"Joe Dart shares insights on his swift studio techniques, noting the challenge of playing his most difficult bassline live as a Dean Town performance requires him to stay sharp – with Vulfpeck admirers able to croon each bassline note effortlessly."
Joe Dart and Vulfpeck: A Musical Journey Focused on Groove
In the world of modern funk, Joe Dart and his band Vulfpeck stand out as a testament to the power of creativity, improvisation, and a deep-rooted respect for the great rhythm sections of the past.
Born and raised with a bass guitar in his hands since the tender age of eight, Dart's musical journey began in earnest at Michigan University, where he met Jack Stratton, Theo Katzman, and Woody Goss. Together, they formed Vulfpeck with the intention of paying homage to the groove-centric music of yesteryears while pushing the boundaries of contemporary funk.
Dart, who feels a responsibility to hold down the groove and lay down the foundation for the rest of the band, grew up replicating the playing styles of legends like Flea, Pino Palladino, Bernard Edwards, and the left hand of Stevie Wonder. Palladino, in particular, is Dart's favorite pure-tone player.
The band's unique approach to music-making involves significant improvisation, where instruments and vocals are stacked spontaneously to find new contexts and parts for each track. This process emphasizes creativity and experimentation directly within the studio environment, producing music that is fresh and vibrant.
Vulpeck's strong online presence and high-energy shows have contributed to their success and popularity. Their records, all of which feature the first time the songs were ever played by the band, are a testament to their impromptu writing and recording process.
One of their most popular tracks, "Dean Town," requires a mind-over-matter approach during live performances for Dart. Playing it keeps his chops up and elicits a unique response from the crowd, who often sing his bassline along with him note-for-note.
Dart prefers a bass tone that is punchy, has midrange growl, and a bit of bite. His favorite bass tone, however, is Bernard Edwards' on the Chic records.
When it comes to his approach to bass playing, Dart focuses on time, groove, and playing like a drummer. He works on speed, dexterity, and stamina in his practice sessions. He does not send around demos, write anything down, or compose music for long periods when recording with Vulpeck. Instead, within a few minutes of playing an idea, Vulpeck records the track multiple times.
Their music is often recorded during impromptu writing sessions in someone's living room or porch, reflecting the band's commitment to capturing the raw energy and creativity of their music-making process. This approach, combined with their love for groove and their respect for musical legends, has earned Vulfpeck a place in the hearts of funk music lovers worldwide.
- Joe Dart, while paying homage to the great bass guitar players like Flea, Pino Palladino, Bernard Edwards, and Stevie Wonder's left hand, uses a bass guitar tone that is punchy with a midrange growl and a bit of bite.
- Vulfpeck, during their music-making process, heavily relies on techniques of improvisation, where multiple instruments and vocals are stacked spontaneously to find new contexts and parts for each track.
- In their live performances, Joe Dart plays "Dean Town" with a mind-over-matter approach, a track that not only keeps his chops up but also elicits a unique response from the crowd, who often sing his bassline along with him note-for-note.
