359 - Clifford Koufman: Studying Drumming in West Africa, Completing the Cycle of Music Through Sharing, "Clif Chats" Interview Series

Russ Lawton has spent most of his career in and around New England from Cape Cod to Boston to Burlington Vermont. For almost 25 years, he has been the drummer for the Trey Anastasio Band. He also has an organ trio project called Lamp that is about to release their second record and tour in support of it, and has played with countless other bands and artists from blues to Afro beat. In this episode, Russ talks about His early career, moving through Cape Cod, Boston, and Woodstock NY Infusing afrobeat into his mating early on   Being a lifelong “band guy” Playing with Trey Anastasio, and Trey building songs around Russ’s grooves  The LaMP project and their “no chops” approach

13 Mar 20251h 5min

Robert Blair is a Nashville TN based drummer with decades of live and studio experience. Originally from South Carolina, Robert's early love and commitment to drumming led him to working and touring by the age of 16 with players many years his senior. At the age of 21, he made the move to Nashville where he's built a reputation as a solid and reliable player with a professional sound. Not only does Robert stay busy in Nashville, live and in the studio, he has become the first call sub for country super star Martina McBride as well as the iconic pop band Wang Chung. In this episode Robert talks about: His early interest in drumming Acclimating to Nashville and it’s scene Learning from Nashville’s legends Finding ways to nurture growth in your playing Staying “awake” when performing The power of therapy Being your authentic self Communicating the time feel from the count off to the last chorus Subbing on the Martina McBride gig Subbing with Wang Chung

6 Mar 20251h 40min

Jose Medeles is the owner of Revival Drum Shop in Portland and the author of several books including The Stoic Drummer. In his former life, Jose was an LA based working drummer and toured and recorded with The Breeders and many other artists, and also did a stint working at the famed Pro Drum Shop in Hollywood. Most recently, Jose became the brand manager for the relaunch of Slingerland Drums. In this episode, Jose talks about: His LA-based playing career prior to moving to Portland and opening Revival Working at Hollywood Pro Drum and learning the value of connection and community from Stan and Jerry  Making the decision to leave the road and move out of LA, and grieving the loss of his old life while embracing his new life  Recognizing when making a sacrifice for an opportunity is or isn't worth it Revival Drum Shop’s origin story and mission HIs new role as brand manager for Slingerland Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

27 Feb 20251h 16min

Rich Scannella has played for some of the most iconic superstars in the music industry. Rich has played, toured, and or recorded with legendary artists: Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Gaga, Jon Bon Jovi & The Kings of Suburbia, Tonic, Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem), Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Joe Elliot (Def Leopard), Neal Schon (Journey), Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Gene Cornish (The Rascals), and Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf), to name a few. He has toured the USA, Europe, UK, Japan, Canada, and South America. Rich began drumming at age 9 under the direction of his father, Joe, a band leader and Juilliard graduate. It was in his father’s jazz band that Rich first gained invaluable experience, and he turned pro at age 16 by joining the Trenton Musicians Union Local #62. His dad’s influence soon gave way to a love of rock & roll and he never looked back. Along the way he attended New York City’s premier drum school Drummers Collective. Hungry for all the knowledge he could get, he focused intense study with session great Bernard Purdie and Saturday Night Livedrummer Shawn Pelton. By the 2000’s Rich had become an in-demand player both live and in the studio; appearing on TV shows and movie soundtracks including Dog The Bounty Hunter and One Tree Hill, in addition to the Jennifer Hudson and Amy Adams movie Lullaby. Since 2011 Rich has been the drummer for Jon Bon Jovi & The Kings of Suburbia. He continues a full schedule of playing, recording and teaching, and can be found sitting proudly behind his kit most nights of the week. Rich Scannella endorses DW Drums, Paiste Cymbals and Vater Drumsticks, and AHEAD products. In 2014 Rich Scannella began teaching at Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. As of June 2021, Rich has been playing and touring with Tonic. In this episode Rich talks about:    Being a “polite pain” to grow your social circles   How to inspire as an educator    Staying focused and self motivate   Drumming for Tonic as well as Bon Jovi and the Kings of Suburbia    Playing live without a click    Big ears, Big Eyes”    Rich’s book “Ghost Notes”    Subbing for Tico Torres   One off gigs with Springsteen Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

20 Feb 20251h 46min

A native of South Florida, percussionist Murphy Aucamp studied classical percussion at Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, while simultaneously studying rumba in the streets of south Florida. He is a graduate of the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music, where he studied under Steve Rucker, Dafnis Prieto, and John Yarling. Murphy’s performing credits include appearances with Blue Man Group, Gloria Estefan, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Quincy Jones, and Nu Deco Ensemble, He has toured internationally with trumpeter Brian Lynch’s “Spheres of Influence” band, and contributed arrangements and percussion on two Grammy-winning albums: “The Omni-American Book Club” – Brian Lynch Big Band, and “American Dreamers” – John Daversa Big Band. He currently resides in New York City, where he performs in the acclaimed off-Broadway show, Blue Man Group. In this episode, Murphy talks about: Growing up in Miami and getting exposed to all kinds of music and instruments at an early age Studying drumset at University of Miami with Dafnis Prieto and Steve Rucker Playing with Blue Man Group, and the ways it allowed for individual personalities to shine A Latin and orchestral approach to drumset - layering parts and timbres rather than hammering backbeats How listening to piano and vocalizing helps him develop drumset vocabulary Translating Afro-Cuban percussion onto drumset Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

13 Feb 20251h 13min

Tim Baltes is a drum-centric American music professional living in Nantes, France. Tim has accrued years of social strategy, copywriting, product development, and MI retail operations experience bolstering manufacturers, distributors, and retailers alike. Tim has advised drummers including Curt Bisquera (Johnny Hallyday, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Tom Petty), Michael Urbano (Sheryl Crow, Smash Mouth, Third Eye Blind), and Nic Collins (Phil Collins, Genesis), educating them on audio engineering, audio/video editing techniques, and content marketing strategies. In this episode Tim talks about:     ◦    Adjusting to living and working in France     ◦    Creating real friendships thru social media connections     ◦    The differences between IG and YouTube     ◦    Being authentic on social media     ◦    His drumless loops - Sloux     ◦    Streamlining content creation Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

6 Feb 20251h 39min

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  Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

30 Jan 20251h 33min

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 Here's our Patreon Here's our Youtube Here's our Homepage

22 Jan 20251h 31min