Taking His Talents to Atlanta

by Stephanie Struyck Elgin

Who knew that playing Smells Like Teen Spirit on electric bass, or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, on double bass at such a young age would be the beginnings of a successful musical career?  Just a few months ago, Santa Clarita resident and bassist Joseph McFadden joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, under the musical direction of Robert Spano.   Joe has also performed with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Nashville Symphony.  Having studied with Oscar Meza, he graduated from California State University Northridge, where he received his bachelor’s degree, and under the instruction of Bruce Bransby, completed his graduate studies at Indiana University.    
Joe took a moment to talk with us.

é: Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Los Angeles and moved to the Santa Clarita Valley when I was 10.  I went to Hart High School in Newhall. After high school, I attended Santa Monica College for two years and then transferred to California State University Northridge. I then completed graduate studies at Indiana University.

é: Do you come from a musical family?
Oh yeah, everyone in my immediate family loves music. My brother is a guitar player. My dad is a singer, piano player and guitar player. My mom and I are the bass players.

é: Which instruments do you play?
These days I pretty much just play my double bass. When I’m at home and I’m not practicing for work, I play a lot of guitar and write my own stuff for fun. I play electric bass once in a blue moon with my friends back home if the planets align correctly.

é: When did you learn to play instruments?
I started playing electric bass when I was seven. My mom is an electric bass player and she played in rock bands with my dad. So being around it all the time since birth, I’m sure that it was inevitable that I would pick up one of the instruments. When I was in fifth grade, the school was offering music lessons on orchestral instruments and they had a double bass available to play. I figured that since I had already played electric bass for a couple years, it would be an easy instrument to learn. Boy was I wrong.
é: Are there any particular musicians who inspire you?
At this point, I would have to say my dad is, by far. He is probably my favorite songwriter on the planet. The way he uses melody, harmony and suspense in his songs are everything I look for in other people’s material…and I usually never find it. He’s just the best in my eyes.

é: Do you get nervous before a performance?
Always, without fail. To a degree it depends on how hard the pieces are or whether or not what I’m doing is really exposed. But I am always at least a little nervous. But that’s part of the fun because when it goes really well, the feeling of accomplishment I get feels like I just conquered the world and we all need to go celebrate after the concert.

é: What advice would you give to beginners?
No matter what you’re playing, make sure you are having fun.?

é: How do you balance your music with other obligations, such as work, family, etc.?
There is plenty of time for everything. Fortunately playing in the orchestra is the only work I do so when I’m done with work, I always have time for everything else, but I never let music get in the way of life and I don’t let life get in the way of music. I balance out fun and work fairly well.
Best of luck in Atlanta, Joe! For more information, visit www.atlantasymphony.org.