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Working Drummer
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With 500 episodes and counting, Working Drummer Podcast is the source for those interested in what it’s like to be a professional drummer. Hosted by Matthew Crouse and Zack Albetta, Working Drummer covers it all with a dynamic range of pro drummers who represent many different genres and scenes. Each weekly interview features a different performer, sometimes with a less recognizable name, but always with an impressive and distinct body of work. This unique approach has garnered a loyal audience hungry for unfiltered stories about making a living as a musician today.
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Ben Hilzinger is a Los Angeles-based drummer and songwriter with 20+ years of performing, recording and teaching experience.
Currently the drummer for Eve 6 and Cannons, Ben has also written, recorded, and/or toured throughout the USA/internationally with MXPX, Fitness, Mike Herrera, Party Nails, We Shot The Moon, Glorybots, Ever So Android, Jake Cummings, Josh Eacrett, Dave Cavalier, and many more.
In addition to performing and teaching, Ben is the Director of Artist / Client Relations for Big Fat Snare Drum and hosts the ‘Big Fat Five’ podcast. Before moving to Los Angeles in 2016, Ben also taught drums/percussion/music theory both privately and at Off The Wall school of music in Seattle, WA.
In this episode, Ben talk about:
His new book, “Drummers On Drumming,” a compilation of content from his podcast of same name
Giving yourself grace about your path, approach, etc.
Taking self-inventory about how your skillset, learning style, and goals overlap
Being diagnosed with ADHD and imposing structure on himself to stay engaged and productive
The pros and cons of drumming for the ADHD brain
The idea of “channeling” a drummer without transcribing or copying them exactly
Staying in touch with the spark that made you want to play drums in the first place
Finding identity, perspective, and security as Ben the person, not Ben the drummer
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Dylan Wissing is a session drummer based in Hoboken, New Jersey, who has recorded for such artists as John Legend, Drake, Kanye West, Jay-Z and Eminem. He is best known as the drummer on Alicia Keys’ Grammy award-winning hit, “Girl on Fire,” and is heard in national ads for AT&T, American Airlines, Valvoline, Behr Paints and Banana Republic.
Dylan teaches the art of recording and session drumming at his website, Creating the Sound, and is a proud endorser of WTS Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drumheads, Innovative Percussion sticks, Prologix practice pads, TnR Products, and the Cymbal Resonance System.
In this episode, Dylan talks about:
Pros and cons of tech when tracking remotely
Changes with Dylan since we last spoke in 2018
His three kit set up in his studio
His website and educational content
Providing live drums in a sea of loops and samples
Useful plug-ins
Andrew Marsh introduces WTS Drums
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Master Gunnery Sgt. Chris Rose has spent the majority of his professional career in his role as percussionist, drumset specialist, and soloist with the United States Marine Band. "The President’s Own" comprises 160 members and takes various forms depending on the event or occasion they’re playing for and the instrumentation needed for it. As you’ll hear, this affords Chris the opportunity to play a huge variety of musical roles, from classical percussion to marching drums to jazz and rock drumset.
In this episode, Chris talks about:
Studying classical percussion at Rice University, and his first post-school gig in Branson with Andy Williams
What makes The President’s Own unique among military bands
Getting outside yourself in service to the music and the event it’s part of
The incredible variety of musical roles he plays in a given week
The potential for musical development and upward mobility within the band
The various drummers he channels in various drumset roles
Life in DC, and looking ahead to life and work after The President’s Own
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In years past for milestone episodes, we would do something kinda special or make a big deal out of it in some way. This is definitely our biggest milestone yet but it comes at a time when neither of us (Zack & Matt), really have a lot of time to organize anything much more involved than a regular episode. We tried to line up a special guest but the scheduling didn’t quite work out. We’re confident that person will join us for an episode in the near future, just not this one. This podcast has always been a side project for both of us, and has often taken a backseat to the main aspects of our personal and professional lives, and it’s kinda ironic and fitting that our 500th episode is no exception.
So for this episode, we take the opportunity to reflect on how far we’ve come, talk about what's been learned along the way, where we’re at in life at the moment, and what’s coming up, and of course to thank you all for your support in helping us get this far.
In this episode Zack and Matt talk about:
◦ Zack’s interview with Dave DiCenso
◦ Matt’s exploration in traditional grip
◦ Trying to be the change you want to see on the drumming internet
◦ Zack’s touring gig
◦ New YouTube content on the podcast channel
◦ Reoccurring guests
◦ How modern tech influences drumming styles
◦ Steering clear of envy or jealousy
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Dave DiCenso began his career in the late 80s on the metal scene in his hometown of Boston. He later studied at the Drummers Collective in New York and went on to enjoy a successful and varied career touring and recording with Steve Morse, Hiromi, John Petrucci, Duran Duran, Josh Groban, and many others. He is the author of several books including Universal Rhythms for Drumset and his most recent, Fluid Fills and Musical Phrasing, and just celebrated the milestone 30 years of teaching at Berklee.
In this episode, Dave talks about:
Self identifying as a “backbeat” drummer and that being the common thread in all the music he's played
Possible reasons for modern drum recordings sounding “safe”
How your limitations can actually benefit you and help you define yourself
How his teaching approach has evolved over 30 years at Berklee
“Mastering the instrument that plays the instrument” i.e. self-mastery
Taking a break from performing in an effort to finally address a physical issue that has dogged him his whole career
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Dango is a professional drummer based in Nashville, TN who is currently drumming for Grammy award winning artist Scott Stapp – the voice of Creed. He is also a member of the platinum selling worship band, Sonicflood. He has performed with bands and artists all over the world, from the US, to South Africa, to Europe, and South America. He graduated from Belmont University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance, studying under the legendary Chester Thompson.
Dango is a longtime member of the punk band Amber Pacific, having songs on TV shows, movie soundtracks, video games, Monday Night Football, an album on Billboard Top 100, and four music videos on MTV. With Amber Pacific he has performed four full summers on the Vans Warped Tour and toured almost a decade together. Dango has also performed or toured with the multi platinum selling rock band RED, Fireflight, Superchick, All Time Low, Mxpx, Nofx, Manafest, Scarlet White, Tricia, Warren Barfield, Phil Joel, Tommy Walker, Craig Campbell, The Swon Brothers, Tucker beathard, and Deana Carter.
Dango is an active teacher and clinician. In 2009 he released his first instructional DVD.
In this episode Dango talks about:
◦ Why drummers make great tour managers
◦ Building a home studio and a clientele base
◦ Taking even the smallest gig seriously
◦ Drumming with Seattle band Amber Pacific
◦ Playing with confidence
◦ Drumming for Scott Stapp - singer for Creed
◦ Overcoming knee issues
◦ Sharing knowledge with the next generation
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Jano Rix is a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer who has been the third member of The Wood Brothers for over a decade. He started as a hard core jazz pianist, earning a degree from the University of Miami and playing experimental jazz on the New York scene, but he gravitated back to the drums, his dad's instrument, and steered his path back to other styles of music. The Wood Brothers are currently on tour and in the process of recording their next album.
In this episode, Jano talks about:
How recording to tape changes not just the result, but the entire experiencing of playing and listening during the tracking process
How playing keys and drums at the same time brings cool ideas out of both
The idea of following flexible time instead of dictating steady time
How his jazz education focused too much on the music’s theoretical result and not enough on its emotional process.
What he took (and left behind) from his jazz days
What he learned from his dad Luther Rix about playing with conviction
Brandon Green is a biomechanics specialist, fitness educator, gym owner and drummer. Brandon’s online presence, often recognized as “Drum mechanics”, explores educational biomechanics perspective on fitness, drums and life. Brandon provides a series for all called the "Drum Ergonomics Blueprint" as well as his "Drum Forever Fitness Community".
In this episode, Brandon talks about:
The Drum Ergonomics Blueprint
Physical demands of drummers in the modern age
Understanding your range of motion and working within that
Brandon’s podcast: The Drum Mechanics Podcast
Hacks for setting up backline kits consistantly
The importance of recovery & being able to interpret sensation(s)
https://www.youtube.com/@brandondrummechanics
https://www.instagram.com/drummechanics
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Aaron Redfield grew up in San Diego and started his career on that scene. In addition to his long tenure as the drummer for The Greyboy Allstars, he has compiled a long list of touring and recording credits including Elton John, Ceelo Green, and Foster the People. After 15 years living and working in LA, he has moved is family back to San Diego and operates from there.
In this episode, Aaron talks about:
The new Greyboy Allstars record and how it came together
The musical meaning and history of the word Boogaloo
The San Diego scene and how it shaped him
His non-profit that pairs professional producers and artists with aspiring teenage musicians
The powerful negative effects of isolation
The three A’s: Affable, Able, Available
Relocating from LA to San Diego
Finding world-class musicians and studio spaces in San Diego
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Martina Barakoska is a drummer and musician who in her considerably short career has gained notable achievements. Deep and thoughtful yet energetic and playful, her style reflects her love of modern music and her fascination with the power of the drums. Throughout the years, she has maintained continuous growth of success preaching individuality, quality, and persistency.Winning an award for the best drummer at “T’k Tak” drum competition when she was only 17 was followed by many successful music projects. She is actively involved in North Macedonia's music scene, currently working and touring with Funk Shui. She's also worked with artists like Swindle, Emmy Meli, Luboyna, Vladimir Chetkar, MPNG, Efterklang, Duper, Luboyna, Vladimir Chetkar, etc. Her projects have taken her on tours across Europe and the Balkans.In 2022 she released her second solo album named "Sunrise” and took part in the “Yamaha Drum Days” Festival in Paris. She was also a part of the line-up at the workshops in Salzgitter Drum Meeting 2022, Berlin Drum Days 2023 and Dresden Drum and Bass Festival 2024. Martina is also featured in the newly released Yamaha documentary “Way Up House - Portugal”.
In this episode Martina talks about:
◦ The power of meditation
◦ Touring southeastern Europe
◦ Using social media to connect with musicians, not impress drummers
◦ Diving deep into Ringo’s drum parts to better understand his musicality
◦ Fine tuning and cultivating creativity
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Caleb Whitlock grew up in Charlotte and has been based there for two years after having attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He tours nationally with singer/songwriter Ethan Regan, plays locally with a variety of acts, records in his home studio, and also works as a post-production engineer.
Making part of his living doing post-production and editing, and how that differs from mixing
How doing post production on acapalla vocal music has influenced how he hears and records drums
Neutralizing his room acoustically rather than try to make it sound amazing
The Charlotte scene and how he returned to it after college, a couple years of work in "The Triangle" (Raleigh/Durham Chapel Hill), and a few months in a Catholic monastary.
Being clear-eyed about finances, how much different types of work earn, and saying yes and no to gigs according to your lifestyle goals
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Chad Wackerman’s professional career began in 1978 with the Bill Watrous Refuge West Big Band. Since then he has amassed a remarkable body of work including a seven year association with Frank Zappa, with whom he toured the USA and Europe and recorded 27 albums including the London Symphony recordings.
He has also recorded 8 albums and toured with guitar legend Allan Holdsworth, played on the ‘One Voice’ album and video with Barbra Streisand, and recorded albums and toured with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Steve Vai, Andy Summers, Steven Wilson, Men At Work, Ed Mann, Albert Lee, Colin Hay, Dweezil Zappa, Pasqua/Holdsworth/Haslip/Wackerman Group, Terry Bozzio, Carl Verheyen, David Garfield,John Patitucci, Jennifer Batten, Joe Sample, Robbie Kreiger, Banned From Utopia and The World Drummers Ensemble (Bill Bruford, Luis Conte, Dou Dou Ndiaye Rose and Chad Wackerman) .
As a band leader and composer Chad has five critically acclaimed CDs: ‘Forty Reasons’, ‘The View’, ‘Scream’, ‘Legs Eleven’ and his latest release, ‘Dreams Nightmares and Improvisations’. Chad has written music for the television show ‘The Dennis Miller Show’, as well as composing music for Allan Holdsworth’s ‘Secrets’, ‘Wardenclyffe Tower’ and ‘Sixteen Men of Tain’ CDs. His trio has a performance DVD, ‘Hits Live’.
In this episode, Chad talks about:
Working with Allan Holdsworth
The amazing story behind recording Allan’s record “Road Games”
“Improvising at the highest level sounds like composition”
Interpreting charts efficiently
Auditioning for Frank Zappa
How to make a band sound better
Learning from Murray Spivack
Figuring out what’s important for each gig and artist
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John R. Beck, Professor of Percussion at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, also teaches at Wake Forest University. He is the principal percussionist of the Winston-Salem Symphony and is a member of the Greensboro Symphony, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the Philidor Percussion Group. A former member of the United States Marine Band, for 10 years he performed regularly with the National and Baltimore Symphonies, Washington and Baltimore Operas, and the Theater Chamber Players of the Kennedy Center. Beck has toured the United States as a xylophone soloist with the Jack Daniel's Silver Cornet Band, Brass Band of Battle Creek, and the New Sousa Band. John is a Past President of the Percussive Arts Society and presents clinics endorsing Yamaha percussion instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Innovative mallets, and is a Remo Endorsed Drum Circle Facilitator in the Health and Wellness community.
In this episode, John talks about:
What it means to play credibly
How his thoughts on versatility vs. specialization have evolved
Questioning the relevance of knowing how to read a big band chart
How getting good at drumset gives percussionists a better sense of internal time
The advantages and baggage that came with being John Beck’s son
Valuing sound over everything, regardless of instrument or genre
His time as president of PAS and helping the organization become more inclusive and outward-looking
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As a performer, session player, instructor, producer and clinician, Matt Crowning is more than a "drummer's drummer.” He is a "musician's drummer" that brings a wealth of talent, experience, and style to each situation. Matt's diverse performance background ranges from Country, Pop, Rock, Big Band, Jazz and R&B. His work includes performances with various Curb Records, Disney Records / Disney Channel artists, Love and Theft, College 11, Kiki Sanchez, Vanilla Monk, Matt Farr and Kerrie Roberts. Currently, Matt is performing with Country Artist, Amber Leigh, on tour and in the studio. These shows include support act performances with Kenny Chesney, Trace Adkins, Lady Antebellum, Gloriana and many others.
In this episode, Matt talks about:
Navigating the remote tracking world
Buying a house with a home studio built in
Playing drums with his wife Amber Leigh
Maintaining a family/work balance
Making a good impression as a sub
Running tracks in a live show
Using traditional grip
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Originally from the Bay Area, Martin Diller spent over a decade on the LA scene, touring, recording and playing locally with a wide range of acts including Post Modern Jukebox and his own quartet. Over the pandemic, he went back to school and became a licensed therapist, and returned to the Bay Area where he still maintains an active performance schedule alongside his therapy practice.
In this episode, Martin talks about:
The 7-day-a-week grind of freelancing in LA
Playing with Post-Modern Jukebox and other LA artists
How his career shift coincided with a desire to relocate back home to the Bay Area
How he incorporates music and drumming into his therapy practice
Developing intentional ways of maintaining mental health and balance as a musician, especially on the road
World-renowned, Grammy-winning musician John "J.R." Robinson is widely considered the most recorded drummer in history, playing on albums that have sold well over 500 million copies. He is the drummer on 20 number-one pop songs by artists such as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie and Steve Winwood, and has been the drummer on more than 100 Grammy-winning tracks. Rolling Stone Magazine featured J.R. in their list of The Top 100 Drummers of All Time.
J.R. is the drummer on many other Top-40 hits with artists such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, Diana Ross, Daft Punk, David Lee Roth, Rufus & Chaka Khan, The Pointer Sisters, Wilson Philips, Peter Cetera, George Benson, and Quincy Jones.
In this episode, JR talks about:
His new book “King of The Groove”
Reflecting back on his previous episode #424
The process of writing the book
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Born and raised in Georgia, Marlon Patton is a New York-based drummer and music producer/engineer. Hailing from a long line of drummers dating back to his grandfather, Phil Patton who played in the Chicago big band circuit, Marlon keeps his schedule interesting and packed full of all types of music. He is the first call for so many musicians not just because of his impeccable time, but because of the incredible musicality of what he delivers. He plays within a huge dynamic range, making him the perfect match for quiet piano jazz performances to hard- hitting rock gigs. He can play with everything from precision to reckless abandon and make it truly his own. He currently is a member of Kenosha Kid, Weisshund, Nelson Patton, Lonnie Holley, The Trey Wright Trio and The Mace Hibbard Quintet.
He has toured, performed and/or recorded with Liv Warfield, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Jim White, Larkin Poe, Lonnie Holley, Jeff Coffin, Shahzad Ismaily, Col. Bruce Hampton, John Patitucci, Randy Brecker, Rufus Reid, Marcus Printup, and Wycliffe Gordon. He has recorded for labels such as Sony, Universal, Jagjaguwar, RH Music, Yep Roc, Ropeadope plus many more independent releases. His drumming has been in soundtracks on Adult Swim, ABC, and HBO.
In the studio, Marlon has carved a name for himself recording, mixing, and producing. Some recent projects he's worked on are Lonnie Holley’s MITH, Liv Warfield’s Live at Cafe Wha, Jim White's Where It Hits You, Leah Calvert’s Satellite, Daniel Clay's 10,000 Things, Kenosha Kid's Fahrenheit 451, ILL's Gotten Gains, and Blair Dunlop/Larkin Poe's Killing Time.
In this episode, Marlon talks about:
Being willing to abandon "correct" technique in favor of a sound, feel, or idea
How New York has changed his musical priorities and identity
What true collaboration really means
Improvising vs. "composing in the moment"
Moving away from Atlanta with the goal of expanding, personally and musically
Tapping into old relationships in a new place
Sharing studio space with Jordan Rose and mixing Liv Warfield's latest record
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Ken Coomer is a producer best known for his drumming in Uncle Tupelo and later Wilco. He was the drummer and co-founder of the Nashville-based band, Clockhammer, in the late 1980s/early 1990s. As a member of Wilco, Coomer has performed on A.M., Being There, Summerteeth, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
Ken has also played on or produced albums by Steve Earle, Frontier Ruckus, Arlo McKinley, Sons of Bill, Tim Finn, Will Hoge, Jars of Clay, Emmylou Harris, Toy Horses, Malcolm Holcombe, Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal and Shaver.
In this episode, Ken talks about:
Drumming skills that hold value in the studio
Why drummers can make great producers
Touch and feel over fancy gear
How he started producing
Working with latin artists
Mixing remote tracking with in-person recording
Staying focused on the future
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Sam Merrick is a Nashville based drummer, currently holding the drum set chair at & Juliet on Broadway at the Sondheim Theater in New York City. Previously, he spent nearly five years and played over 1200 performances with the national tour of Hamilton: An American Musical.
He has also recorded and/or performed with Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Toots and the Maytals, Jalen Ngonda, Saun & Starr (Daptone Records), The Denver Symphony, People's Champs, Kendra Morris (Colemine Records), and many more. Commercial clients include HBO, Levi Strauss, Chase, AT&T, and This American Life Podcast Network.
In this episode, Sam talks about:
Balancing maintaining a Broadway chair with other musical opportunities
Relearning how to trust his instincts outside the highly controlled environment of a Broadway show
Moving from the note-for-note specificity of Hamilton to the longer leash of & Juliet
Working with producer Max Martin
Maintaining a "healthy ecosystem" of subs
Joel Rothman is the renowned author of almost 100 drum and percussion method books, many of which are among the most popular books used by teachers in private music studios as well as schools and universities worldwide.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Joel studied drums and percussion, as well as piano, with well-known teachers such as Sam Ulano, Ed Shaughnessey, Jim Chapin, Joe Morello, Saul Goodman, and others. He first opened his own private drum studio, then later, after graduating from university, he taught in the New York City school system for many years. During that time Joel was a free-lance drummer playing with various bands and orchestras at private functions, nightclubs and musical shows.
Writing his first book at fifteen, Joel also established his own highly successful publishing company JR Publications, which has been going for over half a century.
In this episode, Joel talks about:
The inspiration for writing drum books
Using humor when writing
Joel’s System(s) for teachers to use
How he started
Studying with Ed Shaughnessy
Connecting with teachers
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