Lance shares his passion for drumming
How did you start your career in drumming??
I first started playing drums as a kid at 12 years old .I played mostly on a full drum kit but soon got tired of waiting for other band members just so that I could play my instrument .As I was always fascinated with Djembe drums and bongo’s since High school I eventually went out and purchased a djembe drum as it seemed a better instrument to jam with and I could just play it adaptively along to any song on the radio without causing a major racket in our home.
Any tips and advice you would like to add about being a drummer?
Drums is the rhythm of life and if you should find it to be your passion never give up on it , work at it and always remember that the more you sit with it the more it will consume you and the better you will be at it . Open yourself up to all genre’s if you want to be better. Don’t limit your skill.
How did you get noticed as a great drum player in S A .?
I played in any place that would listen , parties, events , news cafe , township events and even just for the petrol attendants at the garage at night on my way home from a gig.
Please tell us a bit more about yourself?
I finished Matric and then finished a diploma in IT after which I went to work in IT ,soon getting bored I did a whole complete 360 degree and went into retail where I worked for a year and a half , all the while playing drums at gigs and functions. Soon the boredom bug bit me again after which I went to the UK where I stayed for nearly 3 years. On my arrival back I needed to chase the adventure once again where I decided to go to Johannesburg to find the market for my instrument. I’m in cape town now but the hunger to be the best still haunts me and I practice even more now than I ever did , so much… that it has set me apart from any other single drumming act in SA.
What inspired you to become a Djembe percussionist?
I always loved drums and beats, even at school I was that guy making beats with pens on the desk while in class. When I would listen to music I hear the beats and the rhythm and I would recreate that beats in my head and better it with my hands on a table, Although I play drums I always felt it more personal to make all those beats with my hands on one drum instead on playing it with drum sticks on a drum kit.
Who in the community “local or International” inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by people like DJ fresh, ready D, Euphonic, black-coffee. I am inspired by these people because they have a career doing what is their passion and love it. I strive to be the best at what I do, make a successful career from what I love most, Adaptive African Drumming.
What do you enjoy most a about drumming?
I love how it gets crowds attention and I love how people get excited and dance around the drum and even when I do a gig and I come across people who are drummers, they think playing a djembe is as easy as playing a drum set and then after a few try’s they realize that it’s not at all as easy as I make it look.
What’s your favourite music style and why?
My favourite music style is anything with rhythm. I am not limited to any type of genre because I am UNIVERSAL. To be the best at one’s trade u have to be flexable.
(clips can be found on youtube under the alias ‘talentless drummer’ , website www.thegoodcompany.co.za
Lance (0761066356)
mrgoodcompany.lance@gmail.com
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