Photo credit; black and white shot is by Ruth Medjber
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Irish Drummers is an insightful publication into the people behind the drum set. A joy for any music enthusiast (and everyone else).
Welcome to Irish Drummers
This site exists is to showcase the talent and creativity of Irish drummers through the years. The great contribution that this band of musicians have made to Irish culture and music throughout the world.
Welcome to Irish Drummers
This site exists is to showcase the talent and creativity of Irish drummers through the years. The great contribution that this band of musicians have made to Irish culture and music throughout the world.
Saturday, 13 July 2019
The inspiration came from a number of sides. Family, friends,
school, drummers, bands. Initially I was interested in guitar as that’s what my
Dad and brother were into. In primary school, I had an American friend named
Boogie Walker whose older brother played the drums and I distinctly remember having
a moment of realisation on seeing the drums in their shed, seeing him play and
thinking I needed it in my life. In secondary school, I came across music rooms
on an open day with people playing and jamming, the drums immediately drew my
attention. My family are big music guys and we were given instruments after
showing an interest. There was always encouragement from my parents, my Dad
inspired a tangible musical influence and my mother has a creative streak, a
tactile nature, which feeds into the process of developing a love for all
aspects of drumming.
Who are your favourite
players?
LevonHelm(The Band), Jay Bellerose(Joe Henry, Raising Sand,
T-Bone Burnett, Ray LaMontagne), Brian Blade(Wayne Shorter, Joni Mitchell,
Daniel Lanois), Glenn Kotche(Wilco) have all had a huge influence on me over the years.
Levon especially, in fact, I would go as far to say he completely informed my
development as a drummer. The spirit in his playing, the dedication to the
music. The moment. His book ‘This Wheel’s On Fire’, was a life changer. Through
a mutual friend, Joe Henry, I came into close contact with Jay Bellerose,
leading to borrowing drums from him while on tour in the US. Jay’s generosity
and sharing of knowledge was very influential. I tuned into attitude, approach
and philosophy of drummers in a big way, which is part of the whole picture.
The drummers I mentioned spoke to me on a deeper level. Recently I’ve been
digging in to some more contemporary drummers, such as Valentina Magaletti and Eli
Keszler. Completely expressive, yet musical in their approach to drums,
integrating manipulation to great effect.
Your favourite songs or
albums?
There’s a song called ‘Maudy la Lune’ by Bill Fay, that might be
my favourite song. I go through phases with different songs but that always
comes back. The feeling I get or the feeling it gives more so, is uplifting,
romantic, desperate and so close to what he’s trying to convey, I always
find it intoxicating. ‘Shinzo No Tobira’ by Japanese band Mariah comes close
too. Again, conveying so much relatable emotion, regardless of being sung in
Iranian, that will get consumed by the feeling.
Albums that come to mind that have sustained or had a meaningful
impact on me; The Band - (Brown Album), Kate and Anna McGarrigle – (self
titled), Radiohead – OK Computer, Van Morrison - Beautiful Vision, The Knife –
Silent Shout, Talk Talk – Colour of Spring. Each of those albums have a relevance
that I can associate with musical or personal significance. They have all influenced my drumming in some shape or form. Steve Gadd is really musical on
the McGarrigle's one, Phil Selway (Radiohead) and Lee Harris (Talk Talk) playing
vital roles on decade defining albums. The Knife’s programming and ability to
swing electronically had a huge impact on me too.
What’s your current drum
gear setup?
With Villagers I’m using a 70’s Slingerland kit, which has a 20”
kick and concert toms, giving a tighter, West Coast, Hal Blaine sound – I
absolutely love it. I’ve wanted genuine concert toms for a while too so this
kit was irresistible when I spotted it on Rusty Drums. The cymbals are Sabian,
14” Vanguard hats and a 21” Vanguard crash/ride that really lights up the room
when introduced. Alongside that is a 22” Artisan Vault Ride and a 22” AA
‘fierce’ ride with rivets – both are super dry and dark and I’ve had each for
some time now so they’ve really settled into themselves.We have a good
understanding at this point. I’ve settled on Vater sticks in the last few
years, particularly the maple series - the sound they extract from the
instrument and the balance while playing feels great to me. SPDSX is a staple, which
is paired with 80's era Simmons pads. Remo Powerstroke 4 drumheads for a
preferred warm, deep tone.They sound set as soon as they go on. Snare Weights
have been really useful for tone, with the natural, leather element adding
something unique and malleable to the sound.
Lisa Hannigan’s setup requires a more open sound so I use my
Velvet model Ayotte kit with her. Features of the setup are 22” kick with no hole
on the resonant side and a walnut rimmed Ayotte Custom snare, which is my most
prized possession. I was lucky enough to get that kit and that snare in Music
Maker, Dublin when they used to stock Ayotte – pretty special sounding drums. I
use 16” hats with Lisa, a hybrid of a Sabian Stage Crash on the bottom and
super dead crash on top that I found in a music shop in the US, I always dug how
they play off each other. There is lots of room for sonic exploration and
expression with Lisa.
You’re very busy with
both Villagers and Lisa Hannigan, how do you manage your work / life balance?
Coming to terms with the nature of playing and touring is a big
part of it for me. I’ve always considered it a privilege! It's all about opening yourself up to interchangeable situations, navigating that
requires self-efficacy and an ability to think ahead, while letting things happen
naturally.
Can you tell us what
projects are on the horizon?
For a number of years, I have had access to a space in the
National Concert Hall, Dublin as part of a residency of sorts. In that time, I
have been developing compositions for drums and percussion, which I will
present at a concert in September alongside the other current residents, James
Vincent McMorrow, Paul Noonan and Glenn Keating. I'm really excited by the prospect. My
favourite thing about that building(NCH) is the way it sounds so I invited some
Irish musicians to collaborate and record in different parts, building -
stairwells, marbled halls, a former morgue, cavernous spaces…I’m really happy
with the results. An album of those recordings will see the light of day later
this year. Developing programming skills has been really useful so I work on
and off with RTE on certain productions, ‘Story of Hip Hop’, ‘DJ Jenny Greene
and the RTECO’, ‘Classical Collision’.
I also started a part time degree in counselling and
psychotherapy last year so I’ll be focusing on that as much as I can too! Doing
the degree felt like a good opportunity to challenge myself and do something
different, with the intention of acquiring the relevant skills.
And finally Ross, what
advice would you give someone wanting to take up drumming?
There is no right or wrong. Try not to be hard on yourself, try
not to compare yourself to the next drummer. Take your time! Listen to yourself
and decide what makes it enjoyable for you. Let that guide you and become an integral
part of the playing. Channel the good and the bad in your life and take the
opportunity to express yourself. Have fun with it, in whatever form that takes.
Photo credit; black and white shot is by Ruth Medjber
Photo credit; black and white shot is by Ruth Medjber
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