Bio

Scott Varney: Going Where the Groove Takes Him

Come along for the Ride!

Scott Varney picked up the bass at the age of 14. He dabbled in everything from punk & hardcore all the way to funk and jazz. Some of Scott’s favorite projects were being the bass player to the Gloucester based punk rock band Skurj as well as holding down the low end along side good friend Rachel Leyco in the Rachel Leyco Band. Today, Scott’s musical talents have grown and he’s refined his musical tastes into a singular but hard to define style that draws from a blend of  funk, jazz and even folk/world music.

Scott’s current solo project is where he has truly found his way. Performing solo since 2002 Scott is making his way from his home in Williamsburg VA to wherever his original sound takes him.

The best way to describe Scott Varney is as a modern day one-man band with the Solo bass stylings influenced by the likes of Victor Wooten & Janek Gwizdala, The Funk Folk edge of Ani Difranco and the one man band jams of Keller Williams all wrapped up into one. Scott has been described by some fans as a “funky version of Jack Johnson”. Scott brings this sound together with his vocals, six string bass guitar, drums, Keys and various percussion instruments with one characteristic element of his live performance, “Looping” his vocals and instruments to create the sound of a full band.

Scott is influenced by a variety of musicians, for example: Victor Wooten, Janek Gwizdala,  Martin Sexton, Keller Williams, Ryan Montbleau, Michael Franti, Bob Marley, Ani Difranco, Paul Simon, Bobby McFferrin and many, many others. Scott takes his outlook on life and the world around him and lets it shine with his soulful voice and upbeat sound.

Scott’s ability to improvise and perform as a one man band allows his music to change from show to show keeping a quiet coffeehouse’s laid-back mood intact as well as setting the dance vibe of larger clubs free. Live shows are popular and he continues to be in demand for venues looking for that Scott Varney Music vibe. Local music stations have featured him as a live performer and he recorded a CD (The Child’s Eye) with John Morand of Sound of Music Studios in Richmond.

Scott’s sound has been well received at many of the venues he has played. Highlights include sharing the Stage with Dead and Company Bass Player Oteil Burbridge and his Band the Peacemakers and having the chance to perform along side some other amazing bassists and songwriters to include Aaron Gibson, Scott Fernandez, Brittany Frompovich, Rachel Leyco and Ben Titus . People young and old and of all different backgrounds are picking up on the SV sound. Scott has also had his songs aired quite frequently on a variety of local VA radio stations as well as NPR shows and has been featured many times on the bass playing website Notreble.com.

Scott released his debut Cd “The Child’s Eye” in the spring of 2004. It contains 10 original tracks recorded at Sound of Music studios in Richmond, VA with Producer/ Engineer John Morand. Morand has also recorded Carbon Leaf, Sparkle Horse, Joan Osborne, Cracker and many other bands and musicians. Scott played all of the instruments on the album i.e six string bass guitar, percussion , vocals and even the occasional mouth trumpet and toy piano. Scott is currently working on his long overdue follow up CD that will be titled “Wanting and Waiting” after a new song by the same title.

Scott’s music is an ever- evolving work in progress and his creativity showing no signs of stopping. Scott is willing to go the distance to play his music for all to experience and enjoy. He brings the beat, the bass and the groove. Come along for the ride!

What others are Saying:

• Featured on Notreble.com.
• “Bass Phenomenon” | Sam Mcdonald of The Daily Press
• “A very light feel, like a summer dress, and like a summer dress, this CD flows. Perfect porch music, probably even better with a cold beer and a nice breeze…” | Danny Carmichael – Wadi magazine
• CD REVIEW: Scott Varney – The Child’s Eye by Steve Allat of the Muses Muse 10.24.2004
• Scott Varney @ Poes Pub Richmond.com 8.8.2003