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.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
How Don't Dream It's Over Really Came Together
- Neil wrote Don't Dream It's Over on a little desk in Osborne Street and the demo kept the Maori strum feel.
- Nick says the final arrangement emerged when he and Paul added warm bass and drums that dug into the chorus and grounded Mitchell Froom's keyboard parts.
Rhythm Section Strategy That Defined The Sound
- Seymour and Hester often supported Neil's legato vocal by nailing choruses on whole notes while playing playful counterpoint in verses.
- That arrangement pattern became a hallmark: chorus solidity plus verse rhythmic fills to sit under Neil's melody.
Nick's Near Miss With Hunters And Collectors
- Nick and his brother Mark briefly formed the original version of Hunters and Collectors called BAM before Mark rejoined the Jetsons.
- Seymour calls Hunters and Collectors the most bass-oriented band he knows and recalls the heartbreak of the split house and lineup changes.
