Now That’s Bass

James Eager has built a career that spans West End shows, function bands, jazz clubs, teaching, entrepreneurship and creating one of the world's largest online bass education communities through E Bass Guitar.
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Chapter timings
01:07 Where did your bass journey start?
04:10 When did you realise you could make this work as a living?
09:41 Did you ever get out of your depth on gigs? 
12:44 Are you only as good as your last gig?
16:59 How has the industry changed for today's bass players?
21:26 How important is it for musicians to have business skills?
28:02 Are the opportunities still there for younger bass players?
33:49 The importance of authenticty
38:54 What advice would you give your younger self?
43:35 One bass line everyone should learn
 
In this episode of Now That's Bass, James shares the reality of building a sustainable career in music. From saying yes to every gig in his twenties, to overcoming imposter syndrome, developing resilience, embracing entrepreneurship and finding his authentic voice, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for any bass player trying to make their way in today's music industry.
Whether you're an aspiring professional musician, a working bassist, or someone navigating the challenges of a creative career, James offers honest insights into what it really takes to build a long-term life in music.
What we talked about:
• How James transitioned from guitar to bass
• Studying jazz at Trinity College of Music
• Building a career through teaching and gigging
• Why saying yes to opportunities matters
• Imposter syndrome and surviving difficult gigs
• Lessons learned from the West End
• The changing music industry in 2026
• Why musicians need entrepreneurial skills
• Social media, authenticity and finding your voice
• Building E Bass Guitar from the ground up
• Mental resilience and self-development
• Why employability matters more than virtuosity
• The importance of entertaining an audience
• Advice James would give his younger self
• The one bass line every player should learn
 
 

Vicky Warwick has built the kind of bass career many musicians dream about.
From London to New York and now Los Angeles, she's toured the world with artists including Charli XCX, Big Time Rush and Maisie Peters, performed on Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel and The Graham Norton Show, and built a reputation as someone people genuinely want to hire.
But this conversation isn't about fame. It's about what actually happens behind the scenes.
Chapters
00:00  Start
00:44 Handling the travelling
03:26 Starting her bass journey
06:33 Realising this is a career
08:22 First big break
12:22 First taste of serious touring
15:16 How do you keep getting hired?
20:11 Does it help to play multiple instruments?
22:06 Are BVs essential these days?
25:08 Re-establish a career in different cities
30:11 Biggest lessons you've learned 3
3:50 Coping with the realities of touring
39:05 Most honest piece of advice about music career
40:12 What advice would you give your younger self?
46:38 Bass line everyone should learn and why?
 
We discuss networking, auditions, mentorship, touring, moving countries, building a reputation, and why being a great bass player is only part of the equation.
If you're serious about building a career in music, this episode is packed with practical advice from someone who has done exactly that.
In this episode:
• How Vicky accidentally discovered the bass• Why a careers advisor told her not to pursue music• The audition that changed everything• Landing the Charli XCX gig• Why networking isn't a dirty word• The real secret to successful auditions• How to build a music career in London, New York and Los Angeles• Why versatility matters more than ever• Learning bass and backing vocals simultaneously• The truth about life on the road• The importance of mentors• Why most music careers are never just one thing• The one bass line every player should learn
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with another bass player.
#BassGuitar #BassPlayer #MusicCareer #CharliXCX #SessionMusician #TouringMusician #BassLessons #NowThatsBass #MusicIndustry #BassCommunity

Steve Lawson: Building a Music Career Without Chasing Fame
What if the goal wasn't more followers, more views, or a bigger platform?
What if the real goal was building meaningful music, genuine community, and a sustainable creative life?
In this episode of Now That's Bass, Pete Roythorne sits down with bassist, educator, writer, technologist and PhD holder Steve Lawson for one of the most thought-provoking conversations on the channel so far.
Chapters for easy listening!
00:16
Introduction
02:48
How did you come to playing the bass?
09:11
What was the turning point for you in your bass career?
16:10
What was the catalyst for your evolution into solo bass?
25:31
How did you start to embrace technology to develop your career?
50:02
Is it easy today to push the boundaries of bass?
01:03:36
Why we need to more than chase clicks and algorithms
01:11:56
What's you advice for bass players coming into the industry today?
01:28:33
What bass line should everyone go away and listen to?
01:34:18
How did your PHD influence your attitude to music?
Steve shares the lessons he's learned from four decades of bass playing, pioneering solo bass performance, embracing technology before most musicians had even heard of it, and building a career entirely on his own terms.
The conversation explores everything from creativity and community to social media, attention spans, music education and what it really means to build a life in music in 2026.
Whether you're a bass player, musician, creator or simply interested in how artists navigate the modern world, this episode is packed with insight.
In this episode:
Steve's journey from beginner bassist to solo artist
How a broken arm changed his approach to music
Why John Peel was one of his biggest influences
Playing bass in duos and expanding the role of the instrument
The origins of Steve's solo bass career
Lessons learned from Michael Manring, Victor Wooten and Tony Levin
Building an audience before social media existed
How Steve used forums, blogs and online communities to create a sustainable career
Why Bandcamp became the foundation of his business model
The difference between community and audience
The dangers of chasing algorithms and viral success
Why social media rewards performance rather than artistry
Practical career advice for aspiring bass players
Trust, professionalism and reputation in the music industry
The relationship between creativity, audience and meaning
How Steve's PhD changed the way he thinks about music
Key Takeaway
"Make the music the thing."
A powerful conversation about building a career around purpose, community and creativity rather than chasing validation.
 
#SteveLawson #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #NowThatsBass #MusicCareer #Bandcamp #SoloBass #BassLessons #MusicianLife #IndependentMusician #BassCommunity #BassEducation #VictorWooten #MichaelManring #TonyLevin

Bass player, journalist, reviewer, YouTuber and working musician Mike Brooks joins Now That’s Bass for a brutally honest conversation about what it really takes to survive as a professional bass player over three decades in the music industry.
From discovering bass through Duran Duran and landing his first professional gigs in the ‘90s, to building a long-term career through covers bands, networking, journalism and YouTube, Mike shares the realities most musicians never hear about.
This episode dives deep into how the music industry has changed, why communication matters more than chops, the collapse of traditional gig circuits, and the mindset required to build a sustainable life in music in 2026.
No fantasy. No gear flexing. Just the reality of the job.
In this episode:
How Duran Duran inspired Mike to pick up bass
Turning professional in 1995
The truth about surviving on covers gigs
How one dep gig changed his entire career
The collapse of traditional live circuits
Why networking matters more than ever
Lessons from Bass Guitar Magazine and The Basist
Why communication gets musicians fired
The importance of versatility and backing vocals
Bernard Edwards and the genius of Good Times
Follow Mike Brooks / Brooksy’s Bass Corner
YouTube: Brooksy’s Bass Corner
Instagram
#bassplayer #bassguitar #brooksysbasscorner #musicindustry #sessionmusician #basscareer #bernardedwards #chic #basspodcast #nowthatsbass

In this episode of Now That’s Bass, Pete talks to Andrew McKinney, current bassist with Pulp and The James Taylor Quartet, course leader for performance at BIMM London, and a player whose career has taken him through TV, theatre, funk, soul, session work, education and major international stages.
Quick Links to Chapters
00:31 Introduction 04:15 How did your bass journey start? From Cello to BassTech07:17 How did your first bits of session work come in? 14:03 How did your first break come about? 15:58 At what point did you think I can make this work? 17:18 How have you managed to sustain your career? 20:23 How do you stand out as a bass player? 23:19 Who's the most important person in a band to connect with? 25:46 How is it playing in bands as diverse as Pulp and JTQ27:43 Imposter syndrome and the route into Pulp 36:14 Three things people should focus on to get more gigs42:45 What advice would you give your younger self? 44:28 The bass line everyone should know and why?
Andrew talks honestly about how a cello-playing school kid became a professional bass player, why depping has been central to his career, what it really takes to be a “safe pair of hands”, and how he dealt with stepping into very different musical worlds — from the groove-heavy James Taylor Quartet to the textural, creative demands of working with Jarvis Cocker and Pulp. This is a conversation about preparation, taste, confidence, imposter syndrome, musical relationships, and why being hireable is about far more than chops.
In this episode:
Andrew’s early journey from cello to bass Studying at BassTech and choosing music over science
How early gigs turned into long-term career opportunities
The importance of depping and supporting other bass players
Why preparation and attitude matter as much as ability
Getting the call for The Richard Blackwood Show
Playing with James Taylor Quartet
Working creatively with Jarvis Cocker
Joining Pulp and touring Australia and New Zealand Imposter syndrome and learning to adapt
What makes a bass player hireable
Why “the right thing at the right time” matters
The bass album Andrew thinks every player should study
Subscribe for more honest conversations with working bass players about building a real career in music.
#BassPlayer #AndrewMcKinney #Pulp #JamesTaylorQuartet #BassGuitar #NowThatsBass #SessionMusician #BassCareer #JarvisCocker #Bassist

Jonny Dibble has built a loyal following in the bass world by doing something surprisingly rare: making bass gear feel honest, relatable and genuinely useful.
In this episode of Now That’s Bass, Pete sits down with the bassist, YouTuber and co-host of the In The Pocket podcast to talk about affordable basses, social media, gear obsession, bass culture and what it really takes to build an audience online as a musician.
Jonny shares how a Harley Benton review during lockdown accidentally launched his content career, why he believes flashy playing can actually make gear demos less useful, and why most bass players misunderstand what social media is actually good for.
There’s also plenty of bass nerdery along the way — including P Basses, StingRays, SansAmps, preamp pedals, tribute bands, favourite bass lines, and why The Lion King contains one of the most underrated bass performances around.
Whether you’re trying to grow a music channel, build a bass career, improve your tone, or just love talking gear, this is a refreshingly honest conversation about modern bass playing and online music culture.
In this episode:
How Jonny Dibble got started on bass
Why affordable bass gear matters
Building a bass YouTube channel during lockdown
The truth about Instagram for musicians
Why relatable playing matters in gear demos
P Bass vs StingRay philosophy
The importance of musical and gear reference points
Why every bassist should consider a preamp pedal
Bass gear as creative inspiration
Jamiroquai, Disney bass lines and underrated musical influences
If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate and share Now That’s Bass wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

Danny Sapko joins Now That’s Bass for a frank, funny and insightful chat about punk bass, originality, YouTube, AI, and the reality of building a career in music.
From his early love of McCartney and the Stranglers to becoming one of the most distinctive voices in the online bass world, Danny talks about finding success by finally being himself — Yorkshire accent, humour, opinions and all.
We also dig into the harder side of modern musician life: session work, side hustles, wedding gigs, copyright blocks, AI-generated music and why more players need to protect the human side of art.
Topics covered:
Finding your voice as a creator
Punk bass and lead-line playing
Influences: McCartney, Bruce Thomas, Graham Maby, Norman Watt-Roy and more
Why Danny never had a bass lesson
The pressure of being known as “the comedy guy”
Bass playing vs content creation
YouTube, gear demos and copyright strikes
AI in music and visual art
The real economics of being a working musician
Advice for younger players
#behs #DannySapko #NowThatsBass #BassGuitar #BassInterview #PunkBass #BassistOfTheYear #BassPlayerLife #MusicianLife #BassYouTube #WorkingMusician

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

Ian Martin Allison joins Now That’s Bass for a brilliant conversation about bass, teaching, social media, creativity and building a career on your own terms.
From the story of how he first picked up the bass, to the bad teacher who shaped his approach to education, to the way he built a loyal audience online by leading with value, Ian shares honest, funny and thoughtful insights throughout. This episode also digs into sideman life, creative fulfilment, income streams, collaborations and the importance of being unapologetically yourself.
In this episode:
Ian’s origin story on bass
The teacher experience that changed everything
Building a genuine online presence
The truth about sideman work
Creativity vs financial stability
Collaborations, gear and product design
Advice for bass players coming up now
The one bassline everyone should learn
#NowThatsBass #IanMartinAllison #BassGuitar #BassPlayer #BassCommunity #MusicIndustry #MusicianCareer #BassEducation #CreativeCareer #Podcast #walbass #tool #justinchancellor #mxr #labellastrings #mikelull