Carl Remde

Carl Remde hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was there that he met his lifelong love, the bass guitar.

While living in Madison, WI Carl played with the world music / funk band, Sunshine Allison. With a drummer who had studied in Brazil and a percussionist who studied in Senegal, Carl was exposed to and explored many world rhythms. Performing with Sunshine Allison throughout the Midwest for about 5 years nurtured his love for world music. From this experience, Carl continues to be inspired and excited about the possibilities of the fusion between world music and his rock and funk roots.

Carl moved to San Francisco in 1999, enticed by the international culture and thriving music scene. While looking for a musical home, he met up with two Brazilians (Alex Koberle and Emiliano Benevides) and Bat Makumba was born. Since their formation in 2000, Bat Makumba has toured extensively throughout California with their blend of high-energy Brazilian funk rock. The release of their debut CD (self-titled) in 2003 generated a lot of attention. Most notably, Bat Makumba won the California Music Award for Outstanding Latin Alternative Album.

While keeping Bat Makumba as his main focus, Carl Remde is in a constant state of writing and recording music. Carl's new CD 'Explanation Point', is his first solo effort to showcase the eclectic nature of his musical mind. Not to be thought of as a complete departure from the Bat Makumba style, the selections on this CD are more an extension of the musical mixing concepts. Independent music at its finest, 'Explanation Point' is a diverse blend of the many different influences that drive Carl and his art.

Carl Remde continues to play with Bat Makumba and promises to keep busy in 2009. Carl is currently booking solo performances utilizing live looping techniques. With bass, electric drums, guitar, synthesizer, percussion and voice, Carl can layer a thick song in front of your eyes.

Photo by Mirissa Neff.