Lander : I ’ m a huge fan of discovering new / old weird music . I think that nudges you to try new and different things you may have not thought possible . I ’ m not big on listening to music in the genre that I play in , and there are very few “ heavy ” bands that I like . I think the older I get , the more I realize the music from my childhood shows up in the music I write today .
Lewis : It ’ s so important to venture out and that ’ s been a big thing for me ; checking out different genres , styles , and artists , and just getting comfortable with the sound . All music has key elements like timbre , intensity , pitch , harmony , melody , rhythm , but when you hear a different genre altogether and you have a sense of those things , it gives you more appreciation for how to manipulate them . Even just listening without being overly critical and letting it hit you and wash over you – just feeling the energy and the joy . The big thing for me is getting to a place where I can listen to music just to listen to it , where I ’ m not overanalyzing . That ’ s kind of my job as a teacher ; to step back from an analytical standpoint and help people on their journey .
Country music would be one [ influence ] for sure . It ’ s just a different pace , a different understanding . Some of that bled in through my church because people of Caribbean descent , they love their country music . I remember growing up on George Strait and Alan Jackson – that was what my mom was in love with and then Quincy Jones , Ella Fitzgerald , Oscar Peterson , and then of course all
the music from our country , St . Kitts , so it ’ s a mixed bag . My dad always told me to learn as many styles and genres as you can and learn them to the point that people would think that you spent time there or are from there .
Menow : I ’ ve done talent shows in the past and also helped out bands when they needed a drummer . I found that expanding my learning helped me greatly by building confidence in myself to overcome difficult songs and developing a learning ear and timing . I learned a lot of old and new country , rock , pop , and blues by artists like Hank Williams , The Rolling Stones , CCR , The Doors , Lady Gaga , Elle King , and so many other artists . Each song I learn just adds to my development .
Lewis & Burrows on Advising Their Younger Selves
If Lewis could send a message to his younger self , it ’ s the same thing he ’ d currently offer any up-and-coming player , regardless of their instrument , musical focus , or goals .
“ Say it ,” Lewis emphasizes . “ Whatever it is , say it when you feel it . Say it when you hear it . Say it . Just do it . That ’ s what I would say : there ’ s no perfect time . Whatever it is was meant for that moment . If you feel it , put it out there , let it go , and move on . You ’ ll build your awareness and instincts and be more accustomed to getting rid of stuff ( figuratively and literally ). You ’ ll be lighter . With your writing , just write the song , put it out , record it . Don ’ t judge it , just get it out . The idea of creativity shouldn ’ t just be about sales – it ’ s output , it ’ s the feeling of contributing with that output and being sensitive to your environment . You ’ ll hit the rocks now and again , but if you don ’ t get out there and do it then you won ’ t build that range of sensitivity that will inform when you need to move in real time . So , say it .”
And do it , puts in Jeff Burrows : “ If I could offer my younger self some advice , I ’ d say stick with some lessons . My dad ’ s a drummer and pretty much self-taught . He gave me the basics and then I took six lessons from an actual drum instructor . I mean , I learned to read and I played piano for four years , but I really wish I ’ d become more technically sound . I ’ ve always wanted to study jazz and I think that would have lent itself nicely to what I do . One of the most beautiful parts about playing in a three-piece is that everyone , within reason , gets to expand a little more . It always allowed me to be creative , which is great . And I find that nowadays most drummers
LARNELL LEWIS
JEFF BURROWS
are doing that regardless of how many people are in the band – so I think if I had more of that technical skill , I could have brought more to the table .”
54 CANADIAN MUSICIAN