Matt Johnson

Session Drummer

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214 Reviews (198 Verified)
Matt Johnson on SoundBetter

From recording the seminal cult-creating album Grace with Jeff Buckley to years of touring with the beloved St. Vincent, I've worked with a wide spectrum of artists over the past two decades including Rufus Wainwright, Angus and Julia Stone, and recently Miike Snow.

I'm originally from Texas but living in New York City opened up the most opportunities for developing a drumming career. I've recorded and played with Rhodes, Jade Bird, Teddy Thompson, Jeff Taylor, John Mayer, Dan Mangan, Dean Wareham of Galaxy 500, Tal Wilkenfeld, Will Stratton, Elysian Fields, Cones, Dope Lemon, Martha Wainwright, The Walking Who, Gabriel Kahane, Chris Stills, Anna Calvi, Duncan Sheik, Vivian Bond, Harper Simon, Keren Ann, Gerry Leonard, Reeves Gabrels, Tom Freund, Beth Orton, Suzanne Vega, Rickie Lee Jones and Miirrors.

I have also have worked with great producers such as Marius Devries, Rick Rubin, Simone Felice, Andy Wallace, Eric J, Andrew Wyatt, John Agnello, John Alagia, Thomas Bartlett, Tony Buchen, Tony Visconti, Tony Berg, Ben Harper, Hod David, and Kieran Kelly.

Moving successively from NYC to Los Angeles, and then to Austin has allowed for an expanded studio setup that is ideal for remote recording. Signature drum parts, rhythmic hooks, hypnotic patterns, contrasting textures, and heavy grooves have always been my passion.

I'm looking forward to creative interfacing with great musical minds, either in person or across the world!

Would love to hear from you. Click the contact button above to get in touch.

Credits

AllMusic verified credits for Matt Johnson
  • Hey, King!
  • Angus & Julia Stone
  • Angus & Julia Stone
  • Will Stratton
  • Jade Bird
  • Jade Bird
  • Jeff Buckley
  • 54-40
  • Dan Mangan
  • Dan Mangan
  • Jane Lynch
  • Jane Lynch
  • Buenos Diaz
  • Buenos Diaz
  • Angus & Julia Stone
  • Angus & Julia Stone
  • Hamish Anderson
  • Hamish Anderson
  • Angus Stone
  • Angus Stone
  • Angus Stone
  • Pat Boone
  • Lia Ices
  • The Damnwells
  • The Damnwells
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Tony Guerrero
  • Debi Nova
  • Will James
  • Mary Flower
  • Mary Flower
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Soname
  • The Blues Gangsters
  • The Blues Gangsters
  • Teddy Thompson
  • Leon Jean-Marie
  • Apache
  • Apache
  • Apache
  • Amazon Dart
  • Martha Wainwright
  • The Out_Circuit
  • The Out_Circuit
  • The Heavy Circles
  • The Mighty Orq
  • Dean & Britta
  • Duncan Sheik
  • Duncan Sheik
  • Jon Regen
  • People Noise
  • David August
  • David August
  • Anne Loo
  • Anne Loo
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Rocky Roberts
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeremy Enigk
  • Jeremy Enigk
  • Dana Parish
  • Dana Parish
  • Dana Parish
  • Mandy Moore
  • Mandy Moore
  • Mandy Moore
  • Duncan Sheik
  • Duncan Sheik
  • Chris Stills
  • Chris Stills
  • Jeremy Enigk
  • Shane Gamble
  • Shyne Factory
  • Shyne Factory
  • Shyne Factory
  • Tristan Prettyman
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Kate & Anna McGarrigle
  • Tristan Prettyman
  • Tristan Prettyman
  • Tristan Prettyman
  • Suffering and the Hideous Thieves
  • The Profits
  • The Profits
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Josh Kelley
  • Dean & Britta
  • Dean & Britta
  • Beth Orton
  • Lori Andrews
  • Speedloader
  • Die Symphony
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Beth Orton
  • Tess Wiley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Duncan Sheik
  • Duncan Sheik
  • Suzanne Vega
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Tim Finn
  • Susan McKeown
  • Robin Spielberg
  • Cathie Ryan
  • Duncan Sheik
  • Tom Freund
  • Morley
  • Seedy Arkhestra
  • Shyne Factory
  • Shyne Factory
  • Shyne Factory
  • Shyne Factory
  • Shyne Factory
  • Tom Kubis Big Band
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Jeff Buckley
  • Tom Kubis
  • Tom Kubis Big Band
  • Trudy Lynn
  • Matt and Kim
  • Max Johnston
  • Negative Press Project
  • 54-40
  • Diana Demuth
  • Sarah de Bono
  • Dope Lemon
  • Old Blood

214 Reviews - 47 Repeat Clients

Endorse Matt Johnson
  1. Review by Logan
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    by Logan
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    How can a few words do justice for a Master? We can't say enough good things about playing with Matt, he's an amazing pro. Always listening with intent and carefully crafting the right drum track to match any type of song you send his way. Matt's the man. Thank you!!

  2. Review by Shachar Z.
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    Matt is a world-class drummer, and I'm honored to have him record drums for my track. His drumming ignited the production with energy that was missing and the tracks he sent me were of the highest sound quality.

    On a personal level, he was communicative, nice, and very open to helping me.

    The process was very time efficient and fast which was very important to me. Overall, couldn't have asked for a better experience and I'm already getting my next songs ready to record with him.

  3. Review by Zefan G.
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    It's my second time working with Matt, he's super professional and one of the best drummer I've worked with. I definitely want to work with him again!

  4. Review by Mike E.
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    Besides being an amazing world class drummer, just having the honor of having Matt play on my tracks has made me a better musician. He knows how to emphesize the arrangement of a song in ways I hadn't expected that brought out the best in the tracks that are already in the arrangements and made me rethink them. He has a way of making you go back and play everything better to try and reach the high bar that he sets. He's not just technically great- he's a creative zen master!

  5. Review by Tyler D.
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    Soundbetter is prompting me to detail my experience with regards to professionalism, quality of work and service. All I can say is that Matt embodies everything you could hope for in all three of those areas. That's all great, and what one hopes for, I guess, in using a service like this. But more than that, what I am impressed by in working with Matt is how deeply he listens, and cares about what he can offer others, and his hard work to make the most of what's possible in these connections.

  6. Review by Changu C.
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    Matt Johnson is a great player and communicator. Also, he's extremely professional and gets the job done.

  7. Review by Ashley E.
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    Matt was very friendly and easy to work with. If you need drums, he’s the guy!

  8. Review by Logan J.
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    Matt is stellar. Can't say enough good things about his performances. We love playing with him, he turns everything to gold!!

  9. Review by Sarah
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    by Sarah
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    Always good quality, timely and easy to work with, will be working with Matt again in the future!

  10. Review by Roman Zajats
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    Matt is great as only he can be , great ideas , great drumming !

  11. Review by Tanner C.
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    Easy and helpful to work with, and time efficient!

  12. Review by David M.
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    Working with Matt was a great experience! Of course he's a great drummer, but he's also professional and went the extra mile when he didn't have to.

  13. Review by Peter
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    by Peter
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    Matt is an absolute pro! Stellar job on my tracks. My go to for drums. He goes above and beyond every single time.

  14. Review by Jeppe T.
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    communication was very clear, everything sounded great and was on point - turnaround was fast and easy. highly recommended

  15. Review by Geoff
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    by Geoff
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    Matt was really responsive and very helpful during this project. The delivered tracks were top notch and the composition was so musical and perfect. Looking forward to working with him again!

  16. Review by Andrew Judah
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    Matt always goes above and beyond. Musical and punctual, thanks, Matt!

  17. Review by billyroachmusic
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    It was a pleasure working with matt. He made it very easy for me as a songwriter. I didn’t know what to expect as
    I’ve never used sound better before. I’d recommend matt. His performances to my music made genuinely smile. Not an easy thing to do. ;)

  18. Review by Michael J.
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    I really can't say enough good things about my experience with. His talent obviously stands out and, in my opinion, makes the song. What might not be as apparent to people considering hiring him is how easy he will make the experience. I'm a novice and didn't even really know what I wanted the drums to sound like. With virtually no guidance from me, he gave me studio quality recordings with 3 different versions of the song to pick and choose from - all of which are killer. Hire him!

  19. Review by Joseph
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    by Joseph
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    As usual Matts technical capabilities and groove shine through, and delivered way faster than expected! Always enjoy working with Matt and will definitely be back for more.

  20. Review by Ben L.
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    by Ben L.
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    Working with Matt is awesome. he delivers great tracks on time:)

Interview with Matt Johnson

  1. Q: What are you working on at the moment?

  2. A: Jade Bird touring before Covid. Lots of recording on lockdown

  3. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  4. A: all. why not?

  5. Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

  6. A: professionalism

  7. Q: What do you like most about your job?

  8. A: music

  9. Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

  10. A: It's easy

  11. Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

  12. A: Do you have reference music that could point to relevant sounds and approach?

  13. Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

  14. A: Have your tracks ready. know what you want.

  15. Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

  16. A: Kick snare hat floor cymbal

  17. Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

  18. A: Drumming, recording, touring, songwriting, production. 40 years

  19. Q: How would you describe your style?

  20. A: Dynamic and hypnotic

  21. Q: Can you share one music production tip?

  22. A: Listen and commit

  23. Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

  24. A: Beautiful

  25. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  26. A: Intuition

  27. Q: What do you bring to a song?

  28. A: Inspired insight

  29. Q: What's your typical work process?

  30. A: Concise and colorful charting of compositions on iPad using visual art app. I move over to practicing and doing preliminary recordings wherein I mock up what I intend to do, listening back for perspective. Sleep. Then I go in for the master takes, usually shedding charts and the prep mentality, using intuition and inspiration to summon the forces.

  31. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  32. A: Rupert Neve Designs, Great River, API mic pres. Some tape emulators for crunch. Soyuz tube condensers, AEA big ribbon, sE, various dynamic mics like SM7, RE20, 201

  33. Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

  34. A: Debussy Metallica Tame Impala L Subramaniam PJ Harvey

  35. Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

  36. A: Commonly I work with artists and producers, providing drum tracks according to a wide spectrum of sounds and musical approaches. From atmospheric coloration and textures to driving grooves of all sorts, generally I come up with rhythmic signatures or hooks that contribute to the impact of a composition.

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Jade Bird - Side Effects

I was the Drummer in this production


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    Jade Bird - Side Effects
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    Cones - Later
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    Jeff Buckley - Grace
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    Dope Lemon - Uptown Folks
Terms Of Service

The session fee includes one revision.

GenresSounds Like
  • St. Vincent
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Miike Snow
Gear Highlights
  • Rupert Neve Designs
  • API
  • Great River
  • Soyuz Tube Condensers
  • Universal Audio Apollo
  • Shure
  • Electro Voice
  • Istanbul
More Photos