{"id":852,"date":"2017-12-23T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-12-23T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2017\/2017\/12\/23\/trypnotyx-an-interview-with-victor-wooten\/"},"modified":"2017-12-23T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-12-23T00:00:00","slug":"trypnotyx-an-interview-with-victor-wooten","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.nysmusic.com\/2017\/2017\/12\/23\/trypnotyx-an-interview-with-victor-wooten\/","title":{"rendered":"Trypnotyx: An Interview with Victor Wooten"},"content":{"rendered":"

As I sat in Anthology<\/a> in Rochester, NY waiting for Victor Wooten to speak with me I had no idea what to expect. The crew setup the stage across the room to get everything ready for the upcoming soundcheck, but there was no sign of Victor. I sat and pondered how different the room would be in a few hours once it was filled up with enthused fans, and enjoyed the calm before the storm on the large, open dance floor. Victor walked in the front doors the same way I did, with a cup of coffee in his hand and a sigh of relief escaping the cold. Without hesitation he walked over to me, asked if I was conducting the interview, smiled and shook my hand as he introduced himself (as if I didn\u2019t know who he was).<\/p>\n

\"victorInterviewing Victor was less an \u201cinterview\u201d and more a conversation. When he spoke, his big brown eyes locked in with mine, and it truly felt like we were the only two in the room. He is a genuinely caring individual who\u2019s love for his craft and dedication to art was evident with every word he spoke. To him, music is about openness, letting go of your ego, and creating magic. He was ecstatic to speak about each project he was working on, and his passion for life and music is something he carries openly with him. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend a half hour sitting down one on one with a music legend of his stature. Below is our full conversation:<\/p>\n

Ryan Randazzo:<\/strong> You recently released a new album, Trypnotyx<\/a>, what inspired you to assemble this particular group of musicians to record this album?<\/p>\n

Victor Wooten<\/a>:<\/strong> I played with these two guys, together, with a jazz guitarist named Mike Stern. Immediately I knew I\u2019d love to do some of my own music with them, so the germ of the idea started years ago. With everyone\u2019s schedules, the time was now right to do it.<\/p>\n

RR:<\/strong> When you recorded this album what was the process like? Was it different from other projects you\u2019ve worked on or recording with the Flecktones?<\/p>\n

VW:<\/strong> A little bit different from the Flecktones, but very similar to recording my own records. A lot of it is me in the studio by myself working on ideas, then sending them to the other guys to add things to or see what they think. Bob Franceschini, the saxophone player, was doing the same thing; he was coming up with ideas as well. With the Flecktones, we do a lot in the studio together, but because of Bob and Dennis Chamber\u2019s schedules, a lot of it was separately done. Mostly the writing, then we would get together and get parts recorded.<\/p>\n

RR:<\/strong> It sounds like technology has made it a lot easier to get things done.<\/p>\n

VW:<\/strong> Absolutely. Technology is amazing these days. I would say even more than not, records are done separately. At least for me, it\u2019s rare that I\u2019m in the studio with the whole band.<\/p>\n

\"victorRR:<\/strong> Do you prefer recording separately?<\/p>\n

VW:<\/strong> In many cases yes because then I can record on my own terms in my own studio. I can go up and have dinner with my kids then go back down to the studio. Also, I can take my time getting my parts together rather than having to work on someone else\u2019s stuff, but I like both. There\u2019s nothing like having other people in the studio to collaborate with.<\/p>\n

RR:<\/strong> Playing with the trio requires you to fill a lot more space. Do you prefer playing with the trio or a bigger band, and what are some of the differences you\u2019ve noticed as a bass player?<\/p>\n

VW:<\/strong> I\u2019m lucky to play in many different situations. I like them all. When the band is bigger I have to do less, which is nice. With a trio like this, and there\u2019s no chordal instrument, I have to do more like playing chords and melodies, but the challenge here is to not feel like I have to fill up all the space. Space is beautiful and it\u2019s easy to go \u201coh it\u2019s a trio, I better play more.\u201d Sometimes it\u2019s playing less that allows the trio to sound its best, so it\u2019s a challenge.<\/p>\n