Best of 2020: Part 1 by Big Fat Five: A Podcast Financially Supported by Big Fat Snare Drum

KIRKEE B!!! Curt Bisquera's Top 5 Career-Defining Moments

Today’s guest is Curt Bisquera…or as most people know him “Kirkee B”. He’s played with so many great artists such as Elton John, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Sarah Mclaughlin, Lana Del Ray, Johnny Cash and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. His pocket is deep and his stories are endless. I brought him on the show to break down the top 5 moments in his career that best represent his legacy as a player. From moving to LA to pursue a career in drumming at MI as a young kid who couldn’t read music to eventually playing the biggest stages in the world…Kirkee B is a man who takes opportunities and smashes them out of the park. His mixture of being at the right place at the right time (WITH the right information to stand out) is a common theme. Do your homework, play to the song, know the technology of the day and be more like Kirkee B. There…now you don’t even have to listen. But please do.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

The 5 Essential Levon Helm Recordings (to finally get you into Levon Helm)

This could be the most important episode I’ve had the pleasure to record. Levon Helm of The Band was one of the greatest to ever do it. Thusly, everything I’ve typed / erased / retyped / and so on for this intro feels utterly contrived or underwhelming when trying to describe a musician of this magnitude. As Rolling Stone Magazine once wrote, “Levon Helm is the only drummer that can make you cry.”. He changed the game in so many ways and, to be honest, DOESN’T GET THE DAMN CREDIT HE DESERVES.

I invited one of my new favorite people (and fellow Levon enthusiast), Steve from Junkdrummer TV, on the show to dissect the top 5 recordings that best represent Levon’s legacy as a player. I couldn’t have been happier with how this came out and I hope this episode introduces a bunch of people to their new favorite drummer.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Tim Baltes' (@timbofromkeno) Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped His Playing Style

Our guest this week is Tim Baltes or, to many, @timbofromkeno on Instagram. He’s known as a funny man, but a big reason why his schtick works is because he’s a monster player as well. We break down the top 5 drumming moments that shaped his style and, in true form, Tim was authentic and blazed his own trail with his picks…which aren’t the traditional choices. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Tim Baltes.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Myths Our Drum Teachers Told Us w/ Dimitri Fantini

Today’s guest is Dimitri Fantini…a great drummer and instructor based in Maryland. I personally subscribe to his Patreon and I suggest you do the same thing. Since Dimitri is technically one of my online instructors, I thought I’d invite him on to discuss some myths that we hear being taught that are just wrong. We had a great time, but tended to agree on almost everything…BORING! Anyways, we dissect the following myths:

1) Only practice what you're bad at/If you sound good, you're not practicing.

2) There is one correct way to hold a stick.

3) Learning more "stuff" or patterns will make me a better drummer

4) Drums sound best when hit in the center (rimshots or toms).

Dimitri & Tim Baltes mock drum lesson video HERE

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Zach Lind Breaks Down His Favorite Jimmy Eat World Recordings

Zach Lind breaks down his favorite Jimmy Eat World grooves and tells the story of why they each hold a special place in his drumming heart. There are a lot of great perspectives in this episode including how the element of surprise is an artist’s greatest weapon, acknowledging when you’re not needed and how he’s always thinking about what he can take AWAY from a part to make it unique as opposed to adding more.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

'Save it for the Pod!" Ep. 3 - Where's The Beat?!

Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Big Data, Bruce Springsteen) and I were ODDLY excited about recording this one. We each brought on 5 songs that best represent that feeling of, “um…I can’t find the one....guys?!....I CANT FIND THE ONE!!”. It’s happened to all of us and it’s a feeling we both LOVE. Many songs are easily heard (and perhaps meant to be easily heard) with multiple different pulses, while some just go out of their way to have a “gotcha!” moment. Either way, this was the most fun I’ve had with the podcast so far and both Gunnar & myself are really excited for you to have a listen.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Big Fat Progress

I invited Kris back on the show to discuss how difficult this last year has been for us (Big Fat Snare Drum) as a small business and what we’ve done to keep the doors open. I’m calling it, “Big Fat Progress”, because I really don’t see this year as much of a setback for us as it was an uncomfortably-forced pivot. After that, I asked Kris some of my favorite questions about his ethos on business in general. Kris is almost always right when it comes to what will resonate with people on a large scale. I guarantee you will take something away from this.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Best of 2020: Part 2

LAST EPISODE OF 2020! This is Part 2 of the “Best of 2020” where I put together a show of my favorite clips from the past year. Enjoy! See you (or hear me) in the new year!

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Best of 2020: Part 1

The next few episodes are gonna be a very self indulgent “Best of 2020”. I’ve put together some of my favorite clips of the podcast so far with a little backstory for each. If any of my previous guests are listening and you don’t hear your clips, it's cause I thought you were really boring and I don’t like you at all. Cheers!

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

'Save it for the Pod!' Ep. 2 - Ben and Gunnar’s Top 5 Dance Drummers

I’m back with Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Big Data, Bruce Springsteen) for another segment of ‘Save It For The Pod’ where we pause our private conversations about various musical topics until we can record it for the MASSES (that’s you). This week’s episode has us dissecting each of our ‘Top 5 Dance Music Bands That Feature Live Drummers’.

This week’s topic is the timeless and seemingly underrated drummer of Radiohead, Phil Selway. Gunnar and I each choose our top 5 Phil beats and go a dissectin’! You can find links to all the songs discussed in The Podcast section for the episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Tucker Rule (Thursday, Frank Iero and the Future Violents) Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped His Style

We’ve got Tucker Rule, drummer for Thursday, on this week’s episode of the ‘Big Fat Five’ pod breaking down the top 5 drumming moments that shaped his playing style…and it’s a damn fun playing style. Not only is Tucker a rhythmic powerhouse, he’s quite possibly the nicest guy in the world (sorry to ‘out’ you Tucker). We had a really fun conversation that went well beyond his influences including lessons learned from working with Dave Elitch, perspectives on practicing, and how each of us deal with the frustrations, yet needed patience, of always wanted to become better players.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Yuri Ruley (MxPx): The Top 5 Songs That Shaped His Playing Style

Today’s guest is, Yuri Ruley…drummer for the iconic punk band, MxPx. His speed, creativity and disciple were a huge influence on me growing up, and if ever need a good a$# whippin', I’ll put on 'Life In General' and sweat my way through a barrage of beats at tempos that make me question Yuri’s sanity. We discuss the top 5 songs that best represent his influences when he first started playing drums. Please enjoy my podcast with The Legend, Yuri Ruley.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

"Save it for the Pod!" Ep. 1 - Dissecting the Playing of Phil Selway (Radiohead)

Continuing with the theme of keeping things fresh, Gunnar Olsen (Puscifer, Big Data, Bruce Springsteen) and I have started a new segment of the show called “Save it for the Pod” or "S.I.F.T.P" where we pause our private conversations about a particular musical topic until we can record it for the MASSES.

This week’s topic is the timeless and seemingly underrated drummer of Radiohead, Phil Selway. Gunnar and I each choose our top 5 Phil beats and go a dissectin’!

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

James Gadson (Quincy Jones, Bill Withers, B.B. King, Beck) Breaks Down the Records That Define His Career

‘Gadson on Gadson’. Today was a milestone for me. I’ve been such a huge fan of this man for years and I hope I hide my nervousness well enough in this conversation. This week’s guest is James Gadson…one of the funkiest drummers out there. He gave life to the 16th note groove and used it on countless records with Bill Withers, The Jackson Five, Beck, Cheryl Lynn, Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band and many more. For a time, it was rare to go a whole day without hearing James’ drumming on the radio, and probably still true to this day on some stations. We discuss the top records on which he played that best represent his career in the studio. I had a blast talking with James and he is a gentleman through and through. If you’re a drummer, his DVD ‘Funk / R&B Drumming’ is a must watch. Honestly…must OWN. It will get you paid. I guarantee it.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Sarah Thawer (AR Rahman, Del Hartley): The Top 5 Songs That Shaped Her Playing Style

Today’s guest is Sarah Thawer…a Toronto-based, freelance drummer, percussionist, pianist and overall badass with a style consisting of a unique blend of jazz, Indian, world and funk style drumming. She is one of my favorite drummers to watch, literally, because you can’t help but notice the enjoyment on her face and her love of improvisation is a true testament to her capabilities behind the kit. Her playing blows my mind and I was really excited to have her on the show to dissect the top 5 drumming moments that shaped her style. Her positivity and approach to navigating a career in the music industry is something I’ve admired for quite a long time. Please enjoy my conversation with the incredibly talented, Sarah Thawer.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Eric Slick (Dr. Dog): The Top 5 Songs That Shaped His Playing Style

Today’s guest is Eric Slick, drummer for Dr. Dog. Eric is a great player with a modern-day Ringo-esque approach to serving the song…which is an obvious focus when you hear his drum parts...parts that are deceivingly hard to execute well. His effortless technique is something I’ve admired from afar and I was really anxious to hear about the top 5 drumming moments that shaped his style. In addition to his tenure in Dr. Dog and working as a drummer for many other artists, Eric is a prolific songwriter himself. His most recent album, “Wiseacre”, came out this year…and it rulezz. Please enjoy my conversation with Eric Slick. Cheers!

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Daru Jones (Jack White, Pete Rock, Gloria Gaynor): The Top 5 Songs That Shaped His Playing Style

Today’s guest is Daru Jones. My God I love Daru. While he definitely puts focus on appearances, as you can see if you’ve ever seen his drum set, Daru has certain sway to his feel that makes it impossible to sit or stand still when you hear his groove. He’s two-time Grammy Award winning player who’s worked with Jack White, Gloria Gaynor, Pete Rock, Slum Village, Jamie Lidell, Talib Kweli, Dwight Yoakam and many many more. I’m sure you picked up on the diversity of that list. Cheers.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Steve Goold (Matt Kearney, Ben Rector, Sara Bareilles): The Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped His Playing Style

This week’s guest is Steve Goold…a.k.a the “Steve” of Steve’s Donut. Steve tells the story of working with Kris (BFSD owner) and how the donut came to be before breaking down the top 5 drumming moments that shaped his playing. Steve has recorded and/or toured with countless big hitters such as Sara Bareilles, Matt Kearney, Owl City, Ben Rector, Cory Wong and many more. His respect for the "song" and crafting the perfect drum part is very evident in the choices he made for this episode. I gained a lot and I hope you will too.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Raghav Mehrotra (Broadway's School of Rock): The Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped His Playing Style

The guest this week is Raghav Mehrotra. This young man started playing drums when he was three and by 5 years old (IMO) was already better than most lifelong players. He starred in Broadway's "School of Rock" while still physically going to school full-time. He just an insane player and I know he's gonna be on some killer records in the future. He's also an old soul. You think you're talking to a veteran of the craft, but honestly with how much he's already accomplished...he kinda is. Raghav breaks down the top 8 moments that made him the drummer he is today.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

"TAKEOVER EPISODE* The Drum Q&A Podcast w/ Dan Bailey

This week's episode is a TAKEOVER by Dan Bailey featuring Episode 3 of his newly-founded podcast "The Drum Q&A Podcast" in which he discusses being a sideman vs band member, playing drums for a drummer, endorsements, and "when to give up on the dream". Dan is a past guest of OUR podcast and a great source of information regarding anything drums. He continues to hold a popular Q&A discussion series via his Instagram Stories, but has come to realize that many of these questions require a more long-winded response to fully explain his viewpoint...hence the podcast was born. It has a refreshingly-low production style and "cuts the fat" that would make you skip through other podcasts...(I feel personally attacked). You can check out the rest of the episodes here. Thanks Dan!

Randy Cooke (Ringo Starr, Mick Jagger, Alanis Morissette, Dave Stewart, Kelly Clarkson) - Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped His Style

This week’s guest is Randy Cooke. I certainly fluff him up at the beginning of our interview, but Rand just has everything you’d want in a drummer playing behind you. He is SO song focused and, as he states, “…It’s not about playing more things; it’s about playing the right thing”. His resume includes playing for Ringo Starr, Mick Jagger, Alanis Morissette, Dave Stewart, Kelly Clarkson…and believe me…many many more. Keeping with the theme of this season, Randy breaks down the top drumming moments that shaped his style. Cheeeeers.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Mike Dawson (Managing Editor of Modern Drummer Magazine / Podcast Host) - Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped His Style

Today’s guest is Mike Dawson, managing editor of Modern Drummer Magazine and co-host of the Modern Drummer Podcast w/ Mike and Mike (the other Mike being Mike Johnston). They have exactly 250 archived episodes so go check that out…after you binge all of our episodes. Mike is an insanely artful player who exemplifies the idea of building creativity out of giving yourself limitations. He posts a lot of his weirdisms on his Instagram at @mikedawsondrums. You can also check out his website here. This episode is a reminder of how little I know when it comes to great drumming and it only reinforced my decision to continue with this format. Mike breaks down the drumming moments that shaped his playing. Cheers!

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ben Barter (Lorde) - Top Drumming Moments That Formed His Drumming Style

This week’s guest is Ben Barter…an Auckland-born, Los Angeles-based drummer/producer/storyteller and ex-dishwasher to the STARS. Ben has one of my favorite pockets and tastes in 'groove' so I was SUPER pumped to get him on the show. He’s played every major festival you can think of and has done all the talk shows. He’s the nicest bloke in the world and I know you’ll be smiling the whole time you listen to this one. Cheers!

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Bryan De Leon (Albert Hammond Jr, The Drums, The Shaking Hands) - Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped His Style

Today’s guest is Bryan De Leon and we break down the top 5 drumming moments that shaped his playing styles. Bryan’s powerful, rigid, and syncopated drum parts are infectious, to say the least, and it's the reason he drums for power-hitters like Albert Hammond Jr of The Strokes, The Drums (a band...a very good band), The Shaking Hands and many more. I’m currently on a road trip right now, so I’m recording from an Airbnb…a tiny closet inside my Airbnb actually, but this episode finally introduced me to New Order and it’s basically all I’ve been listening to. So, thank you, Bryan. Also, I need to mention...I almost edited out my initial question of how asking Bryan how his pandemic is going. It's a lazy question, and I hated it the second it came out, but it ended up pulling a great response from Bryan and touched on points I really wanted to keep it…so I kept it in. I just want you to know that I know and alright....shutting up...cheers!

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Brody Simpson - Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped His Style

Today’s guest is Brody Simpson and we talk about the top 5 drumming moments that played a huge part in the development of his sound. Brody’s feel and sense of pocket within a pocket are unmatched in my opinion and I don’t think I’m comfortable making it public how much time I’ve spent looping Brody’s videos. Needless to say, if you don’t know him, I’m so excited that you stumbled across this episode. His perspectives on groove and creating parts is a masterclass in many ways. Please enjoy.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Gunnar Olsen (Big Data, Mother Feather, The Exit) - Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped His Style

Gunnar Olsen breaks down the top 5(ish) drumming moments that helped him develop a unique voice behind the kit.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Kris Mazzarisi (BFSD Founder) and Ben Hilzinger (Eve 6, BFSD A&R) - Top 5 Drumming Moments That Shaped Their Style

Hello hello...today's show features the Big Fat Man himself, Kris Mazzarisi and myself, Ben Hilzinger, discussing the top 5 specific moments in either a recording or a performance that helped form us into the drummers we are today. We are all sponges for inspiration until the day we die, but some sponge-worthy moments are more remarkable than others. All of the little flourishes in our playing combine to give us a unique voice, but many of these derive from something we've heard or seen outside of our beautiful little creative minds. This is the first installment of a series we're dubbing "The Big Fat 5" where I talk with my favorite players about the 5 instances that changed and/or formed their playing.

You can find links to all the songs discussed on the show in The Podcast section for this episode at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 32: Kung Fu Drumming, Body Language and Anxiety w/ Ben Satterlee (@nashvilledrumcoach)

This week’s guest is Ben Satterlee…I know I say this a lot, but Ben is one of my favorite players right now and for good reason. Similarly to a previous guest, Madden Klass, I love Ben’s ability to wear two hats: a hard-hitting monster of a showman AND a nuanced, controlled pocket player … aaaaand he wears them quite well. We discuss how every gig from coffee shops to arenas has molded his unique playing style and hopefully you can walk away with a better understanding of how his priorities can sink into your practice. We also touch on a topic that I wish more people talked about; anxiety. I certainly deal with it on a daily basis and I am grateful that Ben was willing to open up about his past and the ways he dealt with professional hurdles. I hope this goes without saying, but please don’t ever hesitate to reach out to me via Big Fat Snare Drum or my personal account @benhilzinger. I’m always here to talk or listen. Support is out there guys. Anyways…enjoy the show!

Find out about all the Big Fat Snare Drum Products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 31: The Influence of American/UK Music on Latin Drumming w/ Erasmo "Wasmo" Huerta

This week’s guest is Erasmo "Wasmo" Huerta. Erasmo is a Big Fat Snare Drum artist and one hell of a drummer. While he was born and raised in Venezuela, he currently resides in Miami, Florida. He had reached out a few weeks back and wanted to chat about his views on the influence that music from America and the United Kingdom has had in the Latin drumming community. I’ll be the first to admit that I am pretty insecure over my lack of knowledge pertaining to Latin drumming and this definitely re-inspired me to dive deeper.

Find out about all the Big Fat Snare Drum Products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 30: Dissecting Technique w/ Madden Klass

This week’s guest is Madden Klass and I've really been looking forward to this conversation. Madden is definitely one of my favorite players today and I wanted to get her on to discuss her ethos on technique, practicing, and just overall approach to how she prioritizes what she focuses on when it comes to becoming a better player. I have a feeling Madden is going to be on some very timeless and impactful records in the future and I was happy to be able to get a chance to chat. That being said, I almost didn’t release this episode because (in my first question, mind you) I said “in Long Island" instead of “on Long Island” and all my credibility was blown from the get-go…alas, I decided to move forward with putting it out…I guess its worth it in the long run. Or is it on the long run? Whatever. Enjoy the episode. Cheers.

Today's episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampen loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. So, keep your drums sounding great, keep your engineers happy, and keep the band vibing. Visit their website to check ‘em out and they have a discount code for our listeners. Enter "bigfatdiscount" at checkout to get 10% off.

Find out about all the Big Fat Snare Drum Products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 29: Live Q&A with Kris and Ben

Get to know the Big Fat Boyz. This week's episode is from an Instagram live Q&A featuring Kris and myself (Ben). Thank you sooooo much to everyone who participated and asked great questions. Be sure to follow @bigfatsnaredrum across all platforms to stay updated on everything Big and Fat and Snare Drummy.

Today's episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampen loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. So, keep your drums sounding great, keep your engineers happy, and keep the band vibing. Visit their website to check ‘em out and they have a discount code for our listeners. Enter "bigfatdiscount" at checkout to get 10% off.

Find out about all the Big Fat Snare Drum Products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 28: The Story of "The Click Track"

Hello hello…my name is Ben Hilzinger and this is The Big Fat Snare Drum Podcast. This whole thing has been an experiment for me. Ultimately, I do want to bring more awareness to our brand by putting out more content with our name attached, but more importantly, I want to add value to you. I’m a full-time session / touring drummer in addition to working with Big Fat Snare Drum and basically all I do is think drums, but there’s still so much that I don’t know and I never wanted this podcast to imply that I am any sort of authority on most topics we’ve discussed. It’s actually quite the opposite. With each episode, I’ve thought of topics that I selfishly want to know more about and hope THAT it means I’m not the only one who wants to know about it. As I’ve been recording more episodes, I’ve gotten a lot better at not being afraid to ask dumb questions…because usually, they’re NOT dumb, they’re just avoided for a myriad of dumb reasons. I’m forever a student of this industry and that’s what keeps it exciting for me.

That being said, I’m trying something new this week because, honestly, I still don't know what the format will be with this show, and I'm ok with it ebbing and flowing as I choose. Most nights when I can't sleep, whether it being on tour or in the middle of a global health crisis, I tend to go down online rabbit holes of random thoughts in my head…usually involving drumming/recording or something of that nature. Randomly, the last two guests on the podcast (Terry Keating and Gunnar Olsen) have each brought up the topic of the click track and its origin. Both times I didn't have an answer (go figure) and so I thought I’d use this episode to tell you what I did learn about it. Now, I'm not saying any of this information will hold up in a court of law, but I decided to use my rabbit hole time and put it to good use. So there’s no guest this week, you’ll just get to hear the mumblings and bumblings of yours truly. Cheers.

Today's episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampen loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. So, keep your drums sounding great, keep your engineers happy, and keep the band vibing. Visit their website to check ‘em out and they have a discount code for our listeners. Enter "bigfatdiscount" at checkout to get 10% off.

Ep 27: Exploring Creativity and Translating Drum Parts for a Live Show w/ Gunnar Olsen

Hello hello…my name is Ben Hilzinger and this is the Big Fat Snare Drum Podcast. I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while now. My guest today is Gunnar Olsen. I met Gunnar on tour in 2018 when one of my bands opened up for Big Data…a band for which he plays and it was one of the most fun times I've ever had on tour. I can say without a doubt that Gunnar is one of my favorite drummers to watch and listen to. His mixture of power and approachable creativity is unmatched in my opinion. When I say approachable, I mean he's not trying to blow your mind with circus chops, he makes the most tasteful choices that almost make you laugh cause they're so good…but sometimes he admittedly is just trying to make you laugh. In this conversation, we chat a bit about his perspective on creativity as I try to sound like I know what I’m talking about. We eventually switch to a topic that I selfishly wanted to know myself, and that's how he goes about translating the hybrid and/or electronic drum and percussion parts on recordings to a live show. You’ll get to hear exactly what he’s talking about because I drop in some audio from two tracks that he has performed with the band’s Fischerspooner and Big Data…first showing you the studio track and then Gunnar was kind enough to record a version of what he does live. Also a quick note about this one...we did this one over Skype and since Gunnar and I were chatting before I pushed record, I forgot to enable my normal mic as the input…so you'll hear me in all my dumb glory via my MacBook built-in microphone. You can‘t win them all. Anyways, shutting up. Cheers!

Gunnar was and is a founding member of both new york area bands The Exit and Mother Feather, but has a resume that includes him working with Bruce Springsteen, Big Data, Gavin Degraw, Fischerspooner, Miley Cyrus, Goo Goo Dolls. He’s one of the most in-demand studio session drummers and I’m so humbled to also call him a friend.

Find out about all the Big Fat Snare Drum Products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

Today's episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampen loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. So, keep your drums sounding great, keep your engineers happy, and keep the band vibing. Visit their website to check ‘em out and they have a discount code for our listeners. Enter "bigfatdiscount" at checkout to get 10% off.

Ep 26: What made Bonham Bonham?! The BONZOLEUM Episode w/ Terry Keating

Hello hello…my name is Ben Hilzinger and this is the Big Fat Snare Drum Podcast. We took a few weeks off, but to make it up to you, we have an insanely long episode. Terry Keating is one of my favorite YouTube personalities for obvious reasons. His enthusiastic approach to hosting a show and overall education style makes my heart so happy. Check out his John Bonham page Bonzoleum. I initially wanted to have him on the show to discuss 5 hidden gems in Bonzo’s catalog that drummers might not necessarily know unless he or she is a huge Led Zeppelin fan. I’m not NOT a fan, but I’d fall in the category that a lot of my peers fall into of “yeah I know Fool in the Rain, Good Times Bad Times, Rock 'n Roll and When the Levee Breaks, but I know I SHOULD know more.” I don’t think we’re a small group, so that's why I wanted to have Terry on. Anyways, we immediately started talking like old friends and so I put all my notes away and just pushed record. It ended being an almost 2 hr conversation about what makes Bonzo Bonzo, why people are obsessed with his gear as much as his playing (sometimes more), and just tons of anecdotes/fun pieces of trivia that only a Bonzo aficionado would know. I was gonna try to edit it down, but Terry is so fun to listen to so I basically kept the whole thing running. This might take a few listens, but this ended up being one of my favorite drumming conversations in the past few years. Thank you Terry for being so generous with your time and enthusiasm for all that is Bonzo. Alright, shutting up….cheers!

Today's episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampen loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. So, keep your drums sounding great, keep your engineers happy, and keep the band vibing. Visit their website to check ‘em out and they have a discount code for our listeners. Enter "bigfatdiscount" at checkout to get 10% off.

Find out about all the Big Fat Snare Drum Products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

Ep 25: 5 Records That Will Finally Get You Into Jazz…if you were intimidated like me and never knew where to start w/ Anthony Fung

I don’t know about you, but I’ve always believed that, in order to be a better drummer, I need to listen to more jazz and more importantly…jazz drummers. You know…cause that’s what everyone tells us right? Well, I’ve found EVERY way possible to avoid getting into the genre because, quite frankly, it’s intimidating, I don’t know where to start, and I don’t know what to listen for. That's why I wanted to get my good friend and even gooder drummer, Anthony Fung, on the show to give me (and I guess you too) his choice of the 5 records to start with to begin our jazz-loving journey. All the links to the albums are listed below. Cheers!

Today's episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampen loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. So, keep your drums sounding great, keep your engineers happy, and keep the band vibing. Visit their website to check ‘em out and they have a discount code for our listeners. Enter "bigfatdiscount" at checkout to get 10% off.

Find out about all the Big Fat Snare Drum Products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com and follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 24: Behind The Company w/ Baldman Percussion (@baldmanpercussion)

Today is another episode of Behind The Company w/ the baldmen themselves…Danny and Mike of Baldman Percussion…creators of The Junk Hat. Big Fat Snare Drum shared a booth with the boys at Winter NAMM 2020 and it was a pleasure getting to know these two goofballs so I’m happy to have them on the show to talk about the story of how they met, the humble beginnings of The Junk Hat, and their plans for the future. I had a lot of fun with this one. Enjoy!

Find out about all the Big Fat Snare Drum products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 23: Top Drum Plugins w/ E-MAN (@drumawayeman)

This week’s guest is E-Man..drummer for Andy Grammer…but he's also worked with Gwen Stefani, Cody Simpson, producer Tyler Johnson and many more. E-man also provides remote recordings via his home studio and definitely knows how to get great sounds…check out his Instagram and YouTube channel to see what I mean. I wanted to get him on the show to breakdown his favorite plugins he uses to record/mix and why. Again, I’m just as much of an audience member as you are for this one…so I was excited to hear what he had to say. He is also releasing a YouTube video today associated with this episode so you can see the exact settings he used for the audio that we’re going to drop in. We have also partnered up with a few of these companies to offer some giveaways and discount codes...with the details in the show description. Alrighty. Cheers!

Today’s episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampen loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. And they actually have a discount code for our listeners. Enter "bigfatdiscount" at checkout to get 10% off

Find out about all the Big Fat Snare Drum products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 22: 5 Tips to Grow Your Instagram Following w/ Jessica Burdeaux (@jburdsbeats)

This week’s guest is Jessica Burdeaux. Jessica’s story is a prime example of how you can consistently grow your Instagram following while remaining true to who you are as an artist and person. Her career so far includes a guest spot/live lesson on Drumeo, becoming a Reverb.com spokesperson, and performing with the 8G band for Late Night w/ Seth Meyers. In this episode, she breaks down the 5 key social media focuses that worked for her and hopefully they can translate to your world as well.

This episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampen loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. They’re really great if you don't want to keep pushing the mute button on your live zoom performance. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. So, keep your drums sounding great, keep your engineers happy, and keep the band vibing. Visit clearsoundbaffles.com to check ‘em out. Enter "BIGFATDISCOUNT" at checkout to get 10% off.

You can find more information about all Big Fat Snare Drum products at www.bigfatsnaredrum.com. Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 21: The Dichotomous Life of Working in the Music Industry w/ Sahir Hanif

Today's guest is Sahir (aka Sai) Hanif...owner of Masters of Maple drums and Ghost Tech Touring. Sai has the oh-so-common task of wearing many hats within the music industry so I wanted to get him on the show to discuss the dichotomy of being the top dog as a Production Manager one day and then switching to more of a compliment to action as a studio drum tech the next (all while running a successful drum company). Sai explains the main roles for each job, but his stories and advice will serve as a great resource on how to navigate the music industry with the proper perspective and attitude.

Masters of Maple has also teamed up with Music Cares and The Grammy Foundation to help with artists displaced by Covid-19 in the form of re-issuing one of their most popular drums and donating all the proceeds to the relief fund. We discuss this at the top of the show.

Follow us on Instagram / Facebook/ Twitter.

This episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampen loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. They’re really great if you don't want to keep pushing the mute button on your live zoom performance. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. So, keep your drums sounding great, keep your engineers happy, and keep the band vibing. Visit clearsoundbaffles.com to check ‘em out. Enter "BIGFATDISCOUNT" at checkout to get 10% off.

This episode is also sponsored by Waves Audio. This podcast would take me soooo much longer to edit if it wasn't for the Waves Vocal Rider plugin. It "rides" the fader in real-time and keeps both my and my guest's audio at a consistent level without the need to overcompress. I also use an endless of amount of their plugins for my musical recordings such as Abbey Road Saturator, CLA Drums, the SSL Channel, and many more. We are an affiliate member of Waves and if you purchase any Waves plugin via the link below, you directly support the show and me. I love you.

To view the entire Waves Catalog:

https://waves.alzt.net/xYDXy

Podcast Artwork by Trevin Frame

Ep 20: Most Common Mistakes When Mixing Drums w/ Mike Avenaim PART TWO

This is Part Deux of our conversation with Mike Avenaim. Make sure to check out Part One.

This episode is sponsored by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampens loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. Perhaps you’ve seen them at your church or on tour with artists like Khaleed, Zara Larsson, or Gladys Knight, just to name a few. They’re those clear, plexiglass circles that mount in front of cymbals and snares. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. Check them out at www.clearsoundbaffles.com

Ep 19: Most Common Mistakes When Mixing Drums w/ Mike Avenaim PART ONE

Today’s guest/expert is Mike Avenaim…a Los Angeles-based musical director, drummer, producer, composer, and mixer. He really does it all…and does it all pretty damn well. He’s worked with Scott Weiland, Lil Nas X, Tori Kelly, Hailee Steinfield, Nick Lachey, Leslie Odom Jr. and tons more. We discuss the incorrect use of compression styles, misunderstanding routing, mono vs stereo, gain staging and much more. While I usually like to keep these short, Mike is a treasure trove of knowledge and I was happy to let him unload. Because of this, I am splitting our conversation into two episodes…so please enjoy part one.

This episode is sponsored by Clearsound Baffles. Clearsound Baffles are a transparent, acoustic shielding product that dampens loud instruments and significantly improve live sound. Perhaps you’ve seen them at your church or on tour with artists like Khaleed, Zara Larsson, or Gladys Knight, just to name a few. They’re those clear, plexiglass circles that mount in front of cymbals and snares. They dampen harsh, high-end frequencies, eliminate a huge amount of bleed into the open mics on stage, and they let your drum kit breathe the way it was meant to. Check them out at www.clearsoundbaffles.com

Ep 18: QUARANTINE EDITION Tips To Still Improve as a Drummer When You Can't Get to Your Drums w/ Stephen Taylor

Today’s guest is Stephen Taylor…a Nashville based drum educator/performer and owner of Stephen’s Drum Shed. I’ve been following his online videos for years and am super stoked to have him on the show. With this pandemic essentially eliminating all live performances and keeping everyone home, a ton of drummers don’t have access to their drums. Sooooo I thought I’d talk with Stephen and brainstorm about ways we can still improve when we cant actually quote on quote “practice”. Of course, you can work on a drum pad and all that stuff…but we wanted to discuss the less obvious ways to still move your skillset forward. Alright…shutting up. Enjoy the show!

This episode is brought to you by Clearsound Baffles. Check them out!

Ep 12: Behind The Company - Low Boy Custom Beaters

Ben sits down with Jeremy Brieske of Lowboy Custom Beaters for another episode of Behind The Company. Not only did Lowboy change the way people think about bass drum beaters, but Jeremy also continues to invent new gadgets to better improve the drum set with no sign of stopping. I hope you enjoy the story of Lowboy as told by Jeremy. Cheers!

This episode is brought to you by Seabright Stick Company. Check them out at https://seabrightstickcompany.com/

Big Fat Five: A Podcast Financially Supported by Big Fat Snare Drum

By Ben Hilzinger

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