Evan Marien wears many musical hats.
He is a producer, bass player and multi-instrumentalist raised in Illinois and living in Brooklyn. His bass playing and body of musical work have been featured in numerous industry publications including:
- Downbeat,
- Bass Guitar UK,
- Bass Player Magazine US,
- Bass Guitar Japan and many more.
Marien attended and graduated from Berklee College of Music at the age of 23 and in the same year was awarded Bass Player Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards and voted as one of the top three Most Exciting New Players in the world.
As of 2014, Marien has released 3 solo albums: Between Worlds (Art of Life Records 2009) featuring David Fiuczynski, Here We Are (2011) an EP featuring Iakov Kremenskiy, Louis Cato and Dana Hawkins, and recently a Evan Marien x Dana Hawkins live EP called Collection (2013).
Known well for his versatility he has recorded or performed with a staggering list of names, some of which are Grammy-award-winning musicians like Jack DeJohnette and Terri Lynn Carrington.
In addition to his solo work and work with Even Marien x Dana Hawkins, Marien also writes and produces as one half of Baby Raptors with vocalist Tora, an EDM pop group based in New York.
Marien is also credited for production and remix with Dirtondirt.com, Tango Espejo, The Karma Exchange, Jesse Fischer and Soul Cycle and more.
Evan is an Artist Endorser for Markbass amps and effects, Pigtronix pedals, Source Audio EFX pedals, Ken Smith basses, Campbell American basses, GHS strings and Mono Cases.
I had a chance to reach out by email to Evan to learn about the man behind the gear, how he plays and much more.
Brooklyn, New York
Evan Marien x Dana Hawkins and solo work
Innovative
I use Markbass amps, Ken Smith and Campbell American basses, GHS strings custom set 30-120, Pigtronix and Source Audio pedals. I’m working on new music using a Martin acoustic guitar, an Emu SP1200 and my Fender Rhodes. My favorite piece of gear is probably the Sp1200 (check out a sample of it in action!)
My family is the most important thing in my life.
My practice space is my recording studio that I have in Brooklyn. It’s basically filled top to bottom with all sorts of gear, a real mess!What album are you currently listening to?
Currently listening to the Criteria sessions, the new Jaco release.
What book are you currently reading?
I’m reading a book called Assholes: A Study. It’s a psychological analysis of assholes. Pretty interesting!
I’d love to see ____ answer these questions.
Steve Jenkins also lives in NY and has a unique perspective on bass, music and life.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Give it purpose”.
Check out this performance from Evan Marien x Dana Hawkins’s “The Eldridge”:
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