Session Drumming Month: Getting out there
1. Take the study route
Getting a break - Three very different ways
Ben Kennedy: "I did three years at ACM and went to every audition they put me forward for. I got my first signed gig through them. I got involved through an agent and worked with Girls Aloud. It’s a way of building up your CV if you’re working with different acts. I met a bass player how happened to be playing with Ladyhawke and she happened to be looking for a drummer so I did the audition and got that. It’s tough. You’re looking for different things all the time. Once you get devoted to an artist it’s hard to juggle different things. I got involved with a fixer and auditioned for him which led to the Clare Maguire gig. It’s just meeting different people, agents, fixers, MDs, they’re all good people to know."
2. Right place, right time
Getting a break - Three very different ways
Dean Butterworth: “I was playing tons of clubs and one night Ben Harper showed up he liked my playing andhe needed a drummer and I got the gig.”
Sheer brass neck
Getting a break - Three very different ways
Robin Guy: “I played Top Of The Pops with Faith No More because I took a deep breath and walked straight in through a door marked Session Connection - NO appointments unless booked!”
For more session hints, tips and secrets pick up the latest issue of Rhythm and check out our online Session Month.