Dune-themed composer talks electronic soundscapes, film scoring and Stonefield basses

Exclusive video interview with FBPO’s Jon Liebman
May 28, 2018

Indiana native JD Short is a bassist and composer, widely known by the musical persona BassDbler (bās dŭb’lər). After receiving his formal music training at University of Evansville and Indiana University, JD relocated to Southern California where he launched his career in music. Not one to sit still, JD remained in California just long enough to work on several musical collaborations, after which he picked up and relocated to Auckland, New Zealand, where he began to solidify his passion for electronic music. Having found his true calling, JD returned to California, where he explored deeper musical explorations, culminating in the release of a Dune-themed concept album, Slow Blade Penetrates the Shield. The follow-up release, Machine & Ghola, also built on electronic soundscapes, incorporates acoustic sounds as well. A BassDbler performance has been described as “an engaging sonic experience” and “cinematic trip-hop.” In addition to composing and playing all the parts for each album, JD writes music for video games and films and serves as Music Director for the Giant Fire Breathing Robot website and family of podcasts. JD has shared billings with fellow innovative bassists Freekbass and Steve Lawson and is currently performing shows in support of his third album, The Universe Is Ours.

We caught up with JD on a recent trip to Cincinnati and Kentucky, in conjunction with the launch of the first U.S. distributorship of Stonefield Musical Instrument Company products, JD’s bass maker of choice.

Watch our interview with JD!