The Bass Shed Podcast
Conversations with bass players, composers, and artists about
Artistry . Craft . Culture
Global Audience in 114 Countries
Rated in the top 5% of ALL podcasts
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Thrice bassist Ed Breckenridge joins Ryan Roberts to discuss coming to the bass during the band’s early days, the influences that shaped his approach to tone and feel, and how Thrice continues evolving creatively on their twelfth album Horizons West.
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EP 148 - Ed Breckenridge (Thrice)
Thrice bassist Ed Breckenridge joins Ryan Roberts to discuss coming to the bass during the band’s early days, the influences that shaped his approach to tone and feel, and how Thrice continues evolving creatively on their twelfth album Horizons West.
EP 147 - Darren Sacks
Darren Sacks joins The Bass Shed Podcast to discuss orchestral auditions, rhythmic precision, and building a system for accelerated growth. From hearing the Boston Symphony at sixteen to designing his Double Bass Audition Accelerator, Darren shares what truly separates good playing from audition-ready performance.
EP 146 - Ben Suarez (The Hip Snacks)
Ben Suarez didn’t start on bass — he started in hip-hop. In this episode, he shares how freestyling and performing as a rapper shaped his sense of rhythm long before he ever picked up the instrument. From beginning bass at 20 to building The Hip Snacks in Denver, Ben talks about developing identity through experience, serving powerful vocals without overplaying, and trusting a non-linear musical path rooted in artistry, craft, and culture.
EP 145 - Mark Johnson - The Unfaithful Servants
Bassist Mark Johnson of Unfaithful Servants talks serving the song, time feel, and longevity, then breaks down the band’s new album Fallen Angel and the thoughtful musicianship behind it.
EP 144 - Dr. Sean Young
Dr. Sean Young, Professor at UC Irvine and lifelong bassist, joins The Bass Shed Podcast to explore the intersection of music, psychology, culture, and technology. A deep conversation on jazz, improvisation, pain perception, and why music remains a fundamentally human experience.
EP 143 - Trish Imbrigno (Bluegrass / Americana Artist)
Ryan talks with double bassist Trish Imbrogno about leaving the orchestral path to rebuild her musical life in bluegrass and Americana, retraining her ear and time feel while finding sustainability, community, and voice beyond the page.
EP 142 - Georgia Weber (Singer, Songwriter, Double Bassist)
Australian-born, Brooklyn-based bassist and songwriter Georgia Weber joins Ryan Roberts to discuss her EP Big In Japan, reflecting on loss, imperfection, expat life in New York, and blending jazz with poetic storytelling.
EP 141 - Bud LeCompte (Bass & Pick-up Builder)
Ryan Roberts talks with luthier and pickup builder Bud LeCompte, founder of LeCompte Basses, about his path from player to builder, tone shaping, pickup design, and the philosophy behind crafting instruments that truly serve musicians.
EP 140 - Chris Hornung (Double Bassist / Educator / Zimmerman Publications)
Ryan Roberts talks with bassist and educator Chris Hornung about rock’s roots in blues, country, and Tin Pan Alley, its cultural impact on youth, and how industry shifts, MTV, and key artists shaped the genre’s enduring legacy.
EP 139 - Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, WhiteSnake, DIO)
Legendary rock bassist Rudy Sarzo reflects on his Cuban roots, discovering American music after seeing The Beatles, joining Ozzy Osbourne’s band, life on tour with Quiet Riot, and the unifying power of rock.
EP 138 - Lawrence Haber (Freelance Bassist, Music Director, Educator)
Bassist Lawrence Haber shares his journey from New Jersey roots to sessions and songwriting, discussing ’90s influences, groove, articulation, work with Music Together and Ready or Yacht, and his new single “Gia.”
EP 137 - Steve Billman (Frank Gambale, Billy Cobham, Liza Minnelli, Alex Acuña)
Bassist and educator Steve Billman joins Ryan Roberts to discuss rhythm studies, odd meters, South Indian influences, teaching at LACM, his band Odd Dogs, and a career spanning jazz, fusion, and contemporary music.
EP 136 - David Dyson (Me'Shell N'degeocello, New Kids On The Block, Producer, Songwriter)
Bassist David Dyson shares his journey from D.C. beginnings to touring with Walter Beasley and New Kids on the Block, blending funk, jazz, and Go-Go while building a career as a performer, MD, and solo artist.
EP 135 - Steve Rosati (Steve The Bass Guy / Performer, Educator, Author)
Bassist and educator Steve Rosati joins Ryan Roberts to discuss gear, flatwound strings, diverse influences from jazz to rap, teaching philosophy, and the realities of building a sustainable career as a working musician.
EP 134 - Nomad (Producer, Music Director, The Career Musician)
Guitarist, composer, and MD Nomad shares insights from a career spanning tours, hit records, and film scoring, discussing work with Stevie Wonder, Babyface, and major soundtracks, plus life behind the scenes.
EP 133 - Oskar Cartaya (Tito Puente, Jennifer Lopez, Producer, Arranger)
Bass legend Oskar Cartaya joins Ryan Roberts to share his journey through Latin jazz, funk, and sessions with artists like Herb Alpert and Spyro Gyra, plus his passion for mentoring young musicians.
EP 132 - Gary Wicks (The Manhattan Transfer, Stevie Wonder, Take 6, John Williams)
Bassist Gary Wicks joins Ryan Roberts to discuss a versatile career spanning jazz, pop, and orchestral work, from touring with The Manhattan Transfer to performing with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and more.
EP - 131 Matt Krahula (Bassist, Songwriter, Producer)
Bassist Matt Krahula discusses his path from New York’s scene to Honolulu, touring with Henry Kapono, balancing sideman work and songwriting, and building a versatile career across folk, rock, and Hawaiian music.
EP 130 - Sam Misner & Megan Smith (Recording artist Misner & Smith)
Folk duo Misner & Smith join Ryan Roberts to discuss their album All Is Song, sharing their songwriting process, six-year journey to completion, and how themes of connection, growth, and reflection shaped the record.
EP 129 - Peter Dominguez (Educator, Solo Artist, Richard Davis Foundation, Milt Hinton Institute)
Bassist and educator Peter Dominguez discusses jazz history, mentorship with legends Richard Davis and Milt Hinton, and his work shaping future bassists through teaching, performance, and major bass conferences.
