Live and session bassist focused on playing for the song, creating a deep pocket, and genre hopping. Touring/Recording credits including Robben Ford, Jenny Lewis, ZAYN, Mason Ramsey, Mae Estes, and artists spanning all genres of pop, rock, country, blues and Americana.
Greetings from Nashville! I'm a professional bass player focused on session work, touring, and playing music of all genres. I've got an excellent home studio with a wide variety of vintage and modern gear and the mindset of making your song better than you've ever envisioned.
I've got the versatility of playing with artists of all genres including pop (ZAYN), Indie Rock and Americana (Jenny Lewis, Allison Russell, Molly Tuttle), Blues/Jazz (Robben Ford, Corey Congilio), and Modern/Classic Country (Mae Estes, Mason Ramsey).
The art of songwriting and production is always top of mind and I take pride in being able to provide the right feel, tone, and emotional quality to enhance a song. I'm obsessive about developing the groove and pocket of the bass players that I love -- James Jamerson, Duck Dunn, David Hood, Paul McCartney, Ray Brown, Carol Kaye, Joe Osborne, George Porter, Jr., Michael Rhodes, and countless others.
I'd love to bring this expertise and attention to detail to your recordings, so please contact me above.
Click the 'Contact' above to get in touch. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Languages
- English
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Interview with Ryan Madora
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Getting to enhance the music that others make.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That anyone--with a guitar, a keyboard, or whatever musical ability- can play bass and make it feel like the real deal.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: If there are any songs/artists that they're trying to reference in their overall vibe or if they have other recorded music out there that reflects what they do as an artist.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: I pride myself in having great tone, providing different versions of the track to allow for comping, and sticking to turn-around time.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Vintage Fender P bass, Vintage Fender Jazz, Mike Lull 5 String PJ, B15, Grizzly Bass pedal.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been playing professionally for 15 years and started out playing in blues, rock, and cover bands. After many 4 hour gigs in the Philly/NJ/Delaware region, I moved to Nashville for a fresh start and began to pursue touring and recording. I've had the opportunity to tour across many continents, playing everything from listening rooms like the Blue Note to theaters and arenas. I've produced 3 records of original music and have hundreds of recording credits as a bass player.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Genuine, authentic, and groove driven.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Bonnie Raitt. She's been the best for a long, long time.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Build from the drums up.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Truly all styles, but with a deep knowledge of blues, soul, and americana.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening to what the music needs, understanding how to glue a rhythm section together, and playing a part that marries the rhythm and harmony.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I bring a deep appreciation for various styles of music plus the knowledge of someone who has studied for years, learned thousands of songs, and has been held accountable for tone and style by some of the best professionals in the business.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to receive a song, get a feel for what the artist is going for in terms of reference tunes, and then listen to everything before digging in. Then, I make a chart, do a quick tonal shoot-out of basses to see what sounds best for the recording, and take a few stabs at laying down a track. I like to take a few different approaches, going from simple to busy, so that there's plenty for an artist to work with.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I've got an excellent home studio with ProTools, outboard gear (compressors, pre-amps, etc.), and a collection of modern and vintage instruments. My partner is a great engineer who often helps track and we've produced many projects together.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I've always found the great studio scenes of the past to be inspiring (Motown, Stax, Muscle Shoals, The LA Wrecking Crew, etc.). Along those lines, I enjoy working in and admiring the work that my peers do in the Nashville session scene. I appreciate instrumentalists who have the ability to hear a song and know exactly what it needs as well as the flexibility, professionalism, and creativity to take feedback and develop a variety of fresh ideas.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Remote bass tracks from my pro-level home studio.
I was the Bass Player in this production
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $200 per song
1 week turnaround, depending on schedule. I provide 3 versions of a track that you're welcome to comp to your liking. Revisions by request.
- Vintage Fender Basses
- Custom Mike Lull Basses
- Hollowbody and Short Scale Basses
