Nathan Azarcon: Bassist extraordinaire

The following interview was conducted by Joseph R. Atilano, an authority on popular music.

He is a musician whose name has a very strong recall among the general public - whether they have heard of any of his works among the premier bands he has been a key part of, or they just know that they “have heard that name before!” The familiarity of Nathan Azarcon’s name is for a good many reasons. Nathan Azarcon is a consummate musician with awards, mass recognition and high album sales to prove that. He is one of the most recognized and esteemed bass players in the country!

However, my curiosity now about him focuses on the things that came before his mainstream success and those in between phases of his professional career. My keen interest goes back to my childhood and specifically when Nathan was still part of Rivermaya. Listening to them made me aware that such great bands do exist and that realization helped me to remain focused and be on the look-out for quality local rock bands from then on. In fact, writing this piece reconnects me to my youth and my fond memories of just listening to my overplayed cassette tape of their second album Trip — which I brought along with me wherever I went, whether it was in school, in between trips and even vacations abroad — even though everyone else at that time was starting to listen to boy bands. Of that particular album, my favorite track was ‘Himala’, the part where the song was halfway near the end and I could begin to distinctly hear the bass work of Nathan permeate through the song. I consider that track to be not only a classic but also it can be fair to say, a masterpiece. The influence of their music goes deeper than that. When I was thinking of what instrument to learn first I ended up choosing the bass guitar because of how Nathan made it look cool and fun to learn. He kind of reminded me of Flea from the RHCP — and how Nathan would seamlessly pluck the bass strings thus, making him a popular bass player. Even the way he performs on stage — his bass technique — has become one of the most distinguishable from other bass players. Not because his technique is new; it is just how he is able to provide a steady fluid rhythm to any song. These are my keen observations of him as a bass player.

I hope this interview will answer questions that not I alone am seeking answers to but the readers as well, I am certain, are eager to know. The praises have been given; his achievements have been documented. And more notably, he has been part of some of the most successful and outstanding bands in OPM history — from the early ’90s with Rivermaya, to his critical work with Pinikpikan, with Kapatid, and with Bamboo the foremost band of the early-to-late 2000’s — and now, to Nathan being the lead vocalist and bassist of his own band Hijo. But in my eyes, he has achieved something far greater than longevity and a career spanning roughly two decades already. He has become an integral part of a group of local musicians who have helped bridge the gap between beloved and critically acclaimed bands from the ’90s to the 2000’s. Local musicians like Nathan Azarcon are a major asset to any band. Nathan can compose his own material, he can arrange and produce, and he has the excellent credentials that a majority of us bass players can only dream of attaining in our lifetime. With everything said, it is an honor to finally be able to write about and interview Nathan Azarcon because more than anything else, I am a fan.

Q. How old were you when you first picked up a bass guitar?

A. My parents gave me my first guitar when I was twelve. I would play with it and stuff but I didn’t take it seriously until I turned 14. A couple of months later I switched to the bass. I thought it was easier to learn… Ha ha ha.

Q. Were you self-taught or did you take up lessons?

A. Having musicians on both sides of the family, it was quite natural for us to be exposed at a young age. My education consisted of ten percent formal lessons, twenty percent of me teaching myself and seventy percent Jamming out. Jamming is by far the best and fastest way to learn.

Q. Was there a specific bass player who inspired you?

A. My kuya Neil would bring me to Red Rocks at Timog and Mayrics at España. My first influences were primarily Filipino musicians who played the underground circuit, namely Caloy Balcells, Dhang Torress, Zum Go, Jun Lazo, Eric Abella, the late Norman Belardo, Mally Andres, Louie Talan and the Paraguya brothers Mally and Bopip. I would go up to them and ask them about the bass, which artist they listened to and other stuff of similar concern. Later on I met Myeong Pacana, Jerry de Leon, Dave Harder and Rommel “barney” de la Cruz… These gentlemen further expanded my understanding of MY bass playing. I wouldn’t advise bass players to learn mainly from other bassists, I suggest they jam it out with guitar players, keyboardists, percussionists and drummers. Hooking up with Maestro Sammy Asuncion, Rene “chong” Tengasantos, Mar “mama” Dizon was an enlightening and pivotal period in my music education… Who I am today is a direct influence of the musicians I know, I lived and worked with over the years… inspiring me in the deepest, most personal way.

Q. Among all the bands you have been part of, creativity-wise, in which band did you feel you were able to “let loose” and feel like you attained a higher degree of artistry?

A. I am fortunate enough to have been given a free rein in most of the project I worked on. I don’t know if I attained a higher degree of artistry but I knew my place, whether as composer or “gun for hire”. You have to ask yourself before each project… am I the architect? the brick layer? or the painter? It is important to know one’s place.

Q. Among all the songs you have composed, which one is your favorite and why?

A. That is a tough question… I love all my songs but there are just some of them that do not represent my views now. Hahaha. Let’s leave it a that=)

Q. How different is it now being the lead vocalist of your own band Hijo and at the same time still playing the bass?

A. Like a fish out of water. I am still learning how to balance doing both without sacrificing one or the other. It is a challenge. But it’s also fun… Learning is fun.

Q. Among all the recognitions and awards you have received, which is the most meaningful for you?

A. Getting recognition for one’s work is good but it’s not something one should aspire to or wish for. I don’t mind getting awards. In fact I love receiving them. But it shouldn’t matter if you get another one or not… Music isn’t a contest.

Q. How do you want people to remember you?

A. “There he goes. One of god’s own prototypes, some kind of high powered mutant never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, Too rare to die.” — Hunter S. Thompson