THE BASS SHED PODCAST is a collection of in-depth interviews with Double Bassists & Electric Bassists from all over the world. Hosted by Los Angeles freelance Bassist Ryan Roberts, each interview examines artistry, career, culture in a personal ad relaxed style. Rated in the top 10% of ALL podcasts in the world, and listened to in more than 80 countries, The Bass Shed Podcast is a valuable resource for every bassist of any genre.
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Tom Kennedy joins The Bass Shed Podcast to discuss his latest album, The Summit, and the musical influences that have shaped his voice as one of today's premier jazz bassists.
In this conversation, Tom reflects on growing up surrounded by the music of Horace Silver and the great big bands before discovering the legendary bassists who would leave a lasting impact on his playing, including Ray Brown, Jimmy Blanton, Scott LaFaro, and Rufus Reid.
We explore the inspiration behind The Summit, why he wanted to create a more acoustic, straight-ahead jazz record, his compositional process, and what it takes to lead a band while remaining deeply committed to serving the music. Tom also shares insights into his long-running musical partnership with Dave Weckl, the role of the bass in guiding an ensemble, and the balance between supporting the band and stepping forward as a soloist.
Whether discussing composition, improvisation, ensemble playing, or the responsibilities of the modern bassist, Tom offers a thoughtful look into the artistry and craft that have defined his career.
Bassist, composer, and recording artist NOA Eve joins The Bass Shed Podcast to discuss Late Bloomer, a deeply personal debut album that blends solo double bass, bluegrass, new acoustic music, and songwriting into a unique artistic statement.
NOA shares the journey from studying classical bass to discovering an individual musical voice and learning to step beyond the traditional expectations of the instrument. We also explore the making of Late Bloomer, the stories behind several of the album's compositions, recording the double bass in the studio, and how personal experiences shaped both the music and the message of the record.
Whether you're a bassist, musician, or simply interested in the creative process, this conversation offers an honest look at artistry, identity, and finding your own voice.
Get exclusive podcast extras, The 5 Spot, The Listening Room, featured lessons, a growing library of bass transcriptions, and member discounts on courses, workshops, and more.
Joe Principe has spent more than two decades anchoring the low end for Rise Against, helping build one of punk rock's most influential and enduring bands.
In this episode of The Bass Shed Podcast, Joe reflects on the band's origins following the breakup of 88 Fingers Louie, how Rise Against came together, and the challenges of building a career from the Chicago punk scene. He shares stories from the early years, the breakthrough success of Revolutions Per Minute, and how the band has remained committed to its values while evolving musically.
Joe also offers an inside look at the making of Rise Against's latest album, Ricochet, discussing the band's approach to the record, how they view each album as a snapshot of who they are creatively, and why staying authentic has always mattered more than chasing trends.
Beyond the music, the conversation explores balancing family life with decades of touring, raising independent and open-minded children, the influence of punk culture, veganism, activism, and using a platform to support meaningful causes. Joe also discusses his bass influences, evolving gear, touring rig, and why playing with a pick remains central to his sound.
Whether you're a bassist, songwriter, or lifelong punk fan, this episode offers an honest conversation about longevity, creativity, and staying true to your convictions.
In Episode 150 of The Bass Shed Podcast, Ryan Roberts sits down with Adam Russell, bassist of Story of the Year, to talk about the band’s latest album A.R.S.O.N., their evolution over 25 years, and how his role as a bassist has grown alongside the band.
Adam shares how A.R.S.O.N. reflects a return to the band’s emo and post-hardcore roots while focusing more on personal emotional expression rather than political themes. They discuss the shift from early major label days with Maverick Records to their current chapter with Epitaph, and what it takes to sustain a band across decades.
The conversation also dives into Adam’s time away from music, including a four-year stint working at Apple, and how those technical skills now inform the band’s live show through Ableton integration, automated effects, and modern production approaches on stage.
They also explore Adam’s influences, touring mindset, and how technology, tone, and musical identity intersect in a high-energy rock setting.
Key Topics
Story of the Year’s album A.R.S.O.N. and return to roots
25 years of band evolution and longevity
From Maverick Records to Epitaph
Time away from music and working at Apple
Live performance tech: Ableton and automation
Balancing emotion, identity, and consistency in rock music
Mark Wade is a New York-based bassist, composer, and bandleader, and a five-time DownBeat Readers’ Poll finalist for Bassist of the Year. In this episode of The Bass Shed Podcast, Ryan Roberts sits down with Mark to talk about his musical path, his work as a creative artist and ensemble leader, and take a deep dive into his latest recording, New Stages.
On this episode:
Mark Wade’s background as a bassist, composer, and bandleader
His development as a creative artist in the modern jazz world
What has shaped his voice as a musician and writer
The artistic vision behind New Stages
How the record reflects a new phase in his creative evolution
A deeper look at the music, concepts, and writing on his latest release
New Stages, released by Dot Time Records, represents a major creative turning point for Wade, reimagining classical forms through a modern jazz trio lens.
In Episode 148 of The Bass Shed Podcast, Ryan Roberts sits down with bassist Ed Breckenridge of the band Thrice to talk about creativity, musicianship, and sustaining a band for more than two decades.
Ed has helped shape the sound of Thrice since the band’s earliest days, blending heavy rock energy with atmosphere, texture, and evolving songwriting. In this conversation, he shares how he came to the bass during the forming of the band, the records and players that influenced him early on, and what he discovered to be so powerful about the role of the bass in a band.
Ryan and Ed also dive into Thrice’s latest album Horizons West, the band’s twelfth studio release. They discuss the band’s collaborative songwriting process, building contrast and atmosphere within heavy music, recording bass tones in the studio, and how the band continues to evolve creatively while staying true to its identity.
A thoughtful conversation about bass, songwriting, and the long arc of a working band.
In Episode 147 of The Bass Shed Podcast, Ryan Roberts sits down with freelance double bassist and educator Darren Sacks to explore what truly separates good playing from audition-ready playing.
Darren shares the story of hearing the Boston Symphony Orchestra live at sixteen and deciding to switch from saxophone to double bass — a decision that led to rapid advancement, conservatory training, and a performing career throughout the Boston area.
This conversation goes far beyond résumé highlights.
Ryan and Darren dive into:
• Why “innate talent” is often misunderstood • The critical role of rhythmic precision and note length in orchestral auditions • What adjudicators are actually listening for • Why technique on the double bass cannot be optional • The psychology of performing under pressure • And how Darren’s Double Bass Audition Accelerator system prepares students for youth orchestra, festival, and conservatory auditions
If you’re preparing for auditions — or guiding someone who is — this episode is tactical, honest, and practical.
In Episode 146 of The Bass Shed Podcast, Ryan Roberts sits down with bassist Ben Suarez to talk about rhythm before instrument, starting bass later in life, and building a band intentionally from the ground up.
Ben’s first musical language wasn’t bass — it was hip-hop. Growing up on the East Coast, he spent years freestyling and performing as a rapper before ever picking up the instrument that would eventually define his role in music. Starting bass at 20, navigating a non-linear college path, and studying privately for nearly a decade, Ben developed his voice through experience, discipline, and bandstand reality rather than traditional conservatory expectations.
The conversation also explores the formation and growth of The Hip Snacks, a Denver-based rock-and-soul outfit formed through open mics, community jams, and a shared musical vision. Ryan and Ben discuss writing as a band instead of chasing trends, supporting powerful vocals without overplaying, influences spanning soul, rock, jam, and hip-hop, recording with intention versus simply capturing live energy, bass tone decisions in the studio versus on stage, and building identity without comparing timelines.
It’s a conversation rooted in artistry, craft, and culture — about trusting your path, serving the music, and committing to something bigger than yourself.
In Episode 145 of The Bass Shed Podcast, Ryan Roberts sits down with bassist Mark Johnson of Unfaithful Servants to talk about serving the song, developing real feel, and sustaining a long career in music.
Mark has spent over 35 years working as a professional bassist across jazz, bluegrass, Americana, and roots music, and shares how those worlds inform his approach to time, tone, and musical support. They discuss the difference between learning music in school versus on the bandstand, the importance of community, and why restraint and listening matter more than flash.
The second half of the episode dives into Unfaithful Servants’ 2025 album Fallen Angel, exploring its deliberate arrangements, instrumental tracks, melodic bass writing, arco textures, and wide emotional shifts. Ryan and Mark break down how the band blends tradition with sophisticated musicianship while always keeping the listener in mind.
A thoughtful conversation about bass, band dynamics, and what it really means to serve the music.
In this episode, Ryan sits down with Dr. Sean Young, Professor of Emergency Medicine at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and Professor of Informatics in the Department of Information and Computer Sciences — and a lifelong bassist.
Dr. Young holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Stanford University, an M.S. in Health Services Research from Stanford School of Medicine, and a B.A. in Ethnomusicology from UCLA. His work bridges music, psychology, medicine, and technology, offering a rare perspective on how sound shapes human behavior.
Together, they explore how jazz and reggae affect pain perception, why improvisation creates narrative and emotional immersion, how personal history influences the way we hear music, and why creativity resists being reduced to algorithms. The conversation also dives into AI, culture, and the ethical limits of technology.
This episode is a thoughtful look at music as both a scientific phenomenon and a deeply human experience.
Featured in This Episode
Lemur Music Everything you need for the double bass — strings, accessories, sheet music, and bass-specific gear. https://www.lemurmusic.com
Jerry Jemmott: 15 Timeless Basslines A deep dive into feel, placement, tone, and musical decision-making — co-created with Jerry Jemmott, with every transcription personally approved. https://www.thebassshed.org
Preview The Bass Shed Explore free previews of lessons, podcast episodes, transcriptions, The Listening Room, The 5 Spot, gear reviews, and more—all in one place. https://www.thebassshed.com/tbs-patchbay
Become a Back Stage Member Get all-access to Podcast Extras including The 5 Spot and The Listening Room, plus a growing library of bass transcriptions, lessons, and special member discounts. https://www.thebassshed.com/backstage
Jerry Jemmott: 15 Timeless Basslines Own the book and learn the stories behind some of Jerry Jemmott's most iconic recordings, complete with note-for-note transcriptions and firsthand commentary from Jerry himself. https://www.thebassshedacademy.org/741259528234
If you enjoyed this episode, please show your support by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with another bass player. Your support helps grow and connect the bass community.
Jerry Jemmott – 15 Timeless Basslines A collection of transcriptions personally developed with Jerry Jemmott and approved by the legend himself. https://www.thebassshedacademy.org/741259528234
Back Stage Pass members can submit questions for upcoming guests and help shape future episodes. You’ll also get access to exclusive Podcast Extras, including The 5 Spot, behind-the-scenes content, and the full episode archive.
With the Back Stage Pass, you can submit questions to guests and help shape future episodes of The Bass Shed Podcast.
You’ll also get access to exclusive Podcast Extras, including The 5 Spot — a rapid-fire look at how each guest responds to bass, music, and artistry — plus behind-the-scenes content and the full episode archive.
Go deeper with Podcast Extras, The 5 Spot, full Listening Room breakdowns, complete Bass Bites, Lessons, LowDown gear reviews, Shed Mindset videos, and access to the Shed Studio practice tools.
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