The Deconstructed Drummer Podcast

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to another episode of the Deconstructed Drummer. I’m Jeff Doukakis, and thanks for checking it out.

This is a conversation with Lozz Benson.

Lozz is a fantastic drummer, singer and songwriter who has a pretty incredible list of artists she’s worked with, including John Butler Trio, Urthboy, Missy Higgins, Tonight Alive, as well as recording with Paul Kelly, Sandy Evans, All our exes live in Texas and many more.

You can also check out her own projects - Benson and the Outlaws, Ginger Jones and that redhead.

I’d followed Lozz for a little while now, but what really made me sit up and take notice was when I saw a blog appear - called “Touring: A Lifestyle”, which is about wellbeing both on and off the road. The conversation about mental health is one that has been steadily opening up more and more, and something that I’ve talked about a lot on this podcasts, and Lozz has been really upfront and open on the blog about her own journey, and also has interviewed some amazing musicians about how they’ve managed to work long term with touring. Lozz was kind enough to sit down and have a chat about all things music, touring, mental health, creativity, songwriting and a bunch of other stuff as well too. She’s also got a lot of really great practical information as well.

It was a pleasure chatting with Lozz, and I think you’ll dig it.

Please enjoy my conversation with Lozz Benson.

Lozz Benson (Benson & The Outlaws, Ginger Jones, Touring: A Lifestyle Blog)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lozzbenson

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lozzbenson/

Website: http://lozzbenson.com/

Blog: https://touringalifestyle.wixsite.com/touringalifestyle/blog-1

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Welcome to episode 23!

This is a conversation with Robin stone. Robin’s an extreme metal drummer who plays with Norse, Somnium Nox, Convulsing and a whole bunch of other bands. He also specialises in remote session work as well.

I had so much fun with this interview. Robin is hilarious, and so passionate about what he does. I’m not a metal drummer, and I’ve definitely fallen into the trap of dismissing extreme styles of music because I didn't understand them, but in the last few years as I’ve gotten more exposure to heavier music I’ve definitely come to respect and admire the dedication and work that it takes to be able to play blast beats at extreme tempos. Talk about reps. These guys have put in hundreds of Hours of work to get there, and it was great to get some context on the genre and to dig into why someone would be willing to dedicate that amount of time to playing really, really fast.

So we cover a lot of ground. We talk about growing up in a super religious community, what it was like hearing extreme metal for the first time, how important listening is when working on blast beats, remote sessions, tension vs pain, DXP bass drum pedals and a whole bunch of other stuff.

So here it is, I think you’ll dig it.

Robin Stone (Norse, Somnium Nox, Convulsing & many more)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forge.wintre

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robin_stone_drums/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/slipbik/

Robin proudly endorses:

Sonor Drums

Axis Pedals

Rech Cymbals

Ibbotson “Fishsticks” sticks

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Welcome to Episode 22!

This is a conversation I had with Stan Bicknell.

Stan’s got a pretty rich pedigree as a player, and has previously played with Kimbra, Miami Horror, Ekka Vandal and The New Caledonia as well as setting up and running a drum shed community called Drummers Summit Melbourne with Stevie Cat Jr.

It’s been really interesting to see Stan grow over the last few years since he made the decision to stop touring, and to see his instagram profile explode from his foot technique videos. What I really loved was that Stan was under no illusions of grandeur, and was a big advocate for simply doing the work on the instrument. He also didn’t seem to play by any of the social media “rules” that seem to have been imposed. Posting schedules, cheesy questions to promote engagement, paying for post promotion or anything like that. In fact right at the height of his “fame" he proceeded to delete all his old material and limit his profile to a small number of posts. All things that anyone would be advised not to do in that situation. Not to mention all of the famous posts were filmed with an iPhone on a milk crate resting against a water bottle at the Rumble Coffee warehouse...

Stan’s the first guest that I’ve had on that has already been on a bunch of podcasts, so I was really conscious of not wanting to go over the same things that he’s already talked about. So if you’re wanting info about how he started playing drums, foot technique, his drumeo appearance and his decision to stop touring there’s a bunch of other podcasts that have covered this, and I’d recommend in particular his appearances on the Drum Gab (now Drumeo Gab) and the NZ drummer podcast.

What I really wanted to dig into is how Stan thinks about life. He’s a fascinating guy that has a real thread of deliberateness running through everything that he does, and has worked his ass off to be able to have a life that is full of things that he has chosen to do, not things that have been dictated by others.

We talk about a bunch of stuff as per usual. Mental Health, Routines, Creative fulfilment, Comparison, the idea of just showing up, disconnecting money and creativity, making difficult decisions and handling burnout.

So just for some context I’d just come off a pretty heavy 2 year gig when we recorded this interview, and while my playing was probably in the best shape it had ever been, my desire to actually play the drums was the lowest that it had ever been. It’s something that almost everyone has or will deal with at some time, but yet it’s not something that seems to be discussed in great detail. So we dig into that as well and reassessing the role that drums play in life as well.

So here it is. Please enjoy my conversation with Stan Bicknell.

Stan Bicknell

Instagram: www.instagram.com/stanbicknell

Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/stanbicknell

Rumble Coffee

Instagram: www.instagram.com/rumblecoffee/

Website: https://www.rumblecoffee.com.au/

Stan proudly endorses:

Yamaha Drums

Zildjian Cymbals & Sticks

Remo Drumheads

Mee Audio IEM’s & Headphones

Rooster Thrones

Allbirds Shoes

Recommended podcast appearances:

Drumeo Gab episode 99

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stan-bicknell-round-two/id1189424485?i=1000422906856

Drumeo Gab Episode 29

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-29-stan-bicknell/id1189424485?i=1000389266555

NZ Drummer Podcast

http://andrewrooney.net/ep-25-stan-bicknell/

Stan’s Drumeo Live lesson:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IfVRa2xxwE

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Welcome to Episode 21!

This is a conversation with SeanIsaac Tng.

Sean is a young Sydney based drummer who I first encountered at a drum shed in the hills district of Sydney a few years ago. He would have been 16 or 17 at that time I’m pretty sure, and already was playing stuff that I couldn’t even comprehend.

So he’d been on my radar since then, and late last year let me know that he was starting an online drumming company called “Ready2drum”, and asked if I’d be interested in being involved as a part of the tutors network.

Starting any online business is an ambitious move, and to put something together that is well designed, well thought out and looks professional is huge. Especially to do so when there’s huge players in the online scene like Mike Johnston and Drumeo, so I was really interested in having a chat with Sean about this.

I didn’t want this to be a “product pitch” or anything like that, as not only do I think that would seem out of place on the podcast, but I’m also not really interested in something that feels forced like that. I wanted this to be a conversation where you got some background on Sean, and then discuss the reality of putting together an online business, what he thought was missing from existing platforms, and the trials and tribulations that come with that. Add to that the fact that Sean is only 22 years old. Yep...

I was really impressed with how much thought and insight he’s got at such a young age, and really enjoyed getting to sit down with him. We talk about church drumming, how that translates to “regular” gigging, the logistics and challenges of launching an online drumming site, parental expectations, perfectionism, presenting your first drum clinics and a whole lot of other stuff.

So here it is. Please enjoy my conversation with SeanIsaac Tng.

SeanIsaac Tng (Ready2Drum, Jai Waetford)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ready2Drum

Instagram: www.instagram.com/seanisaac_tng & www.instagram.com/ready2drum

Website: https://ready2drum.com/

SeanIsaac proudly endorses:

DW Drums

Evans Drumheads

Promark Drumsticks

64Audio

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Welcome to Episode 20!

This is a super exciting episode for me. Jim has been a big part of my playing, teaching and life in general for the last 14 years. He’s been the go to guy in Sydney and Australia for hand technique, and for me is the personification of the eternal student.

Jim has studied with some of the heaviest teachers in the world, including 20+ years with Joe Morello, Graham Morgan, Murray Spivack and more recently Bill Bachman. He’s also been huge in really pushing me and all of his students to pass on the knowledge that they’re gotten from him. That you haven’t truly internalised a concept until you can teach it. Not to mention he’s a badass player and a lovely guy.

It was such a pleasure to get to sit down with Jim and talk to him about his life, drums, meditation, teaching, self compassion and a lot more. Please enjoy!

Jim Piesse

(Freelance Player/Educator/Clinician)

Website: http://www.jimpiesse.com/

Jim proudly endorses:

DW Drums

Sabian Cymbals

Evans Drumheads

Promark Drumsticks

QuietTone Practice Pads

Drum Channel

https://drumchannel.com/

Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) including Musician’s Australia (Musician's Union) https://www.meaa.org/meaa-musicians/

The Sam Harris “Waking Up” Meditation app

https://wakingup.com/

Bill Bachman’s Drumworkout.com

http://www.drumworkout.com

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Welcome to Episode 19!

This is a conversation with Ben Ellingworth. Aria Award winning drummer for Illy, drummer for Warflags and a fantastic session player. He’s worked with acts ranging from Pop Will Eat Itself to Peking duck and Clairy Brown, and is the ex drummer for both MM9 and Switchkicker.

I first met Ben when he was working at Billy Hydes Drumcraft in Surry Hills, and I can distinctly remember seeing him play for the first time at the Annandale with Switchkicker. I walked away speechless after that gig. Ben had such an amazing sound and presence, and was one of the first guys I saw using a hybrid setup to it’s full potential. So damn good! It’s been such a pleasure to watch Ben go from strength to strength, including winning an Aria award for his work with Illy!

We cover a lot in this conversation: Moving to Melbourne, what it means to “network”, growing up on the Central Coast, his tattoo and the philosophy behind that. (p=p-i). Plus we even talk a little bit about drums. It was such a blast to get to chat with Ben, please enjoy!

Ben Ellingworth

Illy (Aria Award Winner), Warflags, Pop Will Eat Itself, ex MM9 + Switchkicker.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benj_elling/

Ben proudly endorses:

Yamaha Drums & Electronics

Paiste Cymbals

Remo Drumheads

Los Cabos Drumsticks

Ben’s #Drumlife video on Dan Kirby’s DK drums youtube channel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVI_QZg-6jQ&t=44s

The book mentioned with the "P = P - I" formula is The Inner Game of Music.

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Welcome to Episode 18!

This is a part 2 conversation with Emma Ford, who was on the podcast in episode 15. (https://soundcloud.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/episode15)

Emma’s been in New York now for the last few months, and has been working as a sub on Head Over Heels and Come From Away!!! It’s amazing to hear the story of someone taking a risk and it paying off. She’s doing the damn thing! So when I found out Emma was back in town to do a short season of In The Heights for the Sydney Festival (in the concert hall at the Opera House…Yep!) I asked if she’d come back and talk about what it’s been like in New York. I really enjoying hanging with her again, and I’m excited to see where she is in 6 months time from here. I feel like a proud parent!

Emma Ford

Broadway Drummer - Head Over Heels, Come From Away, In The Heights (Aus)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaford.drums

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emma.ford.drums

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Welcome to Episode 17!

This is a conversation with Yanya Boston.

I’d seen Yanya play years and years ago when I first moved to Sydney. I would have been 19, and I went to a jam night which Yanya used to play with the Martinez brothers and Kevin Mendoza on drums at Melt in Kings Cross.

So I’d been aware of Yanya for years, and on Eli Green’s episode he recommended that we should have a chat. Yanya reached out, and we met up and had a chat.

Yanya was really friendly, very welcoming and also amazingly generous with his time. There’s a really big focus on community with Yanya, and he’s really trying to lift the people around him up with him. He’s also a perfect example of what a modern pop drummer looks like. He’s a Musical Director, a drummer, he looks after playback systems, electronics and everything else you can imagine. I had a blast in this episode, and I think you’ll really dig it too.

Yanya Boston (Tina Arena, Thandi Phoenix, Karen Lee Andrews, Joy)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/yanyaboston

Instagram: www.instagram.com/yanyaboston/

Website: www.yanyaboston.com/

Yanya Proudly Endorses:

Sonor Drums

Ufip Cymbals

D’Addario

Evans Drumheads

Promark Drum Sticks

Roland Electronics

3 Aussie Drummers Yanya thinks you should know more about:

Tully Ryan (www.instagram.com/ferntully/)

Jack Robert (www.instagram.com/jackjrobert)

Dom Cabrera (www.instagram.com/dcd.cabrera)

Also special mention goes to:

Andy Gander

Gordon Rytmeister

Rob Hirst

Will Calhoun

Angus Birchill

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Hello! Welcome to episode 16 of The Deconstructed Drummer Podcast.

This is a conversation with Chris Allison, currently playing with Plini, Instrumental (Adj.), Mestis, SEIMS and many more!

Chris was on the show waaaaay back on episode 7 with Taylor Douglas, and I've wanted to have him on as a solo guest ever since then. We drank coffee and rolled. Chris has some great touring stories, as well as a cracker about the first gig he did with Plini. A couple of weeks after we sat down for this conversation Plini released his "Sunhead" EP, which Chris was kind enough to play me after we recorded. Holy shit! His playing on that EP is amazing, and I'm excited that more people are hearing Chris' drumming.

We chat life, drums, touring and many more topics.

You can get in touch with Chris on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ChrisAllisonDrums/) and on Instagram (@chrisallisondrums).

Chris proudly endorses Sonor Drums.

4 Aussie drummers Chris thinks you should know more about are:

Tim Firth

Andy Horvath

Miles Thomas

Paul Derricott

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Welcome to Episode 15! This is a conversation I had with Emma Ford (insta: @dilemmaaaa). Emma initially came onto my radar through my sister, who had played a run of Les Mis with Emma a few years back. She mentioned that there was a young drummer who had won the Rob Guest Endowment Musicians award and had gone to NY to study with Andres Forero, currently playing in Hamilton. Then in episode 14 Cat Hunter mentioned her as one of the drummers that people should know more about, so we organised to sit down and have a chat.

When we were organising times Emma mentioned she was heading to the US again, and I assumed that she was going to continue her study, but it turns out she’s moving to New York to take a shot at Broadway! I’m really thrilled to be able to chat with her just before she left.

It was a really inspiring conversation, and a great window into what it takes to play high level musical theatre shows. There’s a lot of overlap between theatre shows and session drumming, which I hadn’t really expected. We also discuss the process of learning a show, what it takes to be a high level broadway player, Nate Smith and a whole bunch of other stuff. I had a blast, and I think you’ll have a great time listening to it.

Emma Ford (Musical Theatre Drummer, In The Heights, The Illusionists 1903)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emma.ford.drums

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dilemmaaaa/

3 Aussie drummers Emma thinks you should know more about:

Alex Nicholls (https://www.facebook.com/alex.nicholls.585)

Harry Day (https://www.facebook.com/harryaday)

Alysa Portelli (https://www.facebook.com/alysa.portelli)

Any questions, feedback or comments just get in touch!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/

Instagram - www.instagram.com/thedeconstructeddrummer/