In Session With...

Text the show Alex is a drummer based between London and Milan. His credits include artists like Niall Horan, Isaac Gracie, James Morrison and JP Cooper. Amongst many other things, we discussed leaning towards drummers with amazing feel from a young age, learning to play for the song, and being decisive in the moment.   I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. (Recorded 23rd Jan 2025) S...

Text the show Sterling is a drummer based in LA. His credits include artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Niki and Natasha Bedingfield. Amongst many other things, we discussed the importance of following your passion, the benefits of therapy, and improvements that come with recording your playing.  I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! (Recorded January 14th 2025) Support the...

Text the show Sophie is a multi instrumentalist based in London. Her credits include artists like Dua Lipa, Self Esteem, SOAK, and Tom Grennan. Amongst many other things, we discussed being present between tours, the joy of performing difficult music, and music being who you are as well as what you do. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Recorded 19th December 2024 Support the show...

Text the show Michael is a guitarist based in London. His credits include artists like Louis Tomlinson, Take That, Lewis Capaldi and Amber Run. Amongst many other things, we discussed the importance of understanding sound creation, being a pro musician from a working class town, and learning from mistakes. Michael and I had met for the first time a few months before recording this episode, so havi...

Text the show Flo is a bass player based in London. Her credits include artists like Jordan Rakei, Alfa Mist and Benjamin Croft. Amongst many other things we discussed growing up in a musical family, learning about synths, and getting the Jordan Rakei gig out of the blue. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! Recorded 16th December 2024 Support the show Follow me on Instagram - @nate...

Text the show Taking a break from the pod for a bit, so here's every Nate's Eight from series 2.  THANK YOU for listening and rating/reviewing. Means a lot. Massive THANK YOU to all the wonderful guests too. See you for series 3 when it's time. X Support the show Follow me on Instagram - @nategroove Subscribe to support the show - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2058148/support Any quest...

Text the show Gabi is a drummer based in Worthing.  Her credits include artists like Declan McKenna, Perrie, and The 1975. Amongst many other things we discussed discovering the drums, playing in an indie band, and thriving under pressure. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. (Recorded June 10th 2024) Support the show Follow me on Instagram - @nategroove Subscribe to support the sho...

Text the show Today’s guest is LaDonna Young. Ladonna is a singer based in Birmingham. Her credits include artists like Sam Smith, Emeli Sandé, Cleo Sol and Little Sims. Amongst many other things we discussed playing double bass, singing at church, how to learn lots of music, and dealing with nerves.  I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Here we are, in session with LaDonna Young. (...

Text the show Bryn is a keyboard player based in LA. Her credits include artists like Jacob Collier, Maggie Rogers, Olivia Rodrigo, and Yungblud. Amongst many other things, we discussed a neuro science degree, evoking emotions through music, being an MD, and Bryn’s coffee preferences at home, and on the road. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! (Recorded May 14th 2024) Support the...

Text the show Jim is a sax player based in London. His credits include artists like Leona Lewis, Kylie Minogue, Gary Barlow, and Rick Astley. Amongst many other things, we discussed not fitting in, how being a producer changes one’s perspective, and the emotional impact of music. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. (Recorded May 13 2024) Support the show Follow me on Instagram - @n...

Text the show Before we get to today’s guest, I just want to apologise for my coughing during the chat. I was recovering from some crazy illness when we recorded, so I hope it doesn’t take away from what was a wonderful conversation. Elliott is a drummer based in Cheshire. His credits include artists like Tony Hadley, Leo Sayer, The Syd Lawrence Big Band, and Mike Stern. Amongst many other things,...

Text the show Donavan is a drummer based near Birmingham.  His credits include artists like Take That,  Sam Smith, Annie Lennox, and Jessie J. Amongst many other things, we discussed growing up in a musical family, the importance of learning about electronics as a drummer, and taking a minute to exhale.  I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.  (Recorded April 26 2024) Support the show...

Text the show Charlie is a guitar player based in North Carolina. His credits include artists like D’Angelo, John Mayer, Frank Ocean and Norah Jones.  Amongst many other things, we discussed growing up in California, the benefits of unusual guitar tunings, and belonging to the journey. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! (Recorded 15th April 2024) Support the show Follow me on Inst...

Text the show Matt is a drummer based in Birmingham.  His credits include artists like Raye, Nicole Scherzinger, Meghan Trainor and Little Mix. Amongst many other things, we discussed falling in and out of love with the drums, the failures of the UK education system, and the importance of giving back to the musical community. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! (Recorded April 15th...

Text the show Aaron is a guitar player based in London. His credits include artist like Aitch, Calum Scott, Becky Hill, and Ellie Goulding. Amongst many other things, we discussed great teachers, putting pressure on oneself, and the importance of representation. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing or leaving a rating or review. Subscription information can be found in the show notes...

Text the show Ella is a guitar played based in Western Massachusetts. Her credits include artists like Silk Sonic, Erykah Badu, Common, and Jill Scott. Amongst many other things, we discussed growing up through the grunge era, deciding to leave Berklee, and the value of a good mentor. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! (Recorded March 1st 2024) Support the show Follow me on Instag...

Text the show Phil is a bass played based in London. His credits include artists like Barbara Thompson, Lewis Taylor, Steve Hackett, and Leo Sayer. Amongst many other things, we discussed the physical aspects of playing, worrying more with age, and accepting one’s sound. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! (Recorded 5th February 2024) Support the show Follow me on Instagram - @nate...

Text the show Oli is a piano and keyboard player based in London. His credits include artists like Carly Simon, John Mayer, Gregory Porter, and Louis Cole. Amongst many other things, we discussed finding like minded people, the necessary developmental pain of being around amazing musicians, and finding one’s voice. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. (Recorded 2nd February 2024) Su...

Text the show Dale is a bass player based between London and Coventry. His credits include artists like Amy Winehouse, Emeli Sandé, Paul Young, and Macy Gray. Amongst many other things, we discussed Dale’s relationship with singing, embracing technology, and the mental health side of being a session musician. I need to warn anyone of a squeamish nature, that Dale tells a story about a physical alt...

Text the show Milton is a guitar player based in Surrey. His credits include artists like Take That, Robert Palmer, Mick Jagger, and Bryan Adams. Amongst many other things, we discussed discovering Elvis and The Beatles, the benefits of not thinking too far ahead, and embracing technology as a guitarist.  I should point out that I’ve had to remove the beginning of our chat as the wifi issues were...

Text the show Joel is a guitar player based in London.  His credits include artists like The Shires, Louis Tomlinson and Maisie Peters. He was also part of a successful band called Lawson. Amongst many other things, we discussed the unknown benefits of entertaining friends at a young age, the realities of life on a major label, and the ins and outs of being a musical director.   (Recorded 9th Janu...

Text the show Hayley is a singer based in Lincoln. Her credits include artists like Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Sting, and Rod Stewart. She’s also one of the singers on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. Amongst many other things, we discussed dealing with long filming days, finding like minded people at a young age, and learning to accept compliments. (Recorded 11th December 2023) Support the show Fo...

Text the show Andrew is a bass player based in London. His credits include artists like James Taylor Quartet, Pulp, and West End shows like &Juliet and Waitress. Amongst many other things we discussed playing rock bass lines on cello, allowing oneself mistakes, and being in a house band on a tv show. (Recorded 8th December 2023) Support the show Follow me on Instagram - @nategroove Subscribe t...

Text the show James is a bass played based in London. His credits include artists like PREP, Lisa Stansfield, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and James Arthur. Amongst many other things we discussed finding the soul in music, dealing with quiet times, and gigging with Maceo Parker with three hours notice. We recorded this chat in early December 2023, and I just want to mention that I had a cold at the time. I...

Text the show Charlie is a bass player and MD from Bath. His credits include artists like Mahalia, Little Simz, AJ Tracey, and Anne Marie. Amongst many other things we discussed mental health, recovering from a huge setback, and what being an MD is all about.  I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. (Recorded 21st November 2023) Support the show Follow me on Instagram - @nategroove Sub...