We’re proud to present Issue Eleven of The Drummer’s Journal. It’s available to read, absolutely free, right HERE.
This issue features interviews with Tomas Haake of Meshuggah, session legend Steve Smith and M.I.A’s Kiran Gandhi.
As usual, there’s also a lot more. We’ve a short guide on how not to annoy the Audio Engineer at your next gig (as told by professional engineers themselves) and a quick look at the controversy surrounding one of the music industry’s biggest retailers. As ever, it’s been a real pleasure to put together and we sincerely hope you enjoy it.
Any correspondence (including praise, criticism and trolling) can be directed to us using the "contact" link at the bottom of the page. We’ll always endeavour to respond.
All the best,
TDJ
We took a trip to Meshuggah’s studio in Stockholm to spend some quality time with Tomas Haake. It was eye opening. And almost back breaking…
M.I.A’s Kiran Gandhi talks about the music industry, unexplored opportunity and how to make the most of it. Given she’s a Harvard MBA grad, we paid close attention.
We dropped in on Steve Smith at home for a frank and open discussion about some of the bleaker times in his career and how they ultimately helped him move forward.
Deirdre O'Callaghan's new book, The Drum Thing, arrived and we were excited to take a closer look. Prepare those peepers. Click or tap here for more.
Our interview with Alex Sowinski from the prodigious BadBadNotGood. "I'm not really going for the Modern Drummer cover or anything." Click/tap for more.
Our interview with Anna Prior from Metronomy. "Playing drums changed my life. It changed how I thought about the world." Click or tap here fo' mo'.
We interviewed Alan van Kleef about making metal drums in Sheffield. He's a Man of Steel. Geddit?
"I look at stuff online, and some days I think, ‘I’m a f**king joke, I can’t do that.’ But then I’ll sit and play, and something will happen.” Elbow's Richard Jupp in Issue 15. Click here to open.
"I used to dream about being a session player. I didn’t know if I could ever do it.”Our interview with Steve Gadd in Issue 15 of The Drummer's Journal. Click here to read.
“Ever since I was a little kid, I would say, ‘What’s the point of being a musician?’ I could never really come up with an answer.”
“The best thing you can do is get a van and get out there. And you have to be ok with not getting paid for anything.”
We interviewed CPL Mat Kilcoyne about life as a drum set player in the British Army. for the feature, click here.
“Culturally, hard bop was not only a musical statement but also a political one about 1950s America. It was about reclamation.” Photo by Roland Godefroy
“I knew what I wanted the shop to feel like. I didn’t want to sign on to these huge corporate companies that would force me to put in cheesy displays.”
“I ask my students sometimes, ‘Why do we play the drums?’ They give me the beauty pageant answer: ‘To express ourselves.’ Urgh. Stop that.”
We caught up with BYOS Ralph Nader who dispelled some long standing myths around marching percussion.
Our interview with Mark Sheppard from Supernatural. Honestly it's really good. Click or tap here fo' mo'.