Artist Spotlight :: Paula Laubach

Bio

Paula Laubach started her musical journey as a teenager, learning to play guitar and bass at the age of 14. In the years that followed, she played in various cover bands, exploring a range of genres (mostly 80s and 90s hard rock/metal). Based in Austin, Texas - a city renowned for its vibrant music scene - Paula is the bassist for the alternative rock band, Die Hard Habits. Die Hard Habits has recently released singles such as Tell the Neighbors and Hey You. Their debut EP will be released in Jan 2024.

What/Who inspired you to pick up your instrument?

I started playing guitar back in 1990 when I was 14. I was really inspired by the 80s hair bands, as well as Texas blues (Stevie Ray Vaughn). Soon after, I started playing bass also. I really loved Duff McKagen's (Guns N' Roses) bass lines. Since then, I have switched back and forth between instruments. I truly enjoy both.

What piece of musical advice would you give yourself if you could go back in time to the beginning of your musical journey?

Don't listen to other people who try to bring you down. Regardless of how successful you are, you will always have critics.

What keeps you excited about playing?

I played in several cover bands in my younger days, and that was fun. However, what makes me really excited is creating new music. Even if the song does not become a hit, I think there is something very magical about the creative process and having the nerve to share your final product with an audience. It is exciting and scary at the same time. I am lucky enough to be currently writing with a very talented group of people.

Desert Island 3 pedal pedalboard (not including tuner)

I would definitely have a chorus and delay pedal. Both pedals have the ability to completely transform a song. The third would probably be a looper pedal since I will probably be alone on the island lol.

When you find yourself in a musical rut, what techniques do you use to break out of it?

I find it helpful to listen to a lot of different types of music. Even if a genre is not your favorite, you can find something to inspire you. I typically get inspired by different beats.

Who is your favorite artist/band today? And who was your favorite artist/band 10 years ago?

Today: Inhaler, Foo Fighters, Kaleo, Dua Lipa, The Interrupters... and still listening to my 80s hard rock/metal.
10 years ago: Everyone would probably tell you that I was still stuck on my 80s hard rock/metal (Def Leppard, GnR, Metallica, etc.) and blues like Joe Bonamassa.

When you find yourself in a music store - what is your go-to riff when test drive gear?

Guitar - usually a GnR (Sweet Child of Mine) or Aerosmith (Walk this Way)...or just random blues rock licks
Bass - Aerosmith (Sweet Emotion), Michael Jackson (Billy Jean), or as with guitar, random blues rock licks

What is your most prized/cherished piece of gear? And why?

That is really hard to say. I have a ton of gear.

What is the next big musical purchase you're hoping to save for?

I would really love to get someone to build a double neck with a 4-string bass and 6-string guitar.

Gear Breakdown

Basses: Musicman Stingray 5 String, Fender Jazz Bass 4 String, Fender Precision Bass 4 String and a Gretsch Broadkaster 4 string. Amplifiers: Mesa Boogie WD-800 and Mesa Boogie Cabinets, Fender Rumble 800. Cables: Rattlesnake Cables (Standard, Snake Head and TRS). Pedals: Electro-Harmonix (Synth 9, Big Muff), TC Electronics - SCF (original), Boss DD-7 Delay, Jim Dunlop Bass Wah, Tech 21 Bass Fly V2, Boss ES-8 Switcher, Boss TU-3 Tuner. Wireless: Shure. Strings: DR Hi-Beams and DR Neons. Picks: D'Andrea Snarling Dog 1.14.

The routing depends on the stage. Sometimes I take a full pedalboard with my Mesa rig and other times, I take my Fender amp with just the Synth 9 pedal. If I am not going wireless on stage, I wrap my cable around the strap. For this setup, I always use the Rattlesnake snake head cables since I can easily wrap them and never have to worry about their reliability. Regardless of the setup, I always have my Rattlesnake standard cables.

Bands / Projects

Listen on Spotify

Social Links

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