Guitar and Bass Conversations

Originally from Panama, bassist Alex Blake arrived in the United States at a young age and, under the guidance of his father, found his lifelong voice in the bass. What began as an early immersion in Latin music grew into a career that has now spanned more than 45 years of exploration, evolution, and excellence.

As opportunities expanded, so did Blake’s musical reach. His journey has taken him across countless genres, collaborating ...

Since 2012, Tom Doyle has been holding down the low end for UK alt-rock heavyweights Don Broco, helping to shape the band’s groove-driven, genre-blurring sound into one of the most distinctive in modern British rock. With thunderous tone, razor-sharp precision, and an instinct for hooks that hit just as hard as the riffs, Doyle has become a crucial force behind the band’s ever-evolving sonic identity.

As Don Broco gear up to unleash...

For decades, we’ve had the privilege of following the remarkable career of Nathan East, listening closely to his albums, tracking his milestones with Yamaha Instruments, and watching his evolving partnership with Laney Amplification with great interest. Along the way, we’ve talked gear, tone, and technique, while hearing his unmistakable musical “voice” woven into the work of more iconic artists than we could possibly list.

Today, w...

Few musicians can claim they were present at the birth of the electric bass, and even fewer can say they helped shape what came next. 

Leo Lyons has been playing bass for more than half a century, standing at the crossroads of innovation and influence as rock music found its voice. From the explosive blues-rock of Ten Years After, to later projects such as Hundred Seventy Split, Lyons has been a constant pillar of the UK rock scene ...

For nearly seventeen years, we’ve followed the ever-evolving journey of bassist Cheikh Ndoye, watching with admiration as his musical vision continues to deepen and expand. Each project has revealed a restless curiosity and a commitment to sound that resists easy categorization.

When we last spoke in 2018, Ndoye was already hinting at new directions, and he hasn’t slowed down since.

In the years that followed, he’s been quietly and i...

For more than four decades, British bassist Richard Vernon has been a quietly formidable presence in rock music. Cutting his teeth on the UK scene in the early 1980s, he’s carved out a reputation for groove, grit, and unshakeable musical instinct.

Best known for anchoring the sound of The Mission, Vernon has also brought his distinctive low-end touch to an array of projects, from acclaimed session work to performing with Peter Perre...

This month, we have a real treat for all you metal fans out there! Joining us is none other than Pär Sundström, the powerhouse bassist and co-founding member of Sabaton, a band many consider to be the #1 global power metal act in the world.

Pär isn’t just the man behind those thunderous bass lines; he’s also one of the main lyricists and the band’s manager, helping to shape Sabaton’s unmistakable sound and unstoppable rise.

Hailing f...

Hailing from the heart of New Orleans, bassist Noah Young has been a remarkably busy and continually evolving force in today’s music scene. Fresh off the release of his highly anticipated solo album Noah (September 26, 2025), he’s stepping confidently into a new chapter of his artistic identity.

Many listeners already know him as the low-end engine behind the explosive sound of Naughty Professor, while others have caught him anchori...

It’s always exciting to know that there are musicians dedicated to keeping jazz alive, evolving, and pushing its boundaries forward. Bassist Mauricio Morales stands at the forefront of today’s contemporary jazz movement, and his upcoming album, Between Dreams and Twilight, promises to be one of his most compelling artistic statements yet.

Join me as we explore Mauricio’s musical journey, the origins of his signature sound, the creat...

Have you ever wondered what a Progressive Rock/fusion band with two bassists would sound like? Well, wonder no more… the answer is Quadvium! And they’re making waves with their brand-new album, “Tetradom.”

Quadvium brings together an incredible lineup: Jeroen Thesseling and Steve Di Giorgio on bass, the powerhouse Yuma Van Ecklen on drums, and the electrifying Eve Smith on guitar. The result? Music that’s as intricate as it is power...

What do you get when you blend raw Rock & Roll with a dose of Southern soul? You get Jet Black Roses!

Hailing from Georgia, this powerhouse trio, featuring the talented Andrew Bently on bass, has been making serious waves, and now they’re gearing up for the release of their self-titled debut album, dropping this October 2025.

Today, I’m thrilled to be sitting down with Andrew to talk about the band’s journey, the making of their ...

I’m sure many of you will remember that I had the pleasure of chatting with Lettuce bassist Erick “Maverick” Coomes just last year, where we covered a ton of great material. (If you missed it, you can check out that interview here>>>bassmusicianmagazine.com.)

Now, with Lettuce on the verge of releasing their brand-new album Cook, I thought it was the perfect time to catch up with Erick and see what’s been cooking… pun defin...

We’ve had the pleasure of talking with Mike Pope for years now… exploring his innovative contributions to bass electronics, spending a day with him as an educator at Berklee, and of course, enjoying his phenomenal performances both live and on countless recordings. Many of you might even remember our last interview back in 2020 (read it here).

Now, we’re especially excited to catch up with Mike about his brand-new album, The Parts Y...

Bassist Ross Schodek…

I’ve always been a huge fan of Poncho Sanchez’s music, so you can imagine how excited I was to dive into his latest album, Live at the Belly Up Tavern. (Check out my full review here: Album Review.)

This dynamic live recording is full of energy, groove, and that unmistakable Latin jazz magic, and after giving it a few spins, I found myself especially drawn to the incredible bass work holding it all together. Tha...

Back in June 2024, I had the chance to chat with Finger Eleven bassist Sean Anderson about the band’s Greatest Hits album release, and let’s just say, it was a walk down some seriously nostalgic memory lanes! 

Fast forward to now, and the guys have been anything but idle.

On November 7, 2025, Finger Eleven will drop their first studio album in nearly a decade, Last Night on Earth, and fans are already buzzing. With such huge news, I ...