Session Drummer

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

A: I've been doing this my entire life, since my father is also a musician. I started playing drums when I was 2 years old and got private lessons since 4; at 8 I also started studying percussion at Oporto's Music Conservatory; at 15 I continued my percussion studies at Espinho's Professional Music School; at 18 I went to Oporto's Superior School of Performing Arts, where I got my Master's Degree. Besides all the musical training, I started giving drum lessons when I was 14 and also started working professionally as a session musician at 17. Until now, I've recorded more than 20 albums spanning multiple genres and toured with bands and orchestras over Europe, North America and Middle-East.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: I would say asking about what I need to get started, which is usually two different WAV files - one with a full mix without the drums and another with just the drums (programmed or live, for reference) - and also the BPM reference.

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

A: I usually work on the more progressive/alternative genres like Fusion/Rock/Metal, but I've also done a lot of work on Pop, Funk, R&B and World Music.

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Yes, Hugo Ribeiro - an excellent drummer and professional: https://soundbetter.com/profiles/93125-hugo-ribeiro

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: I think both systems have their pros and cons - it's a matter of personal taste and work methods.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The creative interactions and freedom to explore any kind of musical possibilities.

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

A: Thinking that I'm mainly a metal drummer, which couldn't be further from the truth.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: I would say versatility, to be able to work on every kind of musical environment.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring my own touch and vocabulary to a song while serving the client's vision of it.

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

A: I provide professional quality live drums for bands and artists.

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: I have to say Sullen, since it's my main musical project and it's where besides being the drummer/percussionist, I also compose most of its music. I'm especially proud of it since I have all the freedom to create whatever I want, artistically speaking.

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I'm currently working on new music for a couple of my main projects (Sullen and Rei Bruxo), doing session work for some groups (both live and in the studio), and giving private drum lessons.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: I always describe myself as a generalist drummer, always working towards an ecletic approach to the craft.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Try to be as much artistically versatile as you can on every work context, to flesh out the very best of everything and everyone in any kind of environment.