Working Drummer

Based in Athens, GA, Luke O’Kelley has quietly built a long resume or live work and a large portfolio of session work ranging across pop, rock, country, and folk/singer/songwriter genres. His transition from marketing work to full time music coincided with joining Airgigs, which has been integral in Luke’s remote recording income. Artists he’s played with include Matt Papa, The Welcome Home, Son and Thief, The Tuten Brothers, Zach Seabaugh, Grant Cowan, Oak House, Andrew Brantley, and more. In this episode, Luke talks about: * What makes the Athens music scene special* Avoiding imposter syndrome, but also avoiding truly getting in over your head* How setting a low session rate might attract more clients, but more low quality clients* Luke’s article on getting more remote session work* Aaron Sterling’s dirty secret* Valuing personal relationships over digital contacts* Not psyching yourself out when tracking This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale! This episode is also sponsored by Airgigs. Become a patron of the show on our Patreon page to get early access to our 7-part conversation with CEO David Blacker about how to build a profile and clientele on Airgigs.

28 Jan 20211h 12min

Nashville drummer Josh Day, has recorded and performed with top acts ranging from Sara Bareilles to John Oates, Jennifer Nettles and Brandy Clark. Josh attended Appalachian State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. After an additional year of post graduate at ASU for Musical Performance, Josh made the move to Los Angeles, where he attended the Musician’s Institute and graduated with honors in 2003. Most recently, Josh has spent a considerable amount of time recording and performing with John Oates of the famed Hall & Oates, where he is a member of John Oates and The Good Road Band. He has also spent time performing with country singer-songwriter Brandy Clark. Josh is also a member of The Contenders, an original duo project with singer-songwriter-guitarist, Jay Nash. When not touring, Josh likes to spend time in his own recording/production studio, where he writes and records songs for film and TV, and also teaches lessons. Throughout his career, Josh has also recorded and performed with many other artists, such as Carrie Underwood, Maroon 5, The Secret Sisters, Brent Cobb, The Kruger Brothers, Meiko, Jay Nash, and many, many others. In this episode, Josh talks about: * Staying productive during the shut down in 2020* Being efficient in your home studio* The importance of listening * The differences between what you learned in school and the real world* The influence of folk and bluegrass on Josh * Working with Sara Bareilles and John Oates Josh endorses, Gretsch, Big Fat Snare Drum, Zildjian and Vic Firth This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale! This episode is also sponsored by Airgigs. Become a patron of the show on our Patreon page to get early access to our 7-part conversation with CEO David Blacker about how to build a profile and clientele on Airgigs.

21 Jan 20211h 43min

Dan Bailey is a veteran musician/engineer based in Southern California.  He’s been Father John Misty’s drummer since 2014 and music director since 2017. With 20 years of studio experience, he records remote record drums and creates educational materials at my studio Trackland II.  In addition, he’s contributed to the live performances and recordings of, First Aid Kit, Reignwolf, Onerepublic, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Johnathan Wilson, Everest, Gambles, Pacific Air, Anderson East, Jon Foreman, B.o.B, Sean and Sara Watkins, Christina Aguilera and Escondido, among others.  In this episode, Dan talks about: * Compartmentalizing your various duties when recording yourself (setting up mics/tracks vs. playing vs. editing, etc.) * The all-purpose beauty of the SM-57, and when/why to invest in high-priced studio gear* How to prioritize sound treatment in your space * Not thinking of session work vs. touring work as very different in terms of playing or relationships* How people’s perception of you is shaped by what you continue to say yes to, and having to say no to change that* Why “networking,” “hustle,” and “grind,” are the wrong terms for what musicians need to do to build a career* What playing with Father John Misty has taught him about constructing drum parts Dan endorses Canopus Drums, Istanbul Agop cymbals, and Vic Firth sticks This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the new Drummer Bundle Track Pack now on sale! This episode is also sponsored by Airgigs. Become a patron of the show on our Patreon page to get early access to our 7-part conversation with CEO David Blacker about how to build a profile and clientele on Airgigs.

14 Jan 20211h 25min

The last year has affected our lives, careers, relationships, and lives behind the kit in ways we never could have imagined. We’ve all lost work, but this time has also provided opportunities to learn, improve, and grow, musically and otherwise. So for our 300th episode, we want to highlight some of our most memorable interviews of the last 100 episodes. We’re going to hear from a handful of former guests who we feel best articulated ideas that kept coming up – obviously the various ways covid was affecting the lives and careers of our guests, but also the intersectionality of the music industry and the racial justice movement, concepts around technique and technology that drummers have been exploring at home during this time, and the psychological reckoning many of us have been going through, taking stock of what really matters to us and what our priorities should be moving forward. In this Episode: * Recording techniques with Kip Allen (260), Jordan Rose (267), Grady Saxman (272), and Eric Darken (279)* Physicality and performance with Dave Weckl (269), Todd Sucherman (232), Jimmy Paxson (262), and Steve Goold (250)* Racial justice and music with Otis Brown III (276), Derrek Phillips (274), Peter Retzlaff (275), and Matt Brennan (259)* Real life priorities with Beth Goodfellow (280), Steve Sinatra (212), and Christopher Allis (284) Watch this episode here on YouTube: This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the featured mic bundle DMK57-52 This episode is also sponsored by Airgigs. Become a patron of the show on our Patreon page to get early access to our 7-part conversation with CEO David Blacker about how to build a profile and clientele on Airgigs.

7 Jan 20212h 21min

Dave Elitch first gained notoriety touring with the American progressive rock band The Mars Volta in 2009-2010. Since then he has lent his talents to Miley Cyrus, Justin Timberlake, M83, The 1975, Juliette Lewis, Big Black Delta, and many others. An established LA session player, Dave has performed on various records, syncs, and film scores for major motion pictures, including “Trolls” and “Logan.” He also conducts masterclass lectures worldwide and keeps a busy private teaching practice in Los Angeles. Dave has developed a reputation as the technique/body mechanic specialist and has helped many of the industry’s top players and educators expand their vocabulary, overcome physical/mental barriers and get out of their own way. In this episode, Dave talks about: * Treatments and techniques that treat and prevent “drumming injuries”* Finding a balance between productivity and self care * Teaching players like Gregg Bissonette and Chris McHugh* The origin story of his teaching method* Helping people to overcome their physical/mental barriers* Important reads* His online teaching program “Getting Out of Your Own Way – Redux” This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the featured mic bundle DMK57-52 Dave endorses: DW drums, Remo drumheads, Sabian Cymbals and Vic Firth sticks

17 Des 20201h 33min

Influenced by his drummer father, Cooke picked up the drums as a child, learning and playing as part of a local drum corps in Toronto before starting his own bands as a teenager.[1] After high school, he took his talents to the recording studio and the national stage, recording and/or touring with the likes of FM, Lee Aaron, Strange Advance, Marc Jordan, Rik Emmett, Amy Sky, Sass Jordan, Kim Mitchell, Alannah Myles, and Alanis Morissette, and quickly emerged as one of Canada’s top session musicians.[2] In 2004, Cooke relocated to Los Angeles and has since worked with some of music’s biggest names. Shortly after his move, he was selected to record and tour with Dave Stewart of Eurythmics. Impressed, Stewart recommended Cooke to Ringo Starr, who was looking for a band to back him up as he began the promotional circuit for his solo album, Liverpool 8. Cooke got the spot and would accompany Starr on drums on The Rachel Ray Show and at the European Capital Of Culture Celebration, among other major appearances.[1] Since moving to the US, he has also toured and/or recorded with Five for Fighting, Kelly Clarkson, Hilary Duff, Natasha Bedingfield,  Colin Hay (of Men at Work), Pointer Sisters, Mick Jagger, David Archuleta, Mandy Moore, and Taylor Hicks.[3] He has also appeared on Jay Leno, David Letterman, Regis & Kelly, A&E Private Sessions, Larry King, CBS Early Show, The View, and Martha Stewart. In this episode, Randy talks about: * Getting video of EVERYTHING he does in the studio* His criteria for returning to travel work* The lasting influences of Stewart Copland and Steve Gadd* Getting multiple mini-lessons out of learning one short groove or fill* Habits from live playing that don’t serve you in the studio* Why LA was the place for him * The separate worlds of networking for live work vs. session work

10 Des 20201h 17min

Mike Zimmerman is a drummer and producer in Nashville Tennessee. Mike started playing drums at age 14 after playing the guitar for a year. Drums appealed more to Mike probably due to his mother being a rhythm player in the traditional Serbo-Croatian folk scene in the Cleveland area. This atmosphere rubbed off on Mike to seek out the uncommon, yet traditional sounds in the music around him. After years of playing in the Cleveland music scene, Mike decided to uproot his small family and move to Nashville to give it a real go. After getting to know the landscape, Mike landed his first artist gig with Doug Stone. He then had the great opportunity to play with other artists such as Earl Thomas Conley, Tracy Byrd and Jamie O’Neal. Years of touring, sessions and odd-jobs finally led to a gig with legendary singer Kenny Rogers. This also led to opportunities to play with other artists such as Linda Davis, Billy Dean and even Lionel Richie! Mike has had the honor and pleasure of playing all over the world. In this episode, Mike talks about: * Growing up in a musical family in Cleveland, OH* Making the move to Nashville, TN* Getting the Kenny Rogers gig* Gigs that prepared him for high profile artist gigs* Traveling the world with Kenny* Producing tracks from home This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the featured mic bundle DMK57-52 Mike endorses Sabian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Yamaha drums and Beier Snare Drums

3 Des 202055min

Peter Erskine is a drumming legend and a friend of WDP. He has appeared on WDP more than any other drummer, and for good reason. As we near the end of 2020, Peter shares how the year has affected him as a performer and educator. On November 21 and 22, he’ll be performing a livestream concert as part of Drumhead Live https://live.champion.biz/. In this episode, Peter talks about * How he adapted his home studio into a multi-cam, multi mic teaching suite* Using the virtual platform to help his students up their audio game* Things he misses and doesn’t miss about pre-COVID times* The psychological shift he made partway through the pandemic * His upcoming livestream performance for Drumhead Live https://live.champion.biz/* Improving through subtraction rather than addition* An engineer’s mixing trick * His new Tama signature snare Peter endorses Tama drums, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth sticks, Remo heads, Roland V-Drums, Meinl percussion, and Zoom recorders This episode is sponsored by Shure Microphones. Check out the featured mic bundle DMK57-52

19 Nov 20201h 29min