Volume 4 FULL EP (Early Access)
Added 2024-11-05 20:17:48 +0000 UTCHey everyone!
We are beyond thrilled for you all to finally hear what we've done with this EP .. We figured that since the whole EP is gonna be releasing next Friday anyway on streaming services, we might as well show it to our beloved Patrons few days ahead of time π
That being said, we present to you all: May the Bass Be With You, Vol. 4 (AUDIO Early Access) π₯
You can find the full EP here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14XWU4MbCvxbcCUClsIBfRxIrnKnj17q-?usp=drive_link
Stay tuned for early access to the first music video TOMORROW!
We hope you enjoy, and may the BASS be with you all ππΌ
- The Boys
CREDITS:
1- Valhalla Calling
Featuring: Danny "Big Brev" Brevik
Arrangement: Tomi P
Metal Instrumental: JiΕΓ PavlaΔka
Mixing: Ed Boyer
Mastering: Bill Hare
Video: Marwan Ayman
2- Rains of Castamere
Featuring: Ally The Piper (Bagpipes)
Featuring: Jonathan H. Warren (Violin)
Arrangement: Isaiah Carter
Drums/Instrumental: Isaiah Carter
Mixing: Ed Boyer
Mastering: Bill Hare
Video: Ryan Tang
3- My Mother Told Me
Featuring: Eric Hollaway
Arrangement: Peter Barber
Mixing: Peter Barber
Mastering: Bill Hare
Video: Marwan Ayman
4- The Dragonborn Comes
Featuring: Vinny Marchi
Arrangement: Marwan Ayman
Live Strings: Severn Duo
Mixing: Ed Boyer
Mastering: Bill Hare
Video: Marwan Ayman
Comments
I really appreciate your replies. I can understand that you want to take a risk and branch out, and kudos for you all doing so, and doing so very well. It was just so unexpected, and on all 4 songs too. It was a shock to the system, well to my system at least. I also understand that you could be limited in using voices only, but that's what made you all so special to me in that you were able to overcome a lot of those limitations just using your voices. My personal preference for what would be considered acapella (or acapella lite) is the fewer the instruments the better, no instruments the best. I do realize that these were not the first songs done with instruments. In some of those songs the percussion for example was not too noticable or was mixed in so that I could almost envision that it was done vocally (If I Had a Heart for example, one of my favorites along with Yellow Flicker Beat and Arabian Nights). Even some of the lighter strings or synths could almost have been Tomi and/or Peter on other songs. But those were more subtle and in the background. For the majority of the songs on this EP, the instruments are very front and center and the voices seem to be drowned out in the background. To be fair, it's difficult for a bagpipe (which I do like) to be anything but front and center, and I believe that is an instrument that would be very difficult to replicate with voice only. As I said in the beginning, these were great songs done well, just with too many instruments for me personally. To respond to a point made by Peter (and this is in no way a dig at Peter so please don't be offended), I am 56, not a trained vocalist or musician, and starting to lose the range of hearing that I once used to have, so in my case the instruments unfortunately do drown out the vocals moreso than it may for others. As far as the future goes, if this is the style you go with completely, I wish you the best. I would be disappointed, but I would still listen and hit the thumbs up to support you, you definitely deserve that for all the talent you have. I still think you would be like other cover groups, but with a "gimmick" of being bases with unbelievable ranges. If you go back to the pure Acapella style you started with, I would love it, but you would be limited as you say. A mix of styles, from original (pure acapella), new (instrument heavy), and in-between (light instruments) would be more (I can't think of a different word to describe it) pleasurable. Regardless, I am just one person with my own preferences and opinions. In reading the other comments it is obvious that most people really enjoy the new style. Regardless of what you do, I am proud of how much you all have grown as performers so far, and there is definitely no limit for you 4 in what you can achieve. I really appreciate your responses and I hope I have been able to clarify and explain my thoughts and position in this. Thank you.
Keith Rodman
2024-11-07 08:04:03 +0000 UTCAbsolutely INCREDIBLE!! You guys never disappoint!! I love them all!! π₯° You guys are all insanely talented!!
Taya Layne
2024-11-06 23:14:58 +0000 UTCGlad you enjoyed it, Gary! β€οΈ
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 21:40:11 +0000 UTCThese. Are. FIRE. Just finished listening to them for the first time.
Gary Henderson
2024-11-06 20:11:14 +0000 UTCHi Keith, I just wanted to chime in and piggy-back off the previous message. I totally understand that this EP might not be in your wheelhouse if you joined us purely for acapella music. However, the essence of the group remains fully intact, and the roots still firmly in vocal music. The Bass Gang will never be like "every other cover group out there" -- these songs, although not acapella, have never been done this way before. There's never been a group of bass singers (that still adopt the heavy vocal layering as we always have) who also feature a metal band, an 11-piece orchestra, bagpipers, etc., and demonstrate numerous vocal techniques, and a near-limitless vocal range. I agree that the voices are difficult to hear at times, but to my ear, only during Valhalla Calling -- I find the harmonies and voices to be quite clear and intelligible throughout the rest of the EP. As much as I love acapella, it's extremely limiting as far as what we can do -- even the best in the world cannot get close to creating the sounds we've created with this EP. These arrangements are just as big and complex as they've ever been, but augmented with world-class musicians outside the vocal world. I think it's the most incredible blend of the vocal arranging we've done in the past, with a major expansion for our horizons and what's possible for TBG going forward. It's worth adding that we've been making non-acapella music since 2022 with "Mad World," and continued shortly thereafter with "Bones" -- this EP simply features instruments more heavily than we've done in the past. Again, I understand your disappointment, but we so grateful for all the support you've given us over the years -- I would hate to see a fan leave without offering a full explanation for what we've done with Volume 4. All the best, Peter
Peter Barber
2024-11-06 15:34:36 +0000 UTCGlad you liked it, Sophie! β€οΈ
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 12:35:46 +0000 UTCAll I can say is that this is absolutely amazing!! The Bass tickled my brain π
Sophie Parker
2024-11-06 12:19:44 +0000 UTCThank Tonia! β€οΈ
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 10:03:37 +0000 UTCThank you so much for your kind words! We really appreciate it β€οΈ
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 10:03:27 +0000 UTCWe're glad you enjoyed it, Karolin. Thank you! π Vinny was PERFECT for Dragonborn π₯
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 10:02:56 +0000 UTCThanks Amanda! We're so glad you liked it β€οΈ Definitely a pretty epic line-up of collaborators ππ»
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 10:01:57 +0000 UTCThanks Melody! We're glad you liked it β€οΈ Isaiah is PHENOMENAL! We definitely see ourselves working with him again in the future. π₯ We usually get him to step in when we're a bit tight on time to arrange or when one of us is busy with something else (This time around, Bobby was on tour with The Wellermen, so we had Isaiah arrange Rains of Castamere!)
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 10:01:01 +0000 UTCThanks Lisa! We're so glad you enjoyed it. We love you too! β€οΈ
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 09:57:25 +0000 UTCThanks Norah! β€
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 09:56:46 +0000 UTCHey Keith! We totally understand where you're coming from, and we're sorry you feel that way .. We're definitely still an Acapella group at heart! But for this EP specifically we decided to take the risk and branch out a little, and see how the fans respond π It can't be The Bass Gang without crazy harmonies and complex arrangements (which you're still gonna get A LOT of!), but it doesn't hurt to branch out every now and then ππ» We hope that with time, this EP can grow on you a little! It definitely still has the main essence of TBG with the crazy vocal arrangements and harmonies but only with some instrumental accompaniment.
The Bass Gang
2024-11-06 09:56:40 +0000 UTCSpeechless. Don't know what to say. Great songs, well done, if you're into this new instrument heavy style. So it breaks my heart to say that I am disappointed in the direction the group is going. It was hard to hear and appreciate the voices with all the (in my opinion) unneeded, unnecessary, overpowering and distracting instruments. What I loved and what made me become a patreon member was the outstanding way they used their voices to create full sounds without instruments, pure Acapella. You could listen and pick out who was doing what part and really appreciate the complexity of the arrangement and performance, and the skills needed to achieve that. Now, with this release, they've become like every other cover group out there. I'm very disappointed indeed.π
Keith Rodman
2024-11-06 05:51:46 +0000 UTCImmensely satisfying
Norah
2024-11-06 03:04:04 +0000 UTCBrilliant!!! π Glad we got a bit of A Cappella in there. The instruments definitely add a new color to the songs! Thanks for the Viking theme! LOVE IT!!! πππ canβt wait for the videos but I will definitely be streaming them as soon as they are released!!!!! Love you guys! π
Lisa Kettlewell
2024-11-06 00:32:48 +0000 UTCSo stunning, and so much more than before. Will Mr. Carter be a frequent arranger going forward? He writes beautifully for your voices!
Melody Hesse
2024-11-05 23:07:21 +0000 UTCWow! These are great! I love that you incorporated so many different collaborators! I think my favorite is Valhalla Calling, but I may change my mind as I listen more lol! Thanks for dropping these to us early!!!
Amanda Nott
2024-11-05 22:44:34 +0000 UTCHow amazing wasn't this! Fantastic work on this album. Im so excited for the videos and see you go all in Viking! Just brilliant to get Vinny to work with you on Dragonborn... it should not be no other than him. Congrats to fantastic album 4!!!
Karolin NordstrΓΆm
2024-11-05 22:43:12 +0000 UTCI love these. Itβs one of my favorite things, for artists to so obviously retain the core of themselves while soaring in new directions. This is like nothing youβve done, but is absolutely something only you four (plus friends) *could* have done. Bravo, congratulations, π
NurgleTWH
2024-11-05 22:17:07 +0000 UTCWhoo hoo!!! How exciting!!! Mahalo nui, guys!! Bless up, everyone!!!
Tonia Richardson
2024-11-05 21:34:19 +0000 UTCSo excited for the videos. At least the cover art makes sense now π
Laila Finderup Brauer
2024-11-05 21:07:37 +0000 UTCThanks Danielle! So glad you liked it. β€οΈ We've been getting lots of requests for Dragonborn so we figured it's time ππ»
The Bass Gang
2024-11-05 21:03:04 +0000 UTCThanks, Brianne!
The Bass Gang
2024-11-05 21:02:18 +0000 UTCThanks Diane! We're so glad you enjoyed it ππΌβ€οΈ
The Bass Gang
2024-11-05 21:02:10 +0000 UTCThanks Laila! We're glad you enjoyed β€οΈ It's actually one Music Video every week on YouTube! As for streaming services, the full EP will be released at once this Friday, since we can't schedule weekly releases on streaming services like that haha
The Bass Gang
2024-11-05 21:01:54 +0000 UTCAmazing! What a collection of great songs put forth by such powerful singers. I do like that you got Eric to participate; his voice is so recognizable. Congrats. Bass Gang, for volume 4! Looking forward to the videos.
Dianne Antos
2024-11-05 20:53:55 +0000 UTCAbsolutely brilliant. I did not see it coming with the metal version of Valhalla Calling, but it was awesome. Rains of Castamere is just beautiful β€οΈ Without having checked, I guessed that Peter was responsible for My Mother Told Me. Those beats are unmistakable π But very cool. I loved The Dragon born Comes. Similar to Voiceplay's version and yet very different. All in all, well done guys. I cannot wait to hear the songs while seeing the videos as well. Also, I thought you would release one song per week? π€
Laila Finderup Brauer
2024-11-05 20:48:09 +0000 UTCFantastic work as always! ππ»π€
Brianne Partington
2024-11-05 20:39:30 +0000 UTCI was so hoping for a Skyrim one! You guys delivered! The vocals and bass drops were surprising (in an epic way!) and I was floored listening to it. Amazing job as always!
Danielle VanDyke
2024-11-05 20:28:07 +0000 UTC
