Welcome to Episode #27 of The Up & Coming Drummer Podcast. This week we are chatting with Pittsburgh Drummer, Eddan Sparks.

What's up, folks! Glad to have you back again this week for another episode with another great drummer! I always enjoy when I get to talk to a drummer from my home State of Pennsylvania. There is immediately a connection, and I can't help but wonder if we've crossed paths or have visited the same places. Eddan Sparks and I figure out if I'm pronouncing his name correctly, then it's time to jump into the interview.

As I mentioned, Eddan is from the Pittsburgh area. South West by about 4 hours from where I live. But we discuss growing up in Pa, and try to nail down if we have ever had an encounter. Of course, we talk a bit about sports being that many popular teams come from Pa. But we quickly get down to business and get to hear about how Eddan found drums.

Interestingly enough, Eddan's parents Greg and Rebecca Sparks were nationally touring musicians. Eddan explains how he grew up in a house full of music and worked up the skills to eventually hit the road as his parent's drummer! He gives us a really cool look into the life of a young touring musician. It's something you really need to hear for yourself. Not the conventional way a child grows up.

After chatting about touring with his parents, we discuss some of the other bands he has played with over the years. Eddan has played with "Dan Getkin and The Twelve Six", Zanetta Grant, and "Merrow". We talk about his time with these various bands, as well as learn about his own project which is called "The Eddan Sparks Trio". This is a band of friends that Eddan decided to front due to the fact there can sometimes be rotating members. You can catch his trio out and about around Pittsburgh currently.

Next up, we talk about his recent transition to becoming a full-time drummer. Eddan, like many of us, had to work jobs he didn't particularly like until he was able to put himself in a position to make enough money to survive through gigging. Eddan doesn't do very much teaching so he is out working the clubs, and getting in any session work he can. It's always inspiring to hear how drummers have been able to hang up the 9 to 5.

Our next section of the interview focuses on gear. Eddan tells us a bit about his set up. He is an endorser of Dream Cymbals who I have been hearing alot about lately through past guests and through their social media page. He explains to us why he chooses the gear he does. He walks us through how he approached the company for the endorsement and how that relationship has developed.

The reason I found out about Eddan was from my interview with Siros Vaziri. During our chat, he told me about this guy who guys by the name "Pittsburgh Drummer" on Instagram. Siros said how he loved the creative way in which Eddan creates his content. I ask him about his #or videos which basically allows the audience to choose which groove they like better. He tells us how the idea was born, and further discusses his thoughts on social media as a whole for drummers. With algorithms and insane competition, Eddan offers some tips on how to stand out from the crowd.

To wrap up the interview, I ask Eddan if there was anything he wishes he did differently so far in his career. With that being answered, we get to my final question where I ask him where he hoped to be one year from now. Eddan Sparks has had an incredible career and is wise beyond his years. If you would like to follow him and see what he does next, then please check out the links below! Enjoy!

Eddan Sparks

https://www.instagram.com/pittsburghdrummer

https://www.instagram.com/eddansparkstrio