In Session With...

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Before I introduce today’s guest, I want to recommend a couple of podcasts to you. I recently spoke with Sebastian Philpott and Verity Simmons after my episode with Camilla Pay. Turns out Seb and Verity were due to speak with Camilla for their podcast shortly afterwards, but I’d basically asked all their questions. Seems it was a good thing and they ended up having a great chat about all things non-music on their “Three In A Bar” podcast. If you’re interested in musicians and the goings on in the industry, please go and check it out. Also, my mate and previous pod guest Rob Harris has a podcast called “Rob’s Funk and Junk” podcast. It’s often him talking about work, life and music and has some interesting, fun and sometimes daft insights into the industry.

Anyway - back to episode 18. Today’s guest is Ralph Salmins. 

Ralph is a drummer based between the UK and south west France. He’s a first call session musician whose list of credits is so long, I had to stop reading whilst researching for the pod. A few highlights I picked out include Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin, Elton John, James Brown, Quincy Jones and Lady Gaga. They’re just the ones from the pop world. There are countless Jazz credits, and Ralph has played on over 180 film soundtracks. He’s also a professor of drum kit at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. We spoke briefly before the recording and he told me his story was boring… Ralph, if you’re listening, I disagree…

Amongst other things, we discussed Ralph’s early playing years, working with Van Morrison, being open to new styles of music, and the benefits of learning about engineering. 

Apologies in advance as there were one or two wifi issues, but you can hear 99.9% of the conversation clearly. 

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!

(Recorded 6th January 2023)

Three In A Bar  - https://www.threeinabar.com/

Rob's Funk And Junk - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2037103

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Christian is a keyboard player, MD and producer based in London. He can usually be found touring the world with artists like Will Young, Roxy Music and Kylie Minogue. 

Amongst other things, we discussed his family’s decision to move from Sicily to London, his adjustment from self-confessed Jazz snob to gigging in the pop world and the importance of psychology in the session world.

I should point out that for some reason, my voice is a little quieter than Christian’s, so I’m sorry if that causes anyone any issues!

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!

As usual, please leave a nice rating or review. And don't forget to tell your friends about the pod!

(Recorded 24th January 2023)

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Samson is a drummer based in London. He’s toured the world and recorded with artists like Maverick Sabre, Jessie Ware, Mahalia and NAO.

Amongst other things, we discussed Samson’s jump from a finance and accounting degree to music, the pros and cons of drummer shed sessions, learning a whole Cory Wong set in a day and a half, and selling drum grooves online.

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! Please follow the show and leave a nice rating or review!

(Recorded 9th December 2022)

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Apologies in advance for the wifi issues we had at the start. They get resolved by 2.57.

Frida is a session singer based in London. She’s spent the best part of the last decade recording and touring with some of the biggest names in the music business such as Lianne La Havas, Ed Sheeran, Liam Gallagher and NAO. 

We discussed Frida’s confidence as a kid and how that’s changed, big auditions,  and how to fill the time between tours.

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!

(Recorded 1st December 2022)

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Milly is a harpist based in London, and is a first call session player for film and TV soundtracks. She also has a crazy list of credits from her recording and touring work with the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Annie Lennox, Beyonce, Lianne La Havas and The Killers.

We’ve known each other a little while, but I haven’t seen Milly in a long time, so it was great to catch up and learn more about her journey. It might be the Welshman in me, but I’m fascinated by the harp, so it was really interesting to hear about the world of the session harpist. 

Amongst other things, we discussed the give and take of the musical community, working to get magic out of the harp, pressure sessions and sight reading in front of an orchestra in the studio. 

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!

(Recorded 29th  November 2022)

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Happy new year!

Bob is an interesting guest to have on because I asked him to wear both his drummer hat and his fixer hat. Many people don’t know what a fixer is, or what they do, and I’m very fortunate to know what of the main fixers in the UK in Bob. 

My chat with Bob was in two parts really. We discussed his journey into the industry as a drummer, and how he ended up playing with the likes of Cee Lo Green, Jennifer Hudson, Kirsty MacColl and Charlotte Church. We then moved on to his work as a fixer. I asked Bob to really break down what he does so people inside, and outside the industry can learn more about how things work. It was a really interesting insight, and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

(Recorded 24th  November 2022)

Thanks so much for listening!

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Firstly - have you left a rating/review yet? If not, please do as it's so helpful and hugely appreciated!

Secondly - I'm having a little break...

More guests in the new year! Be sure to follow the show so you get automatic updates on future episodes. 

Thanks SO MUCH for listening.

See you in 2023...

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Adam is a guitar player based in London. The last twenty years have seen him play in various west end shows, along with touring and recording with artists like Beverley Knight, Seal, Robbie Williams and Anastacia. Adam is an incredible sight reader, which means he’s a first call session player for many film soundtrack recordings, and TV shows. You can hear his playing on films like Bridget Jones’s Diary, Mission Impossible, Harry Potter, and Les Mis. You’ll occasionally catch him on shows like Strictly and The voice too. 

I’d never met Adam before,  but we’ve spoken once or twice on Instagram. This was a lovely way to get to know him, and learn more about his journey. 

Amongst other things, we discussed fretted instruments making sense, guitar players who read music, thriving on nerves, and fitting in as a dep. 

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

(Recorded 17th  November 2022)

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I can’t believe we’re at double figures! Thanks so much for listening!

Oli is a percussionist based in London. He moved to the UK from Portugal at a young age, and is probably best known as the percussionist for Basement Jaxx. As a session musician, Oli has worked with the likes of Pet Shop Boys, Robbie Williams, Tom Jones and Annie Lennox..

We happen to be very good friends, so it was great to catch up, but I learnt a lot about Oli’s journey in to the industry, and how he adjusted to life in the UK after leaving the Portuguese coastal life behind. We discussed being honest at auditions, Stevie Wonder, living in Cuba and nerves on a gig.

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!

(Recorded 20th October 2022)

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Holly is a session singer based just outside London. She’s worked with a real variety of artist ranging from Rod Temperton, to Pete Tong, to Anastacia to Shania Twain. 

Amongst other things, we discuss knowing about the business side of things, parenthood, and being a woman in a male dominated industry. We’ve known each other a really long time, but haven’t chatted in a while. It was lovely to get to learn about Holly’s journey into the industry.

Also - I was lucky enough to be greeted on the zoom call by Holly’s husband Chris, and son Rufus!

I had a minor wifi problem early on, however, the conversation wasn’t affected too much, and I managed to resolve the issue (9.38ish)

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

(Recorded 13th October 2022)

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Support the show

Follow me on Instagram - @nategroove

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Any questions or guest suggestions, please email [email protected]