About Me:

I've loved drums for as long as I can remember. With a love for drums due in part to my late Uncle Probyn “Bobby” Clarke who was a session musician in the 80’s/90’s (ParadiseLCGCEast 17London Beat), I was drawn to the drums but had nothing but chopsticks, pots, and pans with which to express my desire until the age of 11 when my local church got a drum kit… The rest (as they say) is history.

 

It didn’t take long for me to become the church’s main drummer and also get noticed by musicians in the Midlands and further afield, playing with many artists from around the country week-in-week-out.

While at University I got the call to work with an international band 4Real (based out of Austria) and toured with them for 2 years, which led to me doing clinic’s and workshops for musicians in Europe.

After a break from professional drumming, 2013 saw me take to the set depping gigs for Raleigh Ritchie (Columbia) and that re-ignited my passion to pursue a music career again. I’ve since worked with numerous artist’s as a Drummer, Musical Director, and Programmer and I continue to venture into different genres of music, travelling around the UK and the world doing what I love.

People describe me as a solid, musical, pocket drummer who plays different genres of music authentically, but (in my own words) describe my drumming as, “dynamic, expressive and energetic.”

Over the last few years, I’ve been developing as a Musical Director / Band Fixer and honing my craft (and have set up a company to facilitate this: 87 Music LTD), working to briefs from managers and labels and overseeing the process of creating live shows that represent the artists I’ve worked for, bringing in the right personnel, negotiating budgets and delivering a live show that sonically represents the artist’s music. 2016 saw me take on the MD role for two major label development artists and also saw me put the band together for Meghan Trainor’s performance on The Graham Norton Show and MD the band for Nicole Scherzinger’s (formerly of the Pussy Cat Dolls) dates this side of the pond.

I’m learning and growing and believe that I have something different to offer the music industry and your live music project, whether that’s from the drums, sitting in the MD’s chair or both.

Experience:

Media Experience: Sunday Brunch (Channel 4 – LIVE program) | BBC Radio 1 LIVE Lounge with Chloe Howl (Huw Stephens) - Meghan Trainor (Fearne Cotton) | BBC Radio 2 with Meghan Trainor (Chris Evans Breakfast Show) | VEVO DVSCR | Xperia Access | Columbia | BBC Radio 2 with Raleigh Ritchie (Dermot O'Leary) | The Graham Norton Show with Meghan Trainor | Amazon Prime | Ont' Sofa | Hook LDN | Viber Presents | MTV Crashes, Sofar Sounds and more...

 

Tour Experience: UK, Europe, USA | Ellie Goulding – Halcyon Days Tour (support act) | Marcus Collins UK Headline Tour | Meghan Trainor UK Promotional Tour | Allie X Promo Tour | Raleigh Ritchie Headline Tour | Julian Perretta Karma Tour 2016 (Dep)

 

Festivals: Evolution Festival, The Great Escape, Live At Leeds, Liverpool Sound City, Isle Of Wight, Bushstock, Oceanfest, Glastonbury, V Festival, SXSW, Blissfields, Barn On The Farm, Wakestock, T In The Park, Slottsfjell, Benicassim, Blue Balls, Y-Not, Way Out West, Summerwell, Frequency, Middlehaven, Brownstock, Bingley Music, Gold Coast Festival, Pukklepop, Yunost, Adidas Originals, British Summer Time Festival, Boardmasters, Glass Butter Beach, Reading & Leeds, Victorious Festival, Rock Assembly, MTV Crashes Plymouth and more...

Key Musical Influences

Marvin McQuitty

Marvin McQuitty was the person who really inspired me to take up drums after always wanting to play. Seeing Fred Hammond's 'Pages Of Life Chapter 1 & 2' was all it took to take me from the sofa to the throne... The drum throne. Marvin mentored me for 10 years after meeting him and being his drum-tech on Fred Hammond's 2012 UK dates. Having my favourite drummer mentor me and take the time out to encourage me and give me tips helped make me the musician I am today. Thanks Uncle Marv... Rest In Peace!

Donavan Hepburn

Donavan Hepburn has been a big influence of mine since my late teenage years. Whenever I would turn on my TV, he would be there playing for global chart topping acts. He has worked with such a wide range of people and developed a unique skill set that has made him more than a drummer so I'm privileged to have him in the role of a mentor and someone that will advise me and guide me as I navigate my way through the music industry. Donavan is one of the most high profile session musicians in the country and currently works for Take ThatGary BarlowJeff LynneBBC (and more) as a drummer and has a Musical Director's CV that includes Sam SmithRaleigh Ritchie, Martin Garrix, Raye and a host of others.

Percussion

I cater to the needs of the artists i work with by playing both full drum kits and stripped down percussive instruments for acoustic sessions, showcases and label promo videos.

Band Leadership

I work with Musical Directors who are not part of the band and keep the live show representing the artist's music in the best way possible and communicating any changes that need to be made whilst making sure the artist is happy with the live show while on the road. I can also put groups of musicians together to form a band from scratch and give musical direction.

Programming

The use of of live backing tracks in popular music is essential to allow the live performance to sound like the record but with a live edge. I use the latest Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) and also have my own live playback rig for use on live shows.

Arranging

While labels, managers and artists like to keep their music as true to the record as possible, it is often necessary to arrange the music in a way that gives the songs a live edge and excitement.

Gear Talk: Tama’s Cocktail-JAM | A Working Drummer’s Dream

Published on October 24, 2017

So, if you didn’t know, I’ve been working with a new up and coming artist…

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A Beginners Guide To Programming A Show – Tips To Help You Get Started

Published on October 18, 2017

As many of you know, I’ve been putting shows together for artists for a couple…

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Join Me at B.O.L.D’s #GrowTogether Conference 1-2/9/17

Published on August 8, 2017

This is a quick blog to let you know that I will speaking at BOLD’s…

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