Bass Choir: Community and connection

“Music is within me and has been since I was little. I have always been musically active,” says creative producer, singer-songwriter and Bass Choir founder, Charmaine Freeman.

If you were to head down to dBs Music on an ordinary Wednesday night, you would catch Charmaine directing the 30-strong Bass Choir crew who fill the room with delicious harmonies from the likes of Shy FX, Chase and Status, and MJ Cole as the bassline drops.

Although the current coronavirus pandemic has put a stop to physical rehearsals, their shared passion for bass music and performance is still very much alive as they find new ways to bring the harmonies together virtually.

Covering drum and bass, UK garage, breakbeat, jungle and dubstep, Bass Choir encompasses Bristol’s thriving and diverse underground music scene.

In the two years it has been going, the choir has taken to the stage at Hootananny and Tooting Tram & Social in London and on home turf at Mr. Wolf’s, Motion, St Paul’s Carnival and Faraway Cocktail Club.

Bass Choir have performed across Bristol and beyond. Photo: Bass Choir

The group was supposed to be sharing a stage with Kano, My Nu Leng and Little Simz at Love Saves the Day Festival in May but that’s now been postponed until  at least September due to Covid-19.

At a time when community and connection seem more important than ever, being a member of the choir can offer just that – even if it’s virtually for a while. Bass Choir is like a family, Charmaine says.

“Each member supports one another, experiments with their musical talent and shares stories,” she adds. “It’s a great outlet for a lot of people and a safe space to explore your musicianship. They come to the choir and voice their concerns and fears, and share things they are happy about.

“We give people the opportunity to become the best they can be in terms of being a vocalist and nurture those that care about the art and want to progress further. Equality and diversity stand at the forefront of what we do and we are committed to building an inclusive and representative group of skilled vocalists from all backgrounds in Bristol.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Shym46R6FN8

Although the festivals and gigs are important to the choir, it’s also essential to convey the message of what they stand for: bass music and bass culture, with Charmaine saying: “It is important to remember the importance of music and what it does to people. It brings people together, regardless of race, background or religion.

“Bass music is inclusive; it will never be one genre and it will never be one sound. It creates unity, equality, a community, and makes people that are receptive sit back and understand other cultures and the fact that we are not really that much different.”

It all began when Charmaine made the move from London, which she called home for 15 years, to Bristol. Although Bristol’s music scene was very much active, she found something lacking.

Having been participating in solo collaborations and music projects with up-and-coming producers whilst juggling a nine to five in London, Charmaine always found a way for music to take centre stage in her daily routine and it’s where she discovered that she was about more than one genre.

Charmaine Freeman founded Bass Choir in 2018. Photo: Charmaine Freeman

“There was a time in London that I felt I needed more, which is when I decided to focus more heavily on my songwriting and key signature sound,” she says.

“It wasn’t until later that I stopped trying to adhere to the stereotypical demands of a solo artist, staying true to myself whilst refusing to accept genre boundaries – that philosophy resonates throughout every project that I’m involved in today.”

Curious to build on her newfound self, she joined Shoreditch-based House Gospel Choir (HGC). The choir drew her in from the start with its vocalists, full house band and DJ that bring together a fusion of house and gospel tunes.

During the three years she was part of HGC, Charmaine grew a deep understanding of what it takes to be successful in the music industry. It was while participating in a BBC performance that involved singing with the likes of Beverley Knight and Katy B that she knew she had been placed exactly where she needed to be.

“HGC really taught me more about the importance of choir direction, performance and vocals and showed me the work you need to put in as an artist if you want to achieve great things,” Charmaine says.“The idea that you can gel two different musical worlds together is inspiring.

“Bass Choir was born out of a love for bass music and a passion for harmonic vocal instrumentation in reaction to a lack of multi-disciplinary choirs across Afro-Caribbean and black British influenced music in Bristol and the UK.”

Charmaine describes Bass Choir as family. Photo: Bass Choir

Once the concept was ironed out, creating the choir was no mean feat and took Charmaine six months before it was up and running. The starting point was putting feelers out to local educational bodies that were nurturing up-and-coming talent. Then the team followed.

Vocalist and musical director Ngaio Anyia brings creative input and helps direct the choir alongside Bass Choir’s assistant musical director Amy Huscroft who has recently joined the choir. Vibes are heightened further by lead DJ and producer Dave Gibson, and deputy producers Duncan Campbell and Edd Basquette.

The whole ensemble is managed by Charmaine who works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that Bass Choir’s vision is both seen and understood whilst also directing and supporting the choir creatively.

Bass Choir is currently operating remotely, but can usually be found at dBs. Photo: Bass Choir

“Alongside the production element, there’s also checking in with the wellbeing of the crew, marketing, admin, finance, strategy, events, bookings, technicals, logistics and working with videographers, photographers and the press,” she explains.

The choir also works with a live band, saying; “Replicating drum ‘n’ bass music with a band is challenging and is something we are working on. We strive to create a live DJ set when performing so the logistics of that can be tricky with a live band. Ultimately, we are a collective of individual artists in our own right with two goals – a dedication to Bass Choir’s vision whilst coming together as one voice.”

Alongside her fulltime job and running Bass Choir, Charmaine continues to work on her solo repertoire as a multi-genre artist with her own band and is currently collaborating with Bristol-based producers.

Charmaine also works fulltime as vocalist August. Photo: Charmaine Freeman

“It keeps me busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way as music is a bit of an obsession,” she jokes.

One thing is clear, and that is Charmaine’s passion, dedication and success in bringing people together through music is something that is set to last.

Find out more at www.facebook.com/OfficialBassChoir

Main photo: Bass Choir

Read more: Breakfast with Bristol24/7: Ngaio Anyia