Taylor Friesth on SoundBetter

I have had the honor of performing with artists like GRiZ, Illenium, and Guerrilla Fanfare Brassband, and now I run a recording studio in Nashville, TN, called Garden Groove Recording Space.

Hey everyone! My name is Taylor, I am a drummer/ producer/ and studio owner in Nashville, TN.

I have been fortunate enough to play drums since I was 7 years old, and I started recording myself back in highschool. Drumming has brought me to play on stages like Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Folsom Field, and playing for people artists like GRiZ, Illenium, and Guerrilla Fanfare Brassband.

After moving to Nashville in 2020, I opened Garden Groove Recording Space, a creative studio where I work with artists of all genres. In addition to music recording, the studio also provides a professional space for podcasters to produce high-quality episodes.

From the diversification of my drumming background to the variety of artists that I get in the recording studio, I have become comfortable recording and playing all sorts of styles of music. My goal is to help take your song to a whole new level that you have been looking for! Feel free to reach out today and we can discuss your vision for your next project!

Send me a note through the contact button above.

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Interview with Taylor Friesth

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The most recent songs under my artist name, TJF, I have been proud of lately.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I am working on producing and mixing my own album under the name TJF.
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: There are two great other drummers on this site, Nate Barnes (the top drummer on this site), and Kyle May. I have had the pleasure of learning from Nate for 6 years and It has been nothing short of inspiring to see how much he has done. And Kyle May, who is a fellow Nashville session player who has been setting the bar higher and higher each time I hear a track with him.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: 50/50, the sounds and artists that inspire me right now are well versed in how to get a good analog sound and know the modern approaches to emphasize and move the sound in a new direction.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: You will get high-quality tracks quickly!
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Hearing how unique each person's sound is!
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How quick can you send back tracks, and I am able to send tracks back in 24 hours 99% of the time.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I can only do one genre of music, I have studied most styles of music and have found that in doing so, it has helped me as a whole.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: What are any reference sounds that you are looking for?
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: I good vision for the song!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: My computer, drum sticks, my United FET 47, Hi-Hats, and a shaker.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I have been drumming since I was 7, recording since highschool, and finally opened up my dream studio when I moved to Nashville 4 years ago.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Modern and tasteful
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: My favorite artist right now is FKJ, working with him would be a dream.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: There is no one size fits all. Sometimes the drums call for a dryer and darker drum sound because it makes room for a song to be a little brighter, Its all about knowing 50 ways to do 1 thing and finding the best fit.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: I usually find my self working on Pop and Singer/ Songwriter songs.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: I have spent the majority of my life trying to master the playing side of the drums and a lot of that has come from learning different styles and studying the greats and finding a way to combine that all into my own style.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: A great drum sound/ drum parts can really bring a song to a new level. I have been lucky enough to study some of Nashville's greats to see that a great drummer is able to emphasize what is great in a song and add the right amount of life to it.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I like to get my work done in the morning when I am most fresh. With that, my goal is to give a quick turnaround time with the best quality product possible. I am fortunate to be able to record 24/7 which allows me to have such a quick turnaround time so you can get your song out into the world!
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a recording studio in East Nashville where I record all of my music as well as others. I have a 16 channel Apollo system that is working with 4 Focusrite ISA preamps. I am fortunate to be working with some of the best high-quality gear that you can find, and in a room that instantly allows for a great drum sound.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: All the drum sounds coming from Death Cab For Cutie and Anderson Paak really inspire me right now. Their ability to get a great tone but also allow for a good amount of creativity to enhance the song and in some cases, and take it in a direction that was unexpected and exciting.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Live drum tracking has been what people come to me for the most. I have had people come to me looking for "a modern" drum sound. Although living in Nashville and being well acquainted with getting the traditional drum sound, I also take pride in my EDM-like or non-traditional sounds that I am able to get out of the drums.