Photo: Nora Jenker
What’s coming up next for you?
A short European tour with Japanese legend HOTEI in October. He’s an incredible guitarist, singer/songwriter who’s best known for his contribution to the “Kill Bill” soundtrack. We’re playing 5 special shows - Brussels, Paris, Zurich, Milan and then London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on 20th October.
In November I continue shows with Anastacia - we’ve already played 70+ shows since April as part of her “Evolution Tour”. As for 2019, I look forward to continuing to be a touring drummer as well as release and promote a short film entitled “3 Drummers” with a couple of great drummer friends. It’s a story about how our careers started with humble beginnings and how we’ve all been fortunate to go on and have careers in music touring the world.
What advice would you give to young people wanting to work as a session musician?
Listen, absorb and play as many musical styles as possible. I don’t read music, and while that hasn’t stopped me working, reading is a major asset to a musician’s vocabulary. Learn to love music and “the song” - don’t play complicated things to please your ego - listen to what’s going on around you when playing with the band/artist and respond accordingly.
A drummer’s ability behind the kit is obviously very important but so is being a good person to be around. If you want to make a living from session work you need to be aware of what you bring personality wise to the party. When you go away on tour for months, most of the time you spend is NOT playing music. So be cool, be considerate of others and always carry a few jokes in your back pocket!