Features
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Jonathan Pinson: Asking Questions
With all of the amazing young jazz drummers around these days, it’s got to be tough to set yourself apart. But when you can put names like Seal, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Terrace Martin, and Kamasi Washington on your resume,…
Gavin Harrison: Context and Contrast
Who is busier than Gavin Harrison? He is tearing it up on two new records that are coming out and is touring with those two bands within the next year. Porcupine Tree’s new recording Closure/Continuation is a welcome surprise to…
Karen Carpenter: Close To Her Drums
Karen Carpenter’s intuitive choice of instruments was drums, but she had to break down a few invisible walls, crack a few glass ceilings, and crash a few cymbals along the way. However, by the height of her career with her…
Hayley Brownell
Making it to the world stage as a musician can be one of the most difficult things to do. Despite the challenge, there is a common theme among those who have successfully reached for the stars and landed. Hard work,…
Alejandro Sanz’s HELEN DE LA ROSA
Playing with legends, virtuosos, and top touring musicians is unattainable for many, but for Helen De La Rosa, it is as natural as day and night. Helen has gone beyond playing it safe, her career is anchored in perseverance and…
Karol G’s Giulliana Merello
When I met Giulliana Merello I didn’t know what to expect. In front of me sat a brilliant young woman who had one of the biggest drumming gigs in the world playing with superstar Karol G. I didn’t know what…
Behind the Legends
The Modern Drummer LEGENDS books are a rare opportunity for a drummer to talk about and examine his entire drumming career. Kenny Aronoff has been covered quite thoroughly in his many past Modern Drummer feature interviews. In those interviews he…
Taylor Hawkins
On March 25, 2022 musicians, drummers, and music fans around the world were devastated to learn that drummer Taylor Hawkins had died. Hawkins was a good friend of Modern Drummer, and we join in the deep sorrow of losing such…
Alexander Sowinski of BADBADNOTGOOD
Making a name for oneself as a modern jazz drummer can be quite tough. With such a long and illustrious history, sounding fresh and innovative in jazz can almost seem impossible. BADBADNOTGOOD, based out of Toronto, Ontario, has reinvented current…
Taylor Hawkins Remembered
As we at Modern Drummer and the entire drum and musical community continue to reel from the untimely and devastating passing of Taylor Hawkins, we wanted to create a tribute to this inspiring and energetic drummer who left us far…
Michael Stasiak of Widowspeak
talks about their new record The Jacket Widowspeak is undeniably a very nostalgic band. With a feeling of 60’s psych pop Americana the band hits a unique niche in modern music. The creation of Molly Hamilton and Robert Earl Thomas,…
Julien Barbagallo: Touring drummer for Tame Impala
Making a living performing and creating music is one of the most challenging undertakings a drummer faces, all drummers aim to play at the peak of their craft. Julien Barbagallo exemplifies what determination and a positive attitude can accomplish. Barbagallo…
Behind the Legends
There have been a few new LEGENDS books in the last year: Danny Seraphine, Kenny Aronoff, Peter Erskine, and now Steve Smith. In an article called Behind the Legends in last month’s Modern Drummer, we introduced what makes the LEGENDS…
Rick Rubin
The Legendary producer talks about Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Unlimited Love. Producer Rick Rubin is a modern music legend. He has produced the Beastie Boys, Run DMC, Public Enemy, Weezer, Metallica, Johnny Cash, The Dixie Chicks, The…
