Charles Adams

I think it was Brian Lawrence who gave me Jason Adams e-mail address in 2003 - eventually after a long time, we got to speak to each other and I found that Jason's first name is actually Charles. Anyway, we had a conversation in February 2006 and this is what Charles told me. 

How long have you been playing Charles?   

I started playing guitar about 6 years ago and bass 4 years ago 

How did you get started? 

I was teaching myself classical guitar when my brother - who also taught me most of what I know - asked if I couldn't help him out by playing bass in his band.   

So do you guys come from a musical family?  

Not in the sense that any of my parents were musicians but, in terms of music appreciation they were both avid music lovers. For example; my dad has the entire Bob Dylan collection on 3 different formats of recordings. 

What's your favourite band / solo artist?   

No favourites, I listen to sounds and don't particularly take too much of an interest in who's making them. I really like the sound of the bass on the Cinematic Orchestra album and also some of Jaco's work.  

What are the amps and instruments you currently use?   

I sadly do not have an amp of my own, but I've a six-string Ibanez BTB series (a cheap one). Just had to get a six string.  

Do you think you'll eventually get into playing fretless?  

I don't think so, simply because I don’t think that I will ever be able to dedicate the amount of time required to master it. Also, my love is for the sound and I am more interested in experimenting with different effects and producing unusual sounds.  

What instruments would you like to have if money were no object?   

Not very clued up on different instruments but definitely a Trace Elliot amp, Yamaha six string and an effects pod.  

What have you been doing for the last five years or so?   

I've played only with this current band called Supadan, which is a hip-hop band, for the last three years and before that played with my brother - who wrote all of Supadan's material - in his band (mostly jazz)   

Could you tell us a little bit about Supadan please  

Well, we've just disbanded * sadly - but some of us are looking to get together and start something new. Supadan was fundamentally a hip-hop band and used a fusion of laid-back jazz, funk, rock as the backbone to bring across it's message. We released a maxi-single last year called “Take a walk with me” which did well on our local radio station but no-where else unfortunately. Also, the marketing side of things was not great 'cause we opted to do everything ourselves and it just wasn't very successful.    

What recordings that you've played on would you recommend for listening?   

Definitely "Adhering to the space between air molecules". It was just something that myself and my brother spontaneously recorded at a friend's place where there is a simple drum loop, two layers of bass, one of lead guitar and no boundaries.   

Is this album available in the cd stores?  

No, even our single “Take a walk with me” is not yet available in stores due to lack of planning. The recordings that my brother and myself did were at a friend's house on his PC and was never intended to be sold or anything like that.  

What's been the low point in your career so far?   

I certainly do not have a career as a musician but in terms of my involvement with music; the past year probably, because there has been very little development in my playing, but that's something that can and will be taken care of.  

We've all been there at sometime or other. So what has been the high point?   

Playing at a club one time, myself brother and drummer; we simply left the little people there either spellbound or just confused. It was the one time that I felt that I was expressing myself with this instrument, that what we were doing had nothing to do with what I've heard others before me do.   

What are your goals currently?  

To develop Supadan's music to the level where it can be appreciated by thousands of people. Also, to improve my playing and pursue that ideal goal of creating the sounds that seem to be coming from somewhere beyond the scope of our consciousness.  

What do you do when you're not playing music?  

I'm currently a student at UWC doing my first year B.com.