Anna Sentina

Introducing Anna Sentina

Interview by Ken Morton - Photos by Jack Lue

Anna Sentina is a studio session musician, composer, and touring bass player best known for her work as a recording artist and YouTuber. Her endorsements include Kiesel Guitars, Roland, Boss, and DR Strings. She’s appeared in the play Fame as Lambchops and her YouTube covers have been seen and appreciated by many - including by some of the bands themselves! Highwire Daze recently interviewed Anna Sentina to discuss her bass performances, the YouTube experience, appearance in Fame, photoshoot with the legendary Jack Lue, and more...

Where are you based out of and what is your local music scene like there?

I’m based out of the Southern California/ Los Angeles area. The music scene here has a strong presence, and I’m lucky to be surrounded by so many great venues and musicians.

How old were you when you first picked up the bass and what was your first live show?

I was 14 years old when I first picked up the bass, and my first live show in a rock band setting was when I was in School of Rock playing Pink Floyd covers at 12 years old. It was one of the most pivotal phases of my life. Before that and continuously while I was in School of Rock, I was performing at classical piano recitals and orchestral concerts.

You have done a lot of brilliant bass covers on your YouTube channel. Have any of the artists you’ve covered ever heard or commented on any of them? If so, what were some of the more memorable ones?

Yes! Metallica, Betraying the Martyrs, Walk the Moon, Spacehog, and Jonathan Wolff are some memorable ones. I feel so flattered when the artists I admire reach out to me complimenting the videos I make, it’s such a great feeling. several live shows in a row, which was a crucial factor for me. They’re custom-made, comfortable, diverse, and really fit to all of my needs and preferences for a bass. My favorite models right now are the Zeus and Icon.

When you look at the amazing numbers you have on your YouTube videos, what goes through your mind?

I feel truly blessed. The number of subscribers I have represents a person who went out of their way to not just listen to my music, but support me and engage with the content I work to make and enjoy creating. It means more to me than I can express in words.

What is your favorite bass of choice and why?

My favorite basses are made by Kiesel. Kiesel is actually the first brand I played where I wouldn’t get a sore back after

What advice would you give a young musician seeking an endorsement deal?

Be open minded and don’t be afraid to reach out to brands you like. I am so lucky to work with the brands that I do, and I believe I might have started working with them even sooner than I did if I was the one who reached out to them. I wasn’t familiar with a few of the brands who reached out to me initially early on in my career, and they are now some of my favorites. I tried out their products, ended up loving them, and have been using them for several years now.

Who are some of your favorite bass players and inspirations?

I learned how to slap bass watching Flea videos, so he’s a huge one for me. Some other inspirations include Louis Johnson, Tim Commerford, Geddy Lee, Mark King, and Cliff Burton. They’re all bassists, but they inspire me as a musician in general. Their musicality, technique, and performances always struck a chord with me and helped me become the musician I am today. Other massive inspirations for me include David Bowie, Prince, Freddie Mercury, and Jimi Hendrix.

What was it like playing Lambchops in the play Fame and is acting something you would like to continue to pursue?

It was an unforgettable experience! I initially auditioned for Fame to be part of the backing band and ended up getting the Lambchops role, totally unexpected and even a little scary at the time. I enjoyed acting throughout my school years. It was a lot of fun for me, but I didn’t think about pursuing it professionally. If the right opportunity comes, I would definitely like to act again! first place, and how grateful I am for all of the opportunities I have. I recorded and filmed a lot more than usual. There were moments throughout the ongoing pandemic that definitely took a toll on me mentally, especially in regards to how it so negatively impacted an immense amount of people, but I think I was able to stay creative throughout the majority of it. I will be so happy to be playing live regularly again, when the time comes. I was able to play a show last week that was absolutely incredible, and I can’t wait for the next one.

Any future plans or events coming up?

Hopefully playing more live shows regularly once it’s safe to do so!

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions!

Thank you so much for having me, and for asking great questions!

www.youtube.com/user/Lilchoccarrier www.instagram.com/annapocalypsee/

What is your favorite NAMM Show memory and why?

I have so many awesome NAMM memories, but all of my favorites revolve around people. I have several experiences meeting musicians I had admired for years, striking up a conversation with them, and being so pleasantly surprised at how genuinely nice and caring they seemed. Those memories will always be important to me. It’s a nice feeling when you meet someone you admire and you find out they’re more than just musically talented - they’re kind.

What was the experience like shooting with famed photographer Jack Lue?

Jack is my favorite photographer. I feel so comfortable shooting with him, something that should go without saying but is so important to me. He is so talented and creative, but also incredibly nice and chill. I tend to forget how famed he is! It’s always a blast shooting and being around him.

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How did and has the ongoing pandemic affected you and your career and have you managed to stay creative during it?

I think the pandemic really took a toll on so many musicians’ lives in so many different ways - for me personally, it really made me hone in on the freelance studio recording aspect of my career. I was able to dedicate a lot more time to recording in my studio and appreciating it. It made me realize how lucky I am to be able to be a musician in the

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