Now That’s Bass

Why Feel Beats Flash: Matt Round on Getting Gigs... AND Keeping Them!

Listen Later

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

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Now That’s BassBy Pete Roythorne