NEW Cympad Endorsement

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I’m very happy to say that I am now a fully fledged endorser of Cympad products. This company have taken the basic cymbal dampener and taken it to a whole new level, with various sizes for crashes and rides that really control and aid the sound of my cymbals in a ‘live’ & studio environment. 

I am using:

* Cympad Chromatics pack White 40/15mm 

*Cympad Moderator Set/pack 90x15mm 

*Cympad Optimizer – Starter Pack 

They are really helping my cymbals in the recording studio, the moderator’s on my ride cymbal are really centring the sound nicely. That along with the Bopworks sticks I use means I am really getting that Tony Williams style sound when I need it. On the crashes they are really controlling the sound and I’m experimenting between the Chromatics and the Optimizers, and I am only just scratching the surface of all the possibilities that they can offer!

A great product and something that all drummers should check out if they are serious about their sound. 

 

 

 

*Skype drum lessons available for 2018*

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I’m now set up to start giving online Skype drum lessons in 2018!!

I am interested in hearing from you if you would like a lesson, write to me at: robert.brian70@gmail.com

I teach from NAM Studios which has had the likes of Royal Blood, Siouxsie Sioux, Van Morrison, The Magic Numbers, KT Tunstall, The Mission, Robert Plant, Charlie Jones, Innes Sibun rehearsing or recording there. 

Please contact me for more details.

New Album – The Gary Bamford Trio.

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I am very excited for the release of the new Gary Bamford Trio CD, it was recorded last year and is ready for release on December the 18th 2017.

Its available from: https://garybamford.bandcamp.com/album/god-love-and-other-myths

The album was recorded at J&J Studio in Bristol with the ever amazing Jim Barr at the helm. Gary is a good friend and an amazing writer and keyboard player, we have been friends for many years and this new CD is definitely the best thing we have ever recorded together. The trio became complete when the brilliant Al Swainger joined us playing bass about a year and a half ago, and what a superb bass player he is. Together we recorded this album over 3 days and then returned to master it a few months later, it has taken quite awhile to get the finished product out there but we are proud to say its ready for the world to hear!

I am particularly proud of my playing on this album, I feel the material has allowed me to play the style and vibe that is really ME, if that makes sense. If you fancy hearing that, then please go to the website and check it out.

Here are a few pics from the recordings, I changed many snares, cymbals and effects and so on to get the perfect drum sound and vibe for each track. Getting inside the music like that brings your performance alive and gives the music the respect it deserves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘More Than That’ the new charity EP!

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It’s been a real pleasure working with some very close musical friends to record this great new song by Sam Eason & Simon Allen.
I’m proud of Helen Brian who has worked very hard with the charities & musicians to bring this project together and I feel that together we have all made something rather magical.
Being a drummer and performer for the last 38 years I have had issues at times with anxiety and performance related stress, and to be able to be involved in something that brings awareness to that is personally very important to me. It’s crucial for anyone suffering with mental health issues to know that they have a support system should they need it, and these charities are working constantly to be there for them. So please buy the song and indeed the whole EP, you’ll not be disappointed and you’ll be doing a great thing for the charities at the same time! ❤️ XxxxX

https://musicinmind.bandcamp.com/album/more-than-that-ep

Also, come see Littlemen and Sam Eason perform this song at a charity gig in Bath on October the 13th, get your tickets here:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3064448

I appeared on BBC Wiltshire with Helen Brian and Stuart Bruce to promote the single on Thursday the 5th October, listen here from 1:08:33 for our interview:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05fqt8b

The amazing people involved in this project:
Sam Eason, Simon Allen, Stuart Bruce, Nick Allen, James Taylor, littlemen, Andrew Maggs, Alaina Herbert, Joe Bradford, Jon Buckett, Phil Andrews, Music In Mind 2017, Doug Wells, Josh Fish, Jennifer Crook, Paul Hartshorn, also the beautiful choir at the end of the song who were totally FAB! 😍 XxxX

'More Than That' – the Music In Mind 2017 Charity Single… Co…

'More Than That' – the Music In Mind 2017 Charity single, downloadable soon from https://musicinmind.bandcamp.com/releasesCheck out our 'behind the scenes' teaser video put together by the amazing James Taylor…. and don't forget Sam Eason & Littlemen – Music In Mind 2017 – THE big gig, tickets available NOW from http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3064448

Posted by Music In Mind 2017 on Sunday, 24 September 2017

 

 

 

 

NEW Goldfrapp single – ‘Everything is never Enough’

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I am totally delighted that the guys have chosen this track as their new video single, as it’s the one that I played on!

I’ve already written at length about the experience I had working with Will & Alison and how much I enjoyed it, but I am still chuffed to say that this is their new single! 🙂

Check the wonderful video out here:

 

Filming finished on ‘Technique & Musicality Volume 2!’

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Well, I am very happy to say that we have completed the filming for this new teaching adventure!

It took us 4 days to complete and all the crew involved were excellent and made the experience a real pleasure. My nephew James Taylor who filmed it and Pete Hewington & Jon Buckett who captured the audio were all absolute legends. We have many hours of drumming and comedy outtakes to edit through, but I am sure it’ll be a giggle working through it all…..If only for me! Lol 

To let you know about distribution and so on, I have been in contact with Don Lombardi at the Drum Channel at DW Drums in America, and they are interested to see what I have covered in the lessons. So, its possible that I may sort something out with them, or it may just be available through my website as separate chapter downloads. Either way it’ll be available before Christmas and I cannot wait for you guys to check it out! 

Here is a little insight into the filming sessions: Technique & Musicality Volume 2

 

 

 

 

 

Filming started on ‘Technique & Musicality’ volume 2!

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Well, I’m glad to inform you all that filming has finally started on ‘Technique & Musicality’ volume 2′

I am lucky to have James Taylor looking after the filming and the use of Earthworm/Amber Studios with Pete Hewington and Jon Buckett at the audio controls. This volume has all new patterns and ideas that I have found useful in my ‘live’ and session drumming over the past 7 years since volume 1 was released. I am not sure how it will be distributed as yet but I am in discussion with various parties about it, so watch this space! 

Some of the ideas that I am covering are: All new snare and bass drum warm ups, Orchestrating Jazz Phrases, Improving your Grooves and Being ultra creative on the drum kit. 

Here are some pics from the first 2 days of shooting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Technique & Musicality Volume 2.

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I am delighted to say that work will start shortly on my next drum DVD ‘Technique & Musicality 2’

Volume 1 was released in 2010 and was very well received getting 3 or 4 out of 5 star reviews in publications like Modern Drummer, Rhythm Magazine and Drummer. I originally wanted other volumes to follow a lot quicker but it didn’t quite work out that way, but now seemed a good time to continue, so work begins!

I will post little teaser clips here & there as we go along and I’m really looking forward to getting these drumming ideas documented and out there for others to check out. My approach to drumming and drum education has certainly moved on since volume 1 and my experiences performing drum clinics and masterclasses has taught me a lot over the recent years. More importantly I’ve found through my playing experiences in the studio and ‘live’ over the past 7 years that I’ve learnt so much that has guided me to really see what is and what is not so important when it comes to having a successful professional drumming career. 

So, I am looking forward to sharing my new concepts & exercises with drummers everywhere and I am sure there will be masterclass dates to follow as well. 

If you are interested in getting a copy then please let me know and I will add your name to an early bird email list that will be sent out before the DVD is readily available.

Write to: robert.brian70@gmail.com 

 

 

 

 

Goldfrapp ‘Silver Eye’ CD makes top 5 in UK!

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I am chuffed that the new Goldfrapp album ‘Silver Eye’ made it to number 5 in the UK album charts.

It was such a joy to take part in the sessions and it’s been great watching their fans reaction to the record which I think is a superb collection of songs. The tour to promote the album is taking the band all over the world where they are playing their own shows as well as select festival dates.

The track I played on is ‘Everything is never Enough’ –

 

I love the mix of electronic programmed drums and my ‘live’ DW kit which was recorded very dry. I had no cymbals at all on the drum kit and the part I played had a very tribal feel to it, with the rolling floor toms and constant steady backbeats on the snare drum. I even managed to get my favourite Kraut rock drum fill into the track which occurs at 3:28!

 

 

Rob’s ‘Guest’ Rhythm Magazine lessons

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BIG thanks to Chris Burke at Rhythm Magazine for asking me to be the guest tutor in the mag for the past 4 months. I have received some really lovely feedback from drummers about the lessons and I think Chris might well ask me to submit some more next year….Watch this space!!!

The 4 lessons I felt were varied and would give drummers of all levels something interesting to work on to add to their techniques.  For me, they are a step towards me filming my second DVD Technique & Musicality volume 2.

The Rhythm lessons were filmed by James Taylor and sound recordings by Jon Bucket & Pete Hewington at Earthworm/Amber Studios in Swindon. 

If you enjoyed these lessons please check here regularly for updates on the filming of T&M volume 2!