Now That’s Bass

not simply a lucky break: it was a career built through preparation, trust and understanding what an artist needs from their bassist.

Joining Pete Roythorne on Now That’s Bass, Dishan traces his journey from Sri Lanka and Perth to London, and explains how relationships with musical directors led from Christophe Willem to Kylie Minogue and Westlife.

This is a practical look at the work behind the big stages: why following a click can pull you away from the drummer, how to make your sound translate beyond your in-ears, and how solid time, feel and musical judgement earn you freedom on a pop gig. Dishan also explains what he looks for in a dep—and why being a brilliant player cannot make up for being unreliable.

We explore the less visible side of a long career, too: losing the hunger for touring, returning to study, and rediscovering music through curiosity rather than obligation. There are stories about an unexpected email from Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, playing with Kylie beside the pyramids, and why even experienced professionals still feel like imposters.

For players building a career, the takeaways are concrete: prepare so you can adapt, learn what the song and artist need, protect the trust behind a recommendation, and give people a way to discover what is distinctive about your playing.

Follow Now That’s Bass for more honest conversations about making a life in music. If you enjoy the episode, leave a rating or review and share it with another musician.

Chapters

00:00 Living the dream—and managing stage nerves04:29 Why bass felt freer than piano lessons07:46 Getting gigs while missing what college could teach11:20 Eight gigs a week: learning on the bandstand13:54 Click or drummer: what should a bassist follow?17:52 Earning creative freedom on a major pop gig22:30 Why moving to London changed the opportunities24:25 Getting the Sugababes gig without being on the list29:14 From Sugababes to Kylie: how trust opens doors32:46 Preparing for rehearsal changes before they happen34:53 Empathy, reliability and becoming a bassist people trust42:13 Losing the hunger—and learning to love music again49:33 Sleep, social media and advice to younger players52:05 Ed O’Brien’s email, Kylie at the pyramids and imposter syndrome56:22 Bernard Edwards: feel, restraint and a lighter touch

What gets you hired as a professional bass player — and what does it take to stay relevant across decades of musical change?

Charlie Jones has worked with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, spent around 18 years with Goldfrapp, produced and co-written music with Siouxsie Sioux, and toured with The Cult.

Chapters

01:03 Life off the road: The Cult, recording and creativity03:33 From a Woolworths bass to early recording sessions09:00 How working in a studio shaped Charlie’s sound12:04 Why a record deal doesn’t mean you’ve made it14:13 Early sessions, chance connections and the Robert Plant call20:33 How Charlie prepared for the Plant audition — and why he got hired24:27 Honouring John Paul Jones without losing your own voice27:43 Page & Plant as an apprenticeship: musical instinct and thick skin35:05 No overdubs: the making of No Quarter: Unledded36:23 A new musical language with Goldfrapp45:05 Strong musical personalities: respect, contribution and loyalty50:44 Career advice: play live, create opportunities, trust your instincts56:48 Why spontaneity and enjoyment matter more than perfection1:00:30 Essential bass lines: Ramble On, Jah Wobble and more

In this episode of Now That's Bass, Charlie takes us behind the scenes of that remarkable career, from his early days working in recording studios to performing with some of rock's most influential musicians.

We explore why Robert Plant chose him for the band, how working with Page and Plant became his real musical apprenticeship, and why moving into Goldfrapp's electronic world challenged him to develop an entirely new musical vocabulary.

Charlie also shares practical advice about:

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Getting hired for more than technical ability.

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Developing your ear and understanding what a song really needs.

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Working confidently and respectfully with demanding artists.

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Building relationships and remaining loyal without losing your self-respect.

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Finding live performance opportunities in today's music industry.

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Using social media without becoming trapped by comparison.

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Leaving room for experimentation, mistakes and fun.

We finish with a fascinating discussion of the bass lines and musicians that shaped Charlie's playing, including John Paul Jones, Jah Wobble and Ron Carter.

Now That's Bass explores the realities of building a working life in music through honest conversations with professional bass players.

Follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and if you enjoy the episode, please rate, review or share it with another bass player.

What would you do if Bryan Adams called and gave you six days to learn his arena set? Richard Jones nearly said no. In this episode, The Feeling bassist explains how he tackled the challenge—and what years of gigs, setbacks and unexpected opportunities taught him about earning a living in music.

Richard joins Pete Roythorne to explore why having your own sound can make you the right person for a gig, how a working rhythm section helped him land Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s audition, and why he temporarily stepped away from her band when their relationship began.

There are practical lessons in learning songs quickly, building musical chemistry and recognising the value of gigs that appear to go nowhere. Richard also tells the story of the “Sewn” demo that survived an expensive studio remake, and makes the case for keeping live bass players onstage.

In this conversation:
• What ten shows a week taught The Feeling about playing together.
• The value of learning by ear—and why Richard still wishes he could sight-read.
• How Spike Stent helped preserve the performance behind “Sewn”.
• Why an individual sound matters when people decide who to hire.
• Preparing for Bryan Adams: manageable practice blocks, the hardest songs first and getting off the page.
• Saying yes to a frightening opportunity without letting the next gig consume your time off.

Follow Now That’s Bass for more honest conversations about working lives in music. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a rating on Spotify or a rating and review on Apple Podcasts—and share it with a musician who would find it useful.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Richard Jones: a working life in bass
01:00 The Millennium Falcon bass story
05:22 Finding bass—and your place in a band
13:54 How bass shapes the whole arrangement
19:10 What you lose when bass goes on track
21:31 Music school, ear skills and real work
27:36 How a covers gig built The Feeling
32:28 The edge that won Sophie’s audition
38:48 Hearing the hit inside the demo
44:29 Why Richard stepped out of Sophie’s band
49:52 Why the “Sewn” demo beat the remake
53:10 Finding the sound that gets you hired
1:02:42 The call from Bryan Adams
1:08:25 Learning an arena set in six days
1:18:00 Stop letting the next gig consume you

What does it actually take to build — and sustain — a career as a professional bass player?

John Garrison has spent 18 years playing bass with James Blunt and has recorded with artists including Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, Christina Aguilera, Josh Groban, Passenger and Benson Boone. But his route into that world wasn't built around sight-reading, virtuosity or chasing the spotlight.

In fact, John can't read music.

Chapters for easy navigation

00:17 John Garrison: 18 Years at the Top03:46 How John Accidentally Became a Bass Player06:52 The Roadie Who Helped Launch His Career11:14 From Aspiring Artist to Professional Bass Player15:38 How John Landed the James Blunt Gig19:34 What Keeps You Hired for 18 Years?22:09 Learning to Serve the Artist — Not Your Ego26:28 Why Major Producers Keep Calling John31:58 Inside Lewis Capaldi's “Forget Me”36:53 Why the Notes Are Only 30% of the Job42:25 The Extra Skills That Get Bass Players Hired45:23 What Great Players Get Wrong About Building a Career51:43 Glastonbury, Jay-Z and Life at the Top55:06 Peter Gabriel, Kylie Minogue and a Very Surreal Dinner57:06 The Bass That Ended Up on Arctic Monkeys' Debut

In this episode of Now That's Bass, John explains why being able to play is simply the starting point — and why speed, musical judgement, preparation, backing vocals, versatility and being someone other musicians actually want to spend time with can matter just as much.

We get inside the session for Lewis Capaldi's “Forget Me”, including why John had to re-record the bass part on a different 1970s Precision before discovering it was about to become the first single.

John also reveals how he can turn around major-label bass sessions in less than an hour, why being a songwriter changed the way he approaches bass, and why his younger self had to learn that playing 23 notes a second wasn't necessarily going to get him hired.

We also talk about the unexpected “beer test” that helped him land the James Blunt gig, the challenge of moving from frontman to sideman, surviving 18 years on the road with the same artist, social-media comparison, ego, work ethic — and the question every aspiring professional musician should ask:

Would the rest of the band actually want to have a coffee with you on the day off?

Plus: playing Glastonbury with James Blunt, getting applauded by Jay-Z, asking Kylie Minogue to pass the HP Sauce, accidentally lending his bass to the Arctic Monkeys — and the two bass lines John believes players should spend some time with.

If you're trying to turn being a good bass player into actually getting hired, there's a lot in this one.

Now That's Bass — honest conversations about bass playing, careers and what it really takes to make a living in music.

Nick Owen spent ten years at London’s Bass Centre during an era when it brought together bass players from around the world. He remembers the famous names who passed through, the clinics, the unlikely encounters and, above all, the community that formed around a shop where people could try an instrument and talk to someone who knew it inside out.

What did working there teach him about basses and the people who play them? And could a place like that exist again?

Chapter guide

00:00:00 Nick Owen’s Unusual Bass Career00:05:46 Inside the Bass Centre00:15:25 Clinics and Bass Centre Legends00:23:06 From a Dep Gig to Sway00:29:11 The Jeff Beck Audition00:41:17 Music and the London Taxi00:48:11 Basses Kept, Sold and Remembered00:59:37 What Nick Would Do Differently

Nick’s story goes well beyond the counter. He talks about the dep that led to nearly 30 years with Sway, work with Ronan Keating, Gary Barlow, Bonnie Tyler and Dirty Vegas, a daunting Jeff Beck audition, and the complicated freedom of driving a London taxi alongside a playing career.

The final part is a treat for gear lovers. Nick discusses the basses he misses, the boutique instruments that left him cold, and what years of handling vintage Fenders taught him about judging an old bass on more than its age or price.

If you visited the Bass Centre, we’d love to hear your memories.

Guy Pratt has played bass with Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bryan Ferry, Robert Palmer and some of the biggest names in music.

But behind that extraordinary CV is a much more interesting story about confidence, instinct, relationships — and what it actually takes to survive for decades as a professional musician.

In this episode of Now That's Bass, Guy talks candidly about the imposter syndrome he felt working alongside the world's elite session musicians, why Bernard Edwards asking for him still seems extraordinary, and why being good in the room may have been as important to his career as being good on the bass.

Want to jump to the cool stuff?

00:34 Why bell ringing got Guy more press than playing bass03:22 How Guy first found the bass07:29 Learning by ear and making music without reading09:56 When playing bass became a possible career11:32 The first jobs: making a living with no plan B20:49 Why people kept calling Guy back23:40 Does imposter syndrome ever go away?26:31 What Bernard Edwards meant to Guy32:00 From band member to session player35:13 Murder on the Dancefloor and the bass line you barely notice37:08 Guy’s process for creating a bass part40:34 Has the music business become harder for working players?43:38 What Guy would tell his younger self about a music career47:38 The relationships that disappear between tours49:32 How to handle life when a tour ends51:22 Bass lines Guy wishes he’d written54:35 The bass part Guy is proudest of56:28 The bass players who give Guy stage fright58:47 How Guy became a stand-up storyteller1:01:43 Recording with Robbie Robertson1:04:41 The time Michael Jackson hid in the studio1:07:21 One bass line every player should learn

Still want to read more...

We get into how Guy actually creates bass parts in the studio, why he sometimes starts with absolutely no idea what to play, the 17-minute session that produced his bass part on Murder on the Dancefloor, and why he believes a great bass player can sometimes be like a great waiter: you barely notice them, but everything gets done.

Guy also reflects on an industry that has changed almost beyond recognition. He explains why the music business may look bleak while opportunities for working players aren't necessarily as bad as they appear, why personal relationships matter so much to making great music, and the huge amount of downtime that nobody sees behind a successful touring career.

Plus: playing with Bernard Edwards, being wound up by David Gilmour before a Pink Floyd bass solo, recording Earth Song and Like a Prayer, working with Robbie Robertson, the bass lines he wishes he'd written — and why bell ringing has somehow generated more media attention than almost anything else he's done.

Subscribe to Now That's Bass for honest conversations with professional bass players about playing, careers and what it really takes to make a life in music.

#GuyPratt #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #PinkFloyd #DavidGilmour #NowThatsBass #madonna

What happens when the career you spent years building starts taking away the thing you loved about music in the first place?

Nathan Mays has been playing bass for more than 23 years, working across country, variety bands, musical theatre and more experimental music while also studying music composition to Master's level.

But after years of gigging, Nathan found himself becoming increasingly disillusioned with the professional music scene. Music was becoming a job — and, in his words, "playing music shouldn't feel like work."

So he stepped back.

Today, Nathan's focus is increasingly on music education, where his experiences as a player, composer and teacher have come together in his own approach to learning bass: Feel, Form and Function.

In this episode of Now That's Bass, we talk about:

• Why Nathan stepped away from the professional music grind
• The darker side of the music world that musicians don't always talk about
• What real gigs teach you that music school can't
• Why chops don't matter if you can't actually do the job
• The problem with collecting information instead of actually learning
• Why so many bass players practise without a target
• Whether "feel" can really be taught
• Why pocket changes depending on the music you're playing
• Nathan's Feel, Form and Function approach to bass
• Why recording yourself could transform your practice
• The problem with cookie-cutter music education
• Why young musicians need to learn to take criticism
• And why Nathan thinks every bass player should learn "Chameleon"

It's a conversation about bass, but also about something bigger: what happens when your definition of being a successful musician changes.

If you enjoy honest conversations about the realities of building a life around the bass — not just gear and chops — subscribe to Now That's Bass for more interviews with working bass players, educators and musicians.

#NowThatsBass #NathanMays #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #BassLessons #BassEducation #MusicEducation #BassPractice #WorkingMusician #BassPlayers

Morgan Nicholls has built the kind of music career that's almost impossible to plan.

From starting out with Senseless Things to playing with The Streets, Gorillaz and ultimately spending 15 years onstage with Muse, Morgan's story is one of versatility, relationships, being in the right place at the right time — and being ready when the phone rings.

In this episode of Now That's Bass, Morgan talks about being "relegated" from guitar to bass, learning his craft through relentless gigging, discovering the bi-amped bass sound that changed his playing, and the phone call that gave him just days to learn a Muse set after Chris Wolstenholme broke his wrist.

We also get into his first terrifying Muse show, how a temporary bass dep turned into 15 years with the band, the chaos of early gigs with The Streets, performing with Gorillaz, and why getting on with people may be one of the most important skills a professional musician can have.

Morgan also shares what he wishes he'd learned when he was younger, the bass lines that influenced him, the instrument he'll never sell — and somehow we end up with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elton John and a packet of Old El Paso tacos.

A brilliant conversation about longevity, adaptability and building a life in music without ever really having a master plan.

In this episode:

• Being "relegated" from guitar to bass
• 150 gigs a year with Senseless Things
• Why Live at Leeds changed Morgan's approach to bass
• Finding his bi-amped bass sound
• The unexpected call from Muse
• Learning Chris Wolstenholme's bass parts in days
• What went wrong during Morgan's first Muse show
• How a temporary dep became 15 years with Muse
• Playing with Gorillaz and The Streets
• Why personality matters on tour
• The importance of treating the crew as part of the band
• What Morgan wishes he'd learned when he was younger
• Glastonbury, Arnold Schwarzenegger and tacos at Elton John's house

#MorganNicholls #Muse #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #NowThatsBass #Gorillaz #TheStreets #SenselessThings #ChrisWolstenholme #BassPlayers #ProfessionalMusician #TouringMusician #SessionMusician #MusicPodcast #BassPodcast #MusicianLife #BassCommunity #BassGuitarist #BritishMusic #MusicIndustry

The Rhythm Section: Smiley Barnard

What do bass players look like from the other side of the drum kit?

Welcome to The Rhythm Section, an occasional Now That’s Bass series where I turn the tables and talk to drummers about the bass players they’ve worked with, what makes a great rhythm section — and what bass players can do to make drummers love playing with them.

And there aren't many better people to start with than Steve “Smiley” Barnard.

Smiley's career has seen him play with Robbie Williams, Joe Strummer, The Alarm, The Boomtown Rats, From The Jam, Archive and The Stranglers — putting him alongside an extraordinary list of bass players including Jean-Jacques Burnel, Bruce Foxton, Pete Briquette, Derek Forbes, Jonathan Noyce, Tony Visconti, Yolanda Charles, Dale Davis, Lee Pomeroy, Matt Round and many more.

We talk about what separates the truly great bass players, why Smiley believes you can tell whether a bassist can play within the first five bars, and why feel, space and personality matter far more than showing everyone how clever you are.

Smiley also explains why playing with a Chaka Khan bassist taught him to stop playing drum fills, why Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr may be the ultimate rhythm section, why Adam Clayton deserves far more respect — and why the bass player is the “pivotal glue” that completes a track.

Plus: J.J. Burnel, Bruce Foxton, James Jamerson, Sting, Mani, Tina Weymouth, Joe Strummer, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, U2, The Beatles and the perils of musicians who simply won't stop playing between songs.

This is The Rhythm Section — bass players, seen from the drummer's seat.

#NowThatsBass #TheRhythmSection #BassPlayer #BassGuitar #Drummer #RhythmSection #BassPlayers #Drummers #Musicians #PaulMcCartney #RingoStarr #AdamClayton #TheStranglers #JoeStrummer #TheAlarm #robbiewilliams

Bass player, composer, producer, educator and music entrepreneur Marcel Pusey has built the kind of career that rarely gets talked about enough.

Rather than relying on one gig, one band or one big break, Marcel has spent decades creating a sustainable life around music — performing with Bassistry, composing for television and media, developing music education programmes, working in music technology and taking his work around the world.

In this episode of Now That’s Bass, Marcel talks about starting out playing rock and learning largely by ear, blagging his way through reading gigs, discovering jazz and fusion, and finding his place in London's music scene.

But the bigger story is how he learned to make music pay without giving up the music he actually wanted to make.

We talk about why jam nights were crucial to building his network, why musicians need to understand the business side of their careers, the importance of creating multiple income streams — and what happened when Marcel said yes to opportunities he wasn't entirely sure he was ready for.

There’s also a gloriously painful story involving an orchestra, a piece in 7/8 and the moment his sight-reading bluff was very publicly called.

In this episode:

• Why learning music by ear remains such an important skill
• What old-school learning gave musicians that YouTube sometimes doesn't
• How jam nights helped Marcel build his career
• Why networking works best when it doesn't feel like networking
• Creating multiple income streams as a working musician
• Why your band doesn't necessarily have to make money to be valuable
• The business skills musicians often overlook
• Saying yes before you're completely ready
• Dealing with imposter syndrome
• Why getting something wrong can still move your career forward
• Marcel's advice to young musicians: go for the goal, but stay flexible

If you're trying to build a sustainable career around playing music rather than simply waiting for the perfect gig to arrive, there's a lot in this conversation.

#NowThatsBass #MarcelPusey #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #BassPlayers #BassCommunity #WorkingMusician #ProfessionalMusician #MusicCareer #MusicBusiness #SessionMusician #BassLife #MusicianLife #MusicEducation #Bassistry

What actually gets a bass player hired — qualifications, chops, contacts, versatility… or something else entirely?

Philip Mann has spent nearly 30 years building a career across performance, education and publishing. He studied with Jeff Berlin, has worked with artists including Van Morrison, Leo Sayer and Billy Bragg, performed in West End shows, written extensively for the bass press and developed his own With Bass In Mind educational platform.

But in this conversation, Philip is refreshingly candid about what he believes actually matters if you want to make a living from music.

We talk about why collecting qualifications doesn't automatically make you employable, how studying with Jeff Berlin completely changed Philip's approach to the instrument, and why bass players can spend 90% of their practice time working on the 10% they'll rarely use professionally.

Philip also explains why getting older doesn't necessarily mean fewer opportunities — but it may mean understanding where you now fit in the industry — and why a sustainable music career increasingly means developing multiple income streams.

We get into the reality of competition for professional gigs, networking without manipulation, using social media strategically, the importance of investing in the right skills, and why relationships matter more than many musicians realise.

And to finish, Philip makes the case for one of Britain's most underrated bass players: Queen's John Deacon — and explains why every bassist should take a closer look at "Killer Queen."

In this episode:

• Why Philip originally picked up the bass out of "100% jealousy"
• Studying with Jeff Berlin and why it transformed his career
• Why qualifications alone won't get you hired
• Practising the 90% you're actually going to use
• Why professional bass playing is about serving the song
• Building relationships and putting yourself in the right rooms
• Getting older — and finding the gigs that fit you now
• Why musicians need a portfolio career
• Is there really less work, or simply more competition?
• Using social media to show people what you can do
• The career decisions Philip would change if he were 20 again
• Why maintaining relationships matters
• John Deacon, "Killer Queen" and playing the right notes at the right time

If you're trying to become a better bass player — or work out how to build a career around playing music — there's a huge amount to take away from this conversation.

Let me know in the comments: what's the biggest lesson you've learned about getting — and keeping — gigs?

#BassGuitar #BassPlayer #PhilipMann #MusicCareer #ProfessionalMusician #BassLessons #NowThatsBass

What does a sustainable career as a professional bassist really look like?

In this episode of Now That's Bass, Pete sits down with bassist, educator and online creator Dan Hawkins to explore the journey from an 11-year-old schoolboy discovering the bass to performing in the West End, touring with major artists and teaching thousands of bass players around the world.

Dan shares how incredible teachers shaped his playing, why reading music opened doors throughout his career, and how adapting to technology helped him build a successful online business without ever losing his love of performing.

They also dive into practice, motivation, overcoming plateaus, balancing family life with music and why the best bass players never stop learning.

Whether you're an aspiring professional, a weekend player or somewhere in between, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insight.

In this episode:

• How one music teacher completely changed Dan's life
• Getting Grade 8 bass in just two years
• Learning from West End session musicians
• Why reading music still matters
• Following a professional bassist for work experience
• Building a career through teaching, sessions and live work
• Playing Les Mis, Martha Reeves and Katie Melua
• Creating a successful online bass business
• Why deliberate practice beats endless noodling
• The biggest mistakes bass players make when learning
• Life after moving from London to Singapore
• The importance of adapting your career over time

If you enjoy these conversations with professional bass players, please Like, Subscribe and share the episode. It really helps the channel grow.

#bass #bassplayer #bassguitar #musician #musiccareer #basslesson #basspractice #musiceducation #danhawkins #nowthatsbass

Everyone talks about getting "the big break."

Jimmy Sims doesn't believe it exists.

Having toured and recorded with artists including George Ezra, Brian Ferry, Amy Macdonald, Mika and Dido, Jimmy has built one of the UK's most respected freelance bass careers—not through luck alone, but through years of quietly building relationships, saying yes to opportunities and constantly improving his craft.

In this episode Jimmy shares what touring is really like, why community matters more than networking, how the legendary Bass Centre helped launch his career, and why being a professional musician is often about handling the uncomfortable moments rather than the glamorous ones.

If you're trying to build a sustainable career as a bass player—or as any musician—this conversation is packed with practical wisdom.

In this episode we discuss:

• Building a career without a single "big break"
• How the Bass Centre became Jimmy's music college
• Touring with Mika, Brian Ferry and Amy Macdonald
• Why community beats networking
• The realities of life on tour
• Mental health and looking after yourself on the road
• Why versatility creates opportunities
• How to become the musician people recommend
• Learning theory without losing your creativity
• Why every rejection is simply another brick in the wall

🎸 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the world's best bass players.

#NowThatsBass #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #MusicianLife #SessionMusician #TouringMusician #MusicCareer #BassCommunity #JimmySims #GeorgeEzra #BrianFerry #AmyMacdonald #Mika #Dido

What does it actually mean to be a professional bass player in 2026?

Chris Horrocks (That Guy On Bass) joins Pete to talk honestly about building a sustainable music career that combines session work, weddings, content creation, YouTube and podcasting.

From getting made redundant and deciding to go all-in on music, to balancing gigs with running a successful business, Chris shares a refreshingly realistic look at life as a modern working bassist.

Along the way they discuss networking, soft skills, learning songs without charts, social media, tone chasing, content creation and why simply being someone people enjoy working with is often more valuable than being the flashiest player in the room.

Whether you're an aspiring session musician, weekend gigger or full-time pro, this episode is packed with practical advice that every bassist can use.

In this episode:

• Chris's journey from guitarist to professional bassist
• Why redundancy became the best thing that ever happened
• The realities of today's wedding and function scene
• Why soft skills matter more than technical ability
• Building multiple income streams as a musician
• Content creation vs live performance
• Learning songs without charts
• Why audiences don't care about perfect note-for-note covers
• Tone chasing—and why Chris is trying to stop
• Advice for younger musicians
• The one song every bassist should learn

If you enjoy these conversations, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.

#bass #bassplayer #bassguitar #sessionmusician #thatguyonbass #inthepocketpodcast #musician #musiccareer #basspodcast #nowthatsbass

Most musicians spend years trying to plan the perfect career.

Andy Lewis did something different.

From discovering bass through Mod music, soul and funk... to becoming Paul Weller's bassist almost by accident... to building a hugely varied career as a producer, DJ and songwriter, Andy's story is a masterclass in following opportunities rather than chasing status.

In this episode of Now That's Bass, Andy talks about learning by ear, why groove matters more than technique, the emotional side of music, life inside Paul Weller's band, and why saying "yes" has opened more doors than any long-term career plan ever could.

This is a fascinating conversation about musicianship, creativity and building a life in music that lasts.

In this episode we discuss:

• How Andy first discovered bass guitar
• Why listening is more important than reading TAB
• Learning music by ear
• The relationship between bass and drums
• How DJing shaped his understanding of groove
• The unexpected journey into Paul Weller's band
• Life touring at the highest level
• Producing records after Weller
• Why emotion always beats technical perfection
• Advice for young bass players
• The importance of staying curious
• The bass players everyone should study

If you enjoy conversations about bass, musicianship and building a career in music, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share.

#BassGuitar #BassPlayer #PaulWeller #AndyLewis #NowThatsBass #MusicPodcast #BassPlayers #Groove #MusicCareer #Producer #SoulMusic #FunkMusic #Mod #NorthernSoul

In this episode of Now That's Bass, Pete Roythorne sits down with bassist, producer, creator and Savage Fridays founder Jenn McCarron to explore what it really means to build a music career in 2026.

After years touring with bands, Jenn stepped into the corporate world before making the bold decision to return to music full-time. Today she's built one of the fastest-growing bass channels on YouTube while producing music, creating content and proving that modern musicians don't have to wait for opportunities—they can create them.

This isn't just a conversation about bass playing. It's about creativity, resilience, entrepreneurship and finding your own voice in an industry that's changing faster than ever.

Whether you're an aspiring professional bassist, a content creator, or simply trying to build a career doing what you love, Jenn shares honest advice, practical lessons and plenty of inspiration from her own journey.

In this episode we discuss:

• Jenn's unconventional journey into bass guitar
• Why she left touring for corporate life—and why she came back
• Building a career through YouTube and the creator economy
• Why consistency beats perfection
• The importance of finding your own musical voice
• Touring versus creating content
• Learning from criticism instead of fearing it
• Why community matters more than follower counts
• Balancing creativity with earning a living
• Multiple income streams for today's musicians
• Why every musician should stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them

If you're serious about building a career in music, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

👍 If you enjoy the conversation, please like the video, subscribe to the channel and let us know your biggest takeaway in the comments.

About Jenn McCarron

Jenn McCarron is a bassist, producer, songwriter and content creator best known for her growing Savage Fridays YouTube channel, where she shares bass demos, music production insights, gear reviews and honest conversations about life as a modern musician.

Subscribe for more interviews with great bass players.

#bass #bassguitar #bassplayer #musiccareer #musician #creator #youtubecreator #musicindustry #basscommunity #savagefridays

Dale Davis is one of the UK's most respected bass players, best known as the bassist and musical director behind the Amy Winehouse Band. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Dale has worked with artists including Paul Young, Tina Turner, Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Freak Power and many more.

Chapters

02:23 Where did your bass journey start?

05:37 Northern soul influence

10:08 Working with Paul Young

13:27 The Amy Wnehouse Gig

17:35 Beats International

19:29 Where the opportunities came from

20:34 The Hofner relationship

27:14 Finding your own sound

30:39 Did you ever have a plan B?

31:54 Where should people focus their attention to get more gigs?

34:16 Advice to the young Dale?

39:11 One bass line to rule them all?

In this episode of Now That's Bass, Dale shares the remarkable story of how a love of Northern Soul, relentless gigging, and trusting his own musical instincts helped shape a career that has taken him from local pubs in Reading to stages around the world.

We discuss finding your own voice as a bass player, why playing with people matters more than practising alone, the importance of perseverance, how he landed the Amy Winehouse gig, and why he believes making mistakes is one of the most valuable parts of becoming a musician.

Whether you're a beginner, aspiring professional, or simply love hearing how great musicians built their careers, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration.

In this episode:

• How Dale discovered bass after seeing Danny Thompson live

• Growing up on Mod, Northern Soul and classic rock

• The importance of saying yes to gigs early on

• Why playing with people accelerates your development

• Building a unique sound instead of copying others

• Working with Norman Cook, Freak Power and Paul Young

• Getting the Amy Winehouse gig (after initially not getting it!)

• The role of perseverance in a music career

• Why mistakes can be your greatest teacher

• Advice Dale would give to his younger self

• Learning by ear versus formal music education

• The bass lines and players that shaped his approach

If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and share it with another bass player.

#NowThatsBass #BassPlayer #BassGuitar #AmyWinehouse #DaleDavis #SessionMusician #BassLessons #MusicCareer #BassCommunity #MusiciansLife

James Eager has built a career that spans West End shows, function bands, jazz clubs, teaching, entrepreneurship and creating one of the world's largest online bass education communities through E Bass Guitar.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe and share with another bass player.

Chapter timings

01:07 Where did your bass journey start?

04:10 When did you realise you could make this work as a living?

09:41 Did you ever get out of your depth on gigs?

12:44 Are you only as good as your last gig?

16:59 How has the industry changed for today's bass players?

21:26 How important is it for musicians to have business skills?

28:02 Are the opportunities still there for younger bass players?

33:49 The importance of authenticty

38:54 What advice would you give your younger self?

43:35 One bass line everyone should learn

In this episode of Now That's Bass, James shares the reality of building a sustainable career in music. From saying yes to every gig in his twenties, to overcoming imposter syndrome, developing resilience, embracing entrepreneurship and finding his authentic voice, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for any bass player trying to make their way in today's music industry.

Whether you're an aspiring professional musician, a working bassist, or someone navigating the challenges of a creative career, James offers honest insights into what it really takes to build a long-term life in music.

What we talked about:

• How James transitioned from guitar to bass

• Studying jazz at Trinity College of Music

• Building a career through teaching and gigging

• Why saying yes to opportunities matters

• Imposter syndrome and surviving difficult gigs

• Lessons learned from the West End

• The changing music industry in 2026

• Why musicians need entrepreneurial skills

• Social media, authenticity and finding your voice

• Building E Bass Guitar from the ground up

• Mental resilience and self-development

• Why employability matters more than virtuosity

• The importance of entertaining an audience

• Advice James would give his younger self

• The one bass line every player should learn

Vicky Warwick has built the kind of bass career many musicians dream about.

From London to New York and now Los Angeles, she's toured the world with artists including Charli XCX, Big Time Rush and Maisie Peters, performed on Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel and The Graham Norton Show, and built a reputation as someone people genuinely want to hire.

But this conversation isn't about fame. It's about what actually happens behind the scenes.

Chapters

00:00 Start

00:44 Handling the travelling

03:26 Starting her bass journey

06:33 Realising this is a career

08:22 First big break

12:22 First taste of serious touring

15:16 How do you keep getting hired?

20:11 Does it help to play multiple instruments?

22:06 Are BVs essential these days?

25:08 Re-establish a career in different cities

30:11 Biggest lessons you've learned 3

3:50 Coping with the realities of touring

39:05 Most honest piece of advice about music career

40:12 What advice would you give your younger self?

46:38 Bass line everyone should learn and why?

We discuss networking, auditions, mentorship, touring, moving countries, building a reputation, and why being a great bass player is only part of the equation.

If you're serious about building a career in music, this episode is packed with practical advice from someone who has done exactly that.

In this episode:

• How Vicky accidentally discovered the bass
• Why a careers advisor told her not to pursue music
• The audition that changed everything
• Landing the Charli XCX gig
• Why networking isn't a dirty word
• The real secret to successful auditions
• How to build a music career in London, New York and Los Angeles
• Why versatility matters more than ever
• Learning bass and backing vocals simultaneously
• The truth about life on the road
• The importance of mentors
• Why most music careers are never just one thing
• The one bass line every player should learn

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with another bass player.

#BassGuitar #BassPlayer #MusicCareer #CharliXCX #SessionMusician #TouringMusician #BassLessons #NowThatsBass #MusicIndustry #BassCommunity

Steve Lawson: Building a Music Career Without Chasing Fame

What if the goal wasn't more followers, more views, or a bigger platform?

What if the real goal was building meaningful music, genuine community, and a sustainable creative life?

In this episode of Now That's Bass, Pete Roythorne sits down with bassist, educator, writer, technologist and PhD holder Steve Lawson for one of the most thought-provoking conversations on the channel so far.

Chapters for easy listening!

00:16

Introduction

02:48

How did you come to playing the bass?

09:11

What was the turning point for you in your bass career?

16:10

What was the catalyst for your evolution into solo bass?

25:31

How did you start to embrace technology to develop your career?

50:02

Is it easy today to push the boundaries of bass?

01:03:36

Why we need to more than chase clicks and algorithms

01:11:56

What's you advice for bass players coming into the industry today?

01:28:33

What bass line should everyone go away and listen to?

01:34:18

How did your PHD influence your attitude to music?

Steve shares the lessons he's learned from four decades of bass playing, pioneering solo bass performance, embracing technology before most musicians had even heard of it, and building a career entirely on his own terms.

The conversation explores everything from creativity and community to social media, attention spans, music education and what it really means to build a life in music in 2026.

Whether you're a bass player, musician, creator or simply interested in how artists navigate the modern world, this episode is packed with insight.

In this episode:

• Steve's journey from beginner bassist to solo artist
• How a broken arm changed his approach to music
• Why John Peel was one of his biggest influences
• Playing bass in duos and expanding the role of the instrument
• The origins of Steve's solo bass career
• Lessons learned from Michael Manring, Victor Wooten and Tony Levin
• Building an audience before social media existed
• How Steve used forums, blogs and online communities to create a sustainable career
• Why Bandcamp became the foundation of his business model
• The difference between community and audience
• The dangers of chasing algorithms and viral success
• Why social media rewards performance rather than artistry
• Practical career advice for aspiring bass players
• Trust, professionalism and reputation in the music industry
• The relationship between creativity, audience and meaning
• How Steve's PhD changed the way he thinks about music

Key Takeaway

"Make the music the thing."

A powerful conversation about building a career around purpose, community and creativity rather than chasing validation.

#SteveLawson #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #NowThatsBass #MusicCareer #Bandcamp #SoloBass #BassLessons #MusicianLife #IndependentMusician #BassCommunity #BassEducation #VictorWooten #MichaelManring #TonyLevin