Jimmy Sims

Bass guitarist, Songwriter,

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2 Reviews (2 Verified)
Jimmy Sims on SoundBetter

I'm a London based bass player and songwriter. I have touring and recording credits with Bryan Ferry, Dido, George Ezra, M. Ward, Mika, Shane Filan, Ronan Keating, Amy Macdonald, Judie Tzuke, Shaun Escoffrey and more.

I'm a bassist and songwriter. My cowriting credits include Amy Macdonald, Jamie Lawson and Callum Beattie. I've been playing professionally for nearly twenty years in which time I've toured with artists around the world including Bryan Ferry, Mika, Dido, George Ezra, Amy Macdonald, Shane Filan, The Saturdays and Judie Tzuke. I've recorded for the likes of George Ezra, Ed Sheeran, Amy Macdonald, M. Ward, Bryan Ferry, Shaun Escoffrey, Ronan Keating and more. I've been doing online sessions for producers for the last few years and am very comfortable working to a deadline and providing numerous ideas for any track.

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Jimmy Sims
  • M. Ward
  • Amy Macdonald
  • Amy Macdonald
  • Amy Macdonald
  • Amy Macdonald
  • Stuart Hancock
  • Wakey Wakey
  • Amy Macdonald
  • Amy Macdonald
  • Orquesta Harlow
  • Shaun Escoffery
Discogs verified credits for Jimmy Sims
  • Amy MacDonald
  • Amy Macdonald
  • Amy Macdonald
  • Rookes
  • Stan Kenton And His Orchestra
  • Amie Miriello
  • Vandeville Falls
  • Amy MacDonald
  • Amy MacDonald
  • Amy MacDonald
  • Various
  • Paul Allen And The Underthinkers
  • Shane Filan
  • Fred Abbott
  • Bryan Ferry
  • Stephen EvEns
  • Stuart Hancock
  • Ronan Keating
  • Amy MacDonald
  • Various
  • Judie Tzuke
  • Amy Macdonald
  • Stephen EvEns
  • Rookes
  • Amy MacDonald
  • Various
  • George Ezra
  • Amy MacDonald
  • Jamie Lawson
  • Amy MacDonald
  • M. Ward
  • Amy Macdonald
  • She & Him
  • George Ezra

2 Reviews

Endorse Jimmy Sims
  1. Review by Marek K.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    I'm very happy working with Jimmy who laid bass on my home-produced track. We agreed the plan in advance which was helpful so we were both clear from the outset. He started by laying some of his ideas down. I also had an idea for the bass and he agreed to record this together in person one afternoon (we live in the same city). Afterwards he provided some adjustments online. Jimmy's very friendly and easy to communicate with, his playing is highly professional, & he has good creative ideas.

  2. Review by David C.
    starstarstarstarstar
    check_circleVerified

    Jimmy was a dream to work with. Fast communication, fast delivery and exceptional playing/recording quality with a variety of great options. It was a pleasure to work with him and i'd highly recommend him for your project.

Interview with Jimmy Sims

  1. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  2. A: Songwriting, learning songs for a tour and completing a yacht rock project with some friends.

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

  4. A: Jimmy Sims is great.

  5. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  6. A: Both. Why can't I have both?

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

  8. A: The clearer you can communicate with me the better the end product will be.

  9. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  10. A: The creativity and the joy when the artist is happy.

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

  12. A: I tend to get asked about the differences between different basses. I'm a bit of a nerd about that stuff so I'll talk for hours about it.

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

  14. A: That it's easy.

  15. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  16. A: I'll ask what they've been listening to firstly. Trying to come to the work with a knowledge of the artists perspective is key.

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

  18. A: Communication is key. If you have questions that you think are dumb, ask them. If you have reference tracks, send them. If something is not right, bring it up straight away. Clear communication is always the best way.

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

  20. A: My 1966 Ampeg Portaflex, one of my P-basses and one Jazz bass. Probably a fretless and maybe my double bass for some shade?

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

  22. A: I've been a touring bass player for the past 15 years and worked in bar bands for years before that. I write songs for other artists which led me to have a small studio setup which I can now open up to remote recording.

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

  24. A: I've always wanted to work for Mark Mothersbaugh. I've alwasy been a big Devo fan but then his soundtrack work with Wes Anderson and on the Lego movie are simply mind bending. He seems like a very driven artist.

  25. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  26. A: If you're having to use more than four plugins to get the part to sound right then maybe its not the right part.

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

  28. A: Pop, rock, new wave. I tend to be on the more melodic side of music.

  29. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  30. A: Speed and ideas. I can work very fast without compromising quality and I believe I bring creativity with my ideas that set them apart.

  31. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  32. A: Creativity and the ear of a songwriter. My aim is to not get in the way of the song but to also add something that may not have been thought of to each project I take on.

  33. Q: What's your typical work process?

  34. A: I like to start with references for the song. I want to find out what the headspace of the song is so I can work out how to approach the work. Depending on the song I'll perhaps work out a chart and do some rough takes using a single DI signal but I don't like to learn things too completely so I can maintain a fresh approach and not get stuck in the same ideas. Once I'm comfortable with the song I'll work on a tone with the artist or producer, making suggestions where needed. Usually using three audio signals, I try to send out at least three different full takes which can then be edited together depending on the artist/producers taste.

  35. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  36. A: I'm in a fairly simple room with a few different bass amps mic'd up and DI boxes all going through a Focusrite Clarett interface into a Mac with Protools. I have recently invested in an API512C which has really helped me make the most of my mics.

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

  38. A: I find inspiration in many different places but for my studio work I love learning about the processes of classic bass players like Lee Sklar and Duck Dunn along with songwriters and producers like Jamie Lidell, Mark Mothersbaugh and Jon Brion. If I'm working on a style of music I'm less familiar with I will try to dive into references and find common ground as a jumping off point.

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

  40. A: I record bass, by which I mean bass guitar in various forms, double bass and synth bass. All done remotely from my studio room in leafy West London, UK.

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Anyone For You by George Ezra

I was the Bass Player in this production

Terms Of Service

You specify the instrument/technique. Two or three takes will be supplied, usually within 1-2 days. My schedule may mean certain basses aren't available but I'll make that clear when you get in touch.

GenresSounds Like
  • Dido
  • George Ezra
  • Amy Macdonald
Gear Highlights
  • 1972 Fender P Bass
  • 1979 Fender P Bass
  • 1973 Fender Jazz Bass
  • 1977 Fender Jazz Bass
  • 1978 Musicman Stingray
  • 1967 Espania Hollobody
  • 2001 Musicman Stingray Fretless
More Photos
More Samples