
456 - Emmanuel “E-MAN” Cervantes: Inspiring the Next Generation, Drumming for Andy Grammer, Creating a Loop Library
Emmanuel “E-MAN” Cervantes is a Los Angeles based drummer who discovered his calling when he first picked up a pair of drumsticks at age three and later booked his first major studio session at the age of 12. E-MAN is currently touring with pop singer Andy Grammer. He has had the privilege to work with a wide range of artists such as Gwen Stefani, Lukas Nelson, Cody Simpson, Cameron Rafati, Elan, Son of Levi, Tyrone Wells and many more. EMAN played on a record with Joseph Williams, who is the singer of Toto, who enlisted some of his band mates to also play on that record like Steve Lukather. He’s made multiple appearances on TV shows that include SNL, The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres Show, David Letterman and Americas Got Talent. In this episode, Emmanuel “E-MAN” Cervantes talks about: Inspiring the next generation to find their own voice Lessons learned through home recording What he’s learned from his brother the engineer Working with pop singer Andy Grammar Bringing your best self to every gig/rehearsal Creating opportunities for yourself Creating a loop package “Drum Away Loops” Being at peace with what the future holds
15 Feb 20241h 32min

455 - Rob Perkins: From Touring Drummer to Music Contractor, The Best Ways to Say Yes and No, Studying with Ndugu Chancler, "You're In the People Business"
How he got into the booking game through the USC music school as a freshman Struggling with the decision to ramp down performing/touring and ramp up booking Seeing the opportunity to improve stability in live music Bridging the gaps and establishing trust between musicians and the people who hire them How to make the most out of a $50 gig offer, no matter where you are in your career Making your interactions about the relationship first and the gig second Studying with Ndugu Chancler Michael Carvin, and Terri Lynn Carrington
8 Feb 20241h 23min

454 - Matt Iceman: Working with David Nail, Home Recording Techniques, Expanding Your Skillset
Matt Iceman is currently the touring drummer and band leader with Grammy nominated country artist David Nail. He has toured/performed/recorded in the past with artists such as Eric Paslay, Francesca Battistelli, Shelly Fairchild, Lizzy McAvoy, Timothy Paul, T.J. Hitt and Tom Schreck, and bands such as BlackJack Billy, Spyderwulf, The Chris Weaver Band, and Liquid Earth. In this episode, Matt talks about: What he’s been up to since we last spoke in 2015 New responsibilities as band leader for his gig with David Nail Building a clientele for home studio recording Home recording techniques Hanging out with Shannon Forrest and lessons learned Seeking out lessons and new ways to grow
1 Feb 20241h 55min

453 - Davide DiRenzo: Working with Larry Klein, Staying Open When Collaborating, The Conundrum of In-Ears
Davide DiRenzo is one of the most versatile and in-demand drummers in Canada, with an equally strong profile in the jazz, rock, pop and R&B scenes coast-to-coast and beyond. With years of studio experience under his belt working with some of the world’s top artists, Davide is now also working as a producer out of his home studio (Studio 86) in Toronto, Ontario. From there, he also records and sends drum tracks to artists and producers all over the globe. Davide has performed and recorded extensively around the world with a wide range of artists including two time Grammy award-winning Cassandra Wilson. Other acts he’s performed and recorded with include Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Holly Cole, Feist, Kevin Breit, and just recently recorded and co-wrote three songs on Molly Johnson’s new album, “Meaning To Tell You” where he had the pleasure of working with multi grammy award-winning and internationally celebrated producer/musician, Larry Klein. He has won six Juno awards to date, including two in 2007: one as a member of jackSoul (Best R&B Recording) and one as a band member with Tomi Swick (Best New Artist). He also received a National Jazz Award nomination the same year for Jazz Drummer of the Year. In this episode, Davide talks about: How he creates dialogue with audio engineers Deciding how many options to provide in terms of mics/tracks How in-ears have affected how we experience our own playing Finding the volume where your drums and cymbals start sounding bad Working with producer Larry Klein on Molly Johnson’s record I Been Meanin’ to Tell Ya Submitting to the collaborative process and letting go of some control Collaborative producers vs. impresario producers
25 Jan 20241h 29min

452 - Brian Doherty: Drumming For They Might Be Giants, Pre-Social Media “Networking”, Cymbal Hacks for the Studio
Brian Doherty is best known as a drummer for groups like They Might Be Giants, RCA Recording artists, The Silos, XTC, Freedy Johnston, and Ben Folds In the early 90s, Brian was recruited by They Might Be Giants. For three years Brian and TMBG recorded albums, wrote songs, and relentlessly toured the world. In 2001, Brian went back to graduate school and became a New York City school teacher as part of the New York City Teaching Fellows program. As well as teaching, he remains professionally active as a drummer recording in the studio and performing on a variety of gigs that includes Broadway shows. On Broadway, Brian has performed in productions of RENT, Hairspray, The Times They Are A Changin’, Waitress and Little Shop of Horrors. In this episode, Brian talks about: Growing up close to NYC and it’s musical influence Early professional experiences Pre-social media “networking” that still works One gig leading to another, leading to another and so on Cymbal hacks for the studio Touring and recording with They Might Be Giants Transitioning to public school teaching and drumming on Broadway in New York
18 Jan 20241h 33min

451 - Ulysses Owens Jr.: His New Jazz Drumming Course on Drumeo, Jazz Representation on Social Media
In this episode, Ulysses talks about: Relocating back to his homestate of Florida after 20 years in New York How he moved from his gospel roots to jazz as a teenager, and the commonalities and differences between the two His Drumeo video playing Nirvana's "In Bloom" His jazz drumming video on Drumeo unpacking the nuts and bolts of jazz drumming The various misrepresentations of jazz drumming His philosophy for learning jazz drumming, and why he believes it's best to start at the beginning of its history and move forward in time The most essential skill in jazz drumming - "making the ride cymbal dance" Subtlety and stealth in big band drumming Representation in drum media
9 Jan 20241h 15min

450 - Dan Shinder: Drum Talk TV, The Challenges of Content Creating, Upcoming “Brilliance” Platform
In 2013, Dan Shinder started Drum Talk TV, an online experience that has brought drummers, musicians, and music lovers together. Drum Talk TV is an online show showcasing insightful interviews in the world of drumming. These unique interviews from all over the drumming world feature all genres and cultures. They talk with live and session masters, legends, educators, hidden gems, prodigies, drum heroes, fitness experts, techs, producers, manufacturers, and more. Drum Talk TV also provides a series called "Perspectives" where they talk with other musicians ABOUT the drummers they work with. In this episode, Dan talks about: The challenges of content creating Building a support team The origins of Drum Talk TV "Hidden Gems” - Showcasing relatively unknown players Dan’s interview style Producing documentaries Upcoming “Brilliance” platform
4 Jan 20241h 42min

449 - Davide DiRenzo: What "Presence" Really Means, Opting Out of Social Media, Reconnecting with Toronto,
Davide DiRenzo is one of the most versatile and in-demand drummers in Canada, with an equally strong profile in the jazz, rock, pop and R&B scenes coast-to-coast and beyond. With years of studio experience under his belt working with some of the world’s top artists, Davide is now also working as a producer out of his home studio (Studio 86) in Toronto, Ontario. From there, he also records and sends drum tracks to artists and producers all over the globe. Davide has performed and recorded extensively around the world with a wide range of artists including two time Grammy award-winning Cassandra Wilson. Other acts he’s performed and recorded with include Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Holly Cole, Feist, Kevin Breit, and just recently recorded and co-wrote three songs on Molly Johnson’s new album, “Meaning To Tell You” where he had the pleasure of working with multi grammy award-winning and internationally celebrated producer/musician, Larry Klein. He has won six Juno awards to date, including two in 2007: one as a member of jackSoul (Best R&B Recording) and one as a band member with Tomi Swick (Best New Artist). He also received a National Jazz Award nomination the same year for Jazz Drummer of the Year. In this episode, Davide talks about: Making professional and personal choices based on knowing “where you’re at” Thinking of time as your most precious resource Why he has opted out of social media since its inception Being present in relationships and in music, and how they’re the same Reconnecting with Toronto music and musicians, especially the club/bar scene Making yourself available to connect with audience members
21 Dec 20231h 28min