World Class Bass Player

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

A: I co-wrote and co-produced music for a short film for Harley-Davidson called "Harley-Davidson Nighster: Instrument of Expression) recently, a good friend was directing and i worked on the music with one of my best friends. It just turned out so well, i would recommend the film and the music can be listened to on Spotify.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: Im currently writing a new E.P (you can hear a clip of my song REMEMBER WHAT WE FORGET in my sample above) and getting ready for a tour over the summer.

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

A: My older brother Olugbenga Adelekan (of Metronomy fame) is also a fantastic bass player and singer and a top bloke.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. it all depends on whats appropriate for what youre doing. It also all depends on what you can afford and whats convenient. If im at Abbey Road or Rak then im using all the analogue magic thats there. If im in my mate's bedroom then im plugging direct in and making a song thats just as banging. It can all be good. They are all just tools for making Music.

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

A: We will get along well. Your song will be better having passed through my fingers. Respect and transparency is paramount.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music is a collaborative art form and i live the dream of working with new and interesting people all the time.

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

A: honestly there isnt really a regular question besides "how long would it take to..." and the answer is always "it depends on what you have in mind BUT the job will be done by the time we set"

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

A: "if you do what you love, you will never have to work a day in your life" trust me, this is very hard work. Its taken years and years and years and years to get here and the job isnt always glamorous nor is it EVER guaranteed. just because we do something we enjoy doesnt mean we shouldnt be respected for the craft of it!

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: Whats the BPM of the song? What sort of style/feel/ideas do you have for the part? DO you want exactly the part you have in mind or can i try some things out? Any sonic references for the tone?

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

A: Im a collaborator, i want the best for what you are doing and will trat you with the utmost respect and honesty, i expect the same thats all. lets have some fun. oh make sure whatever you send has BPMs, you'd be suprised how many people forget that

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

A: My eastwood Classic 4 bass with flatwounds on it. Thats my main baby. Id keep it simple, probably some sort of 4 track. a wee drum machine. acoustic guitar and a tuning fork.

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

A: my first professional gig was when i was 18 or 19, i am 35 now! its the only job i have ever done. I have been in bands and playing in orchestras(i used to play the flute) and singing in choirs and church since i was a child. But i was won my gap year waiting for Uni when the opportunity came to play for an indie singer-songwriter called Jeremy Warmsley and i havent looked back since. Many pubs and clubs and studios and bedrooms and arenas later, i am still on my gap year!

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Alternative super funk love beat .....or something i dunno hahaha

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

A: I'd love to do something with either Phoenix, Beck or Trent Reznor. Phoenix because i think they are one of the coolest bands that somehow straddle pop, alternative indie, dance added to a great live show and awesome sounds. i just think they would be fun to work with. Nine inch NAILS, was hands down the best show i have ever seen and would love to work with Trent, especially as he does the film stuff now. And Beck is just one of the all time greats and also was a killer show to see.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: DONT SPEND A FORTUNE! You would be surprised at how many people dont utilise the power of their DAW(for example) and end up spending loads of money on plug-ins and outboard gear that they dont need. You most likely have all the tools you need to make great sounding music at your finger tips already. dont go crazy on cash till you have a real reason to.

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

A: Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, Dub, Singer Songwriter, alternative

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: you will be hard pressed to find someone more attuned to what you're asking for. i care deeply about you getting what you need and not just me wanting to do "my thing" or impose "my sound" on you. I am great because i can do whatever is needed and make everyone feel great while doing so. I will listen to your ideas and thoughts and make sure we represent whatever that is, through my lens, as best as possible and leave you with a big, silly smile on your face!

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: a unique point of view. i think i bring a feel that is not perhaps the usual thing you would get otherwise. maybe thats because i am self taught and maybe thats because i have played with lots of different people in different styles. i dont know but i think i am able to play something thats appropriate to which ever style im tackling all the while bringing something all of its own to the piece.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: im an intuitive player really, ill often load a song into the DAW, plug in my bass and then press play to just capture an initial pass and see what ideas happen. Then ill go back and fine tune and work from there. My best vocal ideas, melody ideas, guitar and bass lines tend to happen when im just in instinct mode! After capturing the initial essence i then go in a build upon that.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: MacBook Pro running logic pro. My set up is simple but mighty, going into my Origin Effects Bass Rig Super Vintage pre-amp through Focusrite Scarlet 8i6 with a variety of plug ins including the Ampeg SVT Suite, i can get any bass tone you need.

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

A: Sir Paul Mccartney, Pino Paladino, James Jamerson and Peter Hook would be some top tier bass players that inspire me. But musically my boss Damon Albarn is pretty unmatched in terms of the variety of styles of music and the work ethic to keep putting out such amazing things.

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

A: Most commonly i do work thats more in the alternative pop, rock and dub type styles. In general i tend towards interesting parts but always being true to whatever is needed for the song and never things that are super crazy. moments of flashy things are good sometimes but in general i love to hold it down. You wont find dirty loops style fusion meltdowns here im afraid!