Lemuel Hayes on SoundBetter

Let me help tell the story of your song!

Raised in the art music mecca of Athens, GA, I cut my teeth on all kinds of projects from weird to wacky, esoteric to electric, studio to stage. Nashville has been my home for a number of years as I worked and refined my craft. Some selected credits include Berlin, Cindy Wilson of The B-52s, Nicki Bluhm, Dead Horses, and a litany of others. I have a home studio where I cut tracks and send em all over. Let's see what we can work out and tell a story.

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

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Lemuel Hayes

Cindy Wilson
White Violet
White Violet
White Violet
White Violet
Monahan

Discogs verified credits for Lemuel Hayes

Cindy Wilson
Cindy Wilson
Cindy Wilson
Dead Horses
Reed Turchi & His Kudzu Choir
Reed Turchi
Sophie & The Broken Things

Endorse Lemuel Hayes4 Reviews - 1 Repeat Client

by Naftali - ASAP PRODUCTIONS
Verified
Stellar performance. He’s just always getting it right
by Naftali - ASAP PRODUCTIONS
Verified
Another flawless job with a super star drummer. INCREDIBLE playing and tons of heart and soul in each track.
by Naftali - ASAP PRODUCTIONS
Verified
Super drummer with excellent communication. A real great experience
by Naftali - ASAP PRODUCTIONS
Verified
what an incredible experience. Lemuel is right on target with the vibes and energy the song needs. Responds swiftly and got the job done incredibly done. Tasteful and super tight drums... what more can you ask for.

Interview with Lemuel Hayes

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I worked on a record a few years ago that they artist didn't want ANY hihat on. It was such a fun challenge to work with a limitation of that level and still give the song what was needed.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A group of songs with a throwback inspired R&B feel.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Kyle May, Eleonore Denig, Noah Denney
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both have their strengths and weaknesses but using both can allow you to do things a singular path may not afford you.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To deliver tracks that make you excited for your song
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love the creativity of it all. The creation of a pulse and feel help give the song it's spine and coming up with that affords so many fun ideas. Then you have the selection of drums and cymbals, to what you hit them with, to the mics, and preamps. That's just the basic stages but these choices afford so much color.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Besides the obvious scheduling and availability ones, they ask about how comfortable I feel with the genre or song. I am a straight shooter and I am not the drummer for every song, if anyone can be. I will always provide my best and I'm happy to mold that with guidance and constructive criticism.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That gridded is always better.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What do you want the drums to provide? What textures do you like? Do you have any references for parts or sounds? Is there anything you definitely don't want? Anything you definitely DO want?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Be specific but also leave space for your player to be themselves.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Breadwinner Hammered Bronze Snare, 15" Paiste crash hats, 1950s Gretsch Broadkaster 14x20 bass drum, Coles 4038, SM57
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I played music in High School and continued while I studied Mechanical Engineering. Ultimately, I never finished that career path and became a full time musician. From teaching lessons to being in the pit for a musical to live gigs of all kinds and recording sessions, I've been lucky to do this heavily for 21 years.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: While I have enough of the flash for when it's needed, I am a song server at heart. I want to find the things that are going to help move the song in its temporal journey and help it unfold in the listener's ears.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would love to work with Bowie. He was such a force that constantly pushed himself into new territories.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Never underestimate the power of phase.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: As I'm based in Nashville, I do mostly work with Country (modern and traditional) and a lot of roots music.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My feel behind the kit or with percussion.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I aim to bring just the right amount.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to listen to the song a number of times before I even start recording. I'll decide on a sonic palette between drums and mics and listen more while I set up. I try to surround myself in the song to let it reveal what it needs from the drums.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have 26 channels with a variety of outboard preamps and a well rounded mic locker with a treated space. And then there's the large drum collection!
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Matt Chamberlain, Tchad Blake, Aaron Sterling
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Drum and percussion tracking