Now That’s Bass

Pete Roythorne
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Music Interviews

Now That’s Bass is a podcast about the real world of professional bass playing. Hosted by bassist Pete Roythorne, the show features frank conversations with working bass players — touring musicians, session players, educators and gospel players — about what it actually takes to sustain a career in music. No fantasy. No gear flexing. Just the reality of the job. The podcast is also part of a personal mission. Just before Christmas Pete was made redundant. Approaching his 60th birthday, he decided it was time to stop talking about doing something serious with his bass playing and actually do it. So he’s getting back out into the bass world. Each episode features honest conversations with bass players who’ve built real careers — touring internationally, working in sessions, teaching thousands of students, and sustaining a life in music for decades. Along the way Pete asks the questions many musicians want answered: What does it actually take to make a living playing bass? How do you build a reputation? And how do you stay in the game long term? If you’re serious about bass — not just the instrument but the long game of being a musician — this podcast is for you.

  1. Aug 28

    “They Made Me an Offer I Couldn’t Refuse” | Morgan Nicholls on Muse, Gorillaz & 30 Years of Saying Yes

    Morgan Nicholls has built the kind of music career that's almost impossible to plan. From starting out with Senseless Things to playing with The Streets, Gorillaz and ultimately spending 15 years onstage with Muse, Morgan's story is one of versatility, relationships, being in the right place at the right time — and being ready when the phone rings. In this episode of Now That's Bass, Morgan talks about being "relegated" from guitar to bass, learning his craft through relentless gigging, discovering the bi-amped bass sound that changed his playing, and the phone call that gave him just days to learn a Muse set after Chris Wolstenholme broke his wrist. We also get into his first terrifying Muse show, how a temporary bass dep turned into 15 years with the band, the chaos of early gigs with The Streets, performing with Gorillaz, and why getting on with people may be one of the most important skills a professional musician can have. Morgan also shares what he wishes he'd learned when he was younger, the bass lines that influenced him, the instrument he'll never sell — and somehow we end up with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elton John and a packet of Old El Paso tacos. A brilliant conversation about longevity, adaptability and building a life in music without ever really having a master plan. In this episode: Being "relegated" from guitar to bass 150 gigs a year with Senseless Things Why Live at Leeds changed Morgan's approach to bass Finding his bi-amped bass sound The unexpected call from Muse Learning Chris Wolstenholme's bass parts in days What went wrong during Morgan's first Muse show How a temporary dep became 15 years with Muse Playing with Gorillaz and The Streets Why personality matters on tour The importance of treating the crew as part of the band What Morgan wishes he'd learned when he was younger Glastonbury, Arnold Schwarzenegger and tacos at Elton John's house #MorganNicholls #Muse #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #NowThatsBass #Gorillaz #TheStreets #SenselessThings #ChrisWolstenholme #BassPlayers #ProfessionalMusician #TouringMusician #SessionMusician #MusicPodcast #BassPodcast #MusicianLife #BassCommunity #BassGuitarist #BritishMusic #MusicIndustry

  2. Aug 19

    “Bass and Drums Aren’t Two Instruments… They’re One” | Smiley Barnard | The Rhythm Section

    The Rhythm Section: Smiley Barnard What do bass players look like from the other side of the drum kit? Welcome to The Rhythm Section, an occasional Now That’s Bass series where I turn the tables and talk to drummers about the bass players they’ve worked with, what makes a great rhythm section — and what bass players can do to make drummers love playing with them. And there aren't many better people to start with than Steve “Smiley” Barnard. Smiley's career has seen him play with Robbie Williams, Joe Strummer, The Alarm, The Boomtown Rats, From The Jam, Archive and The Stranglers — putting him alongside an extraordinary list of bass players including Jean-Jacques Burnel, Bruce Foxton, Pete Briquette, Derek Forbes, Jonathan Noyce, Tony Visconti, Yolanda Charles, Dale Davis, Lee Pomeroy, Matt Round and many more. We talk about what separates the truly great bass players, why Smiley believes you can tell whether a bassist can play within the first five bars, and why feel, space and personality matter far more than showing everyone how clever you are. Smiley also explains why playing with a Chaka Khan bassist taught him to stop playing drum fills, why Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr may be the ultimate rhythm section, why Adam Clayton deserves far more respect — and why the bass player is the “pivotal glue” that completes a track. Plus: J.J. Burnel, Bruce Foxton, James Jamerson, Sting, Mani, Tina Weymouth, Joe Strummer, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, U2, The Beatles and the perils of musicians who simply won't stop playing between songs. This is The Rhythm Section — bass players, seen from the drummer's seat. #NowThatsBass #TheRhythmSection #BassPlayer #BassGuitar #Drummer #RhythmSection #BassPlayers #Drummers #Musicians #PaulMcCartney #RingoStarr #AdamClayton #TheStranglers #JoeStrummer #TheAlarm #robbiewilliams

    “Bass and Drums Aren’t Two Instruments… They’re One” | Smiley Barnard | The Rhythm Section

  3. Aug 15

    “You Can’t Just Be a Bass Player” | Marcel Pusey on Building a Life in Music

    Bass player, composer, producer, educator and music entrepreneur Marcel Pusey has built the kind of career that rarely gets talked about enough. Rather than relying on one gig, one band or one big break, Marcel has spent decades creating a sustainable life around music — performing with Bassistry, composing for television and media, developing music education programmes, working in music technology and taking his work around the world. In this episode of Now That’s Bass, Marcel talks about starting out playing rock and learning largely by ear, blagging his way through reading gigs, discovering jazz and fusion, and finding his place in London's music scene. But the bigger story is how he learned to make music pay without giving up the music he actually wanted to make. We talk about why jam nights were crucial to building his network, why musicians need to understand the business side of their careers, the importance of creating multiple income streams — and what happened when Marcel said yes to opportunities he wasn't entirely sure he was ready for. There’s also a gloriously painful story involving an orchestra, a piece in 7/8 and the moment his sight-reading bluff was very publicly called. In this episode: Why learning music by ear remains such an important skill What old-school learning gave musicians that YouTube sometimes doesn't How jam nights helped Marcel build his career Why networking works best when it doesn't feel like networking Creating multiple income streams as a working musician Why your band doesn't necessarily have to make money to be valuable The business skills musicians often overlook Saying yes before you're completely ready Dealing with imposter syndrome Why getting something wrong can still move your career forward Marcel's advice to young musicians: go for the goal, but stay flexible If you're trying to build a sustainable career around playing music rather than simply waiting for the perfect gig to arrive, there's a lot in this conversation. #NowThatsBass #MarcelPusey #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #BassPlayers #BassCommunity #WorkingMusician #ProfessionalMusician #MusicCareer #MusicBusiness #SessionMusician #BassLife #MusicianLife #MusicEducation #Bassistry

    “You Can’t Just Be a Bass Player” | Marcel Pusey on Building a Life in Music

  4. Aug 10

    “Nobody Cares About Your Degree” | Philip Mann on What Actually Gets Bass Players Hired

    What actually gets a bass player hired — qualifications, chops, contacts, versatility… or something else entirely? Philip Mann has spent nearly 30 years building a career across performance, education and publishing. He studied with Jeff Berlin, has worked with artists including Van Morrison, Leo Sayer and Billy Bragg, performed in West End shows, written extensively for the bass press and developed his own With Bass In Mind educational platform. But in this conversation, Philip is refreshingly candid about what he believes actually matters if you want to make a living from music. We talk about why collecting qualifications doesn't automatically make you employable, how studying with Jeff Berlin completely changed Philip's approach to the instrument, and why bass players can spend 90% of their practice time working on the 10% they'll rarely use professionally. Philip also explains why getting older doesn't necessarily mean fewer opportunities — but it may mean understanding where you now fit in the industry — and why a sustainable music career increasingly means developing multiple income streams. We get into the reality of competition for professional gigs, networking without manipulation, using social media strategically, the importance of investing in the right skills, and why relationships matter more than many musicians realise. And to finish, Philip makes the case for one of Britain's most underrated bass players: Queen's John Deacon — and explains why every bassist should take a closer look at "Killer Queen." In this episode: • Why Philip originally picked up the bass out of "100% jealousy" • Studying with Jeff Berlin and why it transformed his career • Why qualifications alone won't get you hired • Practising the 90% you're actually going to use • Why professional bass playing is about serving the song • Building relationships and putting yourself in the right rooms • Getting older — and finding the gigs that fit you now • Why musicians need a portfolio career • Is there really less work, or simply more competition? • Using social media to show people what you can do • The career decisions Philip would change if he were 20 again • Why maintaining relationships matters • John Deacon, "Killer Queen" and playing the right notes at the right time If you're trying to become a better bass player — or work out how to build a career around playing music — there's a huge amount to take away from this conversation. Let me know in the comments: what's the biggest lesson you've learned about getting — and keeping — gigs? #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #PhilipMann #MusicCareer #ProfessionalMusician #BassLessons #NowThatsBass

    “Nobody Cares About Your Degree” | Philip Mann on What Actually Gets Bass Players Hired

  5. Aug 3

    The Bass Found Me | Dan Hawkins on Building a Life in Music, Teaching & Never Stopping Learning

    What does a sustainable career as a professional bassist really look like? In this episode of Now That's Bass, Pete sits down with bassist, educator and online creator Dan Hawkins to explore the journey from an 11-year-old schoolboy discovering the bass to performing in the West End, touring with major artists and teaching thousands of bass players around the world. Dan shares how incredible teachers shaped his playing, why reading music opened doors throughout his career, and how adapting to technology helped him build a successful online business without ever losing his love of performing. They also dive into practice, motivation, overcoming plateaus, balancing family life with music and why the best bass players never stop learning. Whether you're an aspiring professional, a weekend player or somewhere in between, this conversation is packed with practical advice and honest insight. In this episode: How one music teacher completely changed Dan's life Getting Grade 8 bass in just two years Learning from West End session musicians Why reading music still matters Following a professional bassist for work experience Building a career through teaching, sessions and live work Playing Les Mis, Martha Reeves and Katie Melua Creating a successful online bass business Why deliberate practice beats endless noodling The biggest mistakes bass players make when learning Life after moving from London to Singapore The importance of adapting your career over time If you enjoy these conversations with professional bass players, please Like, Subscribe and share the episode. It really helps the channel grow. #bass #bassplayer #bassguitar #musician #musiccareer #basslesson #basspractice #musiceducation #danhawkins #nowthatsbass

    The Bass Found Me | Dan Hawkins on Building a Life in Music, Teaching & Never Stopping Learning

  6. Jul 27

    The Secret Isn't Talent, It's Consistency | Jimmy Sims on building a lasting bass career

    Everyone talks about getting "the big break." Jimmy Sims doesn't believe it exists. Having toured and recorded with artists including George Ezra, Brian Ferry, Amy Macdonald, Mika and Dido, Jimmy has built one of the UK's most respected freelance bass careers—not through luck alone, but through years of quietly building relationships, saying yes to opportunities and constantly improving his craft. In this episode Jimmy shares what touring is really like, why community matters more than networking, how the legendary Bass Centre helped launch his career, and why being a professional musician is often about handling the uncomfortable moments rather than the glamorous ones. If you're trying to build a sustainable career as a bass player—or as any musician—this conversation is packed with practical wisdom. In this episode we discuss: Building a career without a single "big break" How the Bass Centre became Jimmy's music college Touring with Mika, Brian Ferry and Amy Macdonald Why community beats networking The realities of life on tour Mental health and looking after yourself on the road Why versatility creates opportunities How to become the musician people recommend Learning theory without losing your creativity Why every rejection is simply another brick in the wall 🎸 Subscribe for weekly conversations with the world's best bass players. #NowThatsBass #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #MusicianLife #SessionMusician #TouringMusician #MusicCareer #BassCommunity #JimmySims #GeorgeEzra #BrianFerry #AmyMacdonald #Mika #Dido

    The Secret Isn't Talent, It's Consistency | Jimmy Sims on building a lasting bass career

  7. Jul 20

    Nobody Owes You a Gig | Chris Horrocks on Building a Modern Bass Career

    What does it actually mean to be a professional bass player in 2026? Chris Horrocks (That Guy On Bass) joins Pete to talk honestly about building a sustainable music career that combines session work, weddings, content creation, YouTube and podcasting. From getting made redundant and deciding to go all-in on music, to balancing gigs with running a successful business, Chris shares a refreshingly realistic look at life as a modern working bassist. Along the way they discuss networking, soft skills, learning songs without charts, social media, tone chasing, content creation and why simply being someone people enjoy working with is often more valuable than being the flashiest player in the room. Whether you're an aspiring session musician, weekend gigger or full-time pro, this episode is packed with practical advice that every bassist can use. In this episode: Chris's journey from guitarist to professional bassist Why redundancy became the best thing that ever happened The realities of today's wedding and function scene Why soft skills matter more than technical ability Building multiple income streams as a musician Content creation vs live performance Learning songs without charts Why audiences don't care about perfect note-for-note covers Tone chasing—and why Chris is trying to stop Advice for younger musicians The one song every bassist should learn If you enjoy these conversations, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share. #bass #bassplayer #bassguitar #sessionmusician #thatguyonbass #inthepocketpodcast #musician #musiccareer #basspodcast #nowthatsbass

    Nobody Owes You a Gig | Chris Horrocks on Building a Modern Bass Career

  8. Jul 8

    From Postman to Paul Weller | Andy Lewis on saying yes to everything

    Most musicians spend years trying to plan the perfect career. Andy Lewis did something different. From discovering bass through Mod music, soul and funk... to becoming Paul Weller's bassist almost by accident... to building a hugely varied career as a producer, DJ and songwriter, Andy's story is a masterclass in following opportunities rather than chasing status. In this episode of Now That's Bass, Andy talks about learning by ear, why groove matters more than technique, the emotional side of music, life inside Paul Weller's band, and why saying "yes" has opened more doors than any long-term career plan ever could. This is a fascinating conversation about musicianship, creativity and building a life in music that lasts. In this episode we discuss: How Andy first discovered bass guitar Why listening is more important than reading TAB Learning music by ear The relationship between bass and drums How DJing shaped his understanding of groove The unexpected journey into Paul Weller's band Life touring at the highest level Producing records after Weller Why emotion always beats technical perfection Advice for young bass players The importance of staying curious The bass players everyone should study If you enjoy conversations about bass, musicianship and building a career in music, don't forget to Like, Subscribe and Share. #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #PaulWeller #AndyLewis #NowThatsBass #MusicPodcast #BassPlayers #Groove #MusicCareer #Producer #SoulMusic #FunkMusic #Mod #NorthernSoul

    From Postman to Paul Weller | Andy Lewis on saying yes to everything
See All (25)

About

Now That’s Bass is a podcast about the real world of professional bass playing. Hosted by bassist Pete Roythorne, the show features frank conversations with working bass players — touring musicians, session players, educators and gospel players — about what it actually takes to sustain a career in music. No fantasy. No gear flexing. Just the reality of the job. The podcast is also part of a personal mission. Just before Christmas Pete was made redundant. Approaching his 60th birthday, he decided it was time to stop talking about doing something serious with his bass playing and actually do it. So he’s getting back out into the bass world. Each episode features honest conversations with bass players who’ve built real careers — touring internationally, working in sessions, teaching thousands of students, and sustaining a life in music for decades. Along the way Pete asks the questions many musicians want answered: What does it actually take to make a living playing bass? How do you build a reputation? And how do you stay in the game long term? If you’re serious about bass — not just the instrument but the long game of being a musician — this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Pete Roythorne
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Now That’s Bass

You Might Also Like