Shalini Chatterjee - Shattering the Stereotype of the Female Musician

Not long ago we featured an interview with musician / producer Mitch Easter and his use of the 12-string in his bands Fiendish Minstrels and Shalini. At that time Mitch's wife and band mate, bassist Shalini Chatterjee, had just begun to experiment with their newly acquired Chandler Royale in both of these bands. Since then Shalini has grown quite attached to the 12-string bass and is using it more and more. "I think she is surprised at how much she likes playing the 12, and she feels that the Royale likes her," Mitch recently commented.

With all of this in mind we decided that Shalini deserved a spot of her own here at 12stringbass.net.

The current issue of Bass Player magazine features Shalini, and in it she sums up herself best; "I don't fit in any visual category which puzzles people. I don't have an acoustic guitar, I don't have a bandana, and I don't have tattoos or piercings. Club owners don't get it - a girl in a band without a huge, suburban dragon tattoo? Huh?! This constant pressure to look like a cheesy character type reflects the grip that advertising and TV have on everybody, even other musicians. I'm proud to say that I just strive to be a reliable, interesting bass player and a worthwhile performer. Finally, I want the world to know I can move my own equipment!"

Right on Shalini!

Shalini in the May 2004 issue of Bass Player

So you've had the Royale for a few months now. I understand that you've grown quite close to it! What are your feelings about it now and has it changed the way you approach playing bass?
I like it more than I ever thought I would. At first, I was doubtful I could play it live and be viable. But, it was relatively easy and fun. And most importantly, it looks cool! My approach is not to treat it like an insensitive Viking axe but to realize that it's tough but sophisticated. The light touch is really appropriate at times. This is a versatile bass. It can sound bad-ass, and also beautiful and chiming.

What has the audience response been to the 12? Do you look at it as an all-the-time instrument, or are you more selective with which songs you pair it with?
The audience wants to know "What's that?!" Many people have never seen a 12-string bass before. I hadn't seen one before Mitch acquired this Royale. In my band, I play it some of the time. In Mitch's band, I will be playing it for most of the set.

Has owning a 12 inspired you to research it in any way? Have you gone out and bought albums that feature it or are you finding your own way without outside influence?
No, but I've become more aware of them and have met one or two musicians who own and play them. There's a band from Wilmington called Hungry Mind Review who lent me their Hamer 12-string for a while. When I played it at home, it really got my dog's attention.

You've had a recording career for some time now. Are there any solo projects on your radar? Would you include the 12 on something like that?
I don't know if I would call my attempts a recording career, but thanks! The 12 is on my new album called Metal Corner, out on a new regional label called Dalloway, www.dallowayrecords.com. They are cool people by the way who are really interested in the Royale. It is on two songs on the record, including a cover of Cheap Trick's "Downed". On my website, www.interbridge.com/shalini, there's a link to a free download of this song. Check it out!

How would you describe your playing style?
Simple basic rock. No super fancy playing but not just root notes either. In Mitch's band, he writes some more sophisticated bass lines for me to learn. This is good experience. I took bass lessons, but feel like I learned not very much. Music lessons have always seemed like a frustrating waste of time, actually. In my combo I make up some stuff but Mitch often adds ideas.

One old-timey device I use a lot, because it's easy, is to play the 5th and the octave. The 12 requires me to build strength. It's a little more demanding. I just hate the buzzing sound of sloppy playing.

Who are your biggest influences?
Oddly, Mitch and Faye Hunter in Let's Active were early influences. The record Cypress, which I got when it came out, is exceptionally musical and the spookiness of it made me want to play bass. Also, Faye was kind of a good role model for little weirdo 13-year-old suburbanites like me, trapped in their bad family scene, waiting to escape and join a band.

She was obviously a talented artist, she was from the era when being an aggressive jerk *wasn't* your whole showbiz personality (an unfortunate and boring stance that is clearly accepted and encouraged today), and she was a good singer. Throughout the 80's, there were more bass players to look to all the time. By the way, I think Mike Mills is a little under sung. He's always been a really good bass player. Same with Kris Novoselic. What an excellent bass player. Kurt Cobain was such a star, and Dave Grohl became maybe as big a star, we forget how that driving bass powered all those excellent Nirvana songs. Heavy!

There are some other 90's bass players that I thought were overlooked but I noticed them, such as Steve Lack of the original Veruca Salt. Everyone in that first line-up was very good at what they did, but when I saw them live I really noticed how powerful the bass was. Eep, that was almost 10 years ago now.

In more recent years, I've noticed how good Mary Huff is (Southern Culture) - a real pro actually, and also an excellent singer. I'll mention Don Dixon too but he is such a pro session cat, it's beyond influencing me. I am just an admirer of his ability. He's just kind of intimidating and plays a different kind of music than the slightly tacky professional kid punk rock that I like so much. I just had to mention him because he is an influence of sorts. Did you know he is supposed to have played bass on R.E.M.'s recording of "Perfect Circle", one of my very favorite songs when I was 15? Another influence I'll mention from the ancient days is Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go's, also a very good singer and songwriter.

How long have you been playing bass? What made you decide to pick it up?
I started lessons in the spring of 1986 when I was a senior in high school. A lot of records coming out at the time had interesting bass lines that were pretty audible. I always knew I was just living to play in a band and it all made sense. I made a beeline for a bass as soon as I could. I practically had to sneak off to lessons. I had to live with the Dursley's until I was 17 -- anyone who has read Harry Potter will get the analogy.

When were you first introduced to the idea of the 12-string bass? Do you remember what your first impression of it was?
My friend Jodie Forrest gave me a book called American Basses for my birthday last year. Mitch spotted the Royale and got hold of a floor model! My first impression of it was awe. I was a little scared to touch it. It is aptly named.