Session Bass Player / Producer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I’m currently working on an album of my own music and I’m really excited about how it’s all coming together. It's retro music with a modern sound. Soulful retro-pop with a touch of jazz.. watch this space!

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: Professionally recorded, great sounding bass tracks, delivered with a quick turnaround.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Know what you want and be open to ideas. Might sound like a contradiction, but I think it’s important for the client to have a good idea of what he/she is after and also be open to hearing different possibilities within that idea.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I’ve been playing bass professionally for over 20 years and relocated to London 18 years ago to follow my ambitions. Having had a jazz education I found myself wanting to play music that’s more main stream. Since I’ve moved to London I’ve had some great opportunities with internationally renowned artists and formed strong working relationships in the music scene.

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I'm MD of Go West, a band who've had some success over the last few decades. A lot of amazing musicians have collaborated with these guys over the years (Jeff Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta, Abraham Laboriel, Randy Brecker, Neil Stubenhaus, the list goes on..) and to follow in their footsteps is always a challenging, but rewarding task.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Session drummer Chuck Sabo is a good friend of mine. He’s got a great feel and he’s really fun to work with.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I like the editing possibilities that digital offers you, but I prefer the sound character of analog. So I would say my ideal setup is a hybrid of both.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The excitement of creating something and the customer loving the result as much as I do.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: Q: What if i’m not happy with the result? A: Then we go back & forth until you are happy. So far I have only great feedback from my clients.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That any guitarist could do my job!?:-)

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Usually I ask if they have a specific idea in mind or even a sound reference to use as a starting point. It also helps me to hear any previous productions so to give me a bigger picture of what the artist is all about.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: My MacBook with Logic, UA Apollo, iLok, Fender Jazz Bass, Fender Precision Bass.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: On point, clean, creative, engaging.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I love a lot of the modern electronic music which involves a live rhythm section, resulting in a blend of old school funk and modern sounds. For that reason I would say Daft Punk.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: I would say to try and be critical with yourself. If you record or produce something and you are not 100% convinced, then how can you expect anyone else to be?

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Generally pop is what people hire me for. I’ve had a jazz education and feel very much at home in soul and r&b, but the main type of music i work on is pop.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening. Wether it’s listening closely to what the drums are doing, listening to a song overall or listening to the ideas of the artist or producer.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: Groove, feel, tone.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually listen to the song a few times without my instrument. I found that coming up with a bass line in my head rather than on the instrument allows me to think freely, without falling into generic patterns that sit comfortably on the bass. When I have come up with something I’m happy with I will record a ‘master take’ and then usually a couple more takes with variations.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My recording setup consists of iMac, Logic X, UA Apollo interface, Focusrite ISA converters and DI, focal studio speakers. My ever changing (usually growing) collection of bass guitars includes.. 4 string: Fender Jazz Bass JV 1982 Fender Precicion Bass Vintera Sire MM signature Fender Jazz Bass special Mazetti Precision bass Ibanez semi acoustic 5 string: Fender American jazz bass V Fender Jazz Bass plus Lakland 5501 (maple fretboard) Lakland 5501 (rosewood fretboard) Lakland 5501 (fretless) Santander fretless Overwater V Reverend Mercalli 5 Electric Upright Bass Acoustic Upright Bass (50s, german)

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Musicians who have the overall vision of a song and at the same time appreciate the importance of detail. In terms of bass players I’m thinking of people like Paul McCartney, Bernard Edwards or Marcus Miller. All fantastic creative players as well as amazingly skilled producers.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Much of my work is composing and recording bass lines for independent artists and producers. I will always try to get a good feel for what it is that the client wants and deliver that with passion and precision. I often end up recording some extra takes and options and try to offer a different flavour whilst still playing for the song.