114 – Angela Lese: Drumming for The Dead Deads, Cultivating a Strong Fan Base, From “Regular Job” to Touring Musician

Steve Brewster has lived and worked in Nashville as a session player for over 20 years. A native Tennessean, Steve attended MTSU on a full music scholarship and studied jazz at UT-Knoxville. He moved to Nashville in 1988, after touring early on with country artist, Janie Fricke, and CCM artist, Michael W. Smith. Shortly after moving to town, Steve was embraced by the Nashville studio community and developed a steady and high-profile studio career, which he has maintained to this day. His passionate and creative musical approach, combined with his diverse, eclectic taste have afforded him the opportunity to contribute in a wide range of musical situations ranging from Rock to Pop, to Country, Contemporary Christian and Gospel. Steve has recorded with artists including Bob Seger, Jewel, Deirks Bentley, Chicago, Michael W. Smith, Faith HIll, Sara Groves, Amy Grant, and Richard Marx. He is a devoted husband and father, and, along with a busy studio schedule, he enjoys a strong family life. In addition to being involved in sessions around the Nashville area, Steve has developed and is involved at his own studio, “Brewbeat”. In this episode, Steve talks about: * Helping to create the sound, style, brand of the artist your drumming for* Seeing the chart on the session as a “portal” into what to play* Tapping into the “muse” when the red light goes on* Using diversity as a strength not a weakness* Applying your thumbprint to the music with varying degrees * Steve’s home studio space  Steve endorses Paiste Cymbals and Innovative Percussion Sticks

13 Helmi 20201h 35min

Cole’s style ranges from Neo Soul to 70’s inspired yacht rock. His journey as a musician started as a drummer. Attending Georgia State University, Cole studied 5 years towards a degree in Jazz Studies. Cole quickly became a well known drummer in Atlanta, playing with artists such as The Shadowboxers, Kenny Loggins, Larkin Poe, Faye Webster, ATL Collective, and more. He has also appeared on stage with Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris, Little Big Town, Reba McEntire, Hunter Hayes, Phillip Phillips, and Lucie Silvas. He spent five years in based in Nashville, touring and recording with The Shadowboxers. The band recently decided to relocate to LA, but Cole chose to move his family back home to Atlanta where he can focus on his new creative goals, including making groove-driven Christian music with a more personal message. In this episode, Cole talks about: * Being in Nashville, but dedicated exclusively to the Shadowboxers* Opening for Justin Timberlake on the Man of the Woods tour* The factors in his decision not to follow the band to LA* His new original project, and the new ideas he’s trying to bring to Christian music* The importance of simplicity in music, despite the endless availability of digital sounds and techniques ​ Cole endorses Pearl drums, Istanbul Mehment cymbals, and Vic Firth sticks.

6 Helmi 20201h 8min

Wherever Neil Peart ranks in your list of drumming greats, it’s safe to say that he has influenced more drummers and musicians than just about any other drummer in modern history. The ripple effect of his passing can be felt across the drumming community in a way not experienced since Buddy or John left us. Neil not only inspired many to pickup the sticks, he made it made it cool to be smart and well read. He made us want to ride our bikes, write lyrics, go on hikes, use big words unabashedly and pursue all things with integrity. Many of us ask ourselves, “What’s the most excellent thing I can do today?” That’s what Neil asked himself every day.

30 Tammi 20201h 37min

Harold Brown is a drummer/producer from Atlanta, GA. He is originally from Savannah, GA but relocated to Atlanta in September of 2012. Harold has been playing drums professionally for over 12 years with various artists and music groups such as Phil Kaeggy, Jacob Banks, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, and Housefires among many others. Harold is currently touring with U.K. singer and songwriter Jacob Banks as his drummer. While touring full time with Jacob Banks, Harold enjoys producing and playing studio sessions remotely and off the road locally. In this episode, HB talks about: * His activity in the CCM world before joining Jacob Banks’ band* The value of recording an album as a band, all in the same room* Playing with Atlanta bassist and producer Robby Handley* Lowering the dynamic ceiling* His “less is more” approach to drumming, arranging, and production HB endorses SE Electronics Microphones, Alclair Ear Monitors, Vater drumsticks, and Shy Baffles

23 Tammi 20201h 8min

Matt Starr is a drummer, singer, producer, career coach and public speaker. As a drummer, Matt has built a reputation for working with some of rock’s most influential musicians including Ace Frehley (KISS), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow), Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot)and most recently alongside Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert in Mr. Big.  He has also worked with members of Guns ‘n Roses, Bon Jovi andWhitesnake.   In the studio Matt has recorded with producers Jimmy Bralower (VP A&R Atlantic Records, Madonna, Mick Jagger, Joan Jett), Toby Wright (Metallica, Alice In Chains, Korn), Mike Chapman (Blondie, The Knack, The Sweet), Dave Bianco (AC/DC, Tom Petty, KISS), Anthony Focx (Aerosmith, Foreigner) and Warren Huart (Aerosmith, The Fray). His workshop Turning Passion Into A Career has taken Matt around the world speaking to musicians and non-musicians in both academic and corporate settings. Matt endorses, Ludwig Drums, Paiste Cymbals, DW hardware, Vater sticks and Remo drumheads

16 Tammi 20201h 20min

Southpaw drummer Eric Kalb is a versatile musician who enjoys playing groove based music. A devotee of R&B and Soul drumming, his improvisational aesthetic is colored by sudden bursts of rock aggression. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Eric is a multi-faceted studio and touring drummer whose “energetic and exhilarating style” (Jazz Times) keeps him in constant demand. Over the course of his twenty-year career Kalb has taken to both studio and stage with a dazzling cavalcade of influential and innovative artists. He’s laid it down hard for the supernatural force of Miss Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, the seven-string guitar wizardry of Charlie Hunter, jazz guitarist John Scofield and living organ Legend Dr. Lonnie Smith; to name but a few. In this episode, Eric talks about: * How he got into Soul and R&B music* Being part of the Sharon Jones “machine”* John Scofield’s “hands-off” style of bandleading* Making Southpaw, his first record as a leader* The many ways success can be defined Eric endorses DW drums, Istanbul Mehmet cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, and Evans heads

9 Tammi 20201h 15min

Steve Goold plays drums in recording studios and on live stages as well as working as the Lead Music Director at CCV in Phoenix AZ, where he lives with his wife and daughters. Steve also runs a drum lesson website called The Drum Library. As of 2019 Steve works regularly with Nashville-based artists Ben Rector and Mat Kearney, and occasionally with other artists like Cory Wong, Joel Hanson, Cody Fry, and Sara Groves. In the past, Steve has performed and/or recorded with Owl City, Sara Bareilles, Paul Baloche, Marc Martel, Caitlyn Smith, Yam Haus, Carly Rae Jepsen, Jason Gray, The Blenders, Michael Tait, The Honeydogs, Yuna, Cloud Cult, Go Fish, Larnelle Harris, and many others. Check out this 2015 recording of Steve on this indie recording project that was completely improvised under the band name MaSSs (How I Killed a Bear) In this episode, Steve talks about:  * Identifying weaknesses and tackling it* Prepping for gigs* The unique demands of a church drummer* The ability to perform without a good mix * “Modern Drumming” and tasteful uses of electronics Steve plays Risen Drums and Paiste Cymbals exclusively. All the sticks/mallets/brushes Steve uses are made by Vic Firth, and all of my drums have Remo heads on them. Steve uses Alclair IEMs and a bunch of various items made by Tackle Instrument and Index Percussion. Big Fat Snare Drum named their “Donut” model after Steve.

2 Tammi 20201h 40min

Tom Knight came to prominence in the 90’s as a first call of producer Dallas Austin. Through Austin, Tom toured and recorded with TLC, Adam Nitti, Michael McDonald and many others. After more than a decade of solid road work, Tom took a step back from touring and playing live, and began a somewhat accidental second career in voice-overs. As a voice actor, Tom’s credits include Disney, BMW, and an Emmy-Award winning performance for Crown Royal. Tom is still active as a session drummer, mostly in his home studio in Atlanta. In this episode, Tom talks about: * The influence and friendship of Dave Weckl* An intensive season of shedding with Jeff Sipe* Being able to hear and feel music in different ways as you get older* Teaching at the Atlanta Institute of Music & Media* The recording process with producer Dallas Austin* Getting into the voice-over profession Tom endorses Yamaha drums, Zildjian cymbals, and Vic Firth sticks.

19 Joulu 20191h 43min