The SBL Podcast

In this interview NYC resident, James Quinlan, talks us through his evolution as a bassist.

In this interview I catch up with one of the bass world’s rising stars - Brad Miller.

In this interview I talk to Moto Fukushima about his breathtaking technique and his stellar trio.

In this interview I talk to Oteil Burbridge about his drum-rooted rhythmic approach and how he’s taken the 6-string bass to new heights.

Today’s interview with Kevin Scott is one of our greatest of all time! Or at least, that’s how I remembered it. ;-)

In today’s podcast I talk to Gail Ann Dorsey about gigging with some of popular music’s all-time greats…

In our 100th episode of the SBL podcast we find out what makes one of the UK’s most revered rhythm sections tick. Warrior Charge is bassist Wayne Nunes and drummer Perry Melius who have been working together as a rhythm section and as producers for over twenty years. The talented duo have written, recorded, produced and remixed tracks for the likes of Tricky, Nick Rhodes, Billy Ocean, Rico, Amy Co...

In today’s podcast John Bird talks us through his upcoming tour with One Direction star Niall Horan. Building a career in London as a full-time musician is more often than not a balancing act between being as true to your creative instincts as possible and paying the bills, but for all of the tough economic circumstances, John Bird’s daily survival tactics have been tempered somewhat by gigs with...

The new year has brought more than just new resolutions! In today’s podcast we find out what lies ahead for SBL. The past 12 months have been a whirlwind ride for everyone here at ScottsBassLessons, but that hasn’t stopped us thinking big for 2018. As you probably already know, SBL is one of the most comprehensive online platforms for bass education in the world, and it’s our job to determine the...

In today’s podcast Renell Shaw talks about his upcoming EP and his gig with drum and bass act Rudimental. Renell Shaw is perhaps best known for his work with the likes of Maverick Sabre, Speech Debelle, Carleen Anderson and Rudimental, along with his perceptive bass tone. Renell’s latest solo offering, Bass Monk, was inspired by African grooves, electronic beats, jazz chords and by his discovery o...

In today’s podcast we meet up-and-coming double bassist Matthew Read. Having caused quite a stir with the launch of his trio’s debut album back in 2016, the new year sees Matthew build on that success with a new album, Anecdotes Vol 2, which features 11 original compositions drawing on jazz, folk, country, hip-hop, dance music, spirituals and both European and American church music. As you might e...

In today’s podcast Erick "Jesus" Coomes lends an insight into every funk bassist’s dream gig. Known for their incendiary live shows and die-hard fans, revered funk collective Lettuce brings forth a new vitality to classic funk music. Comprised of a stellar group musicians (drummer Adam Deitch, guitarists Adam Smirnoff and Eric Krasno, bassist Erick "Jesus" Coomes, keyboardist a...

In today’s podcast Adam Neely talks us through his brand-new course for the SBL Artist Series. We first heard of Adam Neely and his awesome YouTube Channel a few years back and have been keeping close tabs on him ever since (Adam has 304,315 YouTube subscribers on the day of our interview). His new course for SBL, which is the latest addition to the SBL Artist Series, captures his incredible take...

In today’s podcast we’re talking to one of the London session world’s most wanted. Since his first session at Abbey Road aged just 15, Trevor Barry has amassed a CV that reads like a who’s who of popular music stars from both stage and the big screen. James Morrison, Freddie Mercury, Shirley Bassey, Burt Bacharach, West End shows Jesus Christ Superstar and We Will Rock You, the BAFTA Awards… the l...

In today’s podcast Evan Marien lifts the lid on his brand-new course for the SBL. A recent addition to the SBL faculty, Evan Marien has been turning heads ever since he was named as an ‘Exciting New Player’ in Bass Player Magazine’s 2009 Reader’s Choice Awards poll (he actually made the top 3 alongside Esperanza Spalding and Hadrien Feraud!). Aside from joining what would become guitarist Allan Ho...

In today’s podcast we’re talking to Jimbo Hart of American Southern Rock band Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit It’s so often the case that a great rhythm section lies behind almost every great band, and Jimbo Hart is the kind of bassist whose playing provides a solid link between Jason Isbell’s vocals and the rest of the band. Hailing from the Muscle Shoals region of Northwest Alabama, Jimbo has been...

In today’s podcast we’re talking to the man who’s been providing the low end for the Devin Townsend Project. Brian 'Beav' Waddell is busy gearing up for shows with The Devin Townsend Project, who are about to hit the road with Clutch and The Obsessed as part of the “Psychic Warfare” tour. Having released 24 studio albums in the last 22 years, Devin is one of the most prolific artists in...

In today’s podcast we’re talking to Billy Sherwood from legendary prog-rock group YES. Yes remain one of the most influential, ground-breaking and respected progressive rock bands in the world. 2018 marks half a century since their formation and to celebrate this remarkable milestone they will embark on a 13-date UK/European tour next March - #YES50. Having been a founding member back in 1968, Chr...

In today’s podcast we meet Scott Reeder, of Kyuss, Sound City: Real to Reel and Fireball Ministry fame. Speaking to us on the run up to some packed live shows in support of a new Fireball Ministry album, bassist Scott Reeder tells us that life in the band is turning out to be something of a blast. In the grand tradition of the desert rock scene, his unique blend of giant riffs have taken him to in...

In today’s podcast we’re talking to Daniel Peate from instrumental three-piece Flightless Birds. Regarded by many as ‘one to watch’, Dan Peate has been busy making a name for himself in the North West of England. Having recently finished studying at the Royal Northern College of Music, we’re pleased to report that his instrumental trio, Flightless Birds, is also dong well. Their latest EP shows ju...

In today’s podcast we chat to Rick Barrio Dill, bassist with Vintage Trouble. Vintage Trouble have been busy wowing audiences right across the globe with their high-energy brand of 1960s-style rhythm and blues. The LA-based four-piece have opened for the Rolling Stones in London’s Hyde Park, toured North America and Europe with The Who, not to mention the likes of Bon Jovi, Queen’s Brian May, AC/D...

In today’s podcast we’re talking to a bass player who’s taken the art of groove playing to a whole new level. Jonathan Maron has developed a reputation as one of the New York bass scene’s most reliable musicians. D’Angelo, Maxwell, Tupac Shakur, Jewel, India Arie, Donny McCaslin, Anoushka Shankar, Kurt Rosenwinkel and many others have recruited Jonathan at one time or another. His best-known gig h...

In today’s podcast we chat to Tom Peel, bassist with English singer-songwriter James Bay. James Bay shot to stardom with the release of his debut album, Chaos and The Calm, back in 2015. Recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, the album debuted at number one in the UK and cemented Bay’s reputation as an incredible songwriter. But as with all bands that emerge as if from nowhere, the backstory...

In today’s podcast we meet Henrik Linder, bassist with YouTube sensation Dirty Loops. First thing’s first; Dirty Loops aren’t dirty and they don’t use loops! But if you’ve seen anything of the Swedish trio’s YouTube channel then you will know all about the funky, head-bobbing swagger of bassist Henrik Linder. He slaps and plucks with the utmost precision, making faces of both concentration and she...

In today’s podcast we talk modes with 6-string bass pioneer Rich Brown. Having recently released a brand-new course into the SBL course library, this week’s podcast sees Rich Brown take centre stage. Rich is one of those players who regularly pushes the instrument to its limits, and sometimes beyond. He has performed and recorded with some of the finest musicians on the planet including Dapp Theor...