Kyle Vock | Upright Bass | The Mighty High and Dry
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Kyle Vock - Upright Bass - The Mighty High and Dry, The Rita Collective + Steve Grills and the Roadmasters.
"My favorite instrument is my upright bass. My parents bought it online for me when I was 18. It is a relatively cheap chinese plywood bass with no maker name inside. I had a guy down in the Hudson Valley who worked on Mingus’ bass do some work on it, including putting a new fingerboard on. I Love this instrument because it's all I’ve known or played since I was 18. It is a material reminder of all the moments I’ve spent searching and learning in music and life.A few years ago I was on a mini tour with friends from France who play gypsy jazz. We were up in Montreal playing little cafes and were staying in a tiny apartment. I had to run back to Rochester for a gig on electric bass so I left my upright in Canada at our rental place. On my way back into Canada, I was held up because I didn’t have the proper work permits for working in Quebec. The Canadian officers I was dealing with told me I couldn’t re-enter Canada. I insisted I had to at least rescue my instrument, and after a long and intense argument, they seized my ID and passport and gave me a document that stated I was to drive in and pick up my instrument and come back and check in with customs that same day. It was a bummer to miss the second half of our mini tour, but Im glad I was able to snag the bass." -
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"This past summer, my bass was stolen out of my vehicle behind my house. It felt like I was grieving a death to be honest. I've never felt anything like it. For a week I lost sleep and spent countless hours hanging posters and checking with pawn shops and sharing online. It was a dark time. People offered instruments that are far nicer, but with an upright bass, none are created equal. Nothing could replace something that unique. After about 8 days, I got a phone call from a local bass luthier who said he was pretty sure he had my bass. After sending me a picture, I could confirm it was mine and couldn’t believe it. After a lengthy process of paperwork and waiting for a trial for the guy who took it, it was returned back to me. It's a pretty surreal story because usually they don’t end like that."
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Who is your favorite Rochester musician?
"My favorite Rochester musician is Joe Beard. Having been around so long, he really represents what success means to me as a musician. Longevity. He has been hammering away at the blues for most of his life and whenever I’m lucky enough to play with him I can feel how much he cares about the music. The amount of experience and perspective he channels into his music is inspiring. His soft spoken kindness and modesty remind me that although his music can lift you, he is down to earth and real."
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What is your favorite Rochester music venue?
"My favorite venue in rochester is the space in the back of Record Archive. Its really turned into its own thing. They have a great soundsystem and have really changed things around to make it a nice place to hear and/or perform music."
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Why do you love the Rochester music scene?
"I love that the Rochester music scene is supportive in different ways. Its hard to get out and hear other musicians if you are playing music all the time too.. so that is an important form of support and something I wish to do more of. I was really moved by how many people reached out to me about losing my bass this past Summer. It felt like an extended family."
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Special thanks to Kyle Vock!
Please check out the Mighty High and Dry, The Rita Collective + Steve Grills and the Roadmasters.
Don't miss Kyle and the Mighty High and Dry Nov 30th at Iron Smoke!
Please check out Record Archive + Joe Beard.
More amazing Rochester Revered stories HERE!
Photos by Dave Jones
Empire West Photo