Episode Three - Arthur Kam

Worth noting - the audio is almost twice as long as the video, and contains the unabridged interview and unabridged drumming audio clips

Arthur's a legit celebrity on Youtube, where, arguably, it matters most. I first discovered him while doing my daily drum-video-full-immersion experience, and found his drum cover so captivating, I made a reality show episode about it.

When I learned he was moving to town I jumped at the chance to interview him in person. When he finally showed up at "80/20 Headquarters" under the BQE in Gowanus, I knew I was in for a chop-fest. What surprised me was the intensity of his pocket - the videos hadn't done it justice - and the pacing and taste with which he played. (Not unlike my previous guests, Colin and Kassa.)

I was curious to know Arthur's mental approach, to when it was time to interview, I dug in. Here are just a few of the things we covered:

• Arthur's earliest influences while growing up in Malaysia, and the differences between watching videos and seeing live performances.
• Arthur's philosophy on chops versus musicality.
• The "secret" to getting better Arthur discovered early in his life that I only discovered a few years ago.
• The usual 80/20 Drummer question - what does he look for in young players that indicates they'll be good. Also...
• What up-and-coming players most need to work on.

Really hope you enjoy! It goes without saying that if you dig this episode, the best way to "thank" us is to share (with one of the handy buttons below). In fact, if you tweet this and tag me (@8020drummer), I'll mail you popsicle.*

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Finally, I hope you'll subscribe on iTunes and write us a review! There's still time to beat my mom to it, but as of the publishing date that window's closing.

*Not Really

Episode Two - Kassa Overall

Worth noting - the audio is almost twice as long as the video, and contains the unabridged interview and unabridged drumming audio clips

I first became aware of Kassa Overall when a friend recommended me to sub for him on a gig. Needless-to-say it was humbling to try to fill his shoes (and man would I like another shot at that now that I've figured out a few more things about the drums/music - such is life), and the Youtube Deep Dive the gig sent me down unearthed some gems. 

"Who is this be-afroed bohemian who gives zero fucks?"

Welp, he's now the drummer for a little band called Steve Coleman and the Five Elements, a group that influenced me a ton growing up. It was serendipity when, in the process of filming an episode of my reality show, I happened to be back home visiting Montana, shedding at the house of a local drummer named Dick Ostheimer. It turned out Kassa had visited and hung with Dick as well just months earlier when he was in town with the Five Elements. On Dick's recommendation, I started checking out the Alan Dawson Rudimental Ritual again, and it was to Kassa that Dick sent me for advice . As you'll see in the video, we didn't talk much about the Ritual. (He showed me some "secret shit" at the beginning, with cameras off, though.) (Don't worry I'll disclose all when I finish the Rudimental Ritual Episode of the reality show.)

If you dig this episode, please share it!

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Finally, please subscribe in iTunes and write a review! Back soon with Dan Weiss and Nate Wood, among others.

Episode One - Colin Stranahan

I've been a fan of Colin Stranahan ever since I saw him perform in a band with my friend Jake Saslow, Matt Stevens, and Harish Raghavan years ago in Williamsburg, while he and Jake were on a break from the Monk Institute (they were roommates).

Since then Colin's "blown up", touring with his and my hero Kurt Rosenwinkel, finishing in the final 3 in the Monk Competition, and not incidentally leading an award-winning trio of his own. As soon as I decided to launch the 80/20 Drummer podcast, I knew I wanted Colin on as one of the initial guests because he quite simply does everything right. Feel, musicality, originality. Like a friend who makes you feel interesting because he's the one with the social chops, Colin has a knack for making everybody he plays with sound great, and pushing the band to new and interesting places.

This week Colin invited me over to his apartment to play some drums and talk about his journey with the drums and his approach to music and life. You can watch the video above or listen to or download the audio-only version below. (To play on a smartphone, click "download".)

Here are the main things I learned in this interview, for which the complete transcript is here:

• What attracted Colin to music initially, and how he balances technique and musical instinct.
• How he copes with the many "high pressure" situations he's performed in, and a mental hack you can make work for you (that's much simpler than you'd expect).
• The biggest single predictor of future success in young drummers he hears and coaches.
• The biggest single mistake Colin sees young musicians making, and a new mindset to help break out of that.
• The biggest misconception aspiring players have about "success", and what "success" looks like in real life.
• How Colin keeps centered in his life and his playing.

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Resources and links for this episode

Check out Colin's new record, Limitless, from Capri Records, here.

If you dug this interview and want to get more like it please click the button below to subscribe in iTunes, and if you want to do the show a solid, leave a rating and review so iTunes will rank it more highly! See you back next week for Episode 2.