... my home, my dog.

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Would you have one piece of worthwhile advice for someone who has just bought their first bass? Try to play with other musicians as much as possible.

What was your worst moment onstage? Never a bad moment when your on stage. That’s when everything is all right.

What other instrument would you most like to play? If it has strings….I wanna play it.

What was the best concert you were ever at? Tinariwen, San Diego, 2006.

Do you find singing while playing bass difficult? No.

Do you see the bass as a lead instrument? Sometimes.

Your music has taken you to many diverse places? Yes, I think the places I haven't played might be a shorter list. Lets just leave it as a whole bunch of places!

What were your impressions of Ireland when you played here? I don't recall where we played...I'm sorry to say... The unfortunate thing about travelling and touring in a job is that you don't get a chance to really see enough to have much of a strong impression about a place. Touring = eat, fly, eat, drive, eat, play, leave, sleep. (repeat.)*, sometimes it's minus one of the just mentioned. Taking that into consideration...Ireland was luscious - loads of green landscapes and loads of pubs.

Where would you most like your band to play? I have never played in Argentina, the country I was born in.

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Is there a bassist whose sound/technique you really like? Rick Danko of The Band.

What’s your opinion on basses with more than 4 strings? Not really my thing. But I’ve played one many times. I rather tune down my bass or play a baritone guitar.

If you had to part with all your possessions, except three, what would they be? I had to storm out of my house once…from a fire..I took my violin, bass and computer.

What are your ambitions, musically and personally? To be mom one day.

Thank you for granting BassGirls Web Magazine this exclusive interview. Paz Lenchantin's website can be accessed through our Links page - Ed.