Versatile Bassist

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

A: Most often its more likely the other way round. But commonly when a customer asks me a question it normally involves the technical and equipment features of the work. Some people request particular microphones or pre amps, as well as basses and the strings to use! I try my best to obtain/have whatever my clients need. I have access to a range of equipment, even if its not in my personal inventory, so i usually answer by confirming their request and ensuring i am able to produce a piece of work they are happy with.

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

A: I recently worked on a recording session with a UK artist at a studio in South East London on an acoustic pop track for their EP. It was one of the highlights of my career as a bassist, i felt so connected with the track, almost like i had it on a fishing line and was in complete control of it. I loved playing on it and the artist is a fantastic musician to play with, so joined with having a great team of engineers meant the session felt so smooth and i came away feeling pleased and inspired by what i did.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am currently working on a funk album consisting of my own material, as well as providing bass parts for an up and coming singer-songwriter based in the UK for their first EP. i have also just finished assisting the writing elements of a charity single which will be released shortly.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital. Whilst analog clearly boasts a more warm and "human" sound/touch to things. The ease of being able to produce a whole track from your laptop via a DAW is one of the biggest privileges i think music creatives have ever been given. It gives anyone the ability to create. And i think just with that, it outweighs even the fact that analog sounds better and makes you much more connected with the music. Both are great!

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

A: That i will give my all to their project, however simple or challenging the task.

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

A: I think a common misconception with the bass is that its simplicity in physically playing it can be incorrectly associated with its purpose and role with regards to the music. Whilst it may be simpler to play than brass or woodwind instruments for example, its role and job for a track is paramount. A solid sounding rhythm section instills a much needed confidence into a track and allows the other elements to sound confident too. Especially with the bass being the instrument that often glues the whole piece together, the mental discipline and knowledge required to do this role perfectly, putting aside ego or selfishness to show off, in my eyes requires a high level of intonation and shows it must be a main focus of any track.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What their music makes them feel and how they want other people to feel from it. As well as any tones/sounds they imagine for my part, alongside where they want it in the mix compared to everything else that is happening.

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

A: I would say that no matter how far you are in a project or whatever stage you are in, give me as much information as possible. Some of which may not even be musical. Describe to me how you see the music evolving and what you would like from my part. This ensures i can perfectly complete what you imagine and need for your track.

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

A: Although i have been around music from an early age via my family's music production company. My bass and production career are very much still in their early stages, and i take pride in that. I first started supporting artists on a professional level in 2022, when i supported an Italian artist Rick Six on his tour of various London venues. From this, as i was mainly writing and composing my own music which is still my primary role, i then got into providing studio bass recordings to people, starting out from friends and "Uni" bands to then recognised artists and producer's in late 2023 through various projects as listed in my profile. Continuing to build a steady reputation and providing the same effort and work ethic to whatever project/opportunity is given to me.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I would describe my style as fluid like, taking up the perfect amount of space given to me in a track. I like to let loose and express myself when i can but i also enjoy times when im sitting back and letting the other instruments shine. I love joining the flow of where the song is going and doing whatever is best for it.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Trust your Ears! appropriate Gain staging, reference tracks similar to your intended sound and ensuring you get as best as a recording as you possibly can will also save you untold hours of stress and wasted time!

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

A: I usually work on funk/pop tracks with my bass playing, but i as have played in a range of groups across many different genres, i enjoy playing in as many different styles as i can. Additionally, as i create and produce my own music this further builds my knowledge of varying styles. Which helps with regards to my bass playing if i have to create something for that genre.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think one trouble with producing and composing music in todays digital age, is that although you have the ability to create and play any instrument via various DAW's and sound plug ins etc. Getting it to fit totally into your song can be tough and can often make it sound in need of a "human" touch, to mould the instrument perfectly into the track. Having someone who knows what they are doing and what role their instrument plays in a track is one of the golden steps, and never ceases to amaze me just how much it can improve and bring a track closer to perfection. I like to think this is what i bring to a track, as well as a solid foundation for the music to rest on and to make the song sound confident!

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I like to be as organised and scheduled as possible with my work process. Allowing myself to not waste any energy & time on being unsure of what to do next, in order for me to focus purely on creating the best bass line for the track. I like to make time for myself to view the track from many different perspectives and be 100% in the zone with it, making sure i achieve the result desired by my client as well as nailing any deadlines.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: My personal studio set up is based near Stonehenge and has been built up over the last 4 years to become a fully functioning professional studio. I use an Adam audio reference monitoring system and various other types of equipment allowing me to use it to record a range of instruments and to work on an array of different projects. This studio is where i record my remote recording jobs, produce my own material and assist others in production as well.

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

A: Assuming there is power on the island, An Orange OBC115 & AD200 MK3 head, A Music Man active 5 string HH bass, Stereo system (Loudest single one available), Turntable or other music listening console with as much music as possible to listen/jam along to.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Being creative and collaborating with other talented and hard working people as well as consistently improving my knowledge of my craft.

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

A: I would love to work with Pharrell Williams currently as he would be a perfect vocal addition to a track that i have produced recently. I also love the musical collaboration with Tom Misch and Yussef Dayes and would love to work on a track with those guys.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I think my strongest skill is having the discipline to know how much my instrument should be doing and keeping it supporting the track, additionally i have a solid idea of how to play in a wide range of genres and styles which helps. I also like to think my punctuation and professionalism is a strong skill too!

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

A: i am greatly inspired by all types of music and there are so many talented and boundary pushing professionals out there that i could never name all of them. But i am particularly inspired at this moment in time by a lot of the Jazz/Funk fusion from the 70s - 80s featuring artists like Herbie Hancock, Chic, Jaco Pastorious, Stevie Wonder and many others involved in the scene. Producers like Quincy jones really inspire me too and in general the fact that nowadays most music is within easy reach, your inspirations and creative directions can spread as far as you choose.

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

A: The most common type of work i get from my clients is either Live session work, which ranges from festivals to jazz bars or alternatively i get asked for recording work which i offer both remotely and in person at studios. This involves me providing high quality bass parts to either Demo tracks or tracks to be released.