The SBL Podcast

Latest Episodes:

068 - In Conversation with Carey Nordstrand - Wire, Wood & Magnets Jun 21, 2017

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In today’s podcast we meet the man behind Nordstrand Guitars.

Carey Nordstrand has established a fine tradition for building top-of-the-range guitars and basses. Nordstrand Audio also boasts a pretty comprehensive range of specialist pickups, with the likes of Tim Lefebvre, Evan Marien, Jamareo Artis and Abe Laboriel all getting in on the act. But that’s not all that’s been keeping Carey Nordstrand busy of late. Not content to be constrained to a life as a master craftsman, Carey has joined forces with vocalist Edward Heppenstall to release an alternative rock album under the moniker of Moba Jones.

067 - In Conversation with Sam Lord - Aquilo Jun 14, 2017

Show notes

In today’s podcast we’re talking to Sam Lord, bassist with electro-pop outfit Aquilo.

Since gaining recognition on the UK airwaves with the single ‘You There’ some four years ago, Aquilo have gone on to have more success across the pond, even finding time to pen hits with the likes of Vanic (‘Losing You’ was released onto YouTube in 2015 and has accumulated over 7.5 million plays on SoundCloud to date). We find out how Sam got the gig with Aquilo, what it’s entailed so far and how he’s adapting to life on the road.

066 - In Conversation with Jon Thorne - Taking the Double Bass Further Jun 07, 2017

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In today’s podcast we’re talking to double bassist and long time supplier of the low-end for Lamb, Jon Thorne.

It’s been 20-odd years since Jon Thorne came to some prominence as bassist with experimental trip hop duo Lamb. But Jon has also played alongside folk guitar genius, John Smith, written and recorded an album, Watching The Well, in tribute to his mentor Danny Thompson and recorded and performed with artists as diverse as Robert Miles, Scott Matthews, Gilad Atzmon, Liam Bailey, Steve Lawson and Robert Fripp. Look out for Jon’s third solo album, which has been signed for a 2017 release by Static Caravan. You’ll also catch him on Lamb’s 21st Anniversary Tour and at the Glastonbury, Latitude and Green Man Festivals with his indo-jazz trio Yorkston/Thorne/Khan.

065 - In Conversation with David Ellefson - School of Rock! May 30, 2017

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In today’s podcast we get up-to-speed with one of the founders of thrash, Megadeth bassist David Ellefson.

As founding member of US rockers Megadeth, David Ellefson needs little introduction as one of the founders of thrash. Having appeared on countless Megadeth releases including the bands 1985 debut, Killing is My Business… And Business is Good!, right through to 2002’s Rude Awakening, Ellefson is rightly regarded as a pioneer of thrash metal bass playing. Back with a new album, Dystopia – Ellefson’s punchy bass tone and his ridiculous picking-hand chops are sounding better than ever.

064 - In Conversation with Zev Feldman - Jaco Pastorius Truth Liberty & Soul May 24, 2017

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In today’s podcast we get the lowdown on a stunning new album featuring Jaco Pastorius live in New York City.

Released on May 26th, Jaco Pastorius - Truth, Liberty & Soul - Live in NYC showcases a previously unreleased performance by Jaco and the New York incarnation of his Word of Mouth Big Band. The original recording engineer, Paul Blakemore, was onboard to revisit the original 24-track tape reels, having first captured the gig on June 27th 1982 for a NPR Jazz Alive! radio broadcast, but this is the first time that the entire concert has been made available. Including over 40 minutes of material not aired on the original broadcast, the release also features a massive 100-page book with interviews from the likes of John Pastorius, Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer and Randy Brecker.

063 - In Conversation with Michael League - Raising the Bar May 17, 2017

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In today’s podcast we chat to the man behind the award-winning Brooklyn-based collective Snarky Puppy.

Always pushing the boundaries with an unbending work ethic, Snarky Puppy are tighter and better oiled than ever before. Inspired by Michael League’s earth-shattering bass playing, their recorded catalogue grows more impressive from album to album. And now Michael’s back with a newly formed project called Bokanté, which looks set to shape the next phase of instrumental world music.

062 - In Conversation with Colin Parkinson - Inglorious May 10, 2017

Show notes

In today’s podcast we meet the man pulling the bass strings with UK breakthrough act Inglorious.

Colin Parkinson has found himself in a surreal situation that most bassists only dream about, joining a band that’s already being billed as a shrine to classic rock. Larger-than-life frontman Nathan James of TV talent show The Voice fame joins Colin onstage, and while the young bass prodigy may seem like an unassuming addition, his calm demeanour, technical ability and attention to detail have made his transition into the spotlight seamless.

061 - In Conversation with Keith Duffy - The Business of Bass May 03, 2017

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In today’s podcast we sit down with Keith Duffy, long-serving bassist with The Corrs

Following a fine tradition set by the likes of James Jamerson and Joe Osborn, as a modern-day session player Keith Duffy’s awareness of what it takes to make a situation work, together with an impulse to keep things simple, has has proved essential, allowing him to communicate the crucial feeling of each song so decisively. The Corrs have produced a number of international hits and multi-platinum albums, but despite all this success, for Keith it all comes down to holding down the groove and serving the song.

060 - In Conversation with Ruth Goller - Punk Jazz Apr 26, 2017

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In today’s podcast Ruth Goller talks us through her inspired bass work with some of the coolest names on the London jazz scene.

Ruth has been a regular presence on the London jazz scene for several years now, toting a Fender Mustang and performing with a wide variety of bands including The Moss Project, Let Spin and punk-jazz rockers Acoustic Ladyland. Yet for all her jazz knowledge, Ruth’s unfussy technique favours sparse plectrum work over busy fingerstyle. Her background is distinctly non-jazz, and in spite of having chops to spare, an attitude of ‘less is more’ informs everything that she plays.

059 - In Conversation with Andrew McKinney - Projecting The Groove Apr 20, 2017

Show notes

In today’s podcast Andrew McKinney lends an insight into every bassman’s dream gig.

Aside from leading the bass department at BIMM London, Andrew McKinney is bassist with the James Taylor Quartet, whose high-energy blend of groove jazz has earned them legions of fans right across the globe. What’s more, the bass parts are almost always jaw-droppingly amazing – and Andrew is the first to admit how lucky he is to be in a band that allows the bass such space to move. “I was described once as a ‘magical, musical, midfield general’, which I take as a compliment!” He also continues his freelance work, regularly depping on shows in London’s West End.

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