Darren Weiss

Session drummer

Darren Weiss on SoundBetter

Touring / session drummer who has worked with Lana Del Rey, T Bone Burnett, Blake Mills, Perfume Genius, Florence and The Machine and Albert Hammond Jr

I offer both remote and in person drum sessions. I specialize in rock, pop, singer songwriter, punk and groove based music. I have a great track record with the artists I’ve worked with. Beginning my career as a session drummer in 2011, I know to listen well, and work hard to help artists and producers execute there vision quickly.

Contact me through the green button above and let's get to work.

Credits

Discogs verified credits for Darren Weiss
  • Various
  • Wires On Fire
  • Slang Chickens
  • Wires On Fire
  • Papa (5)
  • Girls (5)
  • Girls (5)
  • Jesca Hoop
  • Superhumanoids
  • Brody Dalle
  • Christopher Owens
  • The Secret Sisters
  • Elle King
  • Cullen Omori
  • Mini Mansions
  • Lana Del Rey
  • Evan Myall
  • Lana Del Rey
  • Del Water Gap
  • Sasami
  • Papa (5)
  • Glu (5)
  • Del Water Gap
  • Lana Del Rey

Interview with Darren Weiss

  1. Q: Analog or digital and why?

  2. A: Ive been able to find great results with both. I think it depends on the sensibility of the artist and the style of tracking being done

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

  4. A: quick turn around, quality recordings, and I'm very easy going and understanding when it comes to taking directions or notes

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

  6. A: creating drum tracks that make people excited and help them fulfill their vision as an artist

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

  8. A: would you be down to try it this way? my answer is always yes

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

  10. A: I also work as a composer and songwriter. I don't always talk about that when I'm being hired purely as a drummer, but I do think these other experiences and skill sets help my sensibility as a drummer as well as my understanding of what songs need to shine

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

  12. A: who are you inspired by? are there any reference tracks ? when do you need this back?

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

  14. A: don't be afraid to ask questions. In this setting, my absolute goal is to create drum tracks that you'll be inspired by and excited have on your recordings. I'll won't stop working until we get to that point

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

  16. A: my 1940's slinger land radio king snare drum my Ludwig supra phonic snare that I've played on almost everything since I was 15 a zildjian Constantinople ride that was gifted to me by Peter Erskine my 1957 gretsch "name brand" kit my Istanbul 14' 30th anniversary hi hats

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

  18. A: I have fluctuated between being members of touring bands, and spending time in Los Angeles as a session drummer, television composure, and music directer. I have been doing this professional for over a decade, and started touring in my own bands from the time I was 17

  19. Q: How would you describe your style?

  20. A: creative, thoughtful, open

  21. Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

  22. A: I've been lucky to work with a lot of artists that I never thought I would, but in the end an artists drive, passion and dedication to their vision is what inspires me more than any kind of previous success

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

  24. A: ask yourself why it sounds the way it does in your head before you try and recreate it in a room. sometimes the why is more effective and powerful thing to chase than the reference sound itself

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

  26. A: pop, rock, singer songwriter, hip hop, groove oriented rhythm and blues

  27. Q: What's your strongest skill?

  28. A: coming up with drum parts catered to the song

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

  30. A: and open mind, a desire for greatness, focused work ethic and a willingness to try things

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

  32. A: In the studio, its always different, but if I am working remote from my home studio, I will generally get a version of a demo with no drums, and then discuss what the artist is looking for before going ahead and tracking a first draft of ideas before I send those back to make sure we're thinking the same kind of thing, and then focus in on notes and revisions once the general idea and feel is locked in

  33. Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

  34. A: home drum studio. I work on protools, and though the mic list is always in rotation, I generally us m160s as over head, wunderaudio 47 fet clone for mono overhead, 421s for toms, 441 for snare and a re20 for kick

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

  36. A: Joey Waronker, Jay Bellerose, Jim Keltner, Carla Azar, Brian Blade

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

  38. A: Most commonly, I will be brought on by a producer to bring the songs of a solo artist to life

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Lana Del Rey "Thunder"

I was the drummer in this production

Terms Of Service

I typically will allow 3 revisions and will complete an assignment within a day of receiving it

GenresSounds Like
  • Alabama Shakes
  • The Strokes
  • Al Green
Gear Highlights
  • I have endorsement deals with Istanbul Agop cymbals and C and C drums but also have a deep collection of snares
  • cymbals and vintage kits to cover any musical and tonal ground
More Photos