I’m a lifelong musician and seasoned professional, who has played on hundreds of records including Futurebirds, Wild Child, Sir Woman, Tenille Townes, Chloe Moriando, Okey Dokey, and more.
I own a recording studio in my backyard, with tons of drums, guitars, keyboards, microphones, and all of the bells and whistles to take your music to the next level. I work in multiple genres but specialize in rock, country, and Americana. I enjoy trying new things and getting interesting sounds.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Languages
- English
Interview with Tom Myers
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Futurebirds - Easy Company. We recorded at Sonic Ranch studios, which was the most inspiring recording environment ever! We made a very special record.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: A new Futurebirds record, several projects for others, a few original compositions of my own.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Brian Seligman
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both. There’s value and merit to both, like most things. I lean toward analog because I’m more of a purist, but digital is so good, now.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: your music will come back sounding better than it did when you sent it over.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Watching people get excited and inspired when I’m playing.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: What’s your turnaround time? - If I am in town and have the music, I can usually turnaround songs same day, 48-hours max.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Programmed drums are just as good.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Do you have any sonic references? If you could have one notable drummer play on this, who would it be? Anything you absolutely want and/or don’t want on this track (ie… must have cross stick, no cymbals, no samples, etc…)?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: You won’t regret it!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Martin D-28, MacBook Pro w/Logic, Univeral Audio Apollo, SM57, headphones.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been playing my entire life. I started on drums (with pots and pans), and also started playing guitar and piano at a young age. I’ve always been a student of music, ultimately graduating from Berklee College of Music. I have lived in Nashville for 13 years, touring and recording full-time.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I am a songwriter’s drummer.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Ben Folds. He is a wealth of creativity and knowledge, and also seems like a genuinely amazing person.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don’t just talk about your ideas; try them.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Indie rock and Americana
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Trusting my instinct, while also being open to others’ ideas.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Unlike other drummers, I do not conceptualize my drum performances as parts and lefts and rights. Instead, I try to really immerse myself in a song and try to propel it along and make it the best version of itself.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: As far as drums go, I will start by charting out the song to determine the chords and arrangement, in order to better understand the song as a whole. If a client sends a specific set of reference tracks, I will try to match the over drum sound and approach to those references. Otherwise, I will follow my gut instinct and years of experience to add what I think a song could use. I usually like to provide a client with two or three options, from a safe/down-the-middle approach to a more unique and interesting drum part.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have several vintage and modern drum sets and snares, as well as a slew of great condenser, ribbon, and dynamic microphones. I have 12 analog preamps and record in Logic Pro. My drum studio is 18x20 with a 10-12’ sloped roof, and just enough sound absorption and diffusion.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Eric Valentine, Brad Cook, Tchad Blake, Brian Eno, Nigel Godrich
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Live drum tracking. A client will send over a song that needs drums and percussion, and I will send back a bounce of my initial idea(s). Once we have agreed upon the right approach/take, I will send over the stems. I enjoy tracking drums with as few as one microphone and as many as 12.
