240 gigabytes of Neil Finn podcast Ep 90 - Parallel Universe Theory (Nick Seymour at Allans Music Melbourne 14 March 2017)
Mar 15, 2026
Nick Seymour, veteran bass player and Crowded House founding member known for his bass lines and artwork. He recounts art‑school origins and Melbourne’s 70s–80s scene. He explains making Don’t Dream It’s Over, his bass approach and gear choices. He reflects on Paul Hester’s death, reunion logistics, crowd energy and advice on chemistry over technique.
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Pineapple Head Bass Origin And Producer Pushback
- Pineapple Head's bass came from Nick practicing psychedelic walking lines on his 1957 Precision made by Leo Fender in his garage.
- Youth initially thought the verse bass was too busy, reflecting producer-driven edits on Together Alone.
Using A Hofner As A Tone Benchmark
- Nick uses a Hofner as his tonal benchmark because of its huge, distinctive tone despite low sustain.
- He keeps a Hofner in his Dublin studio to compare and match other bass tones when recording.
Use Live Jams To Discover Unique Parts
- Do improv jams together to discover parts you can't invent alone because chemistry in a room creates musical thresholds.
- Seymour says many Crowded House parts began as loud rehearsals where a two-note twist or groove revealed itself and became a song element.
