Passing the baton is an ANAM exclusive series featuring some of ANAM's 2021 alumni and new first year musicians.
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Words by:
Hamish Gullick (double bass 2021) and Oakley Paul (double bass WA)
Prior to the year commencing, we invited a number of incoming ANAM musicians to seek wisdom from a few most recent alum. In this third release of Passing the Baton double bassist and recent ANAM alumnus Hamish Gullick (2021) shares with first year Oakley Paul (double bass WA) what's the best way to travel around Melbourne whilst carrying your double bass (quite hard, but possible!).
Hamish with fellow ANAM musicians in 2021
Photo credit Pia Johnson for ANAM
Oakley: What do you do to balance your workload outside of ANAM?
Hamish: It can be a bit of a juggling act and maybe something I learned the hard way. For most of the year the rhythm is a bit more manageable, but particularly as it gets close to recitals etc., things can get a bit hectic and you just have to work your butt off in the practice room to stay afloat.
I’m slowly learning this lesson myself, but you can never prepare early enough or thoroughly enough!
Oakley: What has been your favourite project/performance in your time at ANAM? Was it because of the experience, repertoire, partnerships/collaborations?
Hamish: ACO Beethoven 1, 2, and 3. It ticked all the boxes for me. The group was incredible and the interpretations of the repertoire we so exciting. Getting to be a part of that orchestra and being swept up in their never-ending quest for a more perfect performance was one of the more influential experiences in music, period.
Oakley: How do you feel you’ve evolved as a musician through ANAM’s training? Did you have a path in mind that you worked towards specifically, or were you involved with as much as you could be?
Hamish: For me it’s been a challenging, but very rewarding process. Particularly over the last two years under the cloud of COVID uncertainty, having an environment that is incredibly driven and so supportive. It’s endowed me with a confidence and resilience that is invaluable to me.
I’ve always wanted to be an orchestral bassist and fortunately that path is clear cut historically and very well facilitated in the projects ANAM has done. If your time is anything like my first year was, you won’t have to worry about being involved! As there are usually only three bassists at ANAM, you will be playing in a lot of projects. I think I performed in every program that had a bass in it in 2019, not including recitals and Soundbites.
Oakley Paul (double bass WA)
Photo credit Pia Johnson for ANAM
Oakley: What can I expect from the Melbourne music scene and how has it changed in the years you’ve lived there?
Hamish: It definitely lives up to its reputation. There is a saturation here, particularly around the inner northern suburbs that is something to behold. The creativity that is born of this city’s multi-disciplinary melting pot is one of the biggest draw cards and for ANAM in my opinion. Of course the scene has taken a bit of a battering over the last two years, but you’ll be arriving at an exciting time to see it re-emerge.
Oakley: What are the chamber opportunities like at ANAM? Are there lots of opportunities to perform in small ensemble groups?
Hamish: Really as many as you would like! Through playing with mates for recitals, to some of the smaller projects and the inhouse chamber opportunities you’ll get more of a chance to explore chamber music (particularly as a bassist) than at any time in your study and maybe your career.
Oakley: Outside of music, what are some things to expect from living in Melbourne especially near the Convent?
Hamish: I’m a bit of a cycling nut and in that regard, Melbourne for me is Mecca. It’s a great way to get around (when you’re not moving a bass) and it’s pretty quick getting out of the city if you want to stretch your legs. Yarra bend, just next to the convent is a great place to get a ride in for some moderate climbs and nice sweeping corners if you feel like working up some speed! Coming from Perth it might feel a bit faster paced, but coming from Sydney it feels much more relaxed and spirited. Abbotsford/Collingwood have an incredible upper-middle-grunge feel to the streets and make for a great creative environment. If you like vintage shopping and a good long black, you might just be in heaven too.
Oakley: How do travel with a large instrument like the double bass? Are you reliant on public transport or do you avoid it as much as possible?
Hamish: Begrudgingly (chuckles) The only time I’ve really thought about quitting the double bass was trying to get my 7/8, swell backed, big bottomed bass on and off a tram, but that’s just me. I ride my bike as much as possible and hop in the car when I need to move my instrument.
Oakley: And a final piece of advice for a first year student?
Don’t come to Melbourne without a windbreaker and set of boots for winter. Cold feet make for bad practice. But most importantly lap it all up! You’ll have an incredible time. There’s so much to learn here and you couldn’t have better teachers to learn from, better staff to guide you and better colleagues to flourish alongside. Have an incredible journey and I hope to run into you sometime along the way!
All the best,
Hamish