Bassel Biography

BASSEL is an indie-folk artist based in Chicago, IL. His self-titled 2008 EP, "Bassel," marked his first official studio release. His full-length album, "Submerged" will be released on June 5th, 2010 at Used Kids Records in Columbus, Ohio.


Bassel grew up southeast of Cleveland, OH. With extensive family in the Middle East and a home base in Ohio, his artistic influences varied drastically throughout his childhood. As his passions for music unfolded in early years, he found a love for rhythm and began as a percussionist.

Bassel's passion for music creation and his growing knowledge of musical theory over the next few years led him to pick up guitar at an early age. By manipulating his guitar, he took on quite a unique style of playing music. He utilizes altered tunings on a 5-stringed Martin DM Acoustic Guitar. Combined with folk/jazz influences in his vocal techniques, his songs tend to lead you in every possible direction and then back again...



After a short-lived run in 2009 with Columbus-based "The Partisan Press," Bassel dived even deeper into his solo work...



The result was Submerged, his first full-length album. Born out of multiple basements & apartment-style living rooms from December 2009 - February 2010, this new direction incorporates a very folk-influenced artistic concept, a wide instrumentation, and a nostalgia of the many obstacle courses faced throughout its making.


"The LP's name conjures images of being deluged under heavy water, but instead his sophomore release is light and airy, the name being more reflective of the intricacies of the deft layers of production that typify his tracks... each of the 10 tunes of his album feels firmly in the singer-songwriter vein and Bassel does the part of carrying each one. While the sounds are often intricate, it's also straightforward and euphonious music. His smooth voice sings warmly, drifting over acoustic instruments, making good listening for the clear skies of a Saturday morning sans the wretched influence of a whisky hangover.

- UWeekly, Ohio State University, 5.12.2010


Thanks to a beautiful bunch of Midwestern friends, Submerged quickly moved on through mixing & mastering. The album is currently completed and is set for physical CD release on June 5th, 2010. This album will be available for purchase at all shows throughout the Submerged Summer Tour, and will be available for online purchase beginning August 2010.


___________________________________


* For more information on BASSEL, e-mail basselband@gmail.com