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

Shawn Zorn is a drummer from Memphis, TN who now splits his time beween Nashville and Memphis. He has performed or recorded with artists such as Twin Forks, Allen Mack Myers Moors (featuring Zach Myers of Shinedown) Amy LaVere, Will Sexton, Cory Branan, Mike Doughty (Soul Coughing), Anthony Raneri (Bayside), Dashboard Confessional, Susan Marshall, Luther Dickinson, John Paul Keith, and more. He is a creative studio performer who does sessions in the Nashville or Memphis areas and also records remotely from his studio in Memphis. In this episode, Shawn talks about: What got him a foothold in Nashville, but why he ultimately prioritizes Memphis Tracking drums vs. mixing drums The unique process/experience of recording with Mike Doughty Creating a sample pack and finding a marketable angle for it A few of the Memphis drummers that have influenced him

14 Okt 202158min

In 2021, drummer Dave Moraata become the newest member of the band Saving Abel. Originally from a small Mississippi town (Philadelphia), Dave eventually made his way to Nashville, Tennessee in 2017. In between raising a young family and holding down a full time job, Dave took every opportunity to introduce himself to the rock scene in Nashville through jam nights, tribute shows and subbing gigs for other drummers. His dedication and attitude paid off when a chance encounter with the original singer for Saving Abel turned into a touring and recording gig of a lifetime. In this episode, Dave talks about: Humble beginnings in Mississippi and making the move to TN Finding his voice at jam nights, tribute shows in Nashville Getting the gig with Saving Abel Dave’s personal experience in Nashville Learning from podcasts like Drummer’s Resource, Big Fat Five and WDP

7 Okt 20211h 36min

Sam Merrick has been in the drum chair for the touring production of Hamilton since January 2018. Prior to that, he was a busy freelancer in New York, working a bartending job for some of that time, and playing a wide range of gigs from weddings to Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. When the pandemic shut down Hamilton, he relocated to the Washington, DC area and set up a home studio where he has done remote tracking and a sample pack which he has just released through The Drum Broker. In this episode, Sam talks about The random wedding gig that led to the Hamilton gig The various learning curves the show presented, from reading to energy How the show forced him to reckon with some physical issues Creating "normal" life away from home "De-Hamilton-izing" his playing over the break, and seeking out inspiration and motivation from others rather than waiting it for to come from within The sample pack partnership between drummer, producer (Jeremy Page) and platform (Drum Broker)

30 Sep 20211h 8min

As a drummer/percussionist, producer, engineer, arranger, songwriter, conductor and composer Chuck Palmer has performed and recorded with a myriad of artists including Foreigner, AG, Gil Goldstein, RJD2, Frank Ocean (Channel Orange), Dave Eggar, Esperanza Spalding, Norah Jones, Cellogram, Dr. Ralph Stanley, The City And Horses, John Patitucci, Earwig, Five For Fighting, Amber Rubarth, O.A.R., Waway Saway with the Talaandig Tribe, and Amy Lee of Evanescence. In this episode, Chuck talks about: Using your skills and expertise as a drummer to produce, engineer, mix, write and create  His experiences and growth as a musician in New York City  Collaborating with cellist, pianist and composer Dave Eggar Conducting and creating string arrangements for the band Foreigner

23 Sep 20211h 22min

Cameron Tyler has been based in Las Vegas since 2017, where he is involved with numerous shows including Cirque du Soleil's Ka. He spent the first chapter of his career in Los Angeles learning the ropes of touring and recording, but relocated to Vegas in search of more affordable housing and studio space, and more creative autonomy as a drummer and producer. In this episode, Cameron talks about: Why he chose to relocate to Vegas, and how he got involved with Ka How reading and Ableton are table stakes for most Vegas gigs The importance of treating your space for optimal sound The piece of gear that has upped his mixing game

16 Sep 20211h 17min

Bobby Jarzombek is currently the drummer for progressive metal band Fates Warning, vocalist Sebastian Bach, and country music legend George Strait. He has also recorded and toured extensively with the Halford band, featuring legendary Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford as well as the long-running New York City metal institution Riot. Bobby made his recording debut with Juggernaut on "Baptism Under Fire" in 1986. Other touring and recording credits include his work with Spastic Ink, CED Earth, Demons & Wizards, Rob Rock and John West among others. In this episode, Bobby talks about:    Early interests that shaped his drumming    Tracking from home for different projects    Getting the gig with George Strait    Adapting to changes in live performances

9 Sep 20211h 2min

George Sluppick is an American drummer born in Memphis, Tennessee, specializing in blues, funk, soul and R&B music. In 1986, he graduated from Overton, a prestigious creative & performing arts high school. Growing up in Memphis, he shared the stage with many legends, including BB King and Rufus Thomas and just one year after his high school graduation at age 19, he went on the road with blues guitarist Albert King. He has since played with Charlie Hunter, JJ Grey & MoFro, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, and many others, and has just released a Memphis-infused sample pack through Yurt Rock. In this episode, George talks about: The process of creating and marketing his new sample pack Why he moved from his hometown of Memphis to the smaller town of Greensboro, NC The influence of Idris Muhammed and the idea of genre-free drumming

2 Sep 20211h 9min

Joe McCarthy has led a diverse career as drummer/percussionist, bandleader, producer and educator in a myriad of settings from symphony orchestra to bebop, big band, afro cuban, theater and beyond. Joe is the founder, leader, producer and drummer of The New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band, winner of the 2008 Latin Grammy for Latin Jazz Album of the Year, and nominated in the same category for the 51st Grammy Awards for the Heads-Up release “Afro Bop Alliance”, featuring Dave Samuels. Active in education, Joe has held adjunct appointments at the collegiate level since 1992 upon graduating from the University of North Texas with a Masters in Percussion Performance. Previous adjunct positions include Texas Wesleyan University, Delaware State University, Georgetown University, George Mason University and Washington College. As a clinician, Joe has been a featured performer and clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), Jazz Educators Network International Convention (JEN), numerous PAS Days of Percussion, MusicFest Canada, The National Jazz Workshop, George Mason University Summer Jazz and Percussion Seminars, The Jazz n Youth Exchange of Germany, and many others. Joe has been featured at many of the nation’s top collegiate music institutions and festivals, in addition to numerous high school jazz festivals as a guest soloist, clinician and adjudicator. As an author, Joe is published by Alfred music with “Joe McCarthy’s Afro Cuban Big Band Play-Along Series”, featuring a book/CD play-along and Vol’s I & II DVD’s. Joe spent a twenty-year tour as Chief Petty Officer with The United States Naval Academy Band, where he served as principal percussionist with the wind ensemble and Chief in Charge/drummer of the Next Wave Jazz Ensemble- one of the Navy’s two premier big bands. In this episode, Joe talks about:    Living and working in Miami Florida    How he spends his practice time    Teaching in the 21st century    The value of learning multiple styles    His B.A.S.I.C. Training lesson program - Balance, Alignment, Substitution, Interdependence, and Control    Band leading the New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band

25 Aug 20211h 45min