Whitesnake Oh

Whitesnake accept had many line-upward changes over their history. However, never someone originally from Ireland. I was lucky plenty to be able to have a conversation with the newest Snake, Tanya O'Callaghan, recently. As a huge Whitesnake fan and a former native of the Emerald Isle, it was too skillful an opportunity to pass past.

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ANTIHERO: The last two years of a global pandemic has been a difficult catamenia for the earth at large. I run into that you have a diverse range of interests outside of music. Was information technology easy to fill that time that was afforded to you when you lot were unable to tour?

Tanya O'Callaghan: I have different things outside music and activism. Obviously, none of united states wanted it to final this long. And shit, coming off the road for 2 years. Merely I hadn't been off the road in almost 10 years. I was back-to-back, because all the gigs I did but, by chance, ran into each other. It was 8-10 years of solid touring with different artists. So, it was prissy at the beginning because everyone was, okay, cool, a intermission from traveling. And what information technology immune me to exercise was terminate a project I had, a establish-based Tv set prove I had with Derek of Sepultura. So, we did a lot of editing on that. And so I did a lot of studio piece of work. So, I count myself lucky in that I stayed busy the unabridged pandemic considering I have a lot of other passion projects and studio piece of work, just I tin't wait to get back on the route, now. It'due south alright. The route dog syndrome is real. When you're so used to living on the road, y'all want to get dorsum out at that place.

ANTIHERO: Growing up, I'one thousand not besides familiar with Mullingar. What musical opportunities were at that place for you growing up? When did you first decide that music was your forte?

Tanya O'Callaghan: I was very late to music. I was surrounded by it because Mullingar's a very musical town. Nosotros have the Dolan family; Jo Dolan and all the showband shows. And, of course, Niall from I Management is there, and Blizzards, and in that location's an atrocious lot of musicians in town and local tribe players. So, I was e'er surrounded past it. And my dad loved music, and I was very much exposed to music. Simply I worked in an fauna rescue shelter from 8 to 18, and I never touched an instrument. I took a full turn, and I picked up a bass when I was near 17, and I just became obsessed. Then right away, I joined bands.

And Ireland has a lot of that wedding ceremony band scene and corporate gigs. Then, I jumped right into that. And so, I had my own heavy metal band in my hometown chosen Severed. I was always gigging, immediately, and inside weeks of playing. I was terrible, but that's the whole bespeak, correct? You jump in the deep finish. And so, gig-wise, especially in that timeframe, at that place were a lot of wedding bands, corporate stuff, covers gigs, local pub gigs. So, Republic of ireland was always great like that. So, you'd become up to Dublin, or Galway, or Belfast, and play all the venues. And then, I think information technology was a not bad culture to abound upwardly in, but I was very, very belatedly to it. I was belatedly picking information technology upward, but and then I jumped in, and that was it. The residue is history.

ANTIHERO: Were yous entirely self-taught, and then? Or did you take some lessons along the way?

Tanya O'Callaghan: No. I'm self-taught, completely, really. I did a very cursory stint at New Park, when New Park Jazz College, before, just as it was nearly to become an affiliate of Berkeley. But we were in this funny yr, it was just, they call it PMTC yr, where information technology was just a lot of bands jamming together. But, at that time, I was already starting to get a lot of TV work, house band stuff for the Late Late Show, and all this stuff. Then, I decided to just stay a working musician, and yeah, it was always self-taught, outside of that.

ANTIHERO: And so, what prompted your relocation to America? Did yous get an offering that you lot followed over there, or was it something that yous only felt personally, you needed to break out of Republic of ireland, and spread your wings a little?

Tanya O'Callaghan: Information technology was a picayune bit of both. So, I had done all of the gigs that you could exercise in Republic of ireland, at a sure point, I was busy. I was ane of the busy working musicians, and information technology was bully. And I had a bunch of bands going, but then I got invited by Maynard Keenan over to Arizona. That'south God, Jesus, 10 years ago now, or more. I can't even remember. But that was Arizona. So, Maynard asked me to exist a invitee on the Puscifer stuff. And so, he had this rotating line-up. The whole, for anyone that knows Puscifer, information technology'southward all nigh guests. And so, obviously, that'southward a complete honor. I grew upwardly a massive Tool fan, and I beloved all of Maynard's work. So, when I did that, I went to Arizona, and I was in the U.South. for a couple of weeks, whatever, recording and writing with him and a bunch of other musicians.

And then, when I came back, that had left the whole thing in my caput, Jesus, if I go over there, that'southward the level of people that I tin potentially work with. So, I was back and forth and so a lot for years, because visas are a whole complication. And I was decorated in Ireland. I was trying to make that decision because I had a couple of bands in Ireland that were doing well. And then at some point, I just, I always liked the hired gun. I love that. I dear this world. So, I just decided, about six or seven years ago, just, fuck it. If you're going to get, just dive into a scene. And I was going to London, only the climate'due south fashion also similar home. I didn't desire whatever more than rain. So, I just decided to come over to L.A. and feel it out. And information technology was just a total bound of faith. And I went back and along a couple of times, and yous just beginning to meet people each trip, more and more. And I went back and forth, and then I got my visa, and I just moved here. And I went, "fuck information technology. I'll just swoop in and run into what happens." And I but started doing all the local jam nights, and you lot somewhen start to meet people, other session players, and hired guns. And it went from that, into my first gig with a U.S. artist, and then and then on, then forth. Simply yep, it was wild. It's been a wild ride.

ANTIHERO: So, it's been a gradual step. Obviously, you lot've worked with some massive names, Steven Adler, Dee Snyder, just to mention two. Was that something you were comfortable fitting in with, and working with legends, pretty much?

Tanya O'Callaghan: Yeah. Yeah. That'southward the other affair, for me, I beloved Dee, I love Steven, and I honey all these people I work with, because I don't take any, there'south no office of me that'due south ever star-struck, per se. It's just an honour to play with people like that, and it excites me. And so, I knew Steven for years before I played with him, from the jam scene, and from the local scene. And it was just such a blast to jump in. That gig really gets you chalked up since it'due south such ballsy bass lines. And Dee was supposed to be a 1-off. We were supposed to do i gig when he appeared. And I ended upwardly touring with him for two years. And information technology was just a blast because these guys proceed y'all on your toes. And it'south a lot of touring, and it's slap-up. Merely yeah, it'south just a full honour. Information technology'southward not, I don't detect it daunting. Information technology's but, information technology really is an honour. And it's, let me in. Same with Whitesnake, I'm, I tin can't await. Jump in.

ANTIHERO: And you lot're able to mix your music, you mentioned, with an alternative career as an activist and a speaker, as well. Did y'all just follow your heart, in terms of discipline thing and your passions? Did you take whatsoever training to communicate, to speak to audiences, or is that just something that flowed naturally?

Tanya O'Callaghan: No, that's a good question because that'southward the thing. It really is every bit corny every bit it sounds to some people. I've e'er had an obvious and clear vision and purpose, since I was a little girl, long before I'd played music. Then, it was always something that was, for me, and the more my music platform grew over the years and continues to grow, that, to me, is, I have a platform, and then I want to use it for something that'due south…I don't want to talk about myself all day on fucking social media. It might withal take a purpose, but, and my compass has e'er been very, very navigating the same activism, purpose, all along. But the speaking stuff and all the work I practice in that realm is, it'southward purely just from passion. I would talk about it all mean solar day long. Hither are the means that nosotros tin really help this planet, while we're on it, and add some rock and roll to it. Merely yeah, I just love it. And so, it's where yous are, information technology's who you're meeting along the road. People ask me, "Wow, you are really passionate about this. Yous should come and speak at this matter." And I merely end up doing these things because I'm a real believer in follow-up. And I always say that, as well, following up on leads, and actually, surrounding yourself with good people. And, simply yeah, it's just, in that location's a lot of just letting it unfold, and following your passion, and not forcing.

ANTIHERO: What almost cooking, then? What near your interest in cooking? Was that something that you lot've always had, from being very young, or is it something that's developed over the years?

Tanya O'Callaghan: Well, information technology developed as a necessity. When you lot're the only vegan in the village. (laughs) And touring, I just, I honey nutrient. The overused term, these days, everyone'due south a foodie. But aye. I only, I absolutely love just how explorative plant-based cooking is. And I love…that'southward ane of my favourite things nearly touring is the food that you go to try all over the world, and the different cuisines. So, every bit people start asking y'all, yous secretly, it'due south that annoying affair, people post their food and ah, I'm 1 of those people now. But I besides have a travel nutrient show, so I have a free pass on posting food. But yeah. It'due south just, I wanted to exist able to stay salubrious on the road. I love to cook. I discover, personally, cooking to be very meditative. So, when y'all're then busy all the time, and I can take an hour or and then out, or whatever, and just plow on a podcast or music, and cook. I but discover it to exist so… I dearest the procedure because it isn't work.

ANTIHERO: Ok, just getting dorsum to music and creating music yourself? A lot of the artists that you've worked with, obviously, you're playing material that already exists, albeit you can put your own spin on it. Accept you ever had whatsoever desire to practice something, possibly yourself, that it'south all your ideas, rather than following structured songs that are already there?

Tanya O'Callaghan: Oh yeah. I take, like well-nigh musicians, on our hard drives, nosotros take an album that's been in the making for 10 years. No, totally. I take a bunch of stuff that's one-half washed considering I'm e'er working for other people. It's very hard to become information technology finished. But what I've been doing is using some of the music in the editing for the TV and documentary world that I've been working in. And so, y'all can apply information technology for editing. And I exercise intend to, eventually, bring a collaborative album out, because I'm doing a song correct now for Sea Shepherd. Y'all probably, well, you lot can see the flag in the mirror in the background. And then, working, considering I desire the music, besides, to have some… Because it's a very unlike industry, correct? It'southward not as simple as putting out an album, and everyone, y'all play all the musicians off. It'south an impossible world in this digital age for musicians. And so, if I'm going to put out music, I want to try and tie it to a foundation I believe in. And in that location'due south that, then I've been developing a lot of that. Merely aye, to answer your question, I do have quite a lot of original music out in the world.

ANTIHERO: If so your solo anthology should ever run across the calorie-free of twenty-four hours, is it fitting in one style, or is it a reflection of what you lot've done in the past, where you dip into different musical styles and genres? A flake of a mix?

Tanya O'Callaghan: I think it'due south a bit of a mix. And I might terminate up doing a couple of instrumental pieces with friends, but I have and so many amazing vocalist friends that I've been…. considering people, I can sing, only I'm not a singer. And, I really want to use my super talented friends, likewise. So, I think it'll exist a collaboration. Information technology's more than in the, I want to say, heavier, proggy. I beloved odd time [signatures]. But it's just, it's been a process. I'll write the majority of it with my closest friends, and then hand information technology over to see what one vocalist does with a melody or have a invitee drummer. I've had some amazing guests play on some stuff, so I'm very lucky to have the friends I do in the music world. And so, yeah. It'south going to exist a fleck of a hotchpotch, to be honest, but information technology's not a bass solo album. I go out that to Stu Hamm and Billy Sheehan and the lads.  Yeah. It's more songs and collaborations, but manifestly, bass-centric, because it's mine and I can.

ANTIHERO: And of grade, the big news, which you're probably used to now, Whitesnake. Has information technology fully sunk in what you're going to be a role of?

Tanya O'Callaghan: Probably not, to be honest. Simply it's also, information technology's funny considering information technology feels normal, in a manner, already, just because it'south such a welcoming camp. And I knew some of those guys already. We toured the same circles. So, in that location's that feeling of, information technology's just a giant welcome party, which has been wonderful. At present, only now, we're, what? Eight weeks out, or so, from starting. I'm starting to get the music, and I'm trying to, oh, transport me the songs. What are we going to do so I can learn everything? Considering I got to arrive the shed big fourth dimension on this stuff because I didn't grow upward with it. It wasn't the music that I really listened to. Simply plain, in that location are endless epic hits, so you want to do them all justice. So now, the adjacent few weeks are, getting all my gear back upwards to scratch, what I need, all my rigs for unlike continents, and getting all my guitars ready. And aye, it's going to be a blast, but the songs are unbelievable. The more I listen to stuff… information technology'due south i of those bands.

ANTIHERO: So, what near the actual recruitment process itself? Did yous go the call, we're interested? Were you approached straight? Was information technology through a 3rd party? How did that happen?

Tanya O'Callaghan: In our industry, it happens that, obviously, your peers promote you, right?

ANTIHERO: Close-knit musical community. Anybody knows everybody else or knows someone that knows someone.

Tanya O'Callaghan: David would've known of me, and we played the same festivals. And he chosen me directly.

ANTIHERO: Wow.

Tanya O'Callaghan: Yep. It was a directly call, and aye, just a direct ask. But it is a process of putting the years in and being out at that place in the scene. There is no magic formula. People ask, "How did you get the gig?" It's just this baroque unfolding of, I've been working my ass off for years touring, and people are seeing you play, and you lot must have a presence. And, plain, your CV speaks for itself. And then, it's simply, I don't know if the universe aligns, and Whitesnake happened to need a bassist. And I'm very honoured that David called me, immediately. I guess information technology was in his caput, from seeing me play. It's a total honour. And it's an amazing ring. And but all amazing players. And Tommy Aldridge.

ANTIHERO: I was going to simply say to yous – I could be totally honest – Whitesnake are my favourite band of all time. I've seen them many times.

Tanya O'Callaghan: Oh, that'due south awesome.

ANTIHERO: They were one of my get-go bands. I saw them in Belfast way back in 1984, probably before you were even born.

Tanya O'Callaghan: Dainty.

ANTIHERO: So, you mentioned Tommy Aldridge. Apparently, for me, it'south nigh that connexion between the drums and bass that'due south key-vital to a band'due south definitive sound …especially on phase. Have you met David yet?

Tanya O'Callaghan: No, I met him before a festival, just we haven't met for rehearsals even so. Considering they don't start until April, but he's such a fable. Just ridiculous. I've been, since the beginning of my career, even in Ireland, I've ever been lucky when I await back, I've always had amazing techs and amazing drummers. And I've played with some of the best drummers over hither. And then, to find out that Tommy's doing the farewell tour, as well, is also just, as a bass role player, you're in fucking heaven. So yeah, information technology'southward just, oh my God, do information technology justice. Jump in and lock in with this fable. So, it's going to be a blast. And they're only such a squeamish camp. They actually are.

ANTIHERO: I was lucky enough to interview David for the second time, a couple of months dorsum, and he indicated that after the bout, Whitesnake would still release music. Has in that location been any talk of you being part of that, or is it just, at the moment, for the tour?

Tanya O'Callaghan: Yeah, yeah. Yeah, no, it'south one of the things he asked me. So obviously, tin can't predict when or what it is, just aye. He fully intends to retire from touring, but and so, he'due south just such a song automobile, and the line-up that'south there has written with him, and he, aye, he absolutely mentioned studios. And so, that would be fantastic. Evidently, it would exist an honour to throw down some studio tracks with him. That would be amazing. So, I can meet that happening, which would be great.

ANTIHERO: And you lot mentioned that tour rehearsals haven't started yet. Have you dropped whatever hints about, maybe, the inclusion of songs, or do you feel that's perhaps non your place? Exercise y'all have whatsoever particular favourites that you would really look forrad to playing alive with the band?

Tanya O'Callaghan: It's so wild because when you start going through his catalogue, you're just, there's then much that you lot're overwhelmed. And then, this astonishing album with Jimmy Page, I just started listening to the other day. I honestly don't know still. I don't actually take a setlist nevertheless. I won't…it's starting to come to shape, but I'm, can't wait to go it. Simply everything I've listened to, "Burn down," this morning. Obviously, "Deep Regal," is unbelievable, and "Still of the Night." And I love that, "Trouble is Your Eye Proper noun." Information technology'south one of the newer albums. That'due south really my jam. And so, there'due south simply, and of form, all the hits, but yeah, I honestly don't know. Yeah, what the setlist is going to be. I promise to find myself, presently.

ANTIHERO: Yeah. Just the terminal one, so. Equally I indicated earlier, you've already probably done many interviews, many interviews over the years. If the rules were reversed, what personal hero or inspiration would you similar to sit downward and interview?

Tanya O'Callaghan: Oh, my God.

ANTIHERO: Maybe non a musician.

Tanya O'Callaghan: I was going to say, I'1000 non going to say a musician. I'm going to say, David Attenborough. I would. I admire David Attenborough. He'southward been my hero since I was a piddling daughter, and I believe he's 93 at present. And he's just the epitome of this amazing human being who talks nearly using your platform. Because yeah, you lot'd be here all solar day saying, "I'd love to talk to this musician and that musician." But honestly, my immediate thought was David Attenborough.

ANTIHERO: That's fine. Okay. That's brilliant. Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to me. Look forward to seeing y'all. Permit's run across, Manchester is part of the United kingdom tour.

Tanya O'Callaghan: Yeah, nosotros'll be in the UK for a skilful few shows. So, I can't wait. I can't wait to go habitation. Opening night is in Dublin.

ANTIHERO: Friends and family unit then? Merely you have that bad weather, though.

Tanya O'Callaghan: I know. For sure. I'thousand but popping dwelling house for a visit. I'll come back there to get a pocketbook of chips. Exist domicile, meet my granny, and play a Whitesnake tour.

ANTIHERO: Yep, that's brilliant. Cheers very much.

Tanya O'Callaghan: No worries, man. Thanks for having me.

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Source: https://www.antiheromagazine.com/interview-tanya-ocallaghan-bassist-with-whitesnake/

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