Sam Merrick

Studio Drummer & Engineer

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9 Reviews (2 Verified)
Sam Merrick on SoundBetter

Drummer for Hamilton, Charles Bradley, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Czarface/ MF Doom, Kendra Morris, and many more.

Hi! Sam here. Thanks for finding my page. When I'm not on tour with Hamilton: An American Musical, I live in Brooklyn, NY and play drums in a handful of different musical contexts. However, while my Hamilton tour is on pause, I can be found hunkered down in my home studio, remotely tracking drums and mixing. Whatever the genre or vibe you're looking for, I'm focused on finding the perfectly crafted part for your songs, performed with the sound, energy, and feel only a live drummer can provide.

With over 12 years of professional experience, I've had the distinct pleasure of recording and/or performing with:
Hamilton: An American Musical, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires, Czarface/ MF Doom, Toots and the Maytals, Andy Suzuki & The Method, Saun & Starr (Daptone Records), Charlie Wilson (The Gap Band), That Handsome Devil (Rockband 2, Guitar Hero), Tim Kubart (Grammy Award Winning Children's Artist), Amy Vachal (The Voice), Kendra Morris (Wax Poetics Records), Sophia Urista (The Voice), Todd Lewis Kramer, People's Champs, and many more.

Commercial clients include HBO, Levi Strauss, Chase, AT&T, and This American Life Podcast Network

Can't wait to hear about your project! Hit the contact button above!

Cheers,

Sam
www.sammerrickmusic.com

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Sam Merrick
  • Kendra Morris
  • Kendra Morris
  • Tim Kubart
  • MF Doom
  • Czarface
  • Old 97's
  • Tim Kubart
  • Kendra Morris
  • Kendra Morris
  • The Leaving Trains
  • The Leaving Trains
  • The Leaving Trains
  • The Leaving Trains
  • Nymphs
  • Dream Warriors
  • The Leaving Trains
  • Nymphs
  • Nymphs
  • The Leaving Trains
  • The Leaving Trains
  • The Leaving Trains
  • The Leaving Trains
  • The Leaving Trains
  • The Leaving Trains
  • The Leaving Trains
  • Jon Sandler
  • Jon Sandler
  • Cara Samantha
  • Cara Samantha
  • Cara Samantha
  • That Handsome Devil
  • The Nightowls

9 Reviews

Endorse Sam Merrick
  1. Review by MARISA M.
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    check_circleVerified

    It was very easy to work with Sam Merrick, being multifaceted he easily understood what I was looking for in each track, if you need a creative drummer don't hesitate.

  2. Review by Jesse S.
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    check_circleVerified

    Sam did a great job. We had an idea of what we wanted, which he totally got,, but we also asked him to have a point of view,, which he did, and gave us something even better than what we asked for initially. And then he even threw in some hand percussion tracks to boot.

  3. Review by Jordan Scannella
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    by Jordan Scannella

    I have had the distinguished pleasure of being the bassist to Sam’s drumming in a number of different musical contexts. Besides the obvious and all encompassing exemplary feel that is ubiquitous in Sam’s playing across all these settings, I have always been taken with Sam’s imagination, communication and preparation. Those factors have influenced my decisions to hire him for my own projects and recording session as well as refer him to my musical peers. His engineering prowess, attention to tone and ability to dial in the right sounds to fit the track seal the deal. Always humble, patient and

  4. Review by Nat
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    by Nat

    Sam is a joy to work with in all the ways you can imagine: he's wildly creative, focussed on delivering the highest quality performance and sound, and is a purely positive presence throughout the creative process. He's a perfectionist who's quite chill, a very rare breed indeed. I've worked with Sam in both a live and studio setting. From stuffy five hour rehearsals to creative projects sending WAVs back on forth from countries apart he's always the same: positive, professional, brilliant, and he GROOVES. This man will elevate your project in every way.

  5. Review by Andre Mistier
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    by Andre Mistier

    Sam is genuinely a dream of a musician to work with! His skill, feel and pocket are superb. But you can find other excellent craftsmen. What really makes Sam stand out is his creativity and open-mindedness. Sam has played live and electronic drums with me in both recordings and shows in multiple countries. He has been the primary rhythmic element, a supporting rhythmic element, and even used electronic drums to make ambient textures. And all of this with excitement, skill, eagerness, and full creative participation, not to mention a great work demeanor. Can't recommend more highly!

  6. Review by Kyle MD
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    by Kyle MD

    I have worked with Sam on a few different projects over the past three years both in live and remote settings. Sam has exceptional feel, pocket, and voice. But he is also uniquely creative and his depth of sound profile is unmatched. And if that wasn't enough, he is just one rad dude who had a warm soul and a great laugh. I cannot recommend Sam enough. Save yourself the hassle and just hire him already! You will not be disappointed.

  7. Review by Will Hensley
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    by Will Hensley

    I have worked with Sam on multiple projects. He’s an incredibly solid player with a great pocket that always strives for the parts and tones that suit the song above all else. Coupled with a fantastic work ethic, and being a blast to be around he’s top shelf. I’ve recently used him for some remote recordings and his turn around time was faster than expected and the results were totally killer.

  8. Review by David Linaburg
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    by David Linaburg

    I highly recommend Sam! I’ve hired him for projects both in studio and remote and couldn’t be happier with the results either way. Remotely, I’ve found Sam’s communication and turn around to be a bonus to his superb drum performances and sounds. Whether raw stems or a mix (he makes them sound SO GOOD), Sam is easy to work with and very efficient. Can’t say enough good things, but it’s the full package - the dude, the drums, the ease of working with him. I will keep hiring him every chance I get.

  9. Review by Carey Clayton
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    by Carey Clayton

    I couldn't recommend Sam more!! Not only does he have one of the best feels of any drummer I've worked and recorded with, he is also incredibly creative and detailed in coming up with parts and ideas you didn't even know the song needed. On top of all that, he's super friendly and an absolute breeze to work with.

Interview with Sam Merrick

  1. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  2. A: I've been recording a series of royalty-free, drag and drop Drum Break sample packs called Break Habits. More info on that can be found on my instagram @samhitdrum.

  3. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  4. A: Communication is key!

  5. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  6. A: I take great pride in whatever project I'm involved with. My work isn't finished until the client is 100% happy and until I am proud to put my name next to the product.

  7. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  8. A: I would ask who influences them and what artists are currently inspiring them. Being on the same page with their vision is paramount! Executing the perfect drum part comes from a solid understanding of that vision!

  9. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  10. A: I use ProToolsHD or Ableton 10 on my MacBook Pro and record through a UAD Apollo 8p. I own most of the plugins that Universal Audio offers and I utilize them like outboard gear, tracking through them using the Apollo software. My microphone collection includes models made by AKG, Sennheiser, Rhode, Shure, and Electro Vox. I also have a vast selection of drums that can produce the huge John Bonham sound as well as kits that can achieve the tight and dead James Gadson vibe. Whatever sound the client is looking for, I have the tools to make it happen.

  11. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  12. A: While I'm not on the road, I spend most of my time in my studio where track live drums and percussion remotely. The drum kit is mic'd up, dialed-in, and ready to record at any time.

  13. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  14. A: Drummers: Aaron Sterling, Nir Z, Matt Chamberlain, Nate Smith, Joey Waronker, Homer Steinweiss, Brian Blade... Producers: Blake Mills, Kevin Parker, Gabe Roth, Nigel Godrich, Quincy Jones, Billboard, Jeremy Most, Max Martin, Jack Stratton... Bands/Artists: Little Dragon, Jr Jr, Emily King, Louis Cole, Atoms for Peace, Big Yuki, Bonobo, The War on Drugs, Hunter Hayes...

  15. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  16. A: KISS!!!! (Keep It Simple, Stupid)

  17. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  18. A: I typically get called for throwback soul/hip hop projects but I have played on a number of Pop and Americana recordings over the course of my career as well. I really just love playing any genre that has a great groove.

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Andy Suzuki and The Method

I was the Session Drummer in this production

GenresSounds Like
  • Leon Bridges
  • Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings
  • Beck
Gear Highlights
  • C&C Drums
  • Ludwig Drums
  • Istanbul AGOP cymbals
  • ProTools HD
  • Ableton 10
  • Universal Audio Interfaces/Plug-ins
  • Beyer Dynamic
  • AKG
  • Rhode
  • Shure
  • Sennheiser Microphones
More Photos