Issue 2 - Anika Nilles - December 2017
Featuring the time-bending phenomenon, Anika Nilles. All the way from making Quintuplets seem like a breeze to posting amazing self-produced music on her YouTube channel, Anika is the complete package when it comes to being a drummer and a musician. “Social Media is an awesome and highly important tool to promote and present you as a complete artist.” – Anika Nilles We have a versatile array of sessions drummers for you in this one, some of them having played for iconic artists such as Johnny Clegg: • Anika Nilles • Barry van Zyl • Jason Moser • Andy Maritz • Luca De Bellis • Alex Shumaker We feature one of our first artists, voted into the magazine as a new up and coming drummer by our readers. We have a look at some articles about seeing yourself as a business and we give you some reviews on the Promark FireGrain stick and an amazing local brand of snare drums. check out Issue 2 of SA Drummer Magazine now. – SA Drummer Team.
Featuring the time-bending phenomenon, Anika Nilles. All the way from making Quintuplets seem like a breeze to posting amazing self-produced music on her YouTube channel, Anika is the complete package when it comes to being a drummer and a musician.
“Social Media is an awesome and highly important tool to promote and present you as a complete artist.”
– Anika Nilles
We have a versatile array of sessions drummers for you in this one, some of them having played for iconic artists such as Johnny Clegg:
• Anika Nilles
• Barry van Zyl
• Jason Moser
• Andy Maritz
• Luca De Bellis
• Alex Shumaker
We feature one of our first artists, voted into the magazine as a new up and coming drummer by our readers.
We have a look at some articles about seeing yourself as a business and we give you some reviews on the Promark FireGrain stick and an amazing local brand of snare drums.
check out Issue 2 of SA Drummer Magazine now.
– SA Drummer Team.
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IMPISNAREDRUMS<br />
UPAND COMING DRUMMER WINNER -LUCA DEBELLIS<br />
<strong>Anika</strong><br />
Niles<br />
“Beingyourselfis<br />
themostimportantadjustment”<br />
InterviewsPromark’snew<br />
FireGrain<br />
Sticks<br />
JASON MOSER<br />
BARRY VAN ZYL<br />
ANDY MARITZ<br />
ALEX SHUMAKER
WHATSINSIDE?<br />
Features Interviews<br />
Features Interviews<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>Niles<br />
JasonMoser<br />
AndyMaritz<br />
LucadeBelis<br />
AlexShumaker<br />
folowus<br />
www.facebook.com/sadrummermagazine<br />
www.instagram.com/sadrummermagazine<br />
www.youtube.com/sadrummermagazine<br />
rememberto:<br />
#sadrummer<br />
WarenvanWyk-Youareabusines<br />
Promark-FireGrain Review<br />
ImpiSnareDrums-byMylesRyan<br />
Wewouldlovetohearfromyou!<br />
Letusknowwhoyouwouldliketoseeinfutureisuesand<br />
whatyoufeelwecouldimproveon!<br />
info@sadrummer.co.za
YOU area<br />
BUSINESS<br />
Startseeingandpresentingyourselfthatway.<br />
WhenIthoughtofabusinessitwasabigbuilding,lotsof<br />
stafthatturnedoverbilions.Iwouldimmediatelythinkof<br />
runningmyselflikeabusiness.Itthenmadesensethatthe<br />
samewayanormalbusinessrunsitself,Icouldrunmyself<br />
andmynametheexactsameway.Istartedputingmoney<br />
intomarketing,gotveryactiveonsocialmediaandstarted<br />
treatingmynameasabigbusiness.Abusinessisnotjust<br />
possible.OnceIgotholdofthis,itrealymadeevery<br />
aspectofmycareerbeter.Ihavealwaysbeenextremely<br />
Thisissomethingthatnotmanymusiciansgrasp.Iwas<br />
realyyoungandjustgotgoinginmycareerwhena<br />
verygoodfriendofminewhoownsoneofthebiggest<br />
musicretailersfirstsaidthistome."Youareabusiness.WarenvanWykisabusiness."Thisdidn'tmake<br />
sensetomebutsoundedpretycoolnonetheless.<br />
somethinglikeCocaCola.Beingveryyoungandinexperienced,Irealyhadtowrapmyheadaroundthisthingof<br />
runonstafandanicebuilding.It'sprofessionalism,atitude,presentingyourselfwelandoferingthebestservice<br />
"OCD"aboutbeingpunctual,professional,prepared,keepingagoodatitude,etc.IfIwasn't,itwouldefectmeand<br />
theoutlookonmybrand.Ifocusedonbeingoverprepared
<strong>Anika</strong><br />
Niles<br />
MarioSchmit<br />
TAKING THEDRUM WORLD BY STORM<br />
Waren:How didyourdrumming<br />
journeybegin?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Igrew upinadrummer’s<br />
family.Therearetwouncles,one<br />
cousinandmydadwhoplayed<br />
thedrums.Wehadadrum setand<br />
arehearsalstudioinourbasement<br />
wheremydadrehearsedwithhis<br />
bandthattime.Isatdownand<br />
watchedthem play.MyDadtaught<br />
methefirstgroovesasherealised<br />
Iwasinterestedindrumming.So<br />
thejourneybegan.<br />
Waren:Wasitalwaysyourplan<br />
topursuedrumsasafultime<br />
career?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Itwasalwaysinmymind<br />
butmyparentswantedmetobein<br />
a“real”jobfirst.Thisiswhatparentsdosometimes:D.<br />
Waren:Whowereyourmaininfluencesandwhoareyourcurent<br />
influences?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Mymusicalinfluencesare<br />
thoselikeToto,theearlyMichael<br />
Jacksonstuf,JossStone,John
PetraFeldmann<br />
edtoworkonmycareer.<br />
“Iwasn’tpreparedforwhat<br />
happenedafter<br />
thevideorelease”<br />
veryimportant.Ifeltwarmlywelcomedineach<br />
country.Itwasahugeexperienceforme.<br />
Waren:Yourealycameoutofnowhereand<br />
tookeveryonebystorm withyouramazing<br />
drummingwhenyoureleasedyourfirst<br />
trackcaled“WildBoy”onYouTube.How<br />
wasyourapproachtomakinganamefor<br />
yourselfinthedrum scene?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Iwasn’tpreparedforwhathappened<br />
afterthevideorelease.Ittookmemorethana<br />
yeartorealizethatthisisaseriouschanceand<br />
optiontopromotemymusicandmyplayingin<br />
Scofield,DaveMathewsBand,FooFighters,<br />
Prince,JoeSatriani,SherylCrow andmany<br />
moreasdrummerslikeJefPorcaro,JRRobinson,CarterBeauford,StantonMoore,Jojo<br />
MayerandBennyGreb.Mycurentinfluences<br />
areJohnMayer,TigranHamasayan,Kneebody,SnarkyPuppy,TheAristocrats,BonIver,<br />
JustinTimberlake,MisterBarington,AndersonPaakanddrummerslikeSteveJordan,<br />
NateSmith,NateWoodandofcourse,Chris<br />
Coleman!<br />
Waren:In2015youhadtheamazingopportunitytotourthrough,Europe,USAand<br />
China.How didthisboostyourcareerand<br />
how didthesecountriesreceiveyou?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:2015wasacrazybusyyear.Therewas<br />
alotoftouringthroughdiferentcountries.I<br />
wouldn’tsayitboostedmycareer,itmoresolidifiedit.WhatIdidonsocialmediabecame<br />
realforaltheguyswhodroppedbyandfor<br />
myselftoo.BeingavailableontheInternetis<br />
onething,performingandhavingconversationsinreallifeissomethingdiferentand<br />
aninternationalframe.Justayearlater,Istart-<br />
Waren:Whatwereyourintentionswhen<br />
youstartedfilmingyourfirstvideos?Wasit<br />
purelyformarketingorwasityourplanfor<br />
them toblow upasbigastheydid?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:AfriendofmineaskedmeifIwouldbe<br />
opentoletinghim film adrum videoofmine
tocheckouthisnew video<br />
equipment.Iwas,inanyway,<br />
preparingformyfinalgraduationexam<br />
withsomeoriginal<br />
tracks.So,IaskedtheproducerofastudioI’veworkedata<br />
coupleoftimesifhewouldlike<br />
torecordit.ItwastheguyI’m<br />
stilworkingwith,Joachim<br />
Schneiss.Thiswasthebeginning.Ithoughtitwouldbecool<br />
tohaveapromotionalvideofor<br />
getingsomejobsaroundmy<br />
areaorwithinGermany.Ididn’t<br />
spendanythoughtsona<br />
careerlikethis.Afterthis<br />
video,Irealized,ok,people<br />
likedit.Ihadtheseothertwo<br />
tracksandwejustfilmedthem<br />
too.Whynot.<br />
Waren:How diditfeeltogo<br />
from anunknowndrummer<br />
toaninternationalhitalmost<br />
overnight?I’m sureitwasa<br />
hugechange.How wasthe<br />
adjustmentforyou?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Honestly,Ihaddiferent<br />
feelingsthattime.Andluckily<br />
goodmentorswhosupported<br />
meandgavesomegood<br />
advice.Ofcourse,itwasoverwhelmingandunrealforalong<br />
timebutIalsowasn’tprepared<br />
foritandsoIfeltabitscared<br />
abouteverythingatthesame<br />
abouteverythingatthesame<br />
time.NorbertSeamannfrom<br />
MeinlCymbalstookalotof<br />
timetoguidemethroughthe<br />
business.Thatwasveryhelpful.Itriedtoletitalgrow<br />
naturalandmadedecisionscarefuly.That’ssomethingI’m<br />
stil<br />
doinganditturnsoutgood.<br />
Beingyourselfisthemostim<br />
portantadjustment,atleastfor<br />
me.<br />
“Iwasabsolutely<br />
suprised.Icouldn’t<br />
understandalthe<br />
atention”<br />
Waren:Didyouexpectforit<br />
tohappensofastordidit<br />
takeyoubycompletesurprise?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Iwasabsolutelysurprised.Icouldn’tunderstand<br />
altheatention.LikeIsaid,it<br />
tookmemorethanayearto<br />
realizewhathappened.<br />
Waren:Didyouhavetotake<br />
anyrisksormakeanysacrificestopursueyourcareerin<br />
drumming?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Ithinkeveryonewho<br />
worksharddoesn’tmaterif<br />
it'sinsport,musicoranything<br />
elsemakesanysacrificesover<br />
theyears.Inmycase,Iworked<br />
hard,justslept4hoursaday<br />
foracoupleofyearstoputas<br />
muchasIcouldwithinone<br />
muchasIcouldwithinone<br />
day.Thisisnotagoodhealth<br />
careandsoIhadsomeissues.<br />
Havinglesstimeforfriends<br />
andfamilyisanotherthingbut<br />
nothingthatcanchangethat.<br />
JohannesFeederle<br />
MariusMischke
SvenPeks<br />
“Beingyourself<br />
isthemost<br />
important<br />
adjustment”<br />
Waren:How diditfeeltowin#1upand<br />
comingartistintheModernDrummer<br />
Readerpolsandthe#1risingstarin<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Itwasahugepleasuretojustbeinthe<br />
votingatal.NeverthoughtI’lbeon#1.SoI<br />
wasoverwhelmedandhappywhenIheard<br />
thenews.BeingfeaturedbyDRUM!Magazine<br />
Waren:Youhavebecomeahugehitinthe<br />
drum worldandhavereceivedmilionsof<br />
hitsonYouTubealoneandhavehundreds<br />
ofthousandsoffolowersaloverthe<br />
world.Whatdoyoufeelhasseparatedyou<br />
andmadeyouuniquetootherdrummers<br />
DRUM!Magazine?How didthishelpelevateyourcareer?<br />
orespecialybyModernDrummerisaprivilege.<br />
outtheretryingtomakeanameforthem-<br />
selves?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:That’saquestionthatisalwayshard<br />
toanswer.It’seasiertotelyouthisonother<br />
drummersbecauseyouhavetheoutsiders<br />
view.Mh,probablyIwouldsayithastodo<br />
withthecontextureofmytracksandthe<br />
drumming.Auniquestyletoothersandcharacterinmyplaying.Beingafemaleprobably<br />
wasalsoathingforsomepeoplebutinthis<br />
case,Ifeelthatisnotthemainthingformany.<br />
Ineverworkedsomethingspecialout.Being<br />
Waren:How diditfeeltoperform atsuch<br />
massiveeventslike,PASICandtheLondon<br />
Drum Show andwhatisyourapproachto<br />
showslikethese?Isitverydiferentfor<br />
youthanplayingwithyourband?<br />
yourselfisthemostimportantadjustment,remember?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:PlayingeventslikePASICorLDSistotalydiferenttoplayingwiththeband.It’sal<br />
aboutdrummingandalabout“your”performance.Youswitchfrom<br />
asidemantothe<br />
frontman.It’smorethanjustplayinglikeit’s<br />
morethanjustsingingwhenyouwatchBruno<br />
Marsright?PASICandLDSarehugeshows,<br />
lotsofatendees,bigstages,etc.It’san<br />
honortobeapartofthelineuponthese<br />
stages.Therearenotmanydrummerswho<br />
areinthepositiontodothis.Itmeansalotto<br />
metohavetheprivledgeofplayngthere.
Waren:Whatdoyouprefer?Drum clinicsorplaying<br />
withyourband?<br />
MariusMischke<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Hardchoice.BotharesodiferentandIlove<br />
doingdiferentthingsasamusician.Iloveboth.<br />
Waren:Notonlyareyouanincredibledrummerbut<br />
asongwriteraswel.Canyoutelusmoreabout<br />
yoursongwritingandyourapproachtocomposing<br />
yoursongs?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:IstartedcomposingbymyselfwhenIwas<br />
around19yearsold.Simplywithaguitar.Acoupleof<br />
yearsagoIgotdeeperintoproducingandcomposing<br />
onanotherlevel.Whenitcomestocomposing,Iloveto<br />
getinspiredbypeople,landscapes,cultures,music,<br />
musiciansandsoundsources.SometimesIstartonthe<br />
drums,sometimeswithharmoniesorsynthsounds.<br />
From there,Iletitgrow.<br />
Waren:Canyoutelusabitmoreaboutyourdebut<br />
album caled,‘Pikalar”?Whowerethemusicians<br />
andproducersthatcolaboratedwithyouonthis<br />
album?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Pikalarismyfirstfulalbum,including10Tracks<br />
oforiginalMusicinthestyleofPop,Fusion,andinstrumentalJazzRock.Itwasmyaltimedream<br />
toreleasea<br />
recordlikethisoneday.Iwassoexcitedasthiscame<br />
true!<br />
ForPikalar,IworkedtogetherwithmylongtimeProducerJoachim<br />
Schneiss.Hisstudiowasmylivingroom for<br />
quitealongtime.Weknew eachotherrealyweland<br />
hadakindofroutineinourworkingprocess.Joachim<br />
alsodidalguitarpartsontherecord.Forthebass,I<br />
hadFrankIt,whowasalsoinvolvedinaltracksforthe<br />
videorecordings.ImetFrankattheUniversitythattime<br />
andwasrealyhappytohavehim onboard.Forthe<br />
keys,thereweretwoguys.MazeLeber,akeyboard<br />
playerIknew from theUniversityaswelasStefanGunnarsonfrom<br />
Sweden.StefanandImetonceinSweden<br />
whereweplayedaconcerttogether.AlotofthekeyboardsIdidbymyselftoo.<br />
Forthepercussions,therewasMaxGroesswangfrom<br />
Austria,agreatguywhenitcomestooddmeterstuf<br />
andMartinVerdonkfrom theNetherlandsforalthetraditionalpercussions.<br />
Also,therewasabrasssectionfrom theUS.RyanLinvil<br />
andJoshuaShpakwhodidanamazingjob.<br />
IputsomuchlifebloodandpassionintoitsoIdecided<br />
“Itwasmy<br />
altime<br />
dream to<br />
releasea<br />
recordlike<br />
thisone<br />
day.Iwas<br />
soexcited<br />
asthis<br />
cametrue!”
todothecoverartdesignbymyselftoo.Drawingand<br />
artdesignareoneofmyinterestsinmyfreetimesoI<br />
startedtodraw althepaginationgraphicsontheback<br />
coverbyhandandspentalotoftimeondetails.<br />
Waren:YouhaveyourownbandcaledNEVELL.<br />
Canyoutelusmoreabouttheband?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:NevelisalsoathingIspendpassionon.Nevel<br />
isalsothenextstep,thenextleveltobringmytracks<br />
intoreallife.Afteryearsofplayingthesongsfrom a<br />
laptopwithoutanyconversationsonstagewithother<br />
musicians,Ithoughtitwouldbetimetoplayeverything<br />
inatotalliveseting.WithNevel,itbecamereal.This<br />
yearwestartedtoplayourfirsttryoutshows.Aftera<br />
while,wealrealizedthatalotofstufworksoutvery<br />
welbutsomenot,sotherewasachangeinthelineup<br />
afterwards.It’sstilJoachim onguitarbutwithPatrick,<br />
Therearealreadysomebookedshowsandsomeplans<br />
fortouringthroughdiferentcountries.<br />
Waren:Doyoumainlywritealthesongsforyour<br />
band?<br />
MariusMischke<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Ialwayscomeupwiththe<br />
guidelineforthetrackswiththe<br />
rhythm partsandtheharmonies.I<br />
communicatemyideasandleave<br />
lotsofspaceforalmusiciansto<br />
bringintheirownflavor,butthis<br />
justworkswiththerightmusicians<br />
whounderstandyourideasandare<br />
abletosupportthosewiththeir<br />
owncraftandplayingstyle.That<br />
worksoutverywelwithNevel.<br />
Waren:How importantdoyou<br />
withoutoverplayingandtaking<br />
awayfrom themusic?Thisisa<br />
skilthateveryonecanagreeyou<br />
have.<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Ohinmycase,Ihavethe<br />
privilegetodecidewhatexactlyI<br />
wanttoplayineachsecondofthe<br />
songbecauseit'smymusicsoI<br />
workitoutformyselfanddecide<br />
how muchIwanttogoawayfrom<br />
themusicorsupportthemusic<br />
only,withoutexpressingmyself.<br />
That’snottheprivilegeforevery<br />
drummer.Oftenthereareothers<br />
whodefinewhatistoomuchortoo<br />
expressingabitandsupportingthe<br />
music,alsowhenthetracksare<br />
mostlydedicatedtothedrums.I<br />
aguyfrom theNetherlandsonkeysandJonathanCuniadoonbass.We’reworkingonsomenew<br />
liveversionsofthetracksandwilgetbacktostagein2018.<br />
feelitisforadrummertoexpressthemselvesandtheirability<br />
less.Formepersonaly,it’simportanttofindagoodbalancebetween<br />
findmyselfinlivesituations,especialywithNevel,whereIleave<br />
morespacefortheotherinstrumentstoexpressthemselves.I<br />
thinknaturaly,I’m morededicated<br />
tosupportingthemusicandnot<br />
soloingalthetimewhilethemusic<br />
isrunning.Butforsure,thereis<br />
musicouttherewheredrummers<br />
canexpressthemselvesineach<br />
second.Ithinkitdependsonthe<br />
musicstyleandcompositionsthat<br />
definestheframeworkonwhat<br />
shouldhappenonthedrums.
Waren:Youhaveanextremelysmoothplaying<br />
styleandplaysomeverycomplexpartswhile<br />
makingitlookextremelyeasy.Whenyousit<br />
downtopractice,whatexercisesandtechniques<br />
doyoufocuson?<br />
MariusMischke<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Haha,yessometimeswhenIseemyselfin<br />
thevideosIthink,wow.thatlookssmooth.Butthe<br />
pointisitfeelsdiferentsometimestohow itlooks.<br />
I’m alwaysextremelyfocusedwhenIplaybutsurely<br />
I’veputinalotofpracticeontechniques.Whatmale<br />
drummerscanhandlewithmusclepower,Ihaveto<br />
handleitwithtechniquebecauseofthephysicaldi-<br />
versities.Inthestudio,Istudymybodymovements<br />
alotandtrytofiguringoutmyweakspotsandthen<br />
workonthem.<br />
Waren:WiththeInternetbeingsuchapowerful<br />
tool,canyougiveusafew tipsonhow tomarket<br />
yourselfandhow toapproachgetingyourname<br />
outthereonsocialmedia?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Mh,alIcansayisthatit’sgetingharder<br />
nowadayswhenyou’dliketomarketyourselfand<br />
buildyourownbusinessbasedontheinternet.It<br />
probablysoundsweirdbecauseit’ssoeasytoreach<br />
outthroughalchannelsbuttherearetonsof<br />
high-qualityvideosoutthere,lot’sofbriliantyoung<br />
drummers.Istartedatatimewherethiswasnew.I<br />
tookthechanceandbuiltabusinessonit.Idon’t<br />
havespecialtipsexceptbeingyourselfisthemost<br />
importantadjustment!<br />
socialmediatogettheirnameoutthere?<br />
Waren:How importantdoyoufeelitisfordrummersandmusicianstogaintheskilofusing<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:SocialMediaisanawesomeandhighlyim-<br />
portanttooltopromoteandpresentyouasacom-<br />
pleteartist.Bigandveryfamousartistsareusing<br />
twiter,youtube,facebookandalofthattocommu-<br />
nicateandpresentthemselves.Itoferssomanyop-<br />
promotethemusicitself.Peoplecanbuyyourtracks<br />
inasecond.Whenyouhavesomeskilsandaplan,<br />
socialmediacanbeahugeandnecessarytool.<br />
tionstofindtherightspotstoplaylive,togetcon-<br />
nectedwithothermusicians,colaborationsandalso<br />
“Social<br />
Mediais<br />
anawesomeand<br />
highlyimportant<br />
toolto<br />
promote<br />
andpresentyou<br />
asa<br />
complete<br />
artist”
“Beingyouself<br />
isthemost<br />
important<br />
adjustment”<br />
Waren:Whatisinthepipelineforyou?<br />
Wheredoyouseeyourselfinthenext5<br />
years?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Firstofalhopefulyingoodhealth!<br />
Drummingwise,Ihavesomanyideasand<br />
goalsthatItookyearstorealizesomeof<br />
them.Butforsure,itwouldbeawesome<br />
tohavemorefulrecordsout,tourwith<br />
www.anikaniles.com<br />
Facebook:@<strong>Anika</strong>Niles<br />
Instagram:anika.niles<br />
Nevelonastablebasisandreleaseatleasedoneeducationalbook.<br />
Waren:Whatwouldbethemostimportantpieceadvicethatyouwould<br />
givetoadrummerthatwouldliketo<br />
pursueacareerindrummingand<br />
music?<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>:Beingyourselfisthemostimportantadjustment!<br />
SvenPeks
www.akg.com
y Zan Kriegler<br />
Garet<br />
Goodwin<br />
Zan:HeyAndy!Thanksso<br />
muchfortakingthetimeto<br />
chatwithus.How’slife?<br />
Andy:Life’sgoodman,can’t<br />
The force behind<br />
Francois van Coke<br />
Zan:Howlonghaveyou<br />
and Die Heuwels<br />
Fantasties<br />
HeyGaret.Howare<br />
beenplayingdrums?<br />
thingsgoing?Areyou<br />
complain.Thankyouforthisopportunity.<br />
curentlyontour?What<br />
Andy:Istartedplayingatthe<br />
gotyouintoplayingthe<br />
ageof6andneverlookedback.<br />
drums?<br />
Zan:Mostdrummersgetinspiredtostartplayingby<br />
Thingsaregreat!Iamnot<br />
curentlyontour.Itismore<br />
watchingsomeoneelseplay.<br />
ofaofyearwithjustsome<br />
Canyourememberwhogot<br />
spotdates,festivals,private<br />
youinterestedindrums?<br />
events,awardshowsetc.Its<br />
greatthoughbecauseit<br />
Andy:Therehasalwaysbeen<br />
alowsmetoplaywithsome<br />
somethingaboutdrumsand<br />
otherartist,anddoalot<br />
percussiveinstrumentsthatintriguedme.Mydadalwaysused<br />
moresessions,lessons,and<br />
clinics.<br />
ANDY<br />
MARITZ<br />
THE GROOVE BEHIND DAN PATLANSKY<br />
toplaytheRonKenoly“LiftHim<br />
Up”videotapeatourhouseand<br />
atthatstageIthinkIjustturned<br />
7andIsawChesterThompson<br />
andAlexAcunaperformingand<br />
itjustignitedsomethinginme.<br />
AfewyearslatermyDadgotme<br />
mysecondkitanditcamewitha<br />
HowisCarietowork<br />
tutorialvideothatfeaturedMike<br />
with?<br />
PortnoyandKennyAronofand<br />
thatjusttookmeovertheedge,<br />
SheisAbsolutelygreat.Iam<br />
Iwasobsessed.<br />
Mick Creative
Afterthat,Igotintroduced<br />
tothemusiciansthatIwould<br />
sayinfluencedmethemost<br />
today.GuyslikeVinnieColaiuta,JohnBonham,Dave<br />
Weckl,SteveGaddandJojo<br />
Mayer.<br />
Zan:Telusabitabout<br />
yourjourney?Howdid<br />
youendupinthesessionscene?<br />
Andy:Itjusthappenedby<br />
default.Iplayedinabandin<br />
myearlytwentiesandit<br />
didn’tworkoutbecauseof<br />
somediferencesbutIstartedbuildingarelationship<br />
withtheproducerthatrecordedourdebutalbum.He<br />
startedbookingmefor<br />
showsandsessionsand<br />
beforeIknewit,Iwasworkingwithvariousartists.I<br />
builtmoreworkingrelationshipsthroughouttheyears<br />
ofperformingandIcan<br />
gladlysaythatlookingback<br />
now,itwasalworththe<br />
hustleandhardwork.<br />
Zan:Whenitcomesto<br />
performinglive,isit<br />
moreimportantforyou<br />
tocreateavibeonstage<br />
ortojustsitinthat<br />
pocketaswelasyou<br />
can?<br />
An<br />
Andy:Isupposeforme,it’s<br />
acombinationofthetwo.<br />
Pocketplayingisfundamentalbutnoonelikestolook<br />
atdulperformancesowhereverorwheneveryouplay,<br />
vibeisascrucial.Ithinkthat<br />
ifyoucanmarythetwoit<br />
becomesanessentialcombi<br />
nation.<br />
Zan:Whatisyourfavoritegenretoplay?<br />
Andy:PopandRock<br />
Zan:Howmuchdoyou<br />
stilspendonpracticing<br />
andwhatdoyouwork<br />
on?<br />
Andy:Itryandpractice<br />
everydayandcurentlyIam
touringin2015andit’s<br />
beenawildridesincethen.<br />
Ilovealtheguysinboth<br />
bandsandit’salwaysa<br />
greattimetravelingand<br />
playingwiththem.<br />
“Rudimental<br />
studiesis<br />
aneveryday<br />
thingforme”<br />
spendingalotoftimeon<br />
developingtimeandLinear<br />
timeplaying.Also,rudimentalstudiesisaneveryday<br />
thingforme.<br />
Zan:Ifyoucouldbein<br />
anyotherdrummer’s<br />
shoes,whosewouldit<br />
be?<br />
Andy:VinnieColaiuta<br />
Zan:I<br />
Zan:Ifthisdrumlife<br />
didn’tworkoutforyou,<br />
whatdoyouthinkyou<br />
wouldbedoingright<br />
now?<br />
Andy:IwouldbeaprofessionalCricketplayer.<br />
Zan:Besidesdrumming,<br />
whatelsedoyoudo?<br />
Andy:I’minvolvedinteaching,productionandconsulting.<br />
Zan:Telusabitmore<br />
aboutDrumHeadz?<br />
An<br />
Andy:DrumHeadzismy<br />
drummingacademyand<br />
studio.Itisalearning<br />
centrewhereIseeand<br />
teachmystudentsranging<br />
fromtheagesof5to45<br />
(ful-timeandpart-time)and<br />
itisalsotheplace<br />
itisalsotheplacewhereI<br />
haverecentlystarteddoing<br />
mydrumsessionsfordiferentartistsandproducers.<br />
Basicaly,DrumHeadzismy<br />
playground,amassiveroom<br />
fulofdrumswhereIgetto<br />
spendmostofmydays.<br />
IrecentlystartedarudimentalgatheringonMonday<br />
morningsatDrumHeadz.So<br />
althedrummersoutthere<br />
aremorethanwelcometo<br />
comejoinusforamorning<br />
ofrudiments,networking<br />
andjusthavingfun!<br />
andjusthavingfun!<br />
Zan:Anyadvicethatyou<br />
wouldliketogivetoup<br />
andcomingdrummers?<br />
Andy:Alwaysworkhard,<br />
endureandkeepasound<br />
atitudetowardyourfelow
learnttojustfocusonone<br />
thingatatimethesedays.I<br />
tryandmaintainasmuch<br />
balanceasIcanwhenI’m<br />
hometostayontopof<br />
thingsbutthat’snotalways<br />
possible.Irealycan’tcom-<br />
plainthough,I’mdoingwhat<br />
IloveandI’msograteful<br />
forthat.<br />
musiciansandworkcoleagues.<br />
FOLLOWANDY:<br />
Instagram:@andymaritz<br />
@drumheads_sa<br />
Twiter:@andymaritz<br />
Zan:Andy,thankyousomuchfor<br />
Facebook:Andymaritz<br />
Drumheadz<br />
Zan:Whoareyoucurentlyendorsedwith?<br />
Andy:IamcurentlyendorsedbyZildjianandBeetrootcustomdrumCo.<br />
yourtime!Onelastquestion…BackstreetboysorWestlife?<br />
Website:www.drumheadz.co.za<br />
Andy:Hahahaha…OneDirection;)
Learnfromaprofessionaldrummerwithyearsof<br />
teachingandplayingexperience,whohasworked<br />
withPlatinumandMulti-Platinumselingartists!<br />
alages beginnertoadvanced<br />
waren@warensdrumlessons.com<br />
www.warensdrumlessons.com
Zan:Whowereyourinfluencesbackthenand<br />
whodoyoulookupto<br />
now?<br />
Jason:WhenIstarted<br />
takingdrumlessonswith<br />
Bruce,heautomaticaly<br />
becameoneofmybiggest<br />
influences.IsuspectBruce<br />
wasabigDaveWecklfanat<br />
thatstage,sothisalso<br />
rurubbedofonme,andI've<br />
neverstoppedbeingabig<br />
fanofWeckl'sdrumming.<br />
Backthen,theinternet<br />
wasn'tasaccessibletome<br />
asitistoday,soIguess<br />
manyofmyinfluencescame<br />
mainlyfrombandsthatIlistenedto,likeDCTalk,Blindside,Creed,Salvador,John<br />
Mayer(particularlythe<br />
‘RoomforSquares'album),<br />
IsraelHoughton&theNew<br />
Breed,DemonHunter,<br />
Coldplay,Evanescence,<br />
Pilar,etc.Ineverrealyput<br />
actualnamestothedrummers,butIenjoyedtheway<br />
theymadethemusichappen<br />
withtheirplayingstyle.It<br />
wasonlylateronthatI<br />
startedlookingupdrummerslikeVinnieColaiuta,<br />
SteveGadd,BuddyRich,<br />
DennisChambers,John<br />
Bonham,JojoMayer,and<br />
thenmy"youngergeneration"iconslikeBennyGreb,<br />
<strong>Anika</strong>Niles,TonyRoysterjr<br />
andmorerecentlyguyslike<br />
PaulMayburyandChris<br />
"Daddy"Dave.andthelist<br />
keepsgrowing!<br />
“Backthen,<br />
theinternet<br />
wasn'tas<br />
accessibleto<br />
measitis<br />
today”
Zan:Youareoneofthe<br />
busiestworkingdrummersinthesession<br />
scene.Whatadvice<br />
wouldyougiveupcoming<br />
sessiondrummers?<br />
Jason:Inmymind,there<br />
aretwodangersthatany<br />
sessionplayerneedstobe<br />
awareof:Firstly,thedanger<br />
oflosingyourpassionfor<br />
music,andsecondlythe<br />
dangerofnotbuildingupa<br />
good<br />
goodreputation.<br />
Istatetheseconddangerin<br />
thiswayspecificalybecause<br />
thefactthatyoudon’tgeta<br />
badreputationinthemarketplacedoesn’tmeanthat<br />
youwilautomaticalygeta<br />
goodreputationeither.So,<br />
tobuildagoodreputation<br />
foryourself,Iwouldrecommendthatyoutryand<br />
exceedtheexpectationsof<br />
theguysthatyouareworkingwith.Thisobviouslyimpliesthatyoushouldknow<br />
whatitisthattheartist/bandareexpectingfrom<br />
you(sodon’tgivethem<br />
abunchofHipHopchops<br />
whentheyactualyexpecta<br />
groovy‘Country/Rock’vibe<br />
fromyou!).Tryandthink<br />
aheadandanticipatethe<br />
“Iwouldrecommendthatyoutry<br />
andexceedtheexpectationsofthe<br />
guysthatyouare<br />
workingwith”<br />
kindofthingsyoumight<br />
havetodealwithinorderto<br />
makethegigorthesession<br />
gowel.Ifyou’rerunning<br />
thetracks,makesurebefore-handthatalyourtechnologyisinorder.Ifyou’re<br />
doingabigshowwhere<br />
you’reworkingwithvarious<br />
artistsandtransitions,make<br />
sureyouknowwhenand<br />
howtocuewhichartistor<br />
whichbandmember.If<br />
you’redoingarecording<br />
session,makesu<br />
session,makesureyouhave<br />
altheright‘soundoptions’<br />
availableforthesession.<br />
Thesearealscenarios<br />
whereyouneedtotake<br />
sometimebeforethegig<br />
andmakesureyouarementalypreparedforalthe
“non-drumming”aspects<br />
thatyouwilberesponsible<br />
for.Anditgoeswithout<br />
saying,ofcourse,thatyou<br />
needtobeabletoexecute<br />
theexpecteddrumming<br />
partsforanyofthese<br />
eventsas<br />
eventsasgoodandprofessionalaspossible.<br />
Then,regardingthefirst<br />
dangerthatImentioned,<br />
makesurethatyouretain<br />
yourpassionformusic!Ina<br />
perfectworld,weassession<br />
musicianswouldplayexcitingandchalengingmusic<br />
usingamazingequipment<br />
usingamazingequipment<br />
whilejammingwithalofour<br />
bestfriendsonstage,be<br />
appreciatedandtreatedlike<br />
royaltyon-andofstage,<br />
andwalkawaywithanamazinggigfeeafterwards<br />
Unfortunately,thesethings<br />
almostnevercometogether<br />
atthesametime,soinstead<br />
ofwaitingformorefavourablecircumstances,Ihave<br />
realisedthatmyenjoyment<br />
ofwhatIdoisdependenton<br />
mychoicetofindsomething<br />
inthemusicoronthegig<br />
thatIenjoyandtolatch<br />
ontothat.Thisisobviously<br />
necessaryforyourown<br />
sanity,butmoreimportantly,<br />
whenyouenjoywhatyou're<br />
plplayingittranslatesinto<br />
yourperformance,which<br />
makesthegigsomuchmore<br />
enjoyableforalofyour<br />
felowmusiciansaswel.<br />
Zan:Youstartedplaying<br />
inchurchbandsfroman<br />
earlyagewherealotof<br />
guysstartedoutplaying<br />
drumsalso.Mostchurch<br />
bandshaveaveryfree<br />
and‘flowy’approachto<br />
musicanditcanbequite<br />
unpredictableandchallengingtoplaysometimes.Canyouseethe<br />
diferencebetweensomeonewhogrewupplaying<br />
inthatsetup?<br />
Jason:True,I'vehadtheopportunitytoplayinavast<br />
majorityofchurchband<br />
setups,andmanyofthemare<br />
notas‘flowy'aspeoplethink.<br />
Theshortanswertoyour<br />
questionis:Yes,Icandefinitelyseeadiferencebetweendrummerswhogrewup<br />
playinginchurch,anddrummerswholearnttoplay
mostlyinanacademicenvironment.Ithinkthereason<br />
forthisisprobablybecause<br />
‘academicoriented'drum<br />
developmentteachesyouto<br />
relyonthingslikecharts,<br />
notationandpredetermined<br />
ststructure.Ontheother<br />
hand,drumminginchurch<br />
veryoftenteachesyouto<br />
ratherbedependentoncues<br />
liketheleadvocal'sintensity,theworshipleader'sbody<br />
language,theatmosphereof<br />
themoment,etc.Sofor<br />
someonewhoisusedto<br />
workingwithmusicscores<br />
andnotatedstructurethe<br />
‘freeandimprovised'church<br />
bandenvironmentcanfeel<br />
quiteunpredictable,butif<br />
youlearntolookforthe<br />
rightcluesandcuesthena<br />
worshipsetinoneofthese<br />
churchescanbejustaspredictable;-)Bytheway,this<br />
contrastisnotjustlimitedto<br />
the‘churchversusenter<br />
tainment'environments,but<br />
alsoifyoucomparesomethinglikeaClassicalorchestrasetup(whichisverydependentonfolowingthe<br />
writenmusicscore)to<br />
somethinglikeaJazzor<br />
Bluesbandsetup(whichis<br />
verymuchfocusedonsolos<br />
andimprovisation).<br />
Zan:Beingaprofessionaldrummerforsolong,<br />
doyoustildealwitha<br />
lotofchalenges?<br />
Jason:Ido,mostdefinitely!<br />
However,mostofmychallengesaremorebusiness<br />
relatedthandrumrelated.I<br />
havetodealwiththingslike<br />
balancingfriendshipswith<br />
businessrelationsintheindustry,managingandmaintainingmypartnershipswith<br />
endorsementcompanies,establishingandimplementing<br />
amarketingstrategythat<br />
keepsmeinthefrontof<br />
people'smindswhenthey<br />
startlookingforasession<br />
drummer.Soyes,drummingisbyfartheeasiest<br />
partofwhatIdoinmy<br />
career;-)<br />
Zan:Haveyoualways<br />
wantedtobeaprofessionaldrummerordidit<br />
justhappenforyou?<br />
Jason:Tobehonest,I<br />
neverrealysatdownand<br />
decidedonedaythatIwant<br />
tobecomeaprofessional<br />
drummer.Lookingbackat<br />
howeverythingfelinto<br />
place,Ithinktherightdoors<br />
justopenedattherighttime<br />
justopenedattherighttime<br />
forme,andIsimplydecided<br />
tostepthroughthoseopen<br />
doors.Asmentionedearlier,I<br />
wasplayinginourchurch's<br />
bandfromaveryearlyage,<br />
whichgavemesome"field<br />
experience",andafterschool<br />
Igotrecruitedintoatouring<br />
artscompanycaled‘C-Kruis'<br />
(laterknownas‘13thFloor')<br />
whereIactualyconnected<br />
withalotofpeoplethatIstil<br />
doworkforintheindustry<br />
today,soIwouldsaythat<br />
thosetwo<br />
thosetwoyearsin‘C-Kruis'<br />
probablysetmeuptostarta<br />
careerinmusic.Ijustkindof<br />
"wentwithit":-)<br />
Zan:Doyoustilpractice<br />
alot?Ifso,whatdoyou<br />
workon?<br />
Jason:Lately,Ihavebeena<br />
bitmoreintentionalwithmy<br />
practicetimeandwithdevelopingmycraft.Alotofmy<br />
practicetimeactualygoes<br />
towardlearningnewmaterialsforanewartistthat<br />
wantstobookme,orperhaps<br />
revisitingafewoldertunes<br />
foragigthatIhaven'tplayed<br />
inalongtime.Then,every<br />
nowandthenIwouldsign<br />
myselfupforagigwithsome<br />
realyhecticmusic,which<br />
forcesmetopracticemore
thanusualtotryandnail<br />
thosesongsandgrooves<br />
thatstretchmyabilitiesasa<br />
drummertothelimit.<br />
TheotheraspectthatItryto<br />
revisitandmaintainregularly<br />
isthewayIsitwithametronome.IfindthatifIdon't<br />
practicethisregularly(just<br />
jammingwithaclickandfocusingonhitingthepocket<br />
consistently)thenIgettoa<br />
pointwheremygroovesand<br />
myfilsdon'tfeelsolidanymore.<br />
Andfinaly,Iamsteadily<br />
workingonputingtogethera<br />
sylabusthathopefulyhelps<br />
meexpandthewayIinterprettime,andhowIspace<br />
mynotesandstrokeswithin<br />
thetimeIamgiven.Inshort,<br />
Iwouldl<br />
Iwouldlovetogettothe<br />
pointwhereIamfreetostart<br />
playingaroundinsideoftime<br />
thewayIamhearingpeople<br />
likeVinnieColaiuta,<strong>Anika</strong><br />
Niles,ChrisColeman,and<br />
VirgilDonatido.I'mworking<br />
onfindingasolidmethodto<br />
onfindingasolidmethodto<br />
developthissoIcanshareit<br />
withthedrummingcommunity<br />
lateron.<br />
Zan:Mostdrummers<br />
focusontheintense<br />
partsofdrumming.The<br />
complicatedlicksand<br />
grooves.Whatdoyou<br />
thinkisthemostimportantthingalotofdrummersmiss?<br />
Jason:AsIwasmentioning<br />
alofmyinfluencesearlierI<br />
realisedthatIactualyhada<br />
tonofthemwithverydiferentanddiverse"vibes"<br />
throughoutmylife,butthe<br />
mostimportantthreadforme<br />
withea<br />
witheachoftheseinfluences<br />
ishowtheymakewhatever<br />
theyplayfeelrealygood.<br />
AndifIcangiveonepieceof<br />
advicetoalthedrummers<br />
outthereIwouldsay:listen<br />
toyourselfwhileplaying(or<br />
ona<br />
onarecordingafterwards)<br />
andaskyourself:"Doesmy<br />
playingfeelgoodwhenI<br />
listenobjectively?"Remember,yourbandmatesorthe<br />
artistsyouplayfordon't<br />
realycarehowdificultthe<br />
stufisthatyouarebusy<br />
playing.Theyjustwantitto<br />
feelgood!So,ifwhatyoudo<br />
behindthedrumsetfeels<br />
goodthenpeoplewilenjoy<br />
makingmusicwithyou,and<br />
hopefulybookyouagain.If<br />
itdoesn'tfeel<br />
itdoesn'tfeelgoodwhenyou<br />
listentoyourownplaying,try<br />
tofigureoutwhyandthen<br />
ratherfocusonfixingthat!
Zan:Drumtuningcanbe<br />
verycomplicatedtoalot<br />
ofdrummers.Doyou<br />
haveanytuningtipsfor<br />
drummerswhostruggle<br />
withthis?<br />
Jason:<br />
Jason:Wow,youarequite<br />
right:drumtuningisalways<br />
averyelusivetopic.Ithink<br />
thefirstthingtofigureout<br />
andestablishforyourselfis<br />
whatkindofsoundyouare<br />
lookingtogetfromeachof<br />
yourd<br />
yourdrums.Partofwhat<br />
makesdrumtuningsodificultisthattherearehundredsofdiferentapproaches,andalofthemwork!<br />
(.dependingonthekindof<br />
soundyouareaimingfor.)If<br />
you'reaimingforavery<br />
high-pitched,jazzytoneon<br />
yourdrumsthenplayaround<br />
withhighertensiontuning<br />
methodswhereyourbater<br />
head(thetopskin)istuned<br />
tighterthan<br />
tighterthanyourresonant<br />
head(thebotomskin).If<br />
youwantaveryopen,<br />
"ringy"kindoftonethen<br />
makesurethatbothyour<br />
baterandresonantheads<br />
aresustainingfreelyand<br />
thatth<br />
thattheyarepitchedvery<br />
closetoeachother.Ifyou<br />
wanta"thuddy"kindof<br />
retrotonethenusethicker<br />
coatedheadsandtuneyour<br />
baterheadaslooseaspossible.Ifyouwanta"clicky"<br />
tonewithadefinedatack<br />
forthose‘playasmany<br />
strokesaspossible'kindof<br />
genres,thenusesomething<br />
likeaniceandthickRemo<br />
Pinstripeheadandthen<br />
pit<br />
pitchthebaterheadmuch<br />
lowerthantheresonant<br />
headsoyoudon'tgettoo<br />
muchsustain.<br />
Butthekeyfactorinalof<br />
thesewouldbetokeepexploringandtokeeppracticingyourtuningskils.The<br />
moreyoutune,thebeter<br />
youbecomeatit!<br />
That'salthetuningtipsI<br />
canthinkofrightnow.
Zan:What’snextfor<br />
you?<br />
Jason:<br />
Jason:I'mtryingtoseeifI<br />
canexpandmyreachasa<br />
drummeroutsidethebordersofourcountryand<br />
connectwithasmanydrummersoverseasaspossible.<br />
Socialmediaobviouslyhelps<br />
withthisquitealot,butI'm<br />
buildingupmypersonal<br />
websiteasweltohelpme<br />
withthis.Idon'tthinkI'l<br />
evermovetoanothercountry(atleastnotthewayI'm<br />
feelingrightnow),butit<br />
wouldbegreattodosome<br />
internationalwork.<br />
Zan:Onelastthing.That<br />
goateelooksawesome!<br />
Howlonghaveyoubeen<br />
growingit?Isthatwhere<br />
theskilscomefrom?<br />
Jason:<br />
Jason:Haha!:-)Atthiscurrentmoment,Ihaveprobablybeengrowingthegoat<br />
forabout4yearsnow.I<br />
rarelytrimit.probablyjust<br />
becauseIamtoolazy!<br />
Itmustbewheremyskils<br />
comefromthough,because<br />
ifIlookbackathowmy<br />
drummingsuckedwhenI<br />
didn'thavethisgoateethen<br />
it'stheobviousconclusion!<br />
;-)<br />
Tobehonest,atfirstIjust<br />
letitgrowoutoflaziness,<br />
butthesedaysitseemsto<br />
havebecomeabitofa<br />
trademarkthatpeoplerecognise,soIguessI'mgoing<br />
tobestuckwithitforalitle<br />
whilelonger.<br />
Thankssomuchforthechat<br />
guys,andkeepupthegood<br />
work!<br />
www.jasondrummoser.com<br />
www.facebook.com/jason.drummer.-<br />
moser<br />
www.twiter.com/MoserJason<br />
www.instagram.com/jason_moser
y:WarenvanWyk<br />
MyfirstthoughtsaboutthenewPromarkFireGrain stickswerethatthey<br />
lookedrealyinterestingandthattheyweresomethingrealydiferentthatI<br />
withsomethingthatnootherstickbrandhaseverdone!Ipickedthemupand<br />
gavethemago.ThefirstthingInoticedwasthattheyareextremelysolid<br />
andyoucanstraightawayfeelthatPromarkarenotoverexaggeratingabout<br />
thesesticksbeingthestrongesthickorystickthattheyhaveevermade!They<br />
areavailableinaltheClassicmodelsaswelastheSelectBalancemodels.<br />
WhatmakestheFireGrain sticksdiferenttoanyothernormalhickorystick<br />
onthemarket?<br />
hadneverseeninanyotherdrumstick,ever.IhavealwayslovedhowinnovativeD’addarioaresoitdidn’tcomewithmuchsurprisethattheycameout<br />
FireGrain isarevolutionary<br />
heat-temperingprocessthattransformsordinaryhickorydrumsticks<br />
intoprecisiontoolswithunprecedenteddurability.Whilekeeping<br />
theiroriginalweight,balance,and<br />
atack,PromarkFireGrain sticks<br />
alowdrummerstohitharderand<br />
playlonger,naturaly.Noexcessvibration,nospaceagegimmicks,<br />
justnaturalhickory,hardenedby<br />
flame.<br />
FireGrain –arevolutionary<br />
heat-temperingprocessthattransformsordinaryhickorydrumsticks<br />
intoprecisiontoolswithunprecedenteddurability.<br />
Ovalwoodtipprovidesadark,<br />
warmtonesuitedformultipleapplications<br />
AlPromarkdrumsticksare<br />
designed,engineered,andmanufacturedintheUSAatourTexasfacilitytothemoststringentquality<br />
controlsintheindustry.
Barry<br />
van<br />
Zyl<br />
Africa’s<br />
Waren:HeyBary!Howisthefinaltourgoing<br />
withJohnnyClegg?<br />
drumming<br />
legend.<br />
Theman<br />
behind<br />
Johnny<br />
Cleggfor<br />
18years.<br />
It'sgoingverywel.Thereisobviouslyahugedemandfor<br />
theshows,andwhereposible,extradateshavebeen<br />
added.MostrecentlywedidtheHammersmithApoloin<br />
Londonfortwosoldoutshows,threenightsinAmsterdamandtheBerkleePerformanceCentreinBoston(also<br />
soldout).We’renowonthewaytoQuebecinCanada,<br />
andhaveanother12NorthAmericandatesoverthenext<br />
4weeks.<br />
Waren:Youhavebeenapartofthebandsince<br />
1999ifimcorect?
Ihavemanyidolsinthe<br />
drummingworldbutprobably<br />
thetopofthelistwouldbe<br />
JohnBonham.<br />
Waspursuingdrumsasa<br />
ful-timecareeralwaysa<br />
planofyours?<br />
Yes,haveyouseenmytattoos?Ididthatwiththeintentiontoneverbestuckin<br />
anoficeworkingadayjob.<br />
Youhaveplayedforalot<br />
ofbandsbeforejoining<br />
PrimeCircle.Whoare<br />
thesebandsandhowdid<br />
youlandupgetingthe<br />
gigwithPC?<br />
GabrielinNorway,abriliant<br />
backstagechatwithRobert<br />
Plantandplayingto150<br />
000peopleinMontreal.<br />
AlsobeingthefirstSAact<br />
toeverselouttheRoyal<br />
AlbertHal.<br />
Waren:Howdidyou<br />
landthegigwithJohnny<br />
andwhomdidyouplay<br />
forpriortothis?<br />
Ba<br />
Bary:I’veknownAndy<br />
Innes,theCleggbandMD,<br />
foralongtime,andwhenI<br />
camebackfromcolegein<br />
theUSAI,specificalypursuedtheinternationaltouringspace.Soitwasright<br />
place&righttime.Priorto<br />
this,IspentyearsasasessionmusicianinJHB,and<br />
mymusicalhighlightswere<br />
asamemberofthelate<br />
JohnnyFourie’sband(possiblythegreatestguitaristout<br />
ofSouthAfrica)andCanadian,BruceCassidy’s‘Hotfoot<br />
Orchestra’,whichwasan8<br />
Bary:Corect.Myfirst<br />
showisactualydocumented<br />
intheviralYouTubeclipof<br />
Madibacomingonstagein<br />
Frankfurtforarenditionof<br />
Asimbonanga.<br />
Waren:Howhasitbeen<br />
toworkwithJohnnyand<br />
thebandforthislong<br />
andcanyoutelus<br />
aboutsomeofyour<br />
highlightswithJohnny?<br />
Ba<br />
Bary:It'sbeenagreat<br />
journey,withtoomanymemoriesandhighlightsforone<br />
interview.Ilovetravelingso<br />
it'saperfectvehicleforme.<br />
Somesnapshothighlights<br />
wouldbethe46664shows,<br />
especialyMadiba’s90th<br />
birthdayconcertinHyde<br />
ParkLondonto50000<br />
people,playingwithPeter<br />
“Ilove<br />
traveling<br />
soit’saperfectvehicle<br />
forme”
hornbandplayingBruce’s<br />
compositions.(Waddyor<br />
NinjaofAntwoordfamewasa<br />
satelitemember).<br />
Waren:Havingsuchan<br />
amazingandlongjourney<br />
asJohnny’sprimary<br />
drummer,whatwould<br />
youradvicebetodrummersintermsofkeeping<br />
andmaintainingagig?<br />
Bary:Responsibility,respect<br />
forothersandreliability.<br />
Moreimportantthanplaying<br />
ability,especialyafterweek4<br />
ofa3-monthtour.<br />
Waren:BesidesJohnny,<br />
youhaveplayedandrecordedwithsomeofthe<br />
biggestmusicnamesin<br />
theworldincluding,<br />
AnnieLennox,CarlosSantana,RobertPlant,Brian<br />
May,PeterGabrieland<br />
manymore.Canyoutel<br />
ushowyougotsuch<br />
amazingopportunitiesto<br />
workwithmusiciansof<br />
thiscaliber?<br />
Bary:Bybeingopentoengagingwithpeopleand<br />
awarenessofmydiferentiatingfactors.Inotherwords<br />
culturalauthenticity.Other<br />
areasoftheworldareinterestedinwhatyour<br />
uniquenessis,notwhether<br />
you’regoodatmimicking<br />
thousandsofforeign<br />
styles.<br />
Waren:Notonlyhave<br />
youhadanextremely<br />
successfulplaying<br />
careerbuthavealso<br />
enjoyedalotofsuccess<br />
withrecordings.Can<br />
youtelusaboutsome<br />
of<br />
ofyourrecordinghighlights?<br />
Bary:Thereisdiminishingrecordingworkglobaly,<br />
butIstilgettodocertain<br />
sessions.Somerecentfavouriteswouldberecordingthepercussionforthe<br />
animationfilm‘Zambezia’<br />
(topgrossingSAmadefilm<br />
inhistory),theAnnie<br />
LennoxChristmasalbum,<br />
DieAntwoord’s‘Tension’<br />
alalbumandJohnnyClegg’s<br />
‘FinalJourney’tourlive<br />
audio&videorecordings.<br />
Waren:Whatwouldyou<br />
sayisyourpersonal<br />
careerhighlightsand<br />
whenyouthinkbackto<br />
ashow,whatwouldyou<br />
sayistheonethat<br />
standsoutaboveal<br />
the<br />
therest?<br />
Bary:IlovedtheMadiba<br />
90thbirthdayconcertin
GETTINGCREATIVEWITHTHE<br />
www.warensdrumlesons.co.za<br />
heatlevel:4/10<br />
SINGLEPARADIDDLEPART1<br />
byWarenvanWyk<br />
Therearemanydrummersouttherethatunderestimatethepowerofrudiments,especialywhenyougetcreativewiththem.In<br />
thissecondlesonweareusingthesamebasdrumpaternsthatwereusedinthefirstlesonbutwearechangingthehand<br />
paterntoonlythehihatandridecymbal.Inpart3wewilbecombiningleson1and2tocomeupwithsomeseriouslykiler<br />
paterns!<br />
Step1-UsingtheParadiddlesticking,placeyourrighthandontherideandyourleftonthehihats.Yourleft<br />
handwilcomedownonthesnaredrumonbeats2and4.Applyanacentonbeats1,2,3and4.Thishandpatternwilbeusedineachstepbutyourbasdrumpaternwilchange.<br />
1 e + a 2 e + a 3 e + a 4 e + a<br />
R L R R<br />
L R L L<br />
R L R R<br />
L R L L<br />
Step2-Addabasdrumonthe“+”of1and3<br />
Step3-Addabasdrumonthe“a”of1and3<br />
Step4-Addabasdrumonthe“e”of2and4<br />
Remembertocount,startslowandgradualybuildupyourspeed!<br />
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsonthisleson,feelfreetocontactmeat:waren@warensdrumlesons.com
A love<br />
story .<br />
byMylesRyan<br />
Haveyouevermetsomeoneanddiscusedasubject<br />
withthemthattheywereincrediblypasionateabout?<br />
They'resopasionatethatwhenyou'redonetalking<br />
youcan'tstopthinkingaboutit.It'sinfectious.It's<br />
almostlikefalinginlove.Inthiscase,itrealyislove.<br />
MeetWilem.<br />
Wilembuildssnaredrums.<br />
AndthatiswhereIfelinlove.<br />
No,notwithWilem.Imean,he'sokay.buthissnare<br />
drumsarephenomenal.<br />
IhadachatwithWilemaboutwherethisalstarted.<br />
Nowletmegetyouhooked.thankmelater.<br />
Myles:TelmeaboutIMPI.<br />
Wherediditalstartand<br />
why?<br />
Wilem:I'vebeendrumming<br />
formanyyears,sincehigh<br />
school,andalsohaveaknack<br />
forDIY,naturalytheseloves<br />
wouldmeetsomewhere.The<br />
firstthingIevertookapart<br />
wasacouchchairwhichIrefurbedandthat'swherethe<br />
woodworkbugbit.Ieventualy<br />
endedupbuildingmyselfa<br />
snaredrum.Itkindamade<br />
sensetokeepgoing.you<br />
know,ifmymusiccareerfizzlesout,Icanalwayscontinue<br />
buildingdrumswhichwould<br />
keepmeinvolvedinmusic<br />
untilI'moldandfulofarthritis.<br />
Myles:Whythename<br />
'IMPI'?<br />
Wilem:Iwantedsomething
Myles:Whatgotyouinto<br />
drumming?Wheredidit<br />
alstart?<br />
Wilem:Skateboarding.<br />
Definitelyskateboarding.It<br />
wasmyintroductiontopunk<br />
rockandheaviermusic.I<br />
hadafriendthatplayed<br />
guitarsonaturaly,likemost<br />
kids,wehadtostartaband.<br />
Iwasrealyintogroupslike<br />
Pennywise,NOFX,Propagandhietc.Manyofmyearly<br />
showswereatThrasher's<br />
SkateparkinPretoria,soit<br />
wenthandinhandwithme.<br />
Myles:Ifyouwereto<br />
giveadrumlessonright<br />
now,onthespot.tothe<br />
vilageidiot.Whatwould<br />
itbe?<br />
Wilem:Keepitsimple.A<br />
simpledrumgrooveplayed<br />
Africantoincorporatemy<br />
roots,butalsoresonantwith<br />
drumming.Ilikedtheidea<br />
thattheZuluwariorswere<br />
tough,powerfulandsolid.<br />
I'mproudlySouthAfrican<br />
andIMPIwasagoodrepresentationo<br />
sentationofthat.Africaalso<br />
hassomefantastictone<br />
woodsthatyougetnowhere<br />
else.<br />
welandintime(pocket)wil<br />
alwayssoundbeterthana<br />
complexdrumgrooveplayed<br />
sloppy.Iwouldstartbyfocusingongetingyourkick<br />
andsnaretight.<br />
Myles:Similarly.Ifyou<br />
couldgetadrumlesson<br />
fromanyone,aliveor<br />
dead,whowoulditbe?<br />
Wilem:Toughone.Zach<br />
Mayfield(Oh,Sleeper)or<br />
BrandenMorgan(Misery<br />
Signals).Neitherstickto<br />
conventionalrules.Ihear<br />
newlitlethingseverytimeI<br />
listentothem.Theyboth<br />
addanoriginalandspecific<br />
addanoriginalandspecific<br />
soundtotheirbands.<br />
Myles:Druminfluences?Excludingthe<br />
aforementioned .<br />
Wilem:AaronGilespie<br />
(Underoath),RileyBreckinridge(Thrice),MoCarlson<br />
(ProtestTheHero),Byron<br />
McMackin(Pennywise).My<br />
tasteinmusicchanged<br />
overtheyears,butIcan<br />
stillistentotheseguys<br />
stillistentotheseguys<br />
anytimeofday.Theydefinitelyshapedmystyleof<br />
playing-whichisnotparticularlysoftandsensitive!
Myles:Whatwould<br />
happenifoneofthese<br />
drummerscalsyouup<br />
andsayshewantsto<br />
playanIMPIdrum?<br />
Wilem:Iwoulddefinitely<br />
"Klap'nhartie"asIoften<br />
liketosay.ThenIwouldtry<br />
tobuildmybestdrumyet.<br />
Nodiferentfromanyother<br />
client(minustheheart<br />
atack).Mybestdrumis<br />
alalwaysthelastone.<br />
Myles:Whatmakesa<br />
drumagooddrum/instrument?<br />
Wilem:Sound.becauseit’s<br />
aninstrument.Thenlooks.<br />
Abalanceinsoundisalso<br />
rightupthere.Adrumneeds<br />
warmth,butalsoatackand<br />
power.Dodgydrumscan<br />
makeawholebandsound<br />
bad.Especialyinalive<br />
setupwherethebackline<br />
mightnotbeg<br />
mightnotbegreatandyou<br />
haveconcretefromfloorto<br />
ceiling.I'vehadmanyrough<br />
nightsatSchivaswiththose<br />
fakerockwalsanddistortingspeakers.<br />
Myles:Whatisyourpersonalpreferencewith<br />
yourownsnaredrum?<br />
Wilem:IbuiltmyselfanAfricanRosewoodshel.Idefinitelypreferadeepersnare<br />
drum.Mineis14"x61/2".<br />
Ituneitquitetight,butif<br />
it’sadeeperdrum,you'l<br />
getsomemorelowendas<br />
wel.Steelhoops.woodis<br />
abitdryforme.Myband,<br />
AtlanticGiantplaysslightly<br />
heaviermusicsoIneed<br />
heaviermusicsoIneedmy<br />
drumtobepunchy.Ilikea<br />
bigdrumwithacrack,but<br />
notclangy/ringylikea<br />
steelsnaredrum.Nogunshotring.<br />
Myles:Whatisthe<br />
futureofIMPI?<br />
Wilem:Tokeepmaking<br />
moredrums.polishmy<br />
skil.there'salwaysroom<br />
toimprove.Imightevent-
ualystartbuildingtomsand<br />
bassdrums,butfornowI<br />
justwanttogetmynameout<br />
thereasahighqualitysnare<br />
drumbuilder.Iwanttokeep<br />
itintimateandfostergood<br />
relationshipswithdrummers<br />
-c<br />
-craftauniquedrumidentityforeachofthem.Planks<br />
todrumsalbyhand.Ialso<br />
recentlystartedbuilding<br />
guitars,butthatmighteventualyfalunderitsown<br />
brand.<br />
Myles:Whatisitabout<br />
theSAdrumscenethat<br />
excitesyou?<br />
Wilem:It'sexcitingbecauseit'salwaysgrowing.<br />
ComparedtotheStatesor<br />
Europe,mostdrummers<br />
hererealyhaveapassion<br />
forit.Wedon'thavethe<br />
luxury,exposureandthe<br />
comfortsofawel-establishedsceneheresodrummersinSAhavetowork<br />
threetimesashardtoget<br />
thesamerecognition.There<br />
arelessvenuesandless<br />
promotorssodrummersin<br />
SAarerealhardworkers<br />
anditshowsintheirwork.<br />
Yougetthesedrummersthat<br />
popupoutanowhereand<br />
youquestionwherethey've<br />
been<br />
beenforthelasttenyears.<br />
They'vebeenintheirgarage<br />
practicing,thatswhere.<br />
That'stheSAdrumscenein<br />
anutshel.There'salot<br />
moreDIYherebecausewe<br />
don'thavethesameresourcesasUSbaseddrummers.ButSAdrummersare<br />
rightupthereandit'sexcitingtosee.<br />
Myles:Whatdoyouwant<br />
toseemoreofintheSA<br />
drumcommunity?<br />
Wilem:IMPIsnaredrums!<br />
I'dliketoseemorecolaborations,moreclinics,more<br />
learningfromeachother.<br />
We'reasmalpoolwitha<br />
wealthofknowledgesowe<br />
needtogettoeachother<br />
morefrequentlyandnottry<br />
toisolateourselvesforwhateverreason.Also,ifmore<br />
internationaldrummers<br />
couldvisititwouldn'thurt.<br />
Facebook:@ImpiSnareDrums<br />
wilem@impisnaredrums.co.za<br />
www.impisnaredrums.co.za
Waren:Isitthetruththatyoubroke<br />
alofyourparents’kitchenutensils<br />
whileplayingonyourownmakeshift<br />
drumkits?<br />
Al<br />
Alex:YES!MydadwasatworkwhenImade<br />
myfirstdrumset.Iusedanexercisebal<br />
andthekitchenutensils.Mymomtoldmy<br />
dadIhadbrokenthemsohecutapairof<br />
plasticcoathangersandIusedthem.<br />
Waren:Doyouplanonpayingthem<br />
backfortheutensilsonceyoubecome<br />
aRockstar?<br />
Alex:HAHA!YesIwil.<br />
Waren:Howdidyoureceiveyourvery<br />
firstproperdrumkit?<br />
ThenightIusedtheexercisebal,mymom<br />
postedapictureonFBjokingsaying,“You<br />
gotadowhatyougotadowhenyourparentswon’tbuyyouadrumset”.MyNana<br />
caledafteraboutahalfhourlaterandasked<br />
mymomtotalktome.TheytoldmeifI<br />
wantedadrumsettheywouldbuymeone.I<br />
wassohappyIstartedyelingandscreaming.Theplanwastobuyitatalocalmusic<br />
storethatSaturdaywhenIdroveupformy<br />
weeklyswimminglessons.Whenwegotthere<br />
theydidn’thaveanykidssetssotheyhadto<br />
orderit.Ittook2weeks,soeverydayI<br />
playedontheexercisebalwithmycutof<br />
coathangerswatchingeverymoveDeenCastronovomadeonthatDVD.Igotmylitle<br />
drumsetandplayeditfor4-5hourseveryday.<br />
Waren:Haveyouhadanydrumlessonsorareyoumainlyself-taught?<br />
Alex:Istartedtryingtolearnsongsright<br />
away.Myparentsfoundalocaldrum<br />
teacher,BrianRowanafterafewmonths<br />
andeventhoughIwasyoungerthanstudentshenormalytakes,hetookme.I<br />
wouldlearnsongsandhewouldgoover<br />
themwithme.I’mstiltakinglessonsfrom<br />
himandwedothesamethin<br />
himandwedothesamething,Ilearnthe<br />
songsandhegoesoverthemwithmeand<br />
smoothsmeout.Iamalsolearningto<br />
readmusic.<br />
Waren:Whowouldyousayarethe<br />
drummersthatinfluenceyouthemost<br />
atthemomentandwhichdrummers<br />
inspiredyoufromthebeginning?
Alex:FromthebeginningitwasDeanCastronovo.Ifocusedonhimandhowhe<br />
playedforalongtime.Ithenstarted<br />
watchingBrianTichywhowasplayingfor<br />
Foreigneratthetime.ToddSuchermann,<br />
MarkSchulmanandBrianHitfolowed.<br />
TodayIstilfolowalofthosedrummers<br />
andma<br />
andmanymoreIhavemetalongtheway.I<br />
lovediferentstylesofdrummersandtry<br />
andtakepartsfromalofthem.MyinfluencestodayareRichRedmondofJason<br />
Aldean.Richrealytakesthetimeandtries<br />
tohelpeveryoneineveryaspectofdrumminginthemusicbusiness.Heisnotjust<br />
anawesomeplayer,heisagreatteacher<br />
andhisdrummerweekendsareEPIC.Troy<br />
LucketaofTeslaisanothergreatinfluence,theydon’tgetanybeterthanTroy.<br />
SeanFulerofFloridaGeorgiaLine,he’sa<br />
trueentertainerandIlovethat.GlenSobel<br />
ofAliceCooperisoneofthegreatest<br />
drummersI’veeverseenaswel.Lucky<br />
LehreroftheCircleJerksisjustanawesomeplayer.Theyarealtrulygreat<br />
peopleandI’mgladtocalthemmyfriends<br />
andbeintouchwithalofthemtoday.<br />
Waren:Ifyouhadtouseonedrummertodescribeyourselfandyour<br />
drumming,whowoulditbeandwhy?<br />
Alex:IwoulddefinitelysayDeenbutItake<br />
thingsfromeachandeveryoneofthemI<br />
seebecauseeveryonehastheirownstyle.<br />
Waren:Sincetheageof4,youwere<br />
alreadylisteningtoclassicrockbands<br />
like,Journey,Foreigner,ReoSpeed<br />
WagonandStyx.Wasthisthetypeof<br />
musicthatwasalwaysplayinginthe<br />
housewhilegrowingupordidyou<br />
discoverthesebandsonyourown?<br />
Al<br />
Alex:Myparentsloveclassicrock.Thatis<br />
realyaltheyeverlistenedtountilIstartedlikingothertypesofmusic,suchasnew<br />
country.Idiscoveredthatmyselfalongwith<br />
punkrock.IstartedplayingsomeoldcountrywhenIstartedplayingwithlivebands.<br />
Waren:Ifyouhadtobethedrummer<br />
foranyband,whowoulditbe?<br />
Alex:GreenDay,GunsnRoses,Journeyor<br />
RevolutionSaints.
Waren:Isyourdreamtobecomea<br />
professionaldrummeroneday?<br />
Alex:Yes,butIwanttosingandplay<br />
Facebook:@drummerAlexShumaker<br />
Website:www.alexshumaker.com<br />
Instagram:@alexshudrums<br />
Twiter@ @alexshudrums<br />
guitartoo.<br />
Alex:Yes,Ithinkitdoes.Idon’tevenhaveto<br />
Waren:Ifyouhadtostartanyband<br />
thinkaboutwhatI’mdoing,Ijustdoit.<br />
ofyourown,whatstyleofmusic<br />
wouldthebandplay?<br />
Waren:Doyoucurentlyplayforany<br />
bands?<br />
Alex:Rock<br />
Alex:Yes,2actualy.<br />
Waren:Ifyoucouldpickanymusicianstobeinyourband,whowould<br />
theybe?<br />
1)Isayouthgroupcaled80DeGreez.We<br />
play80’srockcovers.Thebandisbasedout<br />
ofPitsburg,PA.<br />
2)I’minaduocaled,ProjectKylex.Curently<br />
Alex:Ohboy,therearesooooomanyI<br />
wouldpick!MikeDrintonBass,Tommy<br />
Henriksen&NitaStraussonGuitar,Deen<br />
CastronovoonvocalsandMichealBluestien<br />
thebandisjustmeandKylieGonvocals.<br />
KylieisfromSouthCarolina.Wehavecompletedre-recordingafewcoversandhaverecordedourfirstoriginaltobereleasedsoon.<br />
onkeyboards.<br />
Waren:Wheredoyouseeyourselfasa<br />
Waren:Ihavewatchedalotofyour<br />
drummerinthenext5years?<br />
videosandIrealyloveyourenergy<br />
andyourgreatshowmanship.Does<br />
thiscomeverynaturalytoyou?<br />
Alex:Hopefulyplayingwithabigtouring<br />
bandandwritingmyownmusic.
LucaDeBelis<br />
UpandComingSouthAfricanDrummerReaders<br />
VoteWinner<strong>2017</strong><br />
itwouldbeacoolthingtotake<br />
Waren:HeyLuca.Firstly,<br />
weldoneonwinningthe<br />
ReadersVoteforUpand<br />
ComingDrummer.Howdid<br />
thismakeyoufeel?<br />
Luca:Thankyousomuch!Tobe<br />
honest,Iwasabsolutelyblown<br />
thiscompetitiononlineIthought<br />
partinbutIdidn’teverenvision<br />
thatIwouldhavetheopportunity<br />
togoonandwinit!I’mvery<br />
meanstheabsoluteworldtome!<br />
Also,congratulationstoalthe<br />
othertalenteddrummerswho<br />
werepartofthecompetition!I’m<br />
extremelyexcitedtobefeatured<br />
awaybythesupportfromeveryonewhovoted.WhenIfirstsaw<br />
gratefultoeveryonewhosupportedandvotedforme,it<br />
insuchacoolissueofSADrummer,sothanksforhavingme!
thingtolearnfromeveryone!<br />
“EversinceI<br />
startedplayingdrumsasa<br />
kidIknewthis<br />
iswhatI<br />
wantedtodo<br />
withmylife”<br />
Waren:Whenandhowdidthedrummingbugbite?<br />
Iguessmyinfluenceshavechangedoverthe<br />
years,butdrummerssuchasZacFaroand<br />
DanielFlinthelpedinfluencemyplayingstyle<br />
Luca:Istartedplayingdrumsattheageof<br />
7.MyfatherwasadrummerandonedayI<br />
alotfromayoungage.WhileIwasstudying<br />
jazzatWits,Iwasextremelyinspiredby<br />
foundhisbrightgreenPearlExportdrumkit MarkGuilianaandhisuniqueapproachto<br />
bubblewrappedinourgarage.Iaskedhim<br />
whatitwasandheunwrappedit,setitup,<br />
drummingwhichblewmymind.LatelyI’ve<br />
beenrealyinspiredby<strong>Anika</strong>Niles,Benny<br />
andshowedmehowitworked.Hetaughtme Greb,LarnelLewis,DanMayo,andLukeHol-<br />
somebasicsandIcouldn’tgetenoughof<br />
jammingandfoolingaroundonit,even<br />
thoughmyneighborsprobablyhatedevery<br />
land,whoalhavetheirownuniqueap-<br />
proachestoplayingdrums.There’ssome-<br />
minuteofit.<br />
Waren:Haspursuingafultimecareer<br />
Waren:Whoareyourinfluencesand<br />
inmusicalwaysbeenadreamof<br />
whichdrummerwouldyousayyoulook yours?<br />
uptothemost?<br />
Luca:Yes,itdefinitelyhasalwaysbeena<br />
Luca:Thisisaverydificultquestionto<br />
answerastherearesomanyincredible<br />
dreamofmine.EversinceIstartedplaying<br />
drumsasakidIknewthisiswhatIwanted<br />
drummersdoingamazingthingsthesedays. todowithmylife.Ilaughaboutitnow,butI
oneday!”<br />
DanielFlinthelpedinfluencemyplayingstyle<br />
alotfromayoungage.WhileIwasstudying<br />
jazzatWits,Iwasextremelyinspiredby<br />
MarkGuilianaandhisuniqueapproachto<br />
Waren:Areyouself-taughtordidyou<br />
haveanytraining?<br />
drummingwhichblewmymind.LatelyI’ve<br />
beenrealyinspiredby<strong>Anika</strong>Niles,Benny<br />
startedimprovingandgetingmoreserious<br />
Greb,LarnelLewis,DanMayo,andLukeHol-<br />
land,whoalhavetheirownuniqueap-<br />
Waren:Whoaresomeoftheartists<br />
andbandsthatyouhaveplayedwith<br />
andwhatwouldyousayyourfavourite<br />
styletoplayis?<br />
Luca:Overthelastfewyears,I’veloved<br />
sessioningfordiferentlocalbands.I’vehad<br />
NativeYoung,aswelasTheMotherland,<br />
JeryandtheBandits,RaygunRoyale,Cazz,<br />
andSeptemberReigntonameafew.Ialso<br />
proachestoplayingdrums.There’ssome-<br />
thingtolearnfromeveryone!<br />
rememberbeingthatkidrunninguptoeveryoneshouting“I’mgoingtobearockstar<br />
Luca:ForthefirstfewyearsofmydrummingIwascompletelyself-taught.WhenI<br />
aboutmyplayingmyparentssentmeforprivatelessons.Eventualy,thatprogressed<br />
intostudyingadegreeinmusicandjazz<br />
drumminginordertopushmyselfandlearn<br />
asmuchaspossible.<br />
thehonourtoplayforSAMAAwardwinners-<br />
playdrumsformymainprojectcaledFolow-<br />
ingFiction,whichweaimtooficialylaunch<br />
in2018.Eachbandhassuchauniquevibe<br />
andstyleandI’vealwaysenjoyedthechallengeofbecomingasversatileaspossible<br />
withmydrumming.Playingrockhasalways<br />
beenmyfavouritestyle,butItrytodoabit<br />
ofeverythingwhenIcan.<br />
Waren:Youarealsoveryinvolvedin<br />
thetheatrescene.Canyoutelusmore
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