I create colorful dynamic drum tracks. I've recorded with Waterdeep, Kelley Hunt, Christena Graves, Sara Groves, Greg LaFollette, Alli Rogers, Wrong Kata Trio, Sara Swenson, Don Chaffer, and Lori Chaffer. I specialize in motivic grooves and colorful textures. My goal is to serve the song.
I track drums in my home studio. I have been playing and recording for 30-plus years. I would love to play drums or percussion on your single or album. I specialize in layered textures, deep grooves, and part construction that serve the song. My beats are colorful and dynamic, laying the foundation for your song with the other players in mind. I love to play soft and get buttery sounds, but I can play with power if the track calls for it. I am open to feedback and collaborating on a track. My goal is to create a happy customer and a track I can be proud of. I'm easy to work with and love a challenge. I use Ableton Live to track. I also enjoy doing percussion over my grooves, so if layering is your thing, I've got you covered. Let's talk and see what we can create!
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
8 Reviews
Endorse Brandon Graves
Brandon Graves is a master at recording drums! I have spent countless hours "in the trenches" with Brandon in studios and stages everywhere, and his creativity always inspires greatness in everyone on the studio floor. He is also a tone-master, meaning: he can draw out tones from the drumkit in a way that very few drummers can. He matches the kit's tones to the recording chain that is capturing the kit + he adjusts his tone and technique to match the overall direction that the song is heading. Make the wise choice & hire Brandon on drums & percussion!
Brandon Graves is a master drummer, capable of adapting his considerable skills to any genera of music in a studio setting. Brandon played on five of my songs during a session a few years ago. Each song required vastly different drum parts, and Brandon proved a musical chameleon, giving convincing and top-notch performances. One of the songs suggested a country feel; however, I asked Brandon to play very syncopated, Paul Simon/Steve Gadd type part. Brandon improvised a fantastic groove that greatly improved the song. If you need a drummer for your recording session who will always honor your v
I've been recording and performing with Brandon for over 25 years. As a multi-instrumentalist and "groove guy," I'm picky about drummers. Brandon is easy to work with, listens well, has fantastic timing, plenty of chops, excellent tone, and composes great parts! With Brandon you can expect a seasoned musician that will help any artist translate their vision into reality. Highly recommended!
Brandon is not a drummer. He’s a true musician and master musical craftsman. The Norm Abrams of the kit! He will listen and internalize the song or piece he’s playing on with incredible speed and accuracy but most importantly: feel. Deeper pocket than a pair of JNCO jeans! A great listener and calmness about him that inspires confidence in your own playing. Wish we lived closer still!
I've seen Brandon in different live settings, with different styles of music & his attention to "the song" is unparalleled. He's technically amazing but also has the feel and vibe songwriters are looking for. I've even called upon Brandon to create performance loops that would become the basis for new songs... with Brandon, the options and opportunities are endless. The only limitations would be your imagination. He's a great hang but even if you're not in the same room, sending files back and forth... he's worth every penny.
I’ve used Brandon Graves on several projects and I’m always so impressed. Brandon is beyond talented and very easy to work with.
Brandon IS the pocket. Playing with him makes YOU play better. When we play live with Brandon we have more fun, find new and interesting things and sound the best we can. Brandon will bring the best out of you. His decades of knowledge and experience are will guide you effortlessly. Bottom line: Brandon is the piece you need. Plus he’s such a good guy that you’re gonna have a good time!
Brandon is a top notch player who specializes in creativity within the framework of a song. His world of experience and commitment to the craft of drumming is awesome! There’s so much clarity and vibe in his playing and his treatment of the drums. A truly great player and tons of expertise and a truly amazing guy to work with.
Interview with Brandon Graves
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: I recently played drums on an EP for Max Cooper III. He is a TikTok influencer called Mr. Pianoman. The music was a fun throwback to stuff from the 90s. He's kind of a Ben Folds meets Yacht Rock vibe. I got to play a little more aggressively on some of the tracks, and we got some really cool grooves happening with the band. The first single is called Sadie, and it's on my Spotify playlist.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am currently working on an instrumental track for a solo project.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Digital because it's what I have. I love analog and have tracked to tape several times but I don't own the equipment to record analog from home.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will provide my clients with expressive and musical drum parts that will elevate their songs, and in the process, I will be kind, thoughtful, and creative.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Being creative and building community.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That drums are not musical. It's not easy, but being musical on the drums is possible. I have encountered a belief that drumming is just banging on stuff without any musical skill. Obviously, I disagree. It takes discipline and intentional care to create a drum part that breathes and supports the music. I have spent many years developing my touch and taste so I can be expressive on the drums and offer a musical contribution to the song.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What is your vision for this song? Will it be part of a full-length record or a single? What is your timeline? Do you have a reference track for the kind of sounds you want? Who are your biggest influences?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: My advice would be to listen to the Spotify playlists of the drummers you are considering. Choose someone who fits your musical taste and who has a long history of recording.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I got my first gig in 1994, and I have been in music full-time since then. I have done a little bit of everything from recording to touring, booking, and producing. I joined Waterdeep in 1995 and then, in 2004, stepped away from touring to be home with my family. Since then, I have stayed local but active in the recording and gigging world in addition to teaching privately and at the University level. During the pandemic, I put a studio in my home to teach and create content. That has allowed me to offer remote session drums.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I am a nuanced player with a strong sense of time and dynamics. I combine deep grooves with colorful textures. I aim for somewhere between Brian Blade and Jim Keltner, with a little Glenn Kotche thrown in.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Creativity is my strongest skill. I like to come up with unique sounds and parts that will elevate the song and create a bed for the rest of the instruments.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: My passion is part construction and emotional playing. I love songwriting as a craft, so I try to create sounds and parts that match the feeling of the song.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: After you get in touch with me, I'd like to set up a call so we can talk through your vision for the song. I prefer to track to a demo that was recorded with a click. I will lay down a few passes, do some edits, and then send you the track. I can do as much or as little, e.q./compression/processing, as you like.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I would take a kick, snare, hat, ride, and my mandola.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: If I could pick one gig that I don't currently have, it would be to record with Sarah Jarosz. I am a big fan of her songwriting and would love to create with her and her team.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: The drum sound is a collection of the whole instrument, so a good drum mix can often be made up of quirky individual sounds that come together to make something great. Try adjusting eq and compression while listening to how it affects the overall sound rather than just a single sound.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I mostly work on Folk, Americana, and Indie stuff. Although I have a long history of playing rock as well. I have played jazz for years, too, and that influences the way I write and play.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I run Ableton Live with a basic eight-channel Focusrite pre. I have Audio Technica, sE Electronics, Shure, Lauten, and ElectroVoice mics. My room is small and accurate. I have access to a big room if needed.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I am a huge Brian Blade fan. I also love Led Zeppelin, Bon Iver, and Sarah Jarosz. I am often more inspired by songwriters than anything else. Daniel Lanois is my favorite producer. I love his drum treatment on Willie Nelson's Teatro and Emmy Lou Harris's Wrecking Ball.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Most of my work in the studio is on folk records where I am playing gentle grooves, solid pockets, or doing percussion textures and layering.
I was the drummer in this production
- Live drum trackAverage price - $125 per song
- PercussionAverage price - $125 per song
I will do two revisions plus a fast turnaround.
- Waterdeep
- Norah Jones
- Sarah Jarosz
- I have several high end kits and snares to choose from and lots of Zildjian cymbals. I am a WFLIII Drums
- Remo Heads
- Zildjian Cymbals
- and Vic Firth sticks endorser.
