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12.11.15

There's a new teacher in town...



Dr. Paradiddles is happy to introduce a new teacher...

...meet: Debbie Knox-Hewson.



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UPDATE:

Dr. Paradiddles WonderDrumporium​'s new teacher Debbie, has made the short-list for the best new drummer 2015!

http://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/who-is-the-best-new-drummer-of-2015-630519


(17/11/2015)
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Debbie is the touring drummer with Charli XCX.  An alumna of BIMM in the UK, Debbie recently moved to Berlin, Germany and has joined Rich at Dr Paradiddles.

She is currently accepting students of all ages and ability from January 2016.  This is a great opportunity to start learning drums as a new instrument or improving your ability. Don't forget to inquire about package deals, intense courses and discounts...  :-)

A masterclass drummer with oodles of experience behind her, Debbie is an amazing person to have at Dr P's and I am extremely honoured to have her teaching here.

Find out more about Debbie HERE.

Contact Rich or Debbie to book your session HERE.



30.7.15

New releases

So much has been happening!  I have hardly had time to sleep...

...and I really don't know where to begin.

I am gonna go with alphabetical order:


A.  Arttraktiv Berlin.  I have been working with these guys the past few months to help advise and build a new recording studio.  The project is underway and should be completed by the end of the summer.  We have some amazing equipment being installed and I will be heading up the producer team, (including myself), with a bunch of super fantastic guys on-board ready for any music project.  They even have a grand piano in the place - it's amazing!  I am very honoured and excited to be working on such a fantastic project and can't wait until it's ready to go!  If you need a place to record and want your choice of producer, contact me or directly with arttraktiv - info@arttraktiv.de
They also have hundreds, (literally!), of practice rooms, alongside music education programs and other musically creative spaces.  GET INVOLVED!
B. The Blowbacks.  I hear that the album is almost finished...  Until it's release, go have a listen to some of the tunes on their Soundcloud here.


C. Cymbals.  I have been using Diril Cymbals for about 7 years now.  They are amazing handmade Turkish cymbals, which not only compete sonically and visually with the top name brands, but also cost half the price...  In fact, I would go so far as to say, these actually exceed (in most cases) the top end series of the big 4 or 5 top name brands; These cymbals really are twice the value and without any compromise.  I love them.  If you want to try some or need any new cymbals, get in touch - I can order direct from Turkey.



D. Deja Nova Trio.  An even further departure in style from my rock roots.  I have joined this beautiful Harp and Bass duo to complete the trio on stage and hope to perform more in the future.  Swing and Jazz style loveliness.


























F. Flemming Borby.  Having recorded on Flemming's album "Somebody Wrong" earlier this year, the record is now out to buy.  We also played a couple of shows to release the video and the single "Somebody Wrong" here in Berlin and look forward to the official album release party in September.  Listen on Soundcloud here.  Watch the Video for "Somebody Wrong" here.



I. The Incredible Disappearing Boy.  The record is out now.  If you like Americana style music, check out this EP.  One of the finest I've ever had the pleasure of playing on, and with some deservedly fantastic reviews, this EP should be in your record collection...  (even if you don't like Americana - it should still be in your record collection).



L. Le-Thanh.  Well, what can I say about Le-Thanh...?  I recorded the album last year and it finally had it's release a month or so back.  Instead of trying to describe the sound, it's probably better if you read a review, or even better, listen for yourself and decide for yourself how beautiful this record actually is.  (Or maybe watch this video of us playing in a cinema)



M. Mr Dog The Bear.  Post-Rock, Alternative, Instrumental, Soundtrack style goodness...  The first EP from Mr Dog The Bear will be out in September/October this year but work towards the second EP is already underway...  There have been a couple of nice reviews for the debut release already and also some airplay!  Listen here, here, here, watch here, or here and read a lovely review here!!!


N. Nadav Meir.  Nadav is an Israeli singer-songwriter.  I recorded drums for his debut album earlier this year and it's now out to buy.  A collection of emotional songs, this was an amazing album to have been a part of.  Listen here.  Or even better - buy it now and listen again and again...


P. Pop Music, Song-Writing and Production.  Last year was extremely busy for recording, having been featured on about 17 albums and music projects around the world.  It's strange as a busy session musician - It's embarrassing to admit, but I sometimes forget some of the work I've done...  A friend recently asked me how I manage to do so much; I think I just prepare for whatever the next project is, whether it's a live show or a studio recording or a music video.  Then I move on to the next one.  So, it's easy to lose track of some things as I always seem to be moving forward.

I even find it hard to update this blog so often - I think my last post was about 4 months ago.

Anyway, I digress...  In the past 4 month (since my last post), some interesting work has come my way and I have diversified hugely, opening up a lot of new opportunities for myself.  Not only am I playing drums for an eclectic and assorted collection of bands and musicians, teaching at my school, working on a new studio build and running my rockschool club for young musicians, but I am now also mixing, writing and producing music.  The first proper project I have is co-writing an album with German pop singer Charlotte Giers.  It is a challenge, but it is amazing work and so exciting to be involved in so many new creative ways.  I think I have found a new love in production and song-writing.  Creating music in the studio is, it seems, my latest passion.  And I am excited about what Charlotte and I can produce together. 


R. Radio & Reviews.  BBC Radio Introductiong, Radio 1 Germany, Amazing Radio and many, many reviews for a lot of the music I have recorded.  Here's a list:

Amazing Radio - Mr Dog The Bear
Radio 1, Germany - Le-Thahn
BBC Radio Introducing - The Blowbacks (no longer available online)
BBC Radio Introducing - FlyCatFly (no longer available online)
Sentric Music Podcast - The Incredible Disappearing Boy
Dancing About Architecture Album Review - Le-Thahn
Dancing About Architecture Album Review - FlyCatFly
Gig Monkey Review - The Incredible Disappearing Boy
Americana UK Review - The Incredible Disappearing Boy
The Siren Sound Review - Mr Dog The Bear


S. Sticks. Agner Swiss Drumsticks are now supporting me and Dr Paradiddles Wonder Drumporium!  Whoop!



T. Teaching.  I still have space available for private students at Dr Paradiddles.  I am still running drum workshops at Super Sessions, Berlin and will probably be offering some workshops in the UK later this year (December) as well as something more regular at Arttraktiv, Berlin.  I am in need of a bass player for my Rockschool band.  Hit me up should you be interested in any of this.



U. UK.  Sam Bates.  Sam.  He seems to be the only reason I travel back to the UK.  I have flights booked mid-August to record an album which Sam is producing.  He won't even tell me who for.  I love you Sam.


V. Verb.  This project is so new that I can't give you any links or pictures or anything!  But, I can tell you what it's all about:  I am so so lucky that I have began making some sounds with Ksenia Zake, the unbelievable Latvian singer and guitarist, formerly the front woman from Tribes Of The City.  It's just the two of us so far, but we are making a lot of noise...  Watch this space.
Listen to Tribes Of The City here.
Watch a video here.

24.4.15

New Videos

I am in some new videos!  Watch them below:

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Firstly, a recording session I did in March this year in the UK, with The Incredible Disappearing Boy himself, Mr Sam Bates.

Also in the studio were the hugely talented Cinzano Taylor and Jon Bucket to help make this record one of the best I've ever been a part of.

Thanks to all you fantastic guys and also to Paj and Henry and Thom for the videos.

This is "Where I Wanted To Be" by The Incredible Disappearing Boy.


You can also watch the documentary about the making of the EP here:



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Next up is a live video from the record release show for my band FlyCatFly.  Recorded by Eike Klingspohn and filmed and recorded by the venue Hinterhof Arpke (all of these guys totally rock), this song is "A Perfect And His Slave".  Interestingly, this song isn't actually featured on our debut album, but it will be on the follow up - which is already under way!


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Another 'studio shot' music video comes from Mr Flemming Borby and his Flying Saucers band - (I am a flying saucer; another interesting fact is that there is a flying saucer picture on the front cover of the FlyCatFly album!)


This one was made at the legendary Funkhaus in Berlin earlier this year and was shot and edited by Chris Koll.
The song is "Somebody Wrong" and is out as a single now.  It is also from Flemmings forthcoming album, out in the summer 2015.

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Last but definitely not least is another video from Zeki Min's debut album I played drums on.  We're recording the follow up next month in Bremen, Zeki's new home town...

 
Enjoy!

14.4.15

Releases and latest news

April.
The weather.
What is all that about?!
I returned to Berlin at the start of this month to a mix of hail, snow, rain and wind, but now, at least, it is sunny and getting warmer...
This is good.

There are lots of other good things about April 2015:


This month sees the official release of the FlyCatFly album "Pocket Full Of Pain".


This is a special album for me as, not only did I play the drums, I also feature on the album playing a little bass guitar, keys, singing some backing and I also am proud to say that it is my first official mixing and production project, having recorded a lot of it at my own studio.  It was a fantastic learning curve and I really got excited about creating string and song arrangements along with the beautiful Cord and Sina.

I am looking forward to the second album already - we already have 7 songs halfway finished, so I am hoping this one takes a lot less time to finish!

We officially release the album this Friday in Arpke at a show we will play with a good friend of mine, Gaz Brookfield who is currently on tour across Europe.  I cannot wait.


As for the rest of this year so far; well... where to begin...?

I guess with the ill-fated "tour" of the UK in March.  I was looking forward to playing a fairly big tour in March with Eban Brown, lead singer of The Stylistics.  However, due to unfortunate circumstances we only got to play one show together.  It was a good one though, and so I hope that there will be another chance to play with Mr Brown next year.


However, spending a month in the UK without a tour wasn't a total loss...  I got myself busy!  I ended up teaching at The Academy Of Music And Sound for a couple of weeks, including some extremely successful workshops - so successful in fact that I plan on returning to the UK in December to do some more!  Details to come...


I also had the extreme honour of being asked to record with song-writed and producer Sam Bates for his current project, "The Incredible Disappearing Boy".  Three days in the studio to record 4 songs for the debut EP with some of the finest musicians in the area.


One of the quickest turnarounds ever, the EP is already out, and to make the entire experience even better, I got to work with some of the most amazing and talented guys in the business!  One of the tracks on the EP is not only one of the best songs I've ever been a part of, but it is in fact probably one of the best songs I've ever heard.


Sam - you are a musical genius.


The UK aside, I also completed recording an album and music video for Flemming Borby, which sees the video release party and concert happen in Berlin tomorrow night (15th April) at The Monarch in Kreuzberg.


Flemmings album is another album I am excited about being released later this year.






The Blowbacks have now started posting songs to their soundcloud and I am sure this is yet another album which will be officially released soon.










Zeki Min keeps the videos for his last album coming.  This keeps my appetite up for the recording of the new album which is booked for May this year.



I finished recording an EP with the üer-talented Nadav Meir at Legato Sound Studios recently.  The release is due soooooon!  (I've already heard it and it's bloody beautiful!)


Idan Altman has given me some new tunes to work on - extremely mellow and laid back, this will be nothing if not some of the most beautiful music he's produced so far...  Keep a look out for this in the summer...


I also have my first paid producer job coming up!  So, I guess now I can officially also call myself a music producer!


So, if anyone wants any recording time in my studio, mixing, or music production, please let me know.  My rates are good and my tea is better :-)


The other avenue of work I am keen to push right now is my teaching.  After such successful workshops in the UK, I realised how much I really enjoy teaching.
Basically, I want to be busier.  So, anyone wanting drums recorded or anyone wanting to learn more about drums, drumming or the music business, please get in touch.


And finally...

belarus.

Not the country.  The band.  We broke up 8 years ago!  A lifetime.  And I miss it still.
But, we have some incredible news.  I think I have to wait for the official broadcast before I can tell you all what's going on, but, it is bloomin' cool!  I cannot wait to share with you all...  :-)



Look out for the updates

Go and buy good music

Employ me as a drummer, teacher, producer, mixer or tea boy

Enjoy the sun




8.1.15

2015 and England is calling...

I thought I'd escaped, but, it looks like the UK has me on a long bungee...


I will be on tour in the UK for 6 weeks in March and April and back again in December 2015 until 2016!  Talk about planning ahead...

So, my schedule for this year is as follows (I am writing this as much for myself as for anyone else wishing to catch up with me - I forget things...):


15th Jan 2015 - more radio shenanigans with Frog Baseball

24th Jan 2015 - RECORDING; starting work on the new album with Zeki Min

14th Feb 2015 - SHOW:Fever Creek Festival, Marie Antoinette, Holzmarktstrasse 15-18, Berlin with Nadav Meir

15th Feb 2015 - RECORDING:at The Funkhaus in Berlin with Mr Flemming Borby for his forthcoming album

Tour with Eban Brown:
6th March 2015 - SHOW:The Broadway Theatre, Barking, UK
7th March 2015 - Radio interview, Solar Radio, UK
8th March 2015 - SHOW:Lomax Theatre, Liverpool, UK
13th March 2015 - SHOW:The Harlington Theatre, Fleet, UK
14th March 2015 - SHOW:Bakewell Town Hall, Derby, UK
17th March 2015 - SHOW:The Glee Club, Birmingham, UK
18th March 2015 - SHOW:The Bierkeller, Bristol, UK
27th March 2015 - SHOW:The Hub, Southampton, UK
6th April 2015 - SHOW:Towngate Theatre, Basildon, UK

17th April 2015 - SHOW:Jugendtreff Hinterhoff, Arpke, Germany with FlyCatFly

29th May 2015 (Date TBC) - SHOW:Record Release @ Privat Club, Berlin, Germany with Le-Thanh Ho

6th June 2015 - FESTIVAL: Secret Chord Records; UK Record Label all-day-event at KAOS, Berlin, Germany with FlyCatFly, Zeki Min + maybe one or two more...?!

15th June 2015 - I have to cancel my mobile contract as I really need a new phone

12th Dec 2015 - SHOW:12 Bands of Xmas, Swindon, UK joining various fools on stage...


Other projects (both live and recording) I am involved with this year include:
Mr Dog The Bear (Italy)
Strangers By Day (Germany)
Acaurio Cósmico (Germany)
Charlotte Giers (Germany) - Legato Sound Studio session


There's me then: