Friday 28 August 2020

 

How does it feel to be releasing the One Morning in August debut album?

It's an absolutely brilliant, great feeling. John and I have played covers for years at sessions and with a collective of musician friends of ours at gigs, but to finally have our own original music, is a great feeling. When I was young, learning the drums, I wanted to get into a recording studio and be part of creating music, writing your own drum pieces, playing it, recording it and listening back to yourself and what you've made. I can't wait till Friday!


Apart from music, what else are you interested in? 


Lots of things, I'd give everything a try. Mainly into running and fitness at the moment. I cover about 40 kms a week on roads and trails and on the spin bike. Big rugby fan, I like going to Leinster and Ireland matches, motor racing, photography, videography, aviation. When it comes to TV, I love all sorts of documentaries.


How would you describe your drumming style?


I think it's sort of funk based, when learning to play I used to borrow cd's from Christy Stapleton. There was everything in there from Art Blakey the jazz drummer to Simply Red, Led Zeppelin and lots more. I like to think that stuff influenced me. I think my style mostly resembles Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, that mix of energetic funky rock. When it comes to our stuff, I try to create pieces that fit the song and the tone and feel of it.  


Who are your favourite musicians?


So many, Jimi Hendrix, Thom Yorke, Noel Gallagher, Pixies, Zeppelin. My favourite drummers would have to be Dave Grohl, Neil Peart (Rush), Danny Carey (Tool), John Bonham.


What are your favourite songs / albums?

Very tough as there's so many but here's a flavour....

Radiohead - The Bends

Oasis - Whats the story morning glory

REM - Automatic for the people

Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Pixies - Surfer Rosa

Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf


What's next on the horizon for One Morning in August?


Hopefully playing live gigs but that is way off yet with Covid-19 and all. We'll also get cracking on writing some new music; there are lots of ideas for songs all ready to go.


How have you been coping during the COVID-19 pandemic?


I found it very tough initially; I have a boy in school and a girl in a creche so they were at home with me for three months while I worked from home. The lack of social interaction was tough and thankfully I kept up the exercise regime to help keep the head right. Not knowing what's coming down the tracks is tough on people.

Sunday 9 August 2020

 

How does it feel to be releasing new music with Power of Dreams?


It feels great! It feels like it’s supposed to be happening. It's not forced or unwarranted and that makes the record (Ausländer) quite special.  Hearing the record now as a full body of work makes me very happy and I think it will resonate with a lot of people.

 

How would you describe your drumming style?

 

I'm a rock drummer by nature, but my style has evolved over the years. Since moving to the US 20 years ago, I've played with punk bands/indie pop bands and electronic bands. Playing different styles of music is very beneficial to any drummer and has helped my drumming a great deal.

 

How have you been coping during the COVID-19 pandemic?

 

I've been coping pretty well actually. I live in Phoenix Arizona, where unfortunately the state has handled it rather badly. And as a result, we are currently in the middle of a second wave. There are still major restrictions on doing most normal activities. I've been very busy thankfully throughout with the recording of the new PODS album; spending time with my daughter Violet, also with the good fortune of experiencing large growth with my e-commerce clothing brand Baby Teith. I'm an optimist and while this is all very strange and disruptive, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Who are your favourite musicians?

 

Prince is my favourite all round musician, rest his soul.  

 

Drummers : Ringo Starr (The Beatles) Stuart Copeland (The Police) Thomas Hedlund (Phoenix) Larry Mullen Jr (U2) Josh Freese (NIN/The Vandals) 

 

Guitar: Johnny Marr (The Smiths/The The)

 

Bass: Andy Rourke (The Smiths) Kim Deal (The Pixies)

 

Synths: Gary Numan, Trent Reznor (NIN)

 

 

What are your favourite albums?

 

Radiohead - The Bends

The Beatles - Abbey Road

The Smiths - The Queen is Dead

Prince - Sign o’ the Times

The Pogues - Rum Sodomy and the Lash

The Blue Nile -  A Walk Across the Rooftops

Kate Bush - Hounds of Love

Pixies - Doolittle

 

 

What drum set up do you use? 

 

For Ausländer I used a 1968 Ludwig super classic (Pictured) a truly beautiful sounding drum set - I love vintage drums and have mainly played 60's Ludwig sets here in the US over the past 20 years. 

 

Drums - Kick 22", Snare 14" Ludwig Acrolite, 12 Rack Tom, 16" Floor  

 

Cymbals - Zildjian 18" A Custom Crash, Zildjian  14" A Custom Hi-Hats, Zildjian 20" A Custom Ride

 

 

What advice would you give someone embarking on a career in music?

 

Don't be afraid of your own power. Listen to good advice when it's available. Be true to yourself and stay true to your vision. Have fun and when it's not fun, take a break and do something else.

 

 

Pic with Keith On drums photo by Ana Baraza and the other is by Killian Mckeown

Saturday 1 August 2020


What type of drum kit do you use?

I play a DW set predominantly, with an all maple Gretsch snare with wooden hoops. Zildjian K Constantinople ride and hi hats and various bits of bells and shells, laid around the kit to keep me entertained. 

Who are your favourite players?

There are so many to mention, but probably the drummers that have had the biggest influence on my sound would be Brian Blade, Mark Guiliana, Marcus Gilmore, Roy Haynes, Stewart Copeland and Danny Carey. Tigran Hamasyan is a jazz pianist that has probably left the biggest mark on how I approach rhythm. 

What are your favourite songs / albums?

 Again, it's hard for me to pick a few but some that I always come back to are Jeff Buckley: 'Grace', Pearl Jam: 'Vitalogy', Tigran Hamasyan: 'Mockroot' and 'Shadow Theatre', John Coltrane: 'A Love Supreme', Charles Mingus: 'Ah Um' and Bon Iver's self titled album.


Can you tell us some of the artists that you have played / recorded with?

Basciville, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Ailbhe Reddy, Bill Whelan, The Man Whom, Sacred Animals and The Ocelots. 

What advice would you give someone wanting to play drums?

Listen to as much as you can, and whenever you hear something you like try to learn how to play it. Also, listen to what the other instruments are playing and make sure you understand the context of everything you're playing. 

How did you cope during the COVID-19 lockdown?

I was lucky that I felt inspired to practice a lot during the lockdown. I think this was probably due to the slew of videos of amazing drummers shredding in their homes. I'm very grateful to have my own space where I can focus on improving my playing, and to keep me distracted from the apocalypse.