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. 2d ago

    Guy Pratt: Pink Floyd, Madonna & the Truth About Making It as a Bass Player

    Guy Pratt has played bass with Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Bryan Ferry, Robert Palmer and some of the biggest names in music. But behind that extraordinary CV is a much more interesting story about confidence, instinct, relationships — and what it actually takes to survive for decades as a professional musician. In this episode of Now That's Bass, Guy talks candidly about the imposter syndrome he felt working alongside the world's elite session musicians, why Bernard Edwards asking for him still seems extraordinary, and why being good in the room may have been as important to his career as being good on the bass. Want to jump to the cool stuff? 00:34 Why bell ringing got Guy more press than playing bass03:22 How Guy first found the bass07:29 Learning by ear and making music without reading09:56 When playing bass became a possible career11:32 The first jobs: making a living with no plan B20:49 Why people kept calling Guy back23:40 Does imposter syndrome ever go away?26:31 What Bernard Edwards meant to Guy32:00 From band member to session player35:13 Murder on the Dancefloor and the bass line you barely notice37:08 Guy’s process for creating a bass part40:34 Has the music business become harder for working players?43:38 What Guy would tell his younger self about a music career47:38 The relationships that disappear between tours49:32 How to handle life when a tour ends51:22 Bass lines Guy wishes he’d written54:35 The bass part Guy is proudest of56:28 The bass players who give Guy stage fright58:47 How Guy became a stand-up storyteller1:01:43 Recording with Robbie Robertson1:04:41 The time Michael Jackson hid in the studio1:07:21 One bass line every player should learn Still want to read more... We get into how Guy actually creates bass parts in the studio, why he sometimes starts with absolutely no idea what to play, the 17-minute session that produced his bass part on Murder on the Dancefloor, and why he believes a great bass player can sometimes be like a great waiter: you barely notice them, but everything gets done. Guy also reflects on an industry that has changed almost beyond recognition. He explains why the music business may look bleak while opportunities for working players aren't necessarily as bad as they appear, why personal relationships matter so much to making great music, and the huge amount of downtime that nobody sees behind a successful touring career. Plus: playing with Bernard Edwards, being wound up by David Gilmour before a Pink Floyd bass solo, recording Earth Song and Like a Prayer, working with Robbie Robertson, the bass lines he wishes he'd written — and why bell ringing has somehow generated more media attention than almost anything else he's done. Subscribe to Now That's Bass for honest conversations with professional bass players about playing, careers and what it really takes to make a life in music. #GuyPratt #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #PinkFloyd #DavidGilmour #NowThatsBass #madonna

    Guy Pratt: Pink Floyd, Madonna & the Truth About Making It as a Bass Player

  2. Sep 11

    “Playing Music Shouldn’t Feel Like Work” | Nathan Mays on Music, Burnout & Finding a Better Way

    What happens when the career you spent years building starts taking away the thing you loved about music in the first place? Nathan Mays has been playing bass for more than 23 years, working across country, variety bands, musical theatre and more experimental music while also studying music composition to Master's level. But after years of gigging, Nathan found himself becoming increasingly disillusioned with the professional music scene. Music was becoming a job — and, in his words, "playing music shouldn't feel like work." So he stepped back. Today, Nathan's focus is increasingly on music education, where his experiences as a player, composer and teacher have come together in his own approach to learning bass: Feel, Form and Function. In this episode of Now That's Bass, we talk about: • Why Nathan stepped away from the professional music grind • The darker side of the music world that musicians don't always talk about • What real gigs teach you that music school can't • Why chops don't matter if you can't actually do the job • The problem with collecting information instead of actually learning • Why so many bass players practise without a target • Whether "feel" can really be taught • Why pocket changes depending on the music you're playing • Nathan's Feel, Form and Function approach to bass • Why recording yourself could transform your practice • The problem with cookie-cutter music education • Why young musicians need to learn to take criticism • And why Nathan thinks every bass player should learn "Chameleon" It's a conversation about bass, but also about something bigger: what happens when your definition of being a successful musician changes. If you enjoy honest conversations about the realities of building a life around the bass — not just gear and chops — subscribe to Now That's Bass for more interviews with working bass players, educators and musicians. #NowThatsBass #NathanMays #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #BassLessons #BassEducation #MusicEducation #BassPractice #WorkingMusician #BassPlayers

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Pete Roythorne
  • Show Website
    Now That’s Bass

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