Now That’s Bass

In this episode of Now That’s Bass, Pete talks to professional bassist Matt Round, known for his long-running work with James Morrison, as well as playing with Archive, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, and currently holding down bass duties on the spectacular ABBA Voyage show. Matt brings a refreshingly honest, funny and grounded perspective on what it really takes to build a long-term career as a working bass player. From the pressure of auditions and the realities of rejection, to why “always be good” matters on every gig, this is a conversation packed with practical advice for bassists who want to work, improve and stay employable. There’s also plenty for bass nerds: ABBA bass lines, Carol Kaye, The Chain, the beauty of whole notes, and why playing less can often make you more valuable. In this episode Playing bass on ABBA Voyage Why ABBA bass parts are “bonkers and brilliant” How Matt landed the ABBA gig Why auditions are such a strange way to choose musicians Handling rejection without bitterness Why every young musician needs thick skin Finding your lane as a player Building a career by saying yes early on The importance of networks and real relationships Why social media is now a musician’s calling card Matt’s long relationship with Ashdown Why being reliable matters as much as playing ability The two biggest rules for getting more gigs What bass players should learn from good drummers Why bass is a supportive instrument The art of playing for the song Why whole notes can be harder than flashy runs Bass lines everyone should study, from Carol Kaye to Fleetwood Mac YouTube hashtags #NowThatsBass #MattRound #BassPlayer #BassGuitar #ABBA Voyage #JamesMorrison #BassPodcast #WorkingMusician #SessionMusician #BassLessons #BassCareer #MusicCareer #BassGuitarist #BassPlayersOfYouTube #CarolKaye #TheChain #AshdownEngineering

What does a 35+ year career as a working bass player really look like? In this episode, I sit down with Yolanda Charles MBE — one of the UK’s most respected session bassists, whose credits include Paul Weller, Robbie Williams, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Jimmy Somerville, and work alongside legends like Brian May and Hans Zimmer. We get into the real story behind that career — from random phone calls that led to major gigs, to the relationships and reputation that kept the work coming for decades. Along the way, Yolanda shares hard-won insights on musical feel, why bass players are often the true bandleaders, and the skills that actually separate working musicians from everyone else. This is an honest, grounded conversation about longevity, musicianship, and what it really takes to build a life in music. No fantasy. No gear flexing. Just the reality of the job. Key topics: How Yolanda got her first big break (and why it was random) Why networking still matters more than talent alone The 4 real ways musicians get work Why bass players make the best bandleaders The hidden “superpower” of bass players Why feel and dynamics matter more than theory The truth about imposter syndrome in pro music Why session work isn’t always the dream path How to build a long-term career in music Why younger players might actually have it harder today #BassPlayer #YolandaCharles #BassGuitar #SessionMusician #MusicPodcast #BassPlayers #MusiciansLife #Groove #MusicCareer #NowThatsBass

Session bassist Russell Carr joins Pete on Now That’s Bass for a refreshingly honest conversation about what it really takes to build a long-term career as a working bass player. From playing with Skin and The Blockheads to teaching, function gigs, gear choices and the power of word of mouth, Russell breaks down the real-world side of life as a musician: groove over flash, professionalism over ego, and why being a safe pair of hands matters. If you want a realistic, encouraging look at bass careers beyond the fantasy, this episode is packed with insight. Topics covered: The magic of simple bass playing Filling in on iconic material How session work actually comes your way Why drummers often recommend bass players The value of function gigs Gear, tone and why Fenders still dominate Soft skills, networking and getting hired again Enjoying the journey instead of chasing the endpoint #NowThatsBass #RussellCarr #BassGuitar #SessionBass #BassCareers #WorkingMusician #BassPodcast #GiggingLife #MusicIndustry #BassPlayers

Jonathan Noyce has built a remarkable career as a bassist, working with artists including Jethro Tull, Gary Moore, Take That, Archive and The Divine Comedy, as well as on major film soundtracks. In this episode, he shares the lessons that shaped that journey — from studying music seriously and landing early breakthrough sessions, to learning the discipline, taste and integrity needed to sustain a long-term career. It’s a thoughtful conversation about serving the song, finding your sound, dealing with nerves, adapting over time and staying grounded in the music. Key topics: How Jonathan first got into bass The influence of Level 42 and Mark King Why taste matters more than flash The path from music college to professional session work Joining Jethro Tull and growing as a player Confidence, imposter syndrome and musical identity Rebuilding a career after a major chapter ends Gear, tone and reliability What makes a truly great bass part

Greg Hofmann has toured the world for over 15 years, played with artists including Bootsy Collins, Candace Springs, Rick Astley and Jess Glynne, and built a parallel creative path through teaching and pedal building. In this episode, Greg talks openly about his journey from South Africa to London, the grind of trying to survive as a musician, and the moment he realised that chasing every gig wasn’t the same as loving music. We talk about building a sustainable creative life, finding your own voice on bass, resisting the pressure to sound like everyone else, and using social media in a way that helps you stand out rather than disappear into the crowd. This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about musicianship, identity, gear, creativity and what it takes to keep going.