Bruce Hughes

session bassist, vocalist

Bruce Hughes on SoundBetter

Jason Mraz, Bob Schneider, Fastball, Scabs, Ugly Americans, Teratoma - from contemporary pop to deep soul to avant garde, I create professionally recorded, melodic, hook laden tracks. Let's talk about what you want and make it happen!

“Known simultaneously as a musician’s musician and local scene fan favorite, Bruce Hughes is regarded across the board as an extraordinary bassist, singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and musically sophisticated craftsman.
He’s been voted Austin Music Awards “Best Bass Player” twice and on its decades-long Top Ten list more often than not. He played on Jason Mraz’s Superband 2008-09 world tour and Jason's "Beautiful Mess -Live on Planet Earth" live concert DVD, three of the last four Fastball albums, is a founding member of Poi Dog Pondering and has played and recorded with Bob Schneider since 1993, including as a formative member of the unparalleled Austin bands Ugly Americans and the Scabs. Hughes is ubiquitous in—and often out of—-the musical mecca, and he’s one of the city’s most visible, versatile, and sought-after artists, with an impressively varied career. You should hire him.” - Bruce’s Mom

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

Languages

  • English

Interview with Bruce Hughes

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

  2. A: The latest Fastball record, smart pop with a twist. I played bass. I also have a new solo record, Late Night Polaroids - I self produced and played and sang almost everything. It’s a recent peek into my methods.

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

  4. A: The muscle and the heart of it, I love hearing music for the first time and seeing the fabric woven.

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

  6. A: Small guitar, 4 sets of gut strings, and a knife.

  7. Q: How would you describe your style?

  8. A: I’m stylistically fluid by nature, describe the song?

  9. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  10. A: Neve 1073s, Coil Audio 70s, Manley DuoMono, Retro 76, Distressor, Ampeg fliptop, UAD Apollo - loads of basses and a few choice mics.

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

  12. A: Khruangbin/Steve Christensen, Pino Palladino/Blake Mills, Thom Yorke/Nigel Goderich, Sia/Diplo

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

  14. A: Vibe and structure building, marry melody to rhythm.

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Big Blue Sea by Bob Schneider

I was the bassist and background vocalist in this production

GenresSounds Like
  • Harry Nilsson
Gear Highlights
  • Bass of Love '78 Musician Stingray
  • '79 Musicman Stingray
  • '64 P Bass
  • '95 P Bass
  • '08 Jazz fretless
  • ‘67 Mustang
  • ‘69 Ampeg Fliptop
  • Neve 1073
  • Retro 176
  • Distressor
  • Universal Audio
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