Gavan discusses his experiences playing bass backing up several bands and the language of music created as musicians come together from various backgrounds.

And now… Chapter 1 | Expanding Language Boundaries

A few days prior to our interview, I went to Bell’s Brewery to observe Gavan playing bass for Mark Duval’s Two Track Mind. Gavan opened the show before Two Track Mind took the stage and played a few songs on guitar. For a little clip of Gavan’s performance click here.

For chapter three, I was allowed to observe a practice session ahead of a performance later that night in Kalamazoo, Mich. with musicians Seth Bernard and May Erlewine. Also at the practice was percussionist Mike Shimmin and bassist Andrew Kratzat.

During the practice, I recorded video and audio focusing attention on Bernard and Erlewine, a duo in a committed personal and creative relationship. Following the practice, we sat down for an interview.

I showed them portions of the video during their practice and had them describe their musical communication in their own words.

Jay Gavan, bassist for The Brothers Kalamazov and The Red Sea Pedestrians among several other musical projects, suggests that the longer a group of musicians play together, the easier and more dynamic a musical conversation can be.

The Brothers, by and large, only play together in a live setting. It is on stage that some songs are created and take shape. Gavan says the communication in the group is what makes this creative feat possible. He says this live musical conversation is also one of the most fun things he does musically.

Below is another preview of the Translating the Language of Music documentary news project here on Exploring Conversations. I will continue to post these pieces as the piece grows in an effort to open up the journalism process.

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Below is a video clip of Jay Gavan performing with Ira Cohen at Bell’s Brewery.

Gorman, who recently joined Who Hit John? examines how each band member contributes to the music conversation process and how songs take their shape.

Listen to other Compendiums