The Bass Shed Podcast

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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
Guest Links
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamrussellbass

 Band: https://www.storyoftheyear.net

Featured on This Episode
Lemur Music
Everything you need for the double bass.
https://lemurmusic.com

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

The Wood Shed Bass
Vintage soul. Modern voice.
https://www.thebassshed.com/wood-shed-bass

Bass Shed Socials
 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TheBassShed

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_bass_shed/

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The.Bass.Shed.official/
Back Stage Pass
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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.
Join here: https://www.thebassshed.com/back-stage-pass
Laugh Love Law
Real conversations. Real people. Real impact. A podcast about life, law and...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
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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.

Guest Links

Website: https://www.markwademusicny.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markwadebass/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLCeks8bGpU2fuYAEobBagw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5UJBuLbTmWg5XNUv3e5xDW

Featured on This Episode

Lemur Music
Your go-to shop for upright bass gear, accessories, and repairs.
https://lemurmusic.com
Jerry Jemmott – 15 Timeless Basslines
A deep dive into the feel, phrasing, and vocabulary of one of the most recorded bassists of all time.
https://www.thebassshedacademy.org/741259528234
The Wood Shed Bass
Vintage soul. Modern voice.
Built in collaboration with Woodcraft Guitars.
https://www.thebassshed.com/wood-shed-bass

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The.Bass.Shed.official/
Website: https://www.thebassshed.com

Back Stage Pass
Want to be part of the podcast?
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.
Join here: https://www.thebassshed.com/about-back-stage-pass
Laugh Love Law
Real conversations. Real people. Real impact. A podcast about life, law and...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Instagram / Twitter / Youtube / Website / BSA / View More Episodes

Send us Fan Mail
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.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE
Watch / Listen on YouTube
https://youtube.com/@thebassshed
Listen on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com
Listen on Spotify
https://spotify.com
THRICE
Official Website
https://thrice.net
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thrice
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/thrice
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@thrice
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3NChzMpu9exTlNPiqUQ2DE
Apple Music
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/255352
FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE
Lemur Music
https://lemurmusic.com
Use promo code THEBASSSHED (all one word) for 10% off.
Jerry Jemmott: 15 Timeless Basslines
https://www.thebassshedacademy.org/741259528234
KraftGeek Capsule Music Stand
https://kraftgeek.com
Use promo code SHED15 for 15% off.
EXPLORE THE BASS SHED
Explore the Shed Feed to discover podcast extras, bass transcriptions, lessons, Bass Bites, Listening Room breakdowns, and more.
The Bass Shed — a place for every bassist to explore artist, craft and culture.
https://www.thebassshed.com/shed-feed
FOLLOW THE BASS SHED
Website
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Instagram
https://instagram.com/the_bass_shed
YouTube
https://youtube.com/@thebassshed
Facebook
https://facebook.com/thebassshed.offical
Laugh Love Law
Real conversations. Real people. Real impact. A podcast about life, law and...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Instagram / Twitter / Youtube / Website / BSA / View More Episodes

Send us Fan Mail
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.
More About Darren Sacks:
https://www.darrensacksbass.com/
https://www.darrensacksbasscoach.com
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Join IN THE SHED
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.
Join here:
https://www.thebassshed.com
Episode Features
Lemur Music
Serving bass players for decades with trusted instruments, accessories, and deep knowledge of the craft.
LemurMusic.com
Promo Code: THEBASSSHED
Jerry Jemmott — 15 Timeless Basslines
A transcription collection focused on feel, phrasing, and truly serving the song.
TheBassShedAcademy.org
The Wood Shed Bass
Vintage-inspired. Modern voice. Built for working players.
TheBassShed.com/wood-shed-bass
Kraft Geek Capsule Music Stand
Lightweight, collapsible, and gig-ready.
Use promo code SHED15 to save 15%.
https://kraftgeek.com/products/bravo-music-stand-209?ref=SHED15&utm_source=Website&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=
Laugh Love Law
Real conversations. Real people. Real impact. A podcast about life, law and...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Instagram / Twitter / Youtube / Website / BSA / View More Episodes

Send us Fan Mail
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.
Connect with The Hip Snacks
Website
https://www.thehipsnacks.com
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/thehipsnacks
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/TheHipSnacks
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@TheHipSnacks
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ZYfCjDymrFrCAXdI9lC
Apple Music
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-hip-snacks/1693870096
Bandcamp
https://thehipsnacks.bandcamp.com
Episode Features
Lemur Music
Serving bass players for decades with trusted instruments, accessories, and deep knowledge of the craft.
LemurMusic.com
Promo Code: THEBASSSHED

Jerry Jemmott — 15 Timeless Basslines
A transcription collection focused on feel, phrasing, and truly serving the song.
TheBassShedAcademy.org
The Wood Shed Bass
Vintage-inspired. Modern voice. Built for working players.
TheBassShed.com/wood-shed-bass
Kraft Geek Capsule Music Stand
Lightweight, collapsible, and gig-ready.
Use promo code SHED15 to save 15%.
https://kraftgeek.com/products/bravo-music-stand-209?ref=SHED15&utm_source=Website&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=SHED15
KraftGeek Capsule Music Stand On Amazon
Laugh Love Law
Real conversations. Real people. Real impact. A podcast about life, law and...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
Instagram / Twitter / Youtube / Website / BSA / View More Episodes