Groovecast - The Rhythm Section Podcast

SEASON 3 Episode 7 out now!

The new podcast for musicians, hosted by bassist Ashley Walker and drummer Charlie Smith. Covering all things drums, bass and music, with plenty of stories and tales from the road.

Its been a long time in the making, but Ash and I are thrilled to be able to finally release it and let it be heard. We’ve had a real blast putting these together, and talking about the stuff we live and breathe, expect some in depth chats about the music industry, some legendary drummers and bassists, gigs and gear and everything in between, whether you’re a rhythm section player, a musician or just a casual music lover, there’s something in here for anyone!

To stay in the loop, drop us a follow @groovecastuk on Facebook & Instagram

Groovecast - S3 Ep7: GrooveGuest Neal Wilkinson

Hello and welcome to a particularly special interview episode of Groovecast.

In todays episode we're diving deep into the career of one of the UK's most prolific session and touring drummers, Neal Wilkinson. In Part 1, Neal tells us about his musical beginnings, from playing the working mens clubs to cruising around the world and how he eventually made the transition to working and living in London.

You'll also hear how Phil Collins & James Taylor's Bassist Leland Sklar helped him adjust to life in Los Angles and also hear how a twist of fate and a little bit of luck helped him find his way into James Morrison's band...

As always we hope you enjoy this episode of Groovecast and we'll see you next time for Part 2!

Groovecast - S3 Ep6: Beyond the Beatles

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast.

Following on from our cover of Free As A Bird, we thought we'd continue in that same vain by diving into that period in the Beatles history. We talk about the Beatles Anthology series, how they came to record two new songs without the presence of John Lennon and after 25 years how they would complete what is now known as the last EVER Beatles song, Now And Then.

As always we hope you enjoy and we'll see you next time!

Groovecast - S3 Ep5: Three of a Kind - Jeff Lynne

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast!

In todays episode we breakdown another 3 songs from one of our favourite artists, Jeff Lynne. Just as last time we gave ourselves 3 categories in which our picks had to fit. The obvious one, the groovy one and the deep cut. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed making it.

Until next time, we'll see you on Groovecast!

Groovecast - S3 Ep4: Tools for Teaching

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast.

In today's episode we talk about some of the tools that helped us in our musical upbringings, from tutors and books to dvd's, masterclasses and trips to Ronnie Scotts.

As always we hope you enjoy and we'll see you next time!

Groovecast - S3 Ep3: Three of a Kind

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast! In todays episode we find a new way to squeeze a top three out of arguably our favourite artist, Sir Paul McCartney.  We decided to task ourselves with filling these three categories.

1. The Obvious One - A big hit that you can't help but love.

2. The Groovy One - A track with a funky bass line or rhythm that you can't help but groove to.

3. Deep Cut - A lesser known track that we believe is underrated and needs more attention.

As always we hope you enjoy this episode and we'll see you next time!

Groovecast - S3 Ep2: YouTube vs IRL Lessons

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast.

In todays episode we go deep into the debate of Youtube vs Real Lessons. We discuss great channels and sources such as - Rick Beato & Scott's Bass Lessons, as well as talking about some of our own experiences teaching and taking part in online courses.

As always we hope you enjoy and be sure to like and subscribe for more content. Until then, we'll see you next time!

Groovecast - S3 Ep1: Where Have We Been?

Hello and welcome BACK to Groovecast!

In today's episode we kick off our 3rd season with some in depth chat about what we've been up to and where we've been in the break between seasons.

We cover a range of gigs and trips, such as Charlie's debut at Glastonbury and Ash's last cruise. We hope you enjoy this episode, make sure to keep up to date on our new season via our socials!

Groovecast - S2 Ep10: Our Top 3 Influential Players

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast for our final episode of season two!

Oh how time flies when you're having fun. Over the course of this season we thought we had done enough talking about ourselves, so decided for this episode we would really get deep into our top 3 influential bassists and drummers respectively. There are some obvious and some not so obvious ones included...

As always we hope you enjoy this episode and have enjoyed our second season of Groovecast, we know we've had fun making it and we're also excited to move onto bigger and better things in our next season.

Make sure to give us a like and follow us on any of our below mentioned pages to keep up to date. Until next time, we'll see you on Groovecast!

Groovecast - S2 Ep9: Recording Chat

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast!

In our penultimate episode of Season 2, we talk about some of our recent activities, such as the recording of Ash's new album. We compare notes on what it was like to record in person over at Charlie's home studio and where some of the influences and sounds are coming from for this upcoming project. We also get into some of the behind the scenes tricks we have learned from some of the most famous artists and albums, including Jeff Lynne and ELO and the Godfather of producing, Quincy Jones.

As always, we hope you enjoy this episode of Groovecast and we'll see you next time!

Groovecast - S2 Ep8: GrooveGuest Steve Pearce Pt.2

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast!

In todays episode you hear once more from bass legend Steve Pearce. In the second part of our chat with him we discuss adding upright bass to his arsenal, hooliganism on Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide To The Orchestra and a couple of hilarious behind the scenes gig stories, including a far from straight forward performance with George Benson...

As always, be sure to send us a like, subscribe or follow the socials!

Thank you once again to Steve for giving up so much of his valued time to speak to us and until next time, we'll see you on Groovecast!

Groovecast - S2 Ep7: GrooveGuest Steve Pearce Pt.1

Hello and welcome to a very special episode of Groovecast.

In today's podcast we speak to one of the UK's finest and most recorded bass players, Steve Pearce.  From West End musicals to Films, Video Games and some of the businesses biggest stars we brush through his breathtaking career.  

In Part 1 we talk about some of his recent work with artists such as Florence & The Machine and Gregory Porter, and on films like the recent Disney live action Cruella.  We also hear about working with legends like Al Jarreau, JR Robinson and Steve Gadd. 

As always, be sure to send us a like, subscribe or follow the socials! Until next time (hint hint, Part 2!) we'll see you on Groovecast! 

Groovecast - S2 Ep6: Catchup pt.2

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast.

In todays episode we discuss what we've both been up to over the past 3 months. From Charlie's travels across the UK to Ash's sailing the seven seas, Here's some of the highlights...

As always we hope you've enjoyed this episode of Groovecast and we'll see you next time!

Groovecast - S2 Ep5: Online Recording & Session Work

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast.

In todays episode we dive into the world of recording. We talk about some of the sessions the two of us have played on and the different playing styles and techniques that can be required. We also discuss the other aspects of recording such as writing and producing your own material as well and knowing what you want to best suit the track. As always, please go ahead and message us on any of the usual social media places, either for ideas of videos you’d like to see, or some recording stories of your own!

For now though, we’ll see you next time on Groovecast!

Groovecast - S2 Ep4: Must Watch Concert Films

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast.

In todays episode we discuss some of our favourite concert films, ranging from Billy Joel, to Toto and Paul McCartney to Rush. We talk about some of the films that either influenced our playing or helped our technique, with their instructional tools and also some of the cool behind the scenes looks into how some of these concerts and tours work.

As always, if you have any favourite concert films that we didn’t cover in this episode feel free to drop us a message at our social media pages. We hope you enjoy and we’ll see you next time on Groovecast!

Groovecast - S2 Ep3: Ronnie Scott’s

Hello and welcome once again to Groovecast!

In this episode we talk about one of the most iconic and famous jazz venues in the world, Ronnie Scott's.

Listen as we discuss some of the gigs we've been fortunate enough to watch there and also how the humble layout of the building helps create an atmosphere and buzz like nowhere else. As always, we hope you enjoy and we'll see you next time on Groovecast!

Groovecast - S2 Ep2: Iconic Albums, Aja & The Dude

Hello and welcome once again to Groovecast!

With our second season well underway, we wanted to waste no time in getting down to business and discussing what we believe to be a couple of the greatest and most influential albums, of all time. In todays album inspections, we take a look at the 1977 masterpiece by Steely Dan, Aja. As well as the 1981 Funk album The Dude.

Two iconic albums, two totally different styles and two young northern lads to guide you through! We hope you enjoy and we'll see you next time on Groovecast!

Groovecast - Season 2 Ep1: Catchup

Hello and welcome BACK to Groovecast!

After several busy months away, we are delighted to be back podcasting for you once again.

Kicking off our second season here at Groovecast, we thought it was appropriate to fill you in a little on what we have been doing over the past few months and also give you a small insight into what we've got coming up in our next season. So pop the kettle on, buckle up and get ready for a very special and fun packed second season of Groovecast!

Groovecast - Episode 10: GrooveGuest Anna V

Hello and welcome to our last episode of the first season of Groovecast! For our final episode Charlie and I wanted to do something special, something exciting, something we have never done before, interview a guest!

Speaking to us for our very first Groovecast interview is the wickedly talented Anna V. Anna is an already renowned and respected drummer whom at the age of just 15 has already won several awards and become recognised, not only in her home country of America, but around the world too! We are delighted to be hearing about her short but successful journey through music and her experiences as a young drummer in the states.

Groovecast - Episode 9: Our Top 3 Groove Albums

Hello and welcome back to Groovecast!

As we reach the end of our first season here on Groovecast, we thought long and hard about the subject we'd like to discuss in our penultimate episode. In the end we decided to talk about the one thing we're all about....Groove! In this episode we talk about our favourite 'groove oriented' albums, ranging from the 1970's to present day and ft. musicians that have inspired and shaped us as musicians.

Groovecast - Episode 8: Tech Talk

Hello and welcome once again to Groovecast!

With technology across the world getting more advanced and each work environment trying to move with the times, musicians have not been exempt when it comes to getting to grips with the new tech. That in mind, we thought it was appropriate to talk about some of our experiences with this. From working with click tracks, in ear mixes and silent pits, we offer our opinions on how the new technology can help and sometimes hinder us in our work.

Groovecast - Episode 7: 2021 Recap

Hello and welcome to a New Year and new episode of Groovecast!

With 2022 just beginning and our diaries starting to get a little more full (Hopefully), we thought it was only right to talk over some of our top moments from the year that has just passed. From our favourite gigs, live shows and online projects, we cover (almost) all of the musical moments that made both mine and Charlie's years one of the most productive yet. As always, we hope you enjoy the episode and have a healthy, happy and safe 2022 filled with much love and many gigs!

Groovecast - Episode 6: Christmas Special

Christmas has come early at Groovecast! Thought we’d release this a week ahead of our usual schedule (which would’ve landed on the big day, so we’ll give that one a miss!) so enjoy an early gift from us to you, the Groovecast Christmas Episode!

Well, with the festive season very much underway, we thought it only right to dust off the 'ole Christmas jumpers (apologies in advance!), get a nice hot cup of cocoa and talk all things Christmassy in our lives. We talk about some of the festive gigs we've both played on, both naughty and nice! And on a larger scale, we cover some our favourite Christmas songs and the reasons why. Whether it be groove or otherwise. Anyway, we hope you enjoy and have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Groovecast - Episode 5: We Need To Talk About The Industry

Here's Episode 5 of Groovecast! This is a podcast for Rhythm Section players, although all musicians (and non-musicians) are welcome!

With us starting this podcast, we quickly began to get some requests from friends abroad to touch on the UK music scene and the industry over here. So we thought what better way to do this, than to talk about some of our own experiences and the similarities and differences in the paths that we both have taken to get to where we are today. We speak about some of the youth bands that we have played in, and the lessons we learnt and are still using today. Once again, thank you for listening, and we'll see you next time on Groovecast!

Groovecast - Episode 4: Live is Back

Well here's Episode 4 of Groovecast! This is a podcast for Rhythm Section players, although all musicians (and non-musicians) are welcome!

With live shows and tours resuming in the UK, we thought it was only right to talk about some of our favourite live gigs, that we have had the privelage to see. In this episode we discuss some of the unique venues, incredible atmospheres and once in a lifetime performances we have seen ourselves.  As always, if you have any amazing concerts that you've been to see and you would like to share, please go ahead and either comment below, or message us on any of our social media pages.

Groovecast - Episode 3: Geartalk

Well here's Episode 3 of Groovecast! This is a podcast for Rhythm Section players, although all musicians (and non-musicians) are welcome!

In this episode we talk all things gear, covering Relicing, Vintage vs Modern gear and even our own rigs. As per usual if you have an opinion of your own on any of these subjects, or you'd like to tell us about your own rigs, please go ahead and comment below, or message us on any of our social media pages. As always, we hope you enjoy this video and we'll see you next time on Groovecast!

Groovecast - Episode 2: Our Top 5 Bass & Drum Combos

Well here's Episode 2 of Groovecast! This is a podcast for Rhythm Section players, although all musicians (and non-musicians) are welcome!

In this Episode we will be discussing some of the greatest rhythm section players ever to pick up a bass or a pair of sticks. Ranging all the way from the 1970's to modern day and spanning across many different genres. In our 1-5 lists of groove we talk about some of our own influences, as well as the bass players and drummers who set the benchmark for musicians like us.

About the Hosts: