Interview with a talented electric bass player Akos Forgacs

Today on our Hot Seat we have Akos Forgacs with us. Let’s have a chat with him.

Twist Online : First of all please introduce yourself to our readers.

Akos Forgacs :I am a New York City based electric bass player. I was raised in Serbia and attended the local performing arts high as the very first electric bass player they accepted. Here I was awarded 2nd place on the national string chamber orchestra competition where I played the lead bass guitar. in 2012 I moved to the United States to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music. At Berklee I had the opportunity to work closely with many incredible artist, most notably I have worked with Dave Fiuczynksi. I worked with Dave for some time and I also had the opportunity to play with the legendary drummer Jojo Mayer together with Dave. At Berklee I also had the opportunity to work closely with Paul Simon keyboard player Alain Mallet. After finishing my studies at Berklee College of Music, I moved to New York City where I maintains a busy schedule as a band leader and as lead sideman. I had the opportunity to play many big festivals as a leader and every year I’m called to go back.

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?

Akos Forgacs : when I first started out I was really into different kind of bands with great bass players. But how I got better I realized I wanted to be a leading session musician. I started to listen to the great rhythm section bass player like Pino Palladino, Nathan East, James Jamerson. But the real turning point when I knew I wanted to be a leading professional bass player when I heard Jaco Pastorius’s first solo album. That changed my life.

Twist Online : You took training or it’s all natural talent?

Akos Forgacs : I know it’s a cliche Akos Forgacs but it’s 10% talent and 90%. I feel like I had some natural talent for the bass guitar but I had a lot of training.

When I just started out playing I took lessons with some of the top session musicians in my country. After that, I got accepted to the local performing arts high school as the very first electric bass player. Before that they only allowed upright bass so I kind of opened the door for electric bass players in that school.

After my high school years, I got a scholarship to attend one of the most prestigious colleges for music, Berklee College of Music.

Twist Online : Tell us about your experience as a band leader?

Akos Forgacs : Being a bandleader requires a different attitude. When you’re a sideman you don’t take the full responsibility, you just do your job as best as you can. But as a bandleader that changes. Being a leader myself I experienced that first hand. I really like when I get a good group of people and my music comes to life, that’s the best part of being a leader.

Twist Online : Performing on stage or working in studios, what do you enjoy more?

Akos Forgacs : I enjoy doing both but these two settings are vastly different in my opinion. These days I perform more live and I do enjoy seeing a crowd appreciating what am I doing.

Being in the studio requires a different mindset, creating something new out of nothing is really challenging and I enjoy doing it.

Twist Online : You have performed at so many venues, what’s your best performance so far?

Akos Forgacs : Every performance has its unique vibe to it, that’s just how I think. But I had the opportunity to play at many big festivals all around Europe and the US. Most notably Nisville and Jazzik jazz festival, where I led my own band. Those two were really memorable because the audiences really like live music and we had a great time.

Twist Online : What’s the best part of being a music artist?

Akos Forgacs : For me the best part is being a leader of my own music, I like to have my music available to the public and if you’re not a leader that won’t happen.

Twist Online : Are you working on any new project?

Akos Forgacs : Currently I’m planning on recording my debut album. That should happen sometime this year and out by early next year hopefully.

On the other hand, I’m busy performing as a lead bass player in various bands in and around New York City. Follow me on my instagram for more updates on my debut album and for any upcoming gigs

My instagram is @akosbass