Errick Lewis And The Vibe Project--Jazz and Hip-Hop That Teaches All Players

Errick Lewis is a Bottom-Feeder who I said I'll be featuring. Before that I decided to look for any promo and videos. I found a jam session Errick was doing I assume in Portland Oregon. EL has played with if you read my last piece on Errick with Jay-Z,Tony Ozier ex-Detroit artist and Snoop Dogg to boot. Hip-Hop, Funk and Jazz seems to be the blend that Errick seems to gravitate toward.

As well Errick shines even though he's the bass player. Who thought a bottom-feeder would be the center-piece.Errick also plays top of the line custom made Basses by Minnie-Weather and MTD. Errick's amp rig is mainly Epifani,and his strings are DR. The Vibe project has new material out and I've reviewed a couple tunes that just fuckin' blow me away for the most part. And yes I even heavily criticize his material, even though he's basically a virtuoso bottom-feeder.

 There is a special guest who'll be a bottom-feeder on Errick's new album. Errick said who it would be but he didn't say it was alright to say who it is. Believe me it's a well known bass player. Errick knows how to literally teach a clinic even when he's doing a simple jam session. he plays simply, yet it seems complicated in a way that old blues guys played. if you look at some of his videos you can see how Errick plays.

 In the next week or so I'll have more on EL on the site.If you live out Portland Oregon way look for Errick Lewis and The Vibe Project. I'll have a review, interview and another bio on Errick....

Look for Errick at: http://erricklewis.com

Errick Lewis On Endorsement Deals And How It Can Help Your Career

By Mark Grove

Errick Lewis is a well known Oregon based Bass session player who has made a name for himself doing sessions for top artists and doing endorsement deals with some of music's top equipment makers like Epifani Amps and Pavel bass guitars.

EL has also latched onto gigs with artists like Snoop,Jay-Z and Lauryn Hill. Before Eric's deals with Epifani and Pavel, he worked with Fender and MTD Bass Guitars.

Errick has been able to capitalize on opportunities by being a consummate original indie bass bottom feeder who gives artists what they want, yet inject a dose of his own style on bass to the mix.

All of this connects to procuring endorsement deals with music equipment companies. Making the deal work for the companies guitars,amps,stomps or what ever it is, is what's at issue--not "free shit".

There has to be a fit there. Eric has molded his career and bass playing style so he was able to be an indie musician that controls his career, and not be controlled by management, a label or an endorsement deal.

You'll find out in this interview with Errick on how to approach a music company and help them, not the other way around.

This Video Is Of Errick Lewis Jammin' Away. Very Short video with
very tight playing.





The Errick Lewis Take On Doing Endorsement Deals The Right Way


MG: This is a typical want of Players thinking, "Yeah Free Axes and Rigs".
Should you get that out of your mind and think, what can I do for the Axe or rig maker?


EL: yeah, completely take that out of your mind and think how can I help the company promote themselves and myself as well.





MG:Do you have any ideas on how to promote your band through an endorsement deal, yet focus on the equipment makers wants?

EL: Taking certain photos of your band with the endorser's or the name of your band.


MG: Is it important to understand all aspects of an endorsement deal so you're doing what they want, yet not chaining yourself to a deal that you get absolutely nothing from?


EL: yeah, every endorsement deals should be beneficial for both parties, whether its promotions of gear.



MG: How long should you use a product before approaching a company for an endorsement deal?

Example: Your deal with Minnieweather Basses

EL: its not about using the product, its about finding out about the product and what the benefits of the products are, so basically, which product has the best quality.



MG:Was a demo with your Bass playing being upfront in the demo on each track?

EL: Everything that I play when Im playing, whether its a demo, a single track or a whole album, is me giving 100% and being upfront with my sound and my approach to music



MG: For other players out there is playing regular gigs and having a strong rep as a player helpful in getting a deal?

EL: Yes, the more people who know about you, the easier it is for the company to find out information about you without you having to tell them.



MG: Last question Errick. Should players who just play locally try to test local guitar and rig makers. Not just to get free equipment, but help the makers promote their wares and buy their equipment if they like it?



EL: yes, your local companies just may be the ones that help take you to the next level, and also, you have more of a personal relationship because you can just "drop in".


For more info on Errick Lewis and how to contact him about endorsement deals or playing bass, go to...

erricklewis@gmail.com

http://www.myspace.com/truthbass

Cell:(503)839-3921

Errick Lewis Bass Player and Session Man Who You Can learn From To Take Your Music To new Heights

This is an important repost of an influential player who I will be featuring again very soon. I hope to create value for musicians with this interview. Errick has sessioned with many top players and helps musicians immensely.


Errick is known as a Bass Axeman with a focus on being a session player's session player. Errick has been in the music game a short time in 12 to 13 years, yet has made an impact most Bass players would love to have been a part of.

His focus has been mainly on hip-hop and gospel based music recently, and has earned the opportunity to do sessions and tour work with some of the game's more well known artists such as Snoop Dogg,Lauryn Hill and tour and production sessions with Jay-Z. Errick seems to be able to challenge himself without knowing the material and capitalizing on that by just killing it!

If that's not enough, EL has his own indie-solo gig (Eric Lewis and the Vibe Project) in which he writes and plays all tracks. These tracks are a good mix of jazz with a funk and soul groove all EL's own.

http://www.myspace.com/truth_bass This is Errick's site with all sorts of material on his career as a bottom feeder and his production company.

So I asked Errick one question on Session work and what he does when going in.

MG: When you set up for a session regardless if it's a whole album or one track, is the combo of proper equipment set up and learning the material beforehand more important than just going in "cold" and getting the feel for the material?

Kind of like doing cold readings in a play or film?

EL: Yeah Mark, it's a combination of both and it's good to learn the tracks, but the setup is more important because 90% of the time I don't get the music until I get in the studio. What I normally do is bring my rig to all sessions and I use an Epifani 902c amp to stay in the groove and pocket and in a signature tone all my own as part of the artist's package in a session.

EL is also doing a lot of work as a producer and assisting musicians who are just developing their story and act. And like I said before, Errick is an accomplished bottom feeder/producer who has been in music a short time.

As well has been recognized by everyone from music equipment companies like Epifani and D'addario to top Bass players like G Rock from Detroit's Gorilla Funk Mob, one of the east coast's top backing bands around.


Another thing I'm finding with Errick as well is his attention to and importance he places on helping other musicians as a producer,teacher and showing them the importance of using marketing on-line and off-line to use as a tool to help develop a fan base and their careers. Like I keep saying to musicians, look for off the beaten ways to market and make money.

Errick does this and more while a lot of blues and rock guys don't understand it or feel the need for it. Just a little rant there. This outsider knows how to market like a ninja bottom-feeder and keeps on thumpin' away.

Errick's Bottom-Feeder Rig:

I will have Eric's guitar,amp,strings and effects lineup in a day or so. So if you want to learn from a real Ninja Bass Warrior teacher on your bottom feeding rig and tunes, look no further than EL himself.

Here's EL's rig that he cuts those amazing Bottom-Feeder Thumps and grooves on:


Bass Axe: 6 String Pavel Bass
5 String MTD Jazz Bass
Amp: Epifani 902c
Cab: 2 Epifani PS-410 Cabinets


Look for further articles on Errick soon and look at his site at:

http://www.myspace.com/truth_bass


or email Errick at: erricklewis@gmail.com