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PODCAST

Now That’s Bass

Now That’s Bass is a podcast about the real world of professional bass playing. Hosted by bassist Pete Roythorne, the show features frank conversations with working bass players — touring musicians, session players, educators and gospel players — about what it actually takes to sustain a career in music. No fantasy. No gear flexing. Just the reality of the job. The podcast is also part of a personal mission. Just before Christmas Pete was made redundant. Approaching his 60th birthday, he decided it

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All Episodes

01:07:51

How I Got the James Blunt Gig — And Kept It for 18...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/10/05

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 navigation00:17 John Garrison: 18 Years at the Top03:46 How John

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01:08:13

Nick Owen on the Bass Centre, Gary Barlow and Vintage...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/09/28

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 guide00:00:00 Nick Owen’s

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01:08:55

Guy Pratt: Pink Floyd, Madonna & the Truth About...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/09/23

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

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52:16

“Playing Music Shouldn’t Feel Like Work” | Nathan...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/09/11

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

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49:21

“They Made Me an Offer I Couldn’t Refuse” | Morgan...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/08/28

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

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56:01

“Bass and Drums Aren’t Two Instruments… They’re One”...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/08/19

The Rhythm Section: Smiley BarnardWhat 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

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38:56

“You Can’t Just Be a Bass Player” | Marcel Pusey on...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/08/15

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

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71:32

“Nobody Cares About Your Degree” | Philip Mann on...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/08/10

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

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63:23

The Bass Found Me | Dan Hawkins on Building a Life in...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/08/03

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

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68:21

The Secret Isn't Talent, It's Consistency | Jimmy...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/07/27

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,

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73:48

Nobody Owes You a Gig | Chris Horrocks on Building a...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/07/20

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,

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57:17

From Postman to Paul Weller | Andy Lewis on saying...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/07/08

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,

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57:01

How Bass Players ACTUALLY Build Careers in 2026 |...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/06/26

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

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43:01

I Almost Didn't Get the Amy Winehouse Gig: Dale Davis...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/06/20

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

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44:39

Play the Gig, Learn the Lesson: James Eager on Bass,...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/06/13

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

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48:37

Dream Big, Prepare Hard: Vicky Warwick on Building a...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/06/06

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

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99:55

Make The Music The Thing: Steve Lawson on Art,...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/05/30

Steve Lawson: Building a Music Career Without Chasing FameWhat 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

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63:57

Network Like a Demon: Mike Brooks on Bass, Survival &...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/05/26

Bass player, journalist, reviewer, YouTuber and working musician Mike Brooks joins Now That’s Bass for a brutally honest conversation about what it really takes to survive as a professional bass player over three decades in the music industry. From discovering bass through Duran Duran and landing his first professional gigs in the ‘90s, to building a long-term career through covers bands, networking, journalism and YouTube, Mike shares the realities most musicians never hear about. This episode

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45:52

Right Thing, Right Time: Andrew McKinney on Pulp, JTQ...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/05/16

In this episode of Now That’s Bass, Pete talks to Andrew McKinney, current bassist with Pulp and The James Taylor Quartet, course leader for performance at BIMM London, and a player whose career has taken him through TV, theatre, funk, soul, session work, education and major international stages.Quick Links to Chapters 00:31 Introduction 04:15 How did your bass journey start? From Cello to BassTech 07:17 How did your first bits of session work come in? 14:03 How did your first break come about

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48:43

Gearing Up: Jonny Dibble on P Basses, Pedals &...

Now That’s Bass ·

2026/05/09

Jonny Dibble has built a loyal following in the bass world by doing something surprisingly rare: making bass gear feel honest, relatable and genuinely useful.In this episode of Now That’s Bass, Pete sits down with the bassist, YouTuber and co-host of the In The Pocket podcast to talk about affordable basses, social media, gear obsession, bass culture and what it really takes to build an audience online as a musician. Jonny shares how a Harley Benton review during lockdown accidentally launched his

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