Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Gardner.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles to an English dad and a Southern mom. They met in a bar in New Orleans where my mother’s from – my father was a bass player and was recording an album there. They were true rock ’n’ roll parents and I had a fun childhood full of exciting stories about my father’s adventures on the road in the 1960s and 70s – touring in bands that opened up for the Rolling Stones and shared the bill with the likes of the Who and Frank Zappa. From an early age, I knew that this is what I wanted to do too! I picked up the bass at around age 14 and decided to go to a performing arts high school called LACHSA (Los Angeles County High School for the Arts). Afterwards, I went to UCLA and got a degree in Ethnomusicology. After finishing college, I hit the road and never looked back. I’ve played in numerous bands and have toured the world as the bassist for a range of artists like Pink, Cher, Gwen Stefani, Tegan & Sara and the Mars Volta. I also do a lot of studio and remote session work.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was met with a lot of discouragement when I first showed interest in becoming a professional musician. I’m sure a lot of it was coming from a place of wanting to “protect” me from the trials and tribulations that come with being in the music industry (especially as a female). My mentor in high school advised me against going to a performing arts school to study music (she was on the road to becoming a doctor). Interestingly, that made me even more determined to do it! There were countless roadblocks along the way – for instance, I failed my audition for getting into the arts high school that I eventually graduated from (LACHSA). After that failed audition, I figured out how to turn that “no” into a “yes” and auditioned for a second time and made the cut. It’s often been moments like these, the “no’s,” that are the tests that build our character and determine our trajectories towards determination and success.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I began my professional career as a bass player in 2001, touring and recording with various artists. I started with Pink in 2007 and the bulk of my career as a live musician has been with her. Tour cycles will usually last about two years and then there’s a break – in that time, I’ll work with other artists, usually in the studio or as a touring/live bassist.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Early on, I was advised against taking the risk of having a career in the music industry – but I did it anyway. I never saw a plan b for myself and I think that taking that leap of faith is the only way to know how things will work out and how to carve out that path – you don’t know unless you try! Things rarely go exactly to plan and but being willing to take those risks allows for the knowledge of what to do – or what not to do! Resilience, persistence, optimism and gratitude have always been key for me.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.evagardner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evagardner/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/officialevagardner
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvaGardner
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe_y_MxpSfmySrvqDZP343A
Image Credits:
Ryan Aylsworth Bianca Buder
