469 - Brandon Combs: Playing with Leon Bridges, Studying with Ndugu Chancler, Nashville vs. LA
Brandon Combs is a drummer, programmer, and producer hailing from Lansing, Michigan. Destined to be a great musician, Brandon has been involved with the Grammy Foundation since the young age of 15, attending their Grammy Camp programs in 2009 and 2010 via full ride scholarship. Now living in Nashville, Brandon recently obtained his BM in Popular Music Studies from the University of Southern California (2015). Currently on tour with Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Bridges, Brandon’s skill, versatility, and professionalism have also allowed him to work with many different world-renown artists across multiple genres such as Keith Urban, Raphael Saadiq, Moses Sumney, Lupe Fiasco, NIIA, Gallant, Chris Bullock of Snarky Puppy, and many more. Some of his most recently completed projects include recording drums on John Legend’s A Legendary Christmas album (2019) and the entirety of jazz-pianist Mark De Clive Lowe’s double album Heritage (2019). He’s also put his hands into music production, co-producing the song “Famous” off of The Internet’s Grammy-nominated album Ego Death (2016). In this episode, Brandon talks about: Covering the many vibes and sonic palates in Leon Bridges' evolving catalogue Getting on the same page about drum sounds with FOH sound people Archiving snare sounds in his studio Organic relationships leading to his best and biggest opportunities Studying with Ndugu Chancler and others at USC What it means to know a whole song His thoughts on Nashville vs. LA His outlook as he's about to become a dad
16 Touko 20241h 9min
468 - Justin Amaral: New Record: LIFE IN GROOVELAND - The Hymnal, Practicing Movement and Visualization as a Technique, Creating Opportunities
Justin Amaral first made a name for himself touring the country in the jam band scene, leading to shows with Mike Gordon of Phish and a profile in Modern Drummer’s (April, 2004) “On The Move” column. After world tours with alt-country guit-steel legend Junior Brown, Justin relocated to Nashville and quickly became first call for many of Nashville’s finest players and songwriters including Paul Burch, Tim Carroll, Fats Kaplin, Jon Byrd, Charles Butler and the late, great David Olney. In addition, Justin has performed and recorded with Jim Lauderdale (Late Night with Conan O’Brien), Laura Cantrell, Michelle Wright, The Wild Iris Brass Band feat. Jeff Coffin, Dennis Crouch, Milan Miller, Mike Farris, Layton Howerton, Tommy Womack, Chris West and many more. Justin maintains an active performing and recording schedule working at some of Nashville’s most prestigious studios like Blackbird, Creative Workshop and the Hen House as well as venues like The Bluebird, The 5Spot, The Exit/In and Roberts Western World. In 2024 Justin released a collection of traditional hymns re-imagined as world beat instrumental duets called LIFE IN GROOVELAND - The Hymnal. Each track features a different instrumentalist. In this episode, Justin talks about: Heeding the call to do your own thing The origin of his new record: LIFE IN GROOVELAND - The Hymnal Creating your own opportunities Jump starting the creative process The inspiration of Drum and Fife Practicing movement and visualization as a technique
9 Touko 20241h 37min
467 - Ty Bailie: B3 Organ and All Things Keys from Seattle to LA to Nashville, Buying Into an Artist's Vision, Being Musically Agnostic
Ty Bailie is currently on tour with Mitski playing keys and organ. He moved to Nashville in 2021 after a stint in LA where his main gig was touring with Katy Perry. Since coming to Nashville, he has also performed with Joss Stone, Don Felder, Tanya Tucker, Wilder Woods, and his own group Uncle Bronco featuring Petar Jancic on drums and Adam MacPhail on guitar. In this episode, Ty talks about: Touring with Mitski, and buying into at artist's vision Being musically agnostic and seeing validity in all types music, musicians, and music fans What makes a good organ drummer - "don't panic" Moving from Seattle to LA to Nashville, and the differences between those scenes Finding different versions of yourself while still being yourself
2 Touko 20241h 23min
466 - Finch: FDS Drum Services, Managing your Time as a Self Employed Person, Learning New Skills
Born in Northern New Jersey, Finch grew up with an unwavering love for drums that shaped his life's path. Before his eventual move to Nashville Tennessee in late 2020, Finch spent time in the US Army as well as working in the insurance world. Shortly after his move to Nashville, his dream was realized by the founding of FDS Drum Services, a drum tech service that includes repairs, restorations, custom heads, tour teching & so much more. FDS quickly gained recognition through Finch’s dedication as well as the overwhelming support from the Nashville drumming community. Beyond providing professional drum services, he actively contributes to the community by hosting drummers' hangs, fostering networking, and uplifting fellow musicians. In this episode, Finch talks about: Managing your time as a self employed person Utilizing your network to get things done Always learning new skills Being ready when shit goes wrong on stage Reviewing five different drummers he’s teched for Creating financial security Focusing on physical and mental health
25 Huhti 20241h 42min
465 - Steve Picataggio: Straddling the Worlds of Jazz and Musical Theatre in NYC,
Steve Picataggio has lived in New York for over a decade and has stayed busy on the jazz and musical theatre scenes there. He has toured with The Hot Sardines, The Four Phantoms, and others, and is active on the New York jazz scene playing everything from trio to big band. He is a graduate of University of North Florida where he studied with Danny Gottleib and Ulysses Owens Jr., and NYU where he studied with Billy Drummond. He is also active as an educator, with students from age 4 to adult as well as at the collegiate level. In this episode, Steve talks about: His fully remote college gig Touring with The Four Phantoms Why he loves rehearsing The mentorship and influence of Matt Wilson and Bill Drummond How cutthroat attitudes are mostly gone His love of accompanying singers
18 Huhti 20241h 26min
464 - Yamil Conga: Playing with Artist Frank Ray, Diversifying your Portfolio, The Origin of the Conga in American music
Yamil Conga is a percussionist and drummer with over 20 years of experience playing a vast array of musical genres in live venues, music videos and in the studio. A native of Puerto Rico and a current resident of Nashville, Yamil has benefitted from a vast array of musical influences. Salsa runs in Yamil’s blood due to his father, singer songwriter, Eladio Jimenez, who wrote and produced for several Latin giants. Knowing that music has no boundaries, Yamil’s mission is to make people fall in love with the art of live performance and foster a new generation of percussionists. Yamil tours nationally and internationally bringing educational lectures on the conga drum and salsa music. He is currently the percussionist and DJ for Country artist Frank Ray. Yamil rounds out his calendar performing with corporate bands as well as performing as a soloist as a drumming DJ. In this episode, Yamil talks about: Diversifying your "portfolio” Being proactive with your daily activities The evolution of the drumming/DJ thing Playing with artist Frank Ray Lecturing on the origin of the conga in American music The influence of his father’s legacy Percussion advice for drum set players
11 Huhti 20241h 33min
463 - Tom Jorgensen: Playing on the "Beetlejuice" Tour, Studying with Michael Carvin, A Sound-Oriented Approach
Tom Jorgensen is an active and highly-requested drummer, session musician, composer, and mixing engineer based in New York City, currently on the first national tour of the Beetlejuice Broadway musical. Tom is a graduate with a BFA from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in NYC, where he studied with jazz legends such as Reggie Workman, Charli Persip, and privately with Master Drummer Michael Carvin, with whom a mentorship continues to this day. Tom frequently performs with the internet sensation Post Modern Jukebox, having toured with the group extensively in the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. His career has also taken him abroad throughout Europe, South America, French Polynesia, and the Caribbean while acting as Music Director onboard Holland America Cruise Line. In this episode, Tom talks about: The broad range of genres and drumming styles in the “Beetlejuice” show Auditioning for a Broadway tour vs. being offered the gig outright The “authenticity meter” in relationship building What it means to have a sound-oriented approach His experience studying with Michael Carvin at The New School in New York What good relationships look like - if one person wins, we all win “Go, do, be, have” in that order
4 Huhti 20241h 12min
462 - Matt Muckle: Drumming for Kingdom Come, Shedding Negative Energy from your Life, Finding Your Own Voice
Matt Muckle is a Pittsburgh based drummer who has worked with and toured with acts such as Paul Gilbert, Lynch Mob, Buckcherry, John Waite and many others. He is currently recording with and preparing to tour with the band Kingdom Come. This legendary rock band formed in the late 80’s and with Matt as their new drummer, continues to entertain their committed and string fan base. In this episode, Matt talks about: Who inspired him to pursue a career in music Working and recording with Kingdom Come Shedding negative energy from your life His experience in Los Angeles Teaching and producing in a mentorship style Finding your own voice Being proactive for your career
28 Maalis 20241h 2min
