Working Drummer

By Working DrummerBusiness Arts Music Performing Arts Careers Music Interviews

Working Drummer episodes

March 21, 2024461 - The Hampden Brothers, Iajhi and Brevan: Their Parents' Musical Legacy, Playing in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill "Triangle," Iajhi's LA Chapter, Brevan's Neurodivergent Journey
In this episode, Iajhi and Brevan talk about:
Their parent's musical legacy
Growing up in the Triangle area in North Carolina, and the music scene there
Attending North Carolina Central University, an HBCU and the only college in the state that offered a jazz degree at the time
The ill-fated gig that brought Iajhi to LA
Brevan's experience with being diagnosed as neurodivergent, and how that has changed how he approaches life and music
Creating structure for yourself to avoid getting "emotionally disregulated"
Iajhi's long-standing jam session at The Federal in North Hollywood, and the art and science of curating a good jam.

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1 hr 43 min
March 14, 2024460 - Miles Stone: Drumming for Cody Johnson, Balancing Life at Home and on the Road, Getting the Big Gig
Hailing the small south Texas town of Poth, Miles was destined to drum. His mama felt him moving to the music before he was even born. At three years old he sat behind his first drum kit, and by age 5 he was banging out some version of "Under The Bridge" by TheRed Hot Chili Peppers. In junior high he joined the school band and began to study percussion formally. From marching band to snare drum solos, Miles took any and every drumming opportunity. He turned that into an affinity for marching, and a gold metal for every snare drum solo he ever played while in school, from a Junior High level solo all the way to "Africa Hot" by John Wooton. Along with other members of the high school drumline, this quickly let to garage bands. I was clear that drumming and taken a strong hold on Miles.
After high school, he headed for College Station and Texas A&M University, and he certainly didn't leave his drums behind. While earning a BS in Horticulture, Miles spent time playing in around Texas and surrounding states with a few bands. During that time he made friends with Cody Johnson. Fast forward a few years, Cody asked Miles to come on the road with him as his permanent drummer, which he has been for at least 10 years now.
When he isn't out on the road with the Cody and The Rockin' CJB, Miles enjoys spending time with his wife Samantha, their son Noah & their daughter Riley, watching football, woodworking, hunting and fishing.
In this episode, Miles talks about:
   Playing a sold out show at Bridgestone arena in Nashville
   Balancing life at home and life on the road
   Key components to getting the big gigs
   Establishing trust with the artist/band/singer
   Drumming for Cody Johnson
   Recording for Cody in Nashville studios
   Bringing your live energy to a recording session

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1 hr 26 min
March 07, 2024 459 - Obed Calvaire: Playing with Wynton Marsalis & The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Commemorating Max Roach, Expressing His Hatian Heritage on His New Record
Since 2021, Obed Calvaire has been in the drum chair for Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, with whom he recently curated and directed a series of concerts celebrating the centennial of the great Max Roach. His New York jazz career spans over two decades and includes jazz legends such as Dave Holland, Kurt Rosenwinkle, The Mingus Big Band, Joshua Redman and many others. His new album, “150 Million Gold Francs” will be released April 12th and draws heavily on his Haitian heritage.

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1 hr 6 min
February 29, 2024458 - Richard Martinez: The Wilson/Spivack Method, Adapting to the Ever Changing L.A. Scene
Richard Martinez grew up in Los Angeles, CA and has performed around the world. He has studied privately with Chuck Flores, Larry Troxel, and for 12 years with Richard Wilson. Richard’s television credits include The Dolly Parton Show, Baywatch Nights, The Joan Rivers Show, and Seinfeld. He has performed with Sam Harris, Keb’ Mo, Allen Frew and with Tony Award winners Linda Hopkins, Betty Buckley, Bebe Neuwirth & Roger Rees. He has recorded with Julian Lennon, Mighty Mo Rodgers, Christoph Bull and with Grammy Award winners Dan Hill, John Jones, and Rick Nowels. He has also written four articles for Modern Drummer’s Strictly Technique section.
In this episode, Richard talks about:
   Working with a conductor
   Opportunities for performance in the non-profit world
   Adapting to the ever changing L.A. scene
   How Richard Wilson changed his life
   The Wilson/Spivack method
   The practice pad: a rarified environment
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHg598jGIStR8y5gDV_w4ZQ

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1 hr 33 min
February 22, 2024457 - Dave Elitch: His New Course (Not Just for Drummers), Avoiding Compartmentalization, Good vs. Better (Not Right vs. Wrong)
Dave has been teaching privately for over 20 years and has developed a reputation as the technique/body mechanic specialist for drum set. He has helped many of the world's best players as well as top educators "get out of their own way" by being as efficient as possible in regards to conservation of motion and energy.
He has toured and/or recorded with Weezer, Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, The Mars Volta, and many others.
The importance and benefits of a full-body warm-up
How to literally cool down after playing
What “mobility” means from a fitness and drumming perspective
Why compartmentalization is usually bad thing, in fitness and music
The importance of strength training in addition to body work
Creative development alongside physical development
His take on the role of rudiments in modern drumming

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1 hr 26 min
February 15, 2024456 - Emmanuel “E-MAN” Cervantes: Inspiring the Next Generation, Drumming for Andy Grammer, Creating a Loop Library
Emmanuel “E-MAN” Cervantes is a Los Angeles based drummer who discovered his calling when he first picked up a pair of drumsticks at age three and later booked his first major studio session at the age of 12.
E-MAN is currently touring with pop singer Andy Grammer. He has had the privilege to work with a wide range of artists such as Gwen Stefani, Lukas Nelson, Cody Simpson, Cameron Rafati, Elan, Son of Levi, Tyrone Wells and many more. EMAN played on a record with Joseph Williams, who is the singer of Toto, who enlisted some of his band mates to also play on that record like Steve Lukather. He’s made multiple appearances on TV shows that include SNL, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres Show, David Letterman and Americas Got Talent.
In this episode, Emmanuel “E-MAN” Cervantes talks about:
   Inspiring the next generation to find their own voice
   Lessons learned through home recording
   What he’s learned from his brother the engineer
   Working with pop singer Andy Grammar
   Bringing your best self to every gig/rehearsal
   Creating opportunities for yourself
   Creating a loop package “Drum Away Loops”
   Being at peace with what the future holds

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1 hr 33 min
February 08, 2024 455 - Rob Perkins: From Touring Drummer to Music Contractor, The Best Ways to Say Yes and No, Studying with Ndugu Chancler, "You're In the People Business"
How he got into the booking game through the USC music school as a freshman
Struggling with the decision to ramp down performing/touring and ramp up booking
Seeing the opportunity to improve stability in live music
Bridging the gaps and establishing trust between musicians and the people who hire them
How to make the most out of a $50 gig offer, no matter where you are in your career
Making your interactions about the relationship first and the gig second
Studying with Ndugu Chancler Michael Carvin, and Terri Lynn Carrington

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1 hr 24 min
February 01, 2024454 - Matt Iceman: Working with David Nail, Home Recording Techniques, Expanding Your Skillset
Matt Iceman is currently the touring drummer and band leader with Grammy nominated country artist David Nail. He has toured/performed/recorded in the past with artists such as Eric Paslay, Francesca Battistelli, Shelly Fairchild, Lizzy McAvoy, Timothy Paul, T.J. Hitt and Tom Schreck, and bands such as BlackJack Billy, Spyderwulf, The Chris Weaver Band, and Liquid Earth.
In this episode, Matt talks about:
   What he’s been up to since we last spoke in 2015
   New responsibilities as band leader for his gig with David Nail
   Building a clientele for home studio recording
   Home recording techniques
   Hanging out with Shannon Forrest and lessons learned
   Seeking out lessons and new ways to grow

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1 hr 56 min
January 25, 2024453 - Davide DiRenzo: Working with Larry Klein, Staying Open When Collaborating, The Conundrum of In-Ears
Davide DiRenzo is one of the most versatile and in-demand drummers in Canada, with an equally strong profile in the jazz, rock, pop and R&B scenes coast-to-coast and beyond. With years of studio experience under his belt working with some of the world’s top artists, Davide is now also working as a producer out of his home studio (Studio 86) in Toronto, Ontario. From there, he also records and sends drum tracks to artists and producers all over the globe.
Davide has performed and recorded extensively around the world with a wide range of artists including two time Grammy award-winning Cassandra Wilson. Other acts he’s performed and recorded with include Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Holly Cole, Feist, Kevin Breit, and just recently recorded and co-wrote three songs on Molly Johnson’s new album, “Meaning To Tell You” where he had the pleasure of working with multi grammy award-winning and internationally celebrated producer/musician, Larry Klein.
He has won six Juno awards to date, including two in 2007: one as a member of jackSoul (Best R&B Recording) and one as a band member with Tomi Swick (Best New Artist). He also received a National Jazz Award nomination the same year for Jazz Drummer of the Year.
In this episode, Davide talks about:
How he creates dialogue with audio engineers
Deciding how many options to provide in terms of mics/tracks
How in-ears have affected how we experience our own playing
Finding the volume where your drums and cymbals start sounding bad
Working with producer Larry Klein on Molly Johnson’s record I Been Meanin’ to Tell Ya
Submitting to the collaborative process and letting go of some control
Collaborative producers vs. impresario producers

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1 hr 30 min
January 18, 2024452 - Brian Doherty: Drumming For They Might Be Giants, Pre-Social Media “Networking”, Cymbal Hacks for the Studio
Brian Doherty is best known as a drummer for groups like They Might Be Giants, RCA Recording artists, The Silos, XTC, Freedy Johnston, and Ben Folds
In the early 90s, Brian was recruited by They Might Be Giants. For three years Brian and TMBG recorded albums, wrote songs, and relentlessly toured the world.
In 2001, Brian went back to graduate school and became a New York City school teacher as part of the New York City Teaching Fellows program. As well as teaching, he remains professionally active as a drummer recording in the studio and performing on a variety of gigs that includes Broadway shows. On Broadway, Brian has performed in productions of RENT, Hairspray, The Times They Are A Changin’, Waitress and Little Shop of Horrors.
In this episode, Brian talks about:
   Growing up close to NYC and it’s musical influence
   Early professional experiences
   Pre-social media “networking” that still works
   One gig leading to another, leading to another and so on
   Cymbal hacks for the studio
   Touring and recording with They Might Be Giants
   Transitioning to public school teaching and drumming on Broadway in New York

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1 hr 34 min

About Working Drummer

From the publisher's feed

With 500 episodes and counting, Working Drummer Podcast is the source for those interested in what it’s like to be a professional drummer. Hosted by Matthew Crouse and Zack Albetta, Working Drummer…