Clive Deamer

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I think the excerpts heard in "Clive Deamer Remote Mashup Mix 2022" on my profile give some indication of the drumming and recorded work I've created for the following clients listed here in their order of appearance. I'm grateful for their cooperation in allowing me to present here: Apparition - John Lemke, From Thawlines The Day Of The Pylons - From Fables For Robots - Jeremy Cullen Self Oscillation - From a forthcoming Get The Blessing album L’Avalanche - Arthur H Personne - Nomad Haunter - John Lemke Thawlines album This End Up - Chip Perrs Lost In A Train - Gong G From The Age Of Sun Dogs, featuring Yuzhen Ingrita. Halo - John Lemke Thawlines album Cobalt Cutters - From a forthcoming Get The Blessing album Temperate - From a forthcoming Get The Blessing album

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Digital because it’s so flexible and convenient.

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

A: I always strive to record the very best drumming for every track I work on.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I listen carefully to the music. If the artist doesn't know what they want I consider genre and stylistic options. Does the song need power or restraint. Does it need obvious drumming, bold or understated drumming. I might play tightly to the click or play "tight yet loose" to the click to create tension and excitement where necessary. If the artist has specific requirements, I try to make sure I fully understand that request. After that I trust my instincts and my ears to put the right drums and mics in the right place for the sound needed.

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

A: There isn't one particular genre. I may draw from many genres in a single track if necessary. I have recorded Trip Hop, Jazz, Original R&B and Blues, Funk, Drum & Bass, Rare Groove, Pop, Alternative Rock, Art Rock, Country , Heavy Rock. Psychedelic Rock, World Music, Electronic, Soundtracks for film and television and more.

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

A: I started with traditional jazz based drumming skills in 1974 but actually played mostly rock and pop music for the first ten years. From the early 1980's I became a passionate devotee of Jazz and R&B and spent ten years developing skills that left me well positioned to provide the hybrid drumming for Portishead and Drum & Bass for Roni Size. In 2000 I studied Creative Music Technology at Bath Spa University. I was then invited to record and tour with Robert Plant for five years and have recorded and toured with Radiohead since 2011. I have been playing for forty six years.

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

A: That I'm a "jazz drummer" or a "trip hop drummer" or "rock drummer". I have recorded and performed nearly every genre.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: It depends entirely on the client's specific needs and their music.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: I use a wide range of Ludwig and Gretsch drum kits, numerous snare drums, Zildjian and Paiste cymbals and many varied percussion instruments from around the world. My DAW of choice is Pro Tools. My recording equipment includes Neve and Focusrite preamps, Neumann, Telefunken, Beyer, Violet Gold Finger, AKG, Sontronic and Shure microphones. I will provide mp3 rough mixes to allow you to review the work so you can approve the final product.

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

A: Simon Edwards is on SoundBetter and he's a wonderful bass player.

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

A: Most of the dead ones! Bowie because he was so bold. Howlin Wolf because of that voice. Tribe Called Quest because it would be the perfect jazz/hip hop drumming oppportunity. Tom Waits because I'm certain it would be the weirdest masterclass.

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

A: Creating a drumming solution for artists and producers who know what they want, and those who don't. My playing draws on many years of experience in a wide range of genres. I think people employ me for that reason because they trust what they've heard, they know there's a groove I play that will make their track move, swing, rock, whatever is needed. Often it's playing the final human feel version of the demo programmed drum parts they made earlier, or they invite me to create something original.

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

A: I am inspired by the artists I've worked with such as Portishead, Radiohead, Roni Size, Robert Plant and many drummers including Earl Palmer, Tony Allen, Clyde Stubblefield, John Bonham, Levon Helm, Art Blakey, Jaki Liebzeit, Bernard Purdie and many more.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Dynamic, multi genre drumming.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Playing with an original feel that I have developed over the years. Moving between 4/4 feel and swing in any style. Dynamic range of expression. Playing with a touch that allows the microphones to get the right sound. I tune my drums for each individual track. I like to mix straight 4/4 pop or rock grooves and the swing of Hip hop and jazz and blues.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Getting the sounds and the playing right. Creating some magic so it feels special.