Mailbag #1, 11-20-25
I don’t get a ton of fan mail, but I do get some. And I am always so appreciative of it! It’s so cool when anyone takes time out of their lives to spread a kind word, ask a question, or offer a moment of connection. I’m a solo musician, so I often feel very alone.
So I was really excited to do a mailbag post. Thank you so much for your questions and kind words! I’ll be doing this periodically, so feel free to email me any questions, no matter how deranged. basseverynight@gmail.com is the place! So let’s get to it…
Q: I just started learning the bass and was wondering did you take lessons? Or are you self taught?
-Jamal, Atlanta
A: Congrats on starting your bass journey! It’s a very fun instrument and when you stick with it for a while, you will learn so much about yourself.
I was very lucky to have a brilliant teacher named Rob Schaefer when I started and took lessons with him for a few years. He definitely taught me a lot about the technical aspects of playing, but I was blessed because he really helped show me all the important stuff (what music does, what does it mean to play the bass, not just how etc). He was the best teacher I’ve ever had across any subject, and I still look up to him as a role model. Rob really showed me the “why” of playing music, which I think can be tricky to learn sometimes when we take lessons. As a society, I think we are really focusing on the “how.” And that can get in the way a lot of the time of whatever is it we are actually trying to do with our lives.
Q: What is going inside of your head when you perform? And when will you come to Belgium?
-Gabriel, Belgium
A: Hopefully I’ll be back in Belgium soon! I haven’t played there since 2019 and it was so fun. Your botanical gardens are beautiful!
What goes on inside my head…this is a great question that is difficult to answer because it changes a lot. When I play my best, I’m not really thinking so much as I am listening and without judgement. When I’m not doing my best, there is some self criticism there. A lot of times, of course, I’m thinking about the compositional aspects of music (oh let me try this. What if I voiced the chord this way instead of that etc). A lot of the time I am just thanking God that this is what I’m doing with my mind and body. Sometimes I’m just trying to breathe, or I’m thinking about how the audience has worked hard and maybe I can give them some moments of small pleasure. Sometimes I’m thinking about the 2011 Dallas Mavericks. The mind will take you all around the universe and back in a matter of moments. I try my best to work with it, not against it.
Q: If you could go back in time, would you choose another career?
-Hannah, Texas
A: I probably would pick another career, but only because I already know how this path goes! But I think if I picked something else, I wouldn’t be this Benny. And I like this guy! I’m very happy with my choice in life even if my parents don’t think this is a “real” job haha! Music generally isn’t an amazing job, financially. I’ve been very lucky in that regard. But it does give me more time and space to create a balanced life. Having the energy to focus on my health, friendships, my dog, etc…ultimately this is what’s important to me. And I know so many people with great jobs who haven’t seen the world like I have. Shit maybe I would choose this path again!
Q: What made you choose to play the bass?
-Saucegod, Guadalajara
A: I love this question because it feels like such a good way for people to understand almost everything about me. I was a huge fan of listening to music and knew that I wanted to be a part of that world. Every kid my age was buying a guitar and I always zag when others zig; so I said “I want to play the bass!”
And then the reason I stuck with it…once I learned what the bass does (it supports the music and other instruments. It is there to make everything feel better), that was a huge moment for me. All I’ve ever wanted to do in this life is support the people in my life and the things that I care about. I may have chosen the bass initially out of my desire to be different, but I choose it every day because I believe that supporting things and people is my favorite thing to do in this world.
Ps: You are really are the Saucegod! :)
Q: How do you continue to feel the joy for playing music when your life becomes quite difficult?
-Katarzyna, Poland
A: I think when we love something, or someone, we owe it to that person or thing to hold it in love through good times, bad times, and all times. For whatever reason, I feel a real sense of duty towards playing my instrument and expressing my unique gifts. If I’m ever really struggling with this, I do my best to get creative. I take a walk, watch a film, listen to music that really gets me going etc. It’s okay to struggle with life and with music. In fact, it is normal, and the struggle just means we are trying our hardest!
By far the best thing I can do when life gets heavy is to hold this present moment with as much non-judgmental awareness as I can. Our lives are an adventure, and any good adventure isn’t just smooth sailing. But I believe deeply in my ability to handle the heaviness with a sense of resilience, grace, and humor!
Q: Olá Benny! What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself this year that surprised you?
-Catarina, Portugal
A: I am always learning so many things, I feel like life is new every day sometimes. But I learned how to cook pretty well this year and I’m surprised by how much I enjoy it! Also I learned that if you drink 4 glasses of Port and put on a Van Morrison, you will cry and smile at the same time.
Q: I love your music so much. It often feels cinematic. If a director could score an entire film with your catalog, who would you want it to be and why?”
-Marek, Prague
A: I love this question!! Thanks for asking it. I go in and out of being a movie obsessive so I have actually thought about this quite a lot. I think my music would be a perfect score for a Jim Jarmusch film (I actually think about “Permanent Vacation” and “Stranger Than Paradise” a lot when I am composing). I think what I do is quite minimalist and idiosyncratic, which I think would compliment the tone of his style pretty well.
Q: I think about the night we shut it down at The Saint all the time! You are the best bad dancer I know. When are you coming back to New Orleans?
-Jasmine, New Orleans
A: hahaha! That was some of the most fun I’ve ever had. That hangover was so emotional (there’s nothing like being hungover in New Orleans!). I hope to book some gigs out there soon! It’s the best place in the USA to be a musician, without a doubt. Also, don’t publicly hate on my dance moves? I’m premium and I think you know it.
Q: Are you one of those Americans that pretends to understand football (you call it soccer) strategy?
Camila, Bogotá
A: LOL definitely not. I’m not really a strategy guy in general. I root off vibes*.
Q: What’s your hottest sandwich take?
Andy, Milwaukee
A: I am always more satisfied with an open face sammy, but I never really want to eat one. Banana peppers are also an elite topping. Is that hot enough for ya? Also those sanduiches in Pittsburgh with the French fries totally rip.
Q: Do you ever think about writing anything with a longer format like a script or a whole book, or do you have that out and I am unaware?
Father Nature, Georgia
A: I don’t have any books out, but hope to do a poetry collection soon once I feel good enough about myself haha. Writing longer things is so challenging. I’ve started a few novels but have give up each time. My inner critic gets really noisy the longer I spend with a project. I am hopeful this will change one day though. Also can I say…what an honor to get a question from Father Nature, himself!
Q: How do you stay grounded? We love your music in Kyoto!
Yuki, Japan
A: Thank you! Playing in Japan was some of the best times of my life. I have so many strategies to stay grounded, but I think reminding myself to stay present is the most effective. If we are paying attention to whatever is actually happening, then everything feels okay, even pain and sadness. It’s natural to be in the future or past, but our spirit craves the moment. When we reward our spirit with this focus, our soul smiles bright!
