Drums vs. Copy

Playing drums a few years ago at The Union in Athens, OH.

I’ve found that my best outlets for creativity are writing and playing drums. In practice, these two are pretty different. I usually don’t hit my laptop with wooden sticks, and I haven’t had the opportunity to type out a paid social post on stage (yet). Although these two don’t share many physical commonalities, I have slowly begun to notice some trends in how I approach both writing and drumming as a creative individual.

• Rhythm & Cadence

  When I write copy, I always read it back out loud. If an idea sounds clunky, I throw it out. In the same sense, drums need to feel good. In both cases, it’s paramount to consider what you say and how you say it (or play it, rather). If you’re writing a radio spot, you’ll likely read it aloud to a timer. Similarly, a drummer might play a song along to a metronome and decide that there’s an issue with how a song feels at your chosen tempo. A quick shift of 2 BPM in either direction can change the feel entirely.

• Branding & Tone of Voice

  In my mind, the most important job a drummer can do is to serve the song. It’s a common theme taught by the experts that inspire my playing. In most instances, the drummer isn’t alone on stage. There are so many elements to consider. What instruments are your bandmates playing? Where do you fit in? The same goes for your brand’s tone of voice. In my opinion, the last thing an elegant and luxurious mattress brand needs is a writer who can’t deliver anything but clichéd phrases and puns that put you to sleep… moving on.

• Audience & Setting

  Your audience is expecting a smart, thoughtful approach to whatever it is you’re about to say. Pick your tools and adjust accordingly. There are no steadfast rules, but you probably wouldn’t bring Neil Peart’s biggest and baddest drum set to a 4-foot stage in the corner of a tiny jazz club. Or maybe, you would! It’s up to you. All I’m suggesting is that it helps to listen.

• Listening & Learning

  Pay attention to what you like about a piece of writing or musical performance. In my experience, being a good listener is the best way to grow as a drummer and writer. It’s about finding the appropriate way to contribute to the voice of a 200-year-old brand. It’s about working with your bandmates to develop your part as it pertains to the sound as a whole.

  Most importantly, it’s about being yourself.