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

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 Jan 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 Jan 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 Jan 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 Dec 20191h 43min

JC Clifford is best known for his work with and promotion of Drumtacs. He is the owner and president at Scorpio Marketing & Management LLC.  JC’s vocation took a left turn around 2012 that steered away from the auto industry and into the world of music business with a focus on the drumming community. His interpersonal, communication and overall organizational skills as well as a strong work ethic has enabled JC to create a steady business that has taken him all over the world. JC has worked with many drummers like Rich Redmond, Daniel Glass, Thomas Lang, Troy Luccketta and Mike Dawson. In this episode, JC talks about: * The pros and con of social media * His trip to Germany with Daniel Glass for Daniel’s Jazz Intensive * Cancer can Stick it foundation with April Samuals * Troy Lucketta’s program, “Troy Shows Up” * JC’s history in the auto industry and how it shaped his work ethic* Drumtacs

12 Dec 20191h 29min

“J-rod” isn’t your typical product of a family of musicians; rather, he grew up in a family who loved listening to music, and exposed him to Gospel and R&B. Through church and school he worked on his music, participating in bands and teaching himself bass guitar, keyboard, and music production. By 2006 he began posting drum cover videos to YouTube, the base of his ever-growing social media following, currently totaling 103K followers on Facebook and Instagram, not to mention his 43K YouTube subscribers. After graduating from the Atlanta Institute of Music (studying music performance), J-rod joined The 4 Korners in 2013. As well as The 4 Korners, J-rod also drums for Alex Bugnon and Byron Cage. Besides being a full time performing musician, he continues to program live shows and produce for different artists under his business name: J-rod Sullivan Productions, LLC. J-rod has worked with the likes of Jidenna, Seven Streeter, Xscape, Bebe Winans, Everette Harp, Nick Colionne, Kenny Latimore, Chantae Cann, Avery Sunshine, Byron Cage, Alex Bugnon, Ronnie Laws and appeared in films such as BET’s ‘Being Mary Jane’, VH1s ‘Single Ladies’, Oprah’s ‘Greenleaf’, and BET HER. In this episode, Jerrod talks about: * The 4 Korners – formation, influences, and writing process* Setting himself apart from his peers with dynamics and touch* His experience in the Atlanta Institute of Music’s one-year performance program* Strategies for increased comfort behind the kit* His clothing company Got Pocket* How he has amassed over 100,000 social media followers

5 Dec 20191h 14min

Matt Tecu is a Los Angeles based studio and live touring drummer. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri. Matt has played on hundreds of recordings and thousands of live concerts world wide throughout the years. He has recorded and/or performed with such artists as Jakob Dylan, Cat Power, Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Stephen Stills, Nora Jones, Beck, Regina Spektor, Stephen Stills, Roger McGuinn, Daniel Lanois, Fiona Apple, Jackson Browne and Sam Morrow to name a few. He presently can be seen and heard in the new documentary/concert film ‘Echo In The Canyon’, as the house drummer for the whole project. Matt lives in Los Angeles and continues to record and perform with some of musics legends as well as new up and comers like Sam Morrow. He also has taught private drum lessons for years. In this episode, Matt talks about: * Serving the song* Playing “ideas” in sessions* Echo and the Canyon documentary * The importance of Ringo* Matt’s journey  Matt endorses: Paiste cymbals, Pork Pie drums, Aquarian heads and Innovative Percussion

28 Nov 20191h 43min

As the drummer in Atlanta’s ’70s juggernaut Yacht Rock Revue, Mark Cobb performs for thousands of rabid fans every week. From the Irving Plaza in Manhattan to the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, he brings to life the sounds of the most iconic studio drummers of all time — the Purdie shuffle, Russ Kunkel’s artful tom fills, Jeff Porcaro’s relentless grooves, Steve Gadd’s perfect precision — with stunning accuracy.  He’s performed at the Rose Bowl, the College Football National Championship, the NCAA Final Four, for 35,000 fans on the 4th of July at Turner Field, and on music cruises with Kid Rock, Weezer, KISS, Train, Zac Brown Band, Dinosaur Jr., Emmylou Harris and Heart.   Mark’s infectious enthusiasm for music and drumming was heightened during his time at the prestigious Indiana University School of Music. However, it was not until after he received his degree and spent a year in Los Angeles that he grew into the seasoned player he is today. In this episode, Mark talks about: * The good, bad, and ugly of social media* Building a tribute band around a concept rather than an individual artist* Getting era-specific sounds out of backline kits * Combining the styles and sounds of the era’s drummers into one setlist* How the rise of Yacht Rock Revue and the genre’s rise in popularity have fed each other Mark endorses Vic Firth sticks, Porter & Davies, and Big Fat Snare Drum

21 Nov 20191h 47min