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Artwork for Four Strings and the Truth

Four Strings and the Truth

Sandy Smallens
Bass Players
Cool World
Chat Pile
Punk Rock
Jesus Lizard
Music Influence
Electric Bass
Shellac
Korn
Gaza Strip
Tenkiller
The Flenzer
New York
Bill Murray
Swans
Dead Kennedys
Fugazi
The Descendents
Bruce Thomas
Music Technology

"Four Strings and the Truth: The Bassists Who Changed Music" features intimate conversations with players who have changed the course of the music that came after them, and continue to do so. We'll uncover their four-string mindset - their influences, approach, artistic practice, and how they go about practicing, playing, composing songs, being in a band and living their lives. Host Sandy Smallens... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes20Founded2 years ago
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Artwork for Four Strings and the Truth

Latest Episodes

We continue to tick off the bucket list, player by player. In the wake of a trip to Minneapolis for the Caterwaul Festival, we chat with Minnesota's favorite son, Greg Norton - who filled his time in-between Hüskers tours as a chef, eventually openin... more

Not exactly nine lives, but the quintessentially Boston band Mission of Burma has had at least two: their initial 1979-1983 foray, which yielded such classics as “That’s When I Reach For My Revolver,” “Academy Fight Song” and “That’s When I Escaped M... more

We've launched a contest to win a “like new” (seriously, I played it once) IdiotBox Effects Blower Box Deluxe pedal. This is an amazing, bass-specific distortion pedal, with clean signal blend and a low-pass filter - it sticks out nicely in live sett... more

Nate Brenner has been playing music in front of people since he was four, and it shows. He and his musical/life partner Merrill Garbus have carved out a unique place in the indie-pop cosmos: funky, joyful, noisy and heartfelt. Between tours supportin... more

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Recent Guests

Nate Brenner
Bassist of Tune-Yards and Naytronix, known for pushing the boundaries of pop music.
Tune-Yards
Episode: Better Bass-ing with Nate Brenner (Tune-Yards, Naytronix)
Lou Barlow
Bassist, songwriter, guitarist, and bandleader, known for his work with Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, and The Folk Implosion.
Episode: They're Not Booing, They're Only Yelling "Lou" with Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr, Sebadoh, The Folk Implosion)
Brian Wright
Author of The Bastard Instrument
Episode: WATT POWER with Mike Watt (Minutemen, fIREHOSE, dos, Il Sogno Del Marinaio, mssv, and a million other groups)
Dave Derby
Bassist and leader of influential bands such as The Dam Builders and Gramercy Arms.
Gramercy Arms, The Dambuilders
Episode: Talking about Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions) with Dave Derby (Gramercy Arms, The Dambuilders, Lloyd Cole)
Colin Moulding
Bassist, vocalist and songwriter for XTC, known for his innovative contributions to modern rock music.
XTC
Episode: When Inspiration Strikes with Colin Moulding (XTC, The Dukes of Stratosphear, TC&I)
Kira Roessler
Lifelong bassist, singer and songwriter known for her work with Black Flag and the duo Dose.
Award-winning dialogue editor in Hollywood, former member of Black Flag
Episode: Fingers of Fury (Road) with Kira Roessler (Black Flag, dos, AwkWard)
Graham Maby
A renowned bassist known for his melodic bass work in Joe Jackson's band and collaborations with notable artists.
Independent musician
Episode: He’s The Man with Graham Maby (Joe Jackson, Marshall Crenshaw, Freedy Johnston, Natalie Merchant)

Host

Sandy Smallens
Host of Four Strings and the Truth, an indie and major label recording artist with over 40 years of experience as a bassist, highlighting the role of influential bassists in contemporary music.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 35 ratings
  • Not just for bass players…

    Lest you think this is a specialty podcast delving into the finer points of the thunderbroom, let me assure you that this is an excellent interview show that will also appeal to fans of the bands referenced and music fans in general. Smallens does a great job job of staying in the background while coaxing the humanity from these great bassists. Highly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fenway67
    United Statesa year ago
  • Exceeds expectations!

    I went into Four Strings and the Truth expecting it to be just ok, but this is truly one of the most enjoyable podcasts out there. I wait for new episodes to drop and have yet to be disappointed. The music talk is fascinating, but the graciousness of these base players and their willingness to just…talk is what truly makes the show. The musical and cultural perspectives are engaging, and the guest and hosts are just top notch. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kakiphony
    United Statesa year ago
  • My kind of Bass podcast!

    Great job! The Graham Maby episode was outstanding. Bruce Thomas or John Doe soon?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lucky23tattooer
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The podcast is frequently commended for its insightful storytelling and the meaningful exploration of the featured artists' careers.
Many appreciate how the show appeals not just to bass players but to a wider audience of music lovers.
Listeners praise the engaging conversations and intimate glimpses into the lives of influential bassists.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Feeling Minnesota Nice with Greg Norton (Hüsker Dü, Ultrabomb, Buddies)
Q: What sort of advice would you give to a new bassist?
Keep playing and learn how to play on one string; don't get hung up if you hit a bad note.
Better Bass-ing with Nate Brenner (Tune-Yards, Naytronix)
Q: What is something you would say to a new bassist?
Record yourself to be aware of your weaknesses and take criticism without taking it personally.
Feeding the Animal with Joe Lally (Fugazi, The Messthetics, Coriky)
Q: What would you say to advice to a young bassist or potential bassist?
Just start playing with people and understand the patterns on the fretboard.
Fingers of Fury (Road) with Kira Roessler (Black Flag, dos, AwkWard)
Q: Did it feel especially significant? Did you feel like you were a torchbearer or like you were blazing new trails?
I certainly never thought I was blazing a trail for females. I so badly wanted to be one of the boys.
A Gentleman and a Ska-ler with Horace Panter (The Specials, General Public, The Dirt Road Band)
Q: What do you say to that person these days?
He encourages young musicians to perform often, as engaging with live audiences is crucial to develop confidence and skill.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Four Strings and the Truth

What is Four Strings and the Truth about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features intimate conversations with influential bassists who have significantly impacted the music industry. The dialogues explore the guests' four-string mindset, delving into their musical influences, creative processes, and personal journeys. With a focus on not only their musical contributions but also their lives offstage, listeners gain insight into how these artists approach playing, composing, and collaborating with others. The host, drawing from his extensive career as a bassist and music writer, champions the often-overlooked role of the bassist in shaping contemporary music, celebrating their creativity and unique perspectives throughout each episode.

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How many listeners does Four Strings and the Truth get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Four Strings and the Truth?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Four Strings and the Truth:

1. WTF with Marc Maron Podcast
2. What's Our Podcast? with Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. The Why Files: Operation Podcast
5. How Ya Goin'? with Dr. Knighty

How many episodes of Four Strings and the Truth are there?

Four Strings and the Truth launched 2 years ago and published 20 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Four Strings and the Truth?

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What guests have appeared on Four Strings and the Truth?

Recent guests on Four Strings and the Truth include:

1. Nate Brenner
2. Lou Barlow
3. Brian Wright
4. Dave Derby
5. Colin Moulding
6. Kira Roessler
7. Graham Maby

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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