Live / Studio / Remote Drummer

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I’m currently the drummer for “deerking” as well as working on several recording and live projects. I also sub for a variety of groups.

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both. Digital recording gives me the flexibility and consistency needed for session work, while I still love the character and feel of great acoustic drums and microphones.

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

A: I’ll listen to your music, respect your vision, communicate clearly, and deliver a drum performance that serves the song. My goal is for you to hear the track and think, “That’s exactly what this song needed!”

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Getting to hear an idea become a finished tune. I love figuring out what the drums can contribute and finding the groove that makes everything else come alive.

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

A: “Can you play to a reference track or demo?” “Can you play to a click?” - Absolutely. I can closely follow an existing idea or use it as a starting point to create something more personalized to the song.

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

A: That session drumming is just about playing the drums well. The real job is listening, making musical decisions, understanding the arrangement, and knowing when/when not to play.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: What do you want the drums to accomplish? What artists or songs are you using as references? Are there specific parts or arrangements you already have in mind? What feeling do you want the listener to get from the track?

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

A: Look for someone who listens to the song and understands your vision and not just someone who can play a lot of notes. Communication, reliability, and musicality are just as important as technical ability.

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

A: I’ve been playing drums for about 25 years, developing through a combination of self-teaching, formal training, live performance, recording, and writing. Over time I’ve moved toward session work, recording, and collaborating with a wide range of musicians.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Groove-focused, dynamic, and musical with a technical edge. I like creating parts that feel natural and powerful while leaving room for the other musicians.

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

A: Larnell Lewis. I really admire his combination of incredible technical ability, musicality, groove, and ability to adapt to completely different styles.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Serve the song first. A great drum part isn’t necessarily the busiest or most technically impressive, it’s the one that makes the rest of the track feel better.

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

A: Rock, funk, reggae, country, electronic, jam, and alternative music. I’m comfortable moving between deep pocket grooves, driving rock parts, and more technical/progressive material.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Listening and adapting. I can quickly understand what a song needs and build a drum part around the artist’s vision while still bringing my own personality to the performance.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring groove, feel, dynamics, and musicality. My goal is to make compliment the music. I can lock into a pocket or add more creative and technical parts when the song calls for it.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I start by understanding the song, the artist’s vision, and what the drums need to accomplish. I’ll listen closely, develop a part that serves the song, record multiple takes when useful, and deliver clean, organized tracks ready for mixing.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Zoom R20 / Logic Pro / Shure & Samson mics / Drums micd: Kick, Snare, Hi-Hat, Tom1, Tom2, Floor Tom, Overhead L & R

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

A: Larnell Lewis, Vinnie Colaiuta, Benny Greb, Mike Healey.

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

A: Session work (Remote & in-person) / Live performance fill-in.