Session Drummer

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

A: I enjoy most working on classic rocky tracks. But am willing to learn and try anything. I don't limit myself to any one genre. I try to expand my horizons, to be able to provide for a plethora of customers.

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

A: I really look up to the bands I enjoy listening to. My biggest influences seem to be Rush, Metallica, Foo Fighters, etc. So drummers such as Neil Peart, Lars Ulrich, Dave Grohl, and Phil Rudd are just a few.

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

A: I provide drum tracks. Whether it is writing a completely new one for their song, or something they provide me with. I enjoy the idea of receiving an instrumental track, or just a song formation, and putting drums to it. I especially enjoy the mixing and editing part, where I can make my drums fit the song.

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: My first project is very symbolic to me. It was about a year ago. I was requested to play a simple boss nova groove. But the thing was that it was completely new to me. But I still figured it out and ended up completely the job with great feed back and reviews from the customer.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm working on building my reputation as a drummer. I also am trying to work my way to making a decent income on it, so I can live off it.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: I'm completely new here, so no.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog. There's just something about raw acoustic sounds that brings life to music.

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

A: That I can learn and play anything they throw at me, given time. Many people try to give you 1 day to complete something, but art takes time to make it right.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I just love drumming. My job, is my favorite part.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: I get asked a lot to play double bass. That's not my preference in playing and am not super good at it. My answer when I'm asked, is for more time to complete their project. As I want to perfect the double bass to the best of my ability.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: People don't think you're a good drummer unless you have chops. In reality, the best drummers are very heavy rooted in the simple 2 and 4 snare, 1 and 3 bass drum hits. Which can go a long way.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I always like to know the feeling behind a track. Everything put aside, music provokes feeling. And drumming can make or break whatever feeling you'd like to spark in people when they hear your song.

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

A: Allow me to learn. In the grand scheme of life, I am still young in the music game. But I have the will and potential to work hard, and provide whatever it is you may need.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: Snare, Hi-Hats, Bass, Floor tom, and a high tom. I feel that's simply all you need to begin, and even continue playing drums. It is simple, but really brings out your creativity.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I've been playing drums for about 5 years. I only just recently began the recording side of drums. I just kept playing, to the point I realized I want to take up drumming as a career.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I'm surely grounded in classic rock, but flares of funk, punk, jazz, and many other musical genres can appear in my playing.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would love to work with Dave Grohl on a song. He's one of my biggest inspirations.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Always play with, and practice with a metronome. Timing is very important as the drummer, and it will make mixing and mastering so much easier.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: My strongest ability in drumming seems to be adjusting. I adjust well to mood changes, temp changes, and the general changes in which a track feels.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring a unique drumming style. With my tastes in music ranging many different genres, I can play many different styles allowing my own sound to be heard.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I analyze and begin figuring out exactly what it is I need to play. I practice until I have whatever it is memorized and ready to record. I record a performance. Then I begin editing work. Finally I provide it to the consumer for any revisions that may be needed.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I mix and master on a MacBook Pro using GarageBand. I have both an acoustic and electric kit I can record on. I have 7 drum mics. I have different cameras to choose from when recording a video of my performance. I record in a long garage, with a decent ceiling height, providing good off the bat drum sounds.