Artist interview with Nick Blacka

Welcome to our latest interview project featuring some new and exciting double bass players. Up first is Nick Blacka, who you might have seen in Mercury prize-winning trio GoGo Penguin. They fuse jazz, classical, and electronic influences to produce a truly unique sound. We discussed a wide range of topics from what he’s practising to what it’s like to play a Tiny Desk concert.

The video ends with Nick's inspiring solo performance which you won't want to miss. It features a mix of 'Iambic Poetry 9' by Squarepusher and 'Home' by GoGo Penguin. Filmed at the stunning Left Bank Leeds, Nick’s double bass sounds wonderful and it's a really moving performance. If you enjoyed it, please join us in the comments and let us know.

If you want to watch more interviews with world-class double bassists, learn new skills and pieces, and watch some incredible performances, head over to the ‘Free Lessons Library’ page where you can find all our free resources to help with your practice! We’re always adding new content, so subscribe to our mailing list at the bottom of this page so you never miss out.

Timecodes:

01:05 What have you been doing in lockdown?
02:10 What have you been practicing/working on?
02:47 Who do you enjoy listening to?
04:05 What is your practice routine like?
05:21 Transcribing
07:06 Musical influences
08:13 Nick's music degree and background
12:47 GoGo Penguin rehearsal and composition process
16:07 Preparing for tours and life on tour
19:15 Memorable concerts
20:22 GoGo Penguin's tiny desk concert
22:03 Is GoGo Penguin a jazz trio?
25:10 Favourite bands
26:59 Future plans with the band
28:20 Nick's solo performance