I am a session/touring Drummer, Songwriter and Educator. Recorded over 100 albums ranging from Pop/Rock to Jazz and have been touring the globe for the past 15 years! Endorsed by Meinl Cymbals, Gretsch Drums, Vic Firth Drumsticks. I strive to make music a priority and treat it with the respect it deserves as the ultimate art form!
I started with Piano at an early age and moved to the Drumset as a teenager.
Within a year, I knew this was what I wanted to do in life, so I studied hard and moved to Los Angeles to study further with some of the world's best at the LACM.
Life and work in Los Angeles equipped me with a world class skillset and experience as I got to work with a variety of top notch professionals such as roducers/musicians Regie Dozier (Jamiroquai), Phillip Giffin (Hollywood Producer/ writer), Mike Tucci (Metallica, Pearl Jam), Brian Hardin, Nick Mancini, Mike Laundau, Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai’s band), Mike Miller (Chick Corea’s band), award winning Violinist Antonio Pontarelli and many others.
Coming back to Europe I extended my resume recording and/or touring with Pop Stars Helena Paparizou, Anna Vissi, Michalis Xatzigiannis and many more, as well as being an active educator in one of the world's largest Drum Camps (Lab Music Education Drum Camp) along side iconic drummers such as Virgil Donati and Gergo Borlai.
From arenas to TV shows to recording albums or Jingles, to writing music as a solo artist or for other people, music has always been the strongest compass in my life.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Credits
6 Reviews
Endorse Kal Drako
Kal is a great guy, a good professional and an absolute pleasure to work with. Did I mention that he's one of the best drummers in Greece? Are you looking for a talented pro drummer? Kal should totally be on your shortlist!
I have worked with Kal recording my second album and also had him play drums in my band for quite some time. He is one of the most talented people I know. He can adjust his playing and impecable technique to any style of music and give the music what it needs. He is a pro in everything he does, from recording tracks, writing songs, producing, mixing etc. I have also had him as my drum teacher for a couple of years and he is a great instructor as well. Also he is a great and honest person and fun to work with. I would highly recomend him.
Kal adapts easily and with finesse to the intricacies of any music style. Exceptionally fluent technique and solid sound , lots of musicality, innovative rhythmic ideas, tons of drumming experience. Always willing to experiment, collaborate and share input with other musicians. My favorite session drummer around.
Kal always delivers and gets the job done! One of my go to musicians, well rounded, fun to work with, super professional. Definitely recommend in any style of music!
Solid drumming! Kal recorded drums for one track of mine and I'm speachless... Great sound-Great Playing-No waste of time, he was on spot! Would recommend 100%.
I'm developing a rock dance track, and it was a great pleasure to have Kal aying down the foundation of the arrangement! The communication, playing and recording are impeccable. When you have dry drums powerful and punchy already, you're having it right! Thank you Kal for taking care of every minute detail!
Interview with Kal Drako
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: Playing Drums at Kallimarmaro Theater for 50.000 people with the iconic Dionisis Savopoulos. It was an amazing show and an insane experience.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Working closely with Christos Thivaios, a great singer songwriter. Very famous in Greece.
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: It depends on the project!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: I will treat your music with care and respect. I know you will be listening to me every time you ll listen to this music in the future and I take that very seriously.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I believe music is the purest and highest of art forms. I am glad to be a part of it and doing it so often. When i do music, it pulls me and i can only focus on the task at hand. The fact that it's so demanding, it's always a challenge. I love that.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That Drummers cannot be melodic, soft and sensitive.
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Track references, influences, how do they envision the track.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Have a well recorded Demo I can play on. Doesn't have to be too complex, just a couple of instruments in time with a click!
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: That 's an unfair question for a Drummer, a basic drum set is already 8 pieces lol :):) I would start with a Piano and a Guitar and then bring a 3 piece Drumkit.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started in Greece, playing with local artist 20 yrs ago. I moved to LA and played with tons of Hollywood artists, world class musicians and producers. Was there for 7 yrs. I moved back to Greece but i still work with some people from LA remotely. Since then I 've been touring every summer and recording through out the year. I 've done everything from Jingles, clubs and theaters all the way up to arena gigs, festivals, playing for 50.000 people etc.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: All around.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Trent Reznor. Well because he is a genius, obviously : )
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Go with your ears. A $100 mic can sound better than a $1000 mic in a specific room just cause.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Groove oriented music. Pop, Rock, Funk, Folk, Country etc.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: My ears. My ears "read" the song way better than my eyes will ever read a chart.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I learned early in my career that I am supposed to make the music better than it was before I came in, otherwise i have no business being there. That might mean different things, sometimes its energy and power and some others its light colours and touches.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: After making sure our set is ready, me and Dio will listen to the music a few times and suggest a few things concerning drum parts and sounds. I will do a take or two, and then we will listen again and see which part fits better. Then, once we know exactly which one is the right part, we will get a final polished take and send it to you for approval .
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I proudly endorse Gretsch Drums, Meinl Cymbals and Vic Firth drumsticks. I have various sizes of Bass Drums and Snares to compliment different styles. Some of the gear at the studio : Recording console: TRIDENT SERIES 70 Outboard EQ: ORBAN 622B REVERB: LEXICON PCM91 MICROPHONES: AKG C414 LTD AUDIX i5,D4,D2,D6 RODE NT5, NT2000,NT4 OKTAVA MK012 BEYERDYNAMIC OPUS 83,M201TG SHURE SM57,SM 58
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: I get inspired by originality, passion and professionalism. It doesn't matter if it's a Drummer, a Clarinet player or a Barista to be honest. If there is something unique there, i will be inspired. I do have a sweet spot for Piano players, probably because that's the first instrument I played as a kid, and songwriters - melodists. Some of my influences are : Dave Matthews, Sting, Trent Reznor, Abe Laboriel Jr, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Jordan, Dennis Chambers, Darren King, Ash Soan, Chick Corea, John Mayer, Ryan Tedder and Dave Grohl to name a few.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I provide the Drums, either on stage or at the studio. Most of the times I will go to a studio and set up, the producer will give me a chart and we will listen to the song once or twice and talk about how we ll go about it. I will make suggestions about beats and sounds and we ll do a couple of takes to see what feels best. Our goal is to find ideas that will actually improve the composition.
I was the Drummer, Guitarist, Bass Player, Singer, Songwriter and tracking/mixing engineer in this production
- Live drum trackAverage price - $150 per song
- Songwriter - MusicAverage price - $400 per song
- Mixing EngineerAverage price - $100 per song
Drum Tracks turn around in 3-5 business days, depending on the number of songs.
Mixing : 3-5 days depending on the length and number of tracks.
3 revisions included.
- John Mayer
- Sting
- Meinl Cymbals
- Gretsch Drums
- Vic Firth Drumsticks
