In this episode, I sit down with singer, songwriter, bassist, and musical innovator Scott Mulvahill for a wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, collaboration, and building creative worlds. We start by talking about Scott’s recent trip to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he performed Paul Simon’s Graceland in a profoundly meaningful way, including sharing the stage with original Zydeco musicians who appeared on the album. Scott explains why Graceland was such a formative record for him as a teenager, how it sha...
In this episode, I sit down with singer, songwriter, bassist, and musical innovator Scott Mulvahill for a wide-ranging conversation about curiosity, collaboration, and building creative worlds. We start by talking about Scott’s recent trip to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he performed Paul Simon’s Graceland in a profoundly meaningful way, including sharing the stage with original Zydeco musicians who appeared on the album. Scott explains why Graceland was such a formative record for him as a teenager, how it shaped his love of songwriting, groove, and global musical connections, and why revisiting that music continues to teach him something new every time he performs it.
We talk about Scott’s busy life as a touring musician and collaborator, from solo performances to regional shows, symphonic work with Cody Fry, and juggling multiple projects at once. Scott reflects on saying yes to opportunities, spinning multiple creative plates, and why he’s drawn to work that keeps him challenged rather than comfortable. He shares the story behind his band Slap Dragon, how the group came together organically, and why playing in a band scratches a different creative itch than performing solo. We also explore the balance between solitude and community in music, and how collaboration continues to fuel his artistic growth.
A significant part of the conversation centers on Scott’s experience as a singing bassist. We dig into the technical and musical challenges of singing while playing bass, especially in groove-heavy music, and how performing complex material like Graceland forces constant growth. Scott explains how difficulty, discipline, and repetition sharpen his musicianship and why pushing himself technically ultimately leads to deeper musical freedom.
We also spend time talking about Scott’s years playing with Ricky Skaggs, an experience he describes as musical graduate school. Scott shares what it was like to step into a bluegrass tradition without a drum set, how time feels differently in that genre, and why it took nearly a year to feel comfortable in the band. He reflects on learning directly from masters, developing an intuitive sense of rhythm, and why that experience shaped him as a musician in lasting ways.
Finally, we dive deep into one of Scott’s most ambitious projects, the Database. Scott explains the origin and evolution of this custom-built upright bass with integrated MIDI triggers and sampling, how it works technically, and why it allows him to expand his sonic world without sacrificing creativity or authenticity. We talk about technology as a tool rather than a gimmick, the balance between production and performance, and how the Database has reshaped his approach to songwriting, arrangement, and live shows. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about experimentation, craftsmanship, and following curiosity wherever it leads.
To learn more about Scott, visit his website.
Music from the Episode:
Begin Againers (Scott Mulvahill)
Fighting for the Wrong Side (Scott Mulvahill)
Survive (Scott Mulvahill)
Thank you for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or ideas for the show, please email me at brad@thebandwichtapes.com.
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