Rock/Indie Session Bassist

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

A: I'm really proud of my work with Hollow Hand. They're some of my best friends and making music with them is so much fun as we all have such similar ideas and approaches. My role in that band is as bass player both in the studio and on stage and we've spent many, many hours playing together over the years.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I recently just finished tracking a new album by US artist Mattiel at Giant Wafer Studios in Wales and look forward to that coming out in the near future. I'm also in the process of recording material with Willie J Healey and Hollow Hand. Later in the year I will be on tour with US band Wild Pink around Europe and the UK which i'm really looking forward to.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog every day of the week for me. I feel like the tangibility and tactility of analog is so much more inspiring than digital emulations.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I like to know what the song is about. Knowing about the subject matter can help me to build a mood. I also like to ask for any references they might have so I can try to match the energy and vibe. It's also fun for me to hear any ideas for parts they may have as I love to build the ideas the artist might have into my part.

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

A: Knowing what you want to achieve is really important to me as a provider. Not to say that we can't work together to find what you're looking for but having a vision is really inspiring to me as a player and brings out the best in me. Also being willing to try different things and approaches is always something that can take you to unexpected and unique places.

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

A: Firstly my 1996 Fender Precision bass. It was my first Pro grade instrument and has travelled on every tour i've ever done. I would also take my Orange AD200. It's my dream amp and allows me to get the sound I hear in my head. It's just a shame it weighs a tonne! Some headphones would be a must as what's the point if you can't even listen to any music. I would also take my Bass VI. I love to explore different sounds and ideas on it and it constantly takes me to new places. Finally I would take my little Korg Volca beats. Having something to play with would keep me busy.

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

A: I started playing bass at age 11 and since then it has been my main focus and drive. I played in bands almost straight away. I went on to study in Brighton at BIMM and then at ICMP in London where I got a First Class Hons Degree. From the contacts I made whilst studying playing and touring with artists from all over the world. In recent years I have performed at festivals across the UK and Europe including Glastonbury, End of The Road and Greenman and supported IDLES on their UK tour and MJ Lenderman on their European tour. When i'm not touring i'm either in the studio with various artists or concentrating on creating new sounds and new approaches which I post on my Instagram @leo.charles.clarke

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style as a player is very much old school. I grew up listening to lots of STAX, Motown and Atlantic recordings. Those recordings have such an abundance of feel and emotion and that is something I try to bring to every recording session whatever the style of music.

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

A: I would love to work with Jeff Tweedy. His catalog is so vast and has so many different shades yet it always sounds like him. He is also someone who has a penchant for all things gear and really indulges in the vintage way of working.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Recording multiple mics on the same source is such an easy but exciting way to have different shades of the same performance. I love to have a few mic's capturing my amp and using the mic's to provide different textures to my sound.

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

A: Anything from Indie rock to Country. My favourite music to work on is anything with one foot in the 70's.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: As a huge fan of Paul McCartney serving the song and supporting the melody is the most important thing for me.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I feel I have a unique voice as a bass player and also as an artist. My experience writing and producing my own music helps fortify my approach to bass playing and gives me a deeper understanding of what is often required from a bass performance within the song.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My typical process is to first speak with the artist to understand where they are coming from musically and what they are hoping to achieve with their music. Reference playlists or songs always help with this. Listening to the song and beginning to hum any phrases or lines I can hear really help to get the ideas flowing. Once I have an understanding of the structure I will begin to build the sound I want to capture for the song. It could be a specific bass or pedals but selecting a particular instrument can really inspire an approach. I like to get a couple of full takes which differ slightly and listen back to trim the fat and once I have an idea of the full line I will get a full take.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I have a modest home setup focused on capturing amp sounds with mics. I can send a mix of the Mic and DI lines processed and mix ready or individually to tweak at your leisure.

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

A: Paul McCartney, Tim Lefevbre, Jeff Tweedy, Luke Temple, James Jamerson, Cate Le Bon, Willie Weeks, Steve Albini

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

A: Mostly I record bass parts either in the studio with the artist or remotely. I also have lots of live and touring experience which really helps to educate my approach to working with bands and artists.