Meet Bjorn Englen | Bass Player & Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Bjorn Englen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bjorn, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The fact that I followed my dreams, stayed focused and true to myself.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m mostly known as a world renowned rock bassist. However many people are unaware that I’m a very versatile player with lots of experience and skills in many genres of music. When I worked as a session player in the 90s I was forced to take any gig I could get my hands on in order to pay my bills, so I ended up playing everything from jazz to latin to reggae to funk to disco to R&B to blues, Top 40, classic rock, metal etc etc. This was VERY healthy. I learned a lot and helped me become the musician I am today. It was very much a struggle from time to time and my car would often barely make it to the gigs. I doubt very many musicians would put up with all the headaches I did, but I learned to never give up but also stay true to yourself. Don’t allow abuse. I am very proud to have played with bands like Yngwie Malmsteen, Quiet Riot, Dio Disciples and many more. I am very excited to announce my band Soul Sign’s new record to be released in a few months. I am also working on solo material.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A day in Venice Beach and Malibu. Next day look at the view of the city from Mullholland Drive and Griffith Park Observatory. followed by dinner at the Rainbow Bar & Grill. The next day a trip to Solvang with wine tasting at the wineries followed by a drink in Ventura on the way back.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to thank my wonderful girlfriend Miri, my Soul Sign bandmates Mark, Mike & Rob, my good friend and huge inspiration bassist Billy Sheehan for everything, as well as my dear mentor, friend and bandmate Craig Goldy, my dear friend Bo Engberg and everyone at EBS amps & effects, Mike & Tyler at Ibanez guitars, Wendy Dio & all my Dio D. bandmates, Susi & Rob at Legendary Artists, Daniel Mari (RIP), Tony MacAlpine, and my dear friends and mentors Micke Ringdahl, and Doug Margetts (RIP), as well as everyone else who has been of great support since I started including sponsors like Hipshot, Babicz bridges, Spectraflex cables, Boss tuners, DiMarzio pickups, CAD audio, PickGuy, Gator, Al Bane, Fishman pre-amps, U-Bass and MAK hair.

Website: https://wwwBjornEnglen.com https://www.SoulSignBand.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bjornenglen/ https://www.instagram.com/soul.sign/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjorn-englen-17264a4b

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BjornEnglen https://twitter.com/AllStarRawk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BjornEnglen/ https://www.facebook.com/SoulSignOfficial

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-ultimate-bass-lessons-los-angeles-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sweedbass/videos

Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwodxTuwydk&t=535s&pp=ygUNYmpvcm4gZW5nbGVuIA%3D%3D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COYhUIemh70&t=1531s&pp=ygUNYmpvcm4gZW5nbGVuIA%3D%3D

Image Credits
Julie Bergonz Alex Solca Scott Strelecki