Get professional drum and percussion tracks to take your songs to the next level
Professional, versatile studio drummer and percussionist for hire
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Credits
Interview with Shawn Thacker
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The migrant worker record was a challenge as i had to come in and replace all the drum parts from another drummer and no click track was used with all the other music already in place. Not a conventional or easy way to do it but I was able to nail it down and improve the record. It is always my goal to get great, musical tracks that the songwriter and or producer love.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have your song as worked out as much as you possibly can and know what you are trying to achieve or a good idea of what you are going for.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Daniel Lanois because he has such a unique, signature style and sound and always gets amazing results with a variety of artist and projects
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Currently working on records coming out this year by Migrant Worker, TheSouthern Gothic, Amber Taylor, The Waymores, Rare Birds and a few others as well as improving the studio at every point i can.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: I love both. Analog for the sound , being able to hear all of the frequencies and less editing capability makes you really focus on every detail of your playing. Digital sounds great and is more efficient for doing more edit based creation
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I’ll honor my word and do a great job.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Getting to be creative and help others realize their vision for the music they are creating.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That complicated parts are best. Sometimes the most simple musical part can be the most effective
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Who are your influences, what drummers do you love , what type of drum and cymbal sounds sounds do you prefer what is the vibe of the song?
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: Small drum kit, a guitar and a piano
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Started as a kid in the garage with friends 30 years ago and never stopped. Have crossed the country several times over playing well over a thousand shows.and done over a hundred recordings for various artist. Have opened for ZZ Top, Heart, Styx, Foreigner, Big and Rich, to name a few. My band was featured in Billboard magazines bands on the rise in 2012
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Versatile with a deep musical well to draw from
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Great tuned drums make all the difference.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Rock, Americana, Indie Pop, funk, hip hop,
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Playing drum kit. Creating grooves, being versatile
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Musicality, groove, nuance, power, dynamics, vibe
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: Review the track and talk to artist about what they are looking for feel and vibe wise for their song. Make a chart of the arrangement and create a couple of different options for them to choose from then deliver a dynamic, musical track that serves , supports and compliments the artist vision for their song.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: My studio offers a variety of vintage Ludwig and modern Tama Starclassic drum kits with an array of cymbals and snare drums to fit any song. A myriad of percussion tools such as hand drums , shakers, etc. vintage tube amps by marathon , Fender bassman. Using 500 series Neve 1073 and API preamps, outboard compressors and efx units. Mojave M-200 tube Mics , Rode condensers, sure sm-57,sm-58 sm-91 Akg C-1000. Always a work in progress I’m adding Mics and outboard processing gear daily, weekly and monthly.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Daniel Lanois, Steve Jordan, Matt Chamberlain, Josh Freese, Prince, Paul Westerberg, Tony Visconti, Miles Davis, Brendan O’Brien, David Bowie, Rick Rubin, Glyn Johns, Brian Wilson, George Harrison, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynn, Mark Ronson,
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Creating drum and percussion tracks for songwriters and producers
