My guest on this episode is Steve Pearce, who is one of the most experienced bass players working in London today.
Most recently he held the bass chair in the West End for the Carol King musical Beautiful, and plays regularly on sessions in the top London studio.
Over the course of his career he has played with the likes of Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Al Jarreau, Bryan Ferry, Madonna, Mark Knoplfer, Seal, Randy Crawford and many more. His TV work includes being in the house band for shows such as Sports Personality of the Year, Proms in the Park, The Royal Variety Show and many more.
In this episode we talk about:
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The skills needed to work in studio sessions
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Grafting and serving your talent
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The experience of working with household names
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The importance of doubling on your instrument
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And much more
Selected Links From The Episode:
The Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Trinity Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Sports Personality of the Year
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Show Notes:
00:00 – Steve’s background
01:00 – The karmic music profession
05:30 – Regularly working with his Dad
07:10 – How Steve created his own ‘Studio College Course’
09:30 – The skills Steve learned for sessions
11:30 – The importance of listening to music
12:30 – Meeting new musicians
16:00 – Steve’s move to London, starting sessions and expanding network
17:45 – The big changing moment for Steve
21:10 – Your finances and functions
22:45 – Attitude and having enthusiasm towards work
27:00 – Working in the West End
35:00 – Understanding what you want to do and serving your talent
37:00 – Steve’s skill list
42:00 – Working hard
44:00 – Steve’s Live Diary
48:45 – The frequency of work over time
50:00 – Budgeting and money management
55:30 – Your reputation as a musician
56:30 – Who you know vs. what you know in studios
58:50 – A typical recording process
1:07:26 – How the session process has developed
1:09:25 – Steve’s bass concept
1:15:00 – Having some bottle and dealing with nerves in an orchestra
1:18:30 – Making decisions with takes
1:22:00 – Playing on bigger sessions
1:24:30 – The skills of a session musician
1:25:00 – Steve’s film sessions
1:26:00 – Working with Van Morrison
1:27:30 – Steve’s break into live gigging
1:30:00 – Playing in live touring environments
1:37:00 – Reading whilst performing
1:40:45 – Writing own parts for live gigs
1:32:30 – How Steve became the MD for Tom Jones
1:45:20 – What being an MD involves
1:48:30 – Playing with big names
1:54:30 – The sum of experience in your career giving you confidence
1:56:00 – Personality of people at the top
1:59:00 – Playing with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Vinnie Colaiuta
2:04:30 – Big decisions and big moments in your career. Using experience to draw strength from yourself.
2:06:00 – The hard work of developing your arsenal
2:11:30 – To double or not to double
2:12:30 – Session careers these days
2:17:25 – Advice for young musicians
2:25:00 – Recommended gear
2:26:00 – Recommended listening
2:28:20 – Steve Live
Recommended Bass Listening:
Recommended Gear:
- Round wound strings for ROCK
- Flat round strings with foam under bridge for MOWTOWN
-5 String Fretless
- Acoustic Bass guitar
Double Bass + Pickup