#81 Dani Markham-Percussionist for Childish Gambino, Tune-Yards and More!
This episode's guest is Dani Markham. She is currently the percussionist for Childish Gambino and previous to that, the band Tune Yards.
Huge shoutout and enormous thanks to Phil Hood and everyone at Drum Magazine for mentioning this little podcast in their list of Drum Podcasts to check out.
We mention the #newbeattuesday hashtag and encourage everyone to put out more content (only if it's good)
The iconic recording today is a collaboration between STOMP and the Harlem Globetrotters performing a shuffle in the west village of NYC.....
The educational spotlight for this week is that you can submit an educator for a lifetime achievement award for the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) and what the criteria is for submission. Also mentioned, is the Percussive Arts Society International Conference (PASIC) which happens every November.
Music News for this week....
The complete list of Digital Service Providers. If you submit your music for distribution (Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, etc), check this list out of other options who have huge subscriptions and downloads. You should have your music registered with a PRO (performing rights organization) like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC. For getting international royalties, check out Sound Exchange. The USA is starting Independent Venue Week (the UK has already been doing it), and this article offers some booking and performing tips. Lastly, how to make your streaming music sound way better. Damon can't find the specific pair of headphones in the Facebook ad, but here are some other options that are great. Also mentioned are headphone amps. Here are some ones to check out.
The song leading into the interview with Dani is "This is America" by Childish Gambino. Here is an expert's breakdown of the symbolism in the music video.
Dani was a part of the Louisville Leopard Percussionists, (Formerly known as the Fabulous Leopard Percussionists) led by Diane Downs.
Damon and Dani talk about Orff instruments by Carl Orff. These are NOT the instruments she started on, but are common in elementary schools.
Here's another photo of Dani in the Louisville Leopards.....
Todd Parker used to help put together some of the percussion arrangements. Now he can help design your landscape.
Dani was fortunate enough to go to the Youth Performing Arts School as part of Dupont Manual High School.
After high school, Dani attended the University of Miami. While there, she studied with Ney Rosauro. Damon and Dani talk about his Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra. This is Dame Evelyn Glennie performing it (part 1 and part 2)
This is the end credits song "You're So Cool" by Hans Zimmer for the movie True Romance by Tony Scott (not Quentin Tarrantino).
This is the VIDEO Damon mentions where a gentleman turns a studio apartment into 6 functioning rooms.
The group Dani played in while she was residing in Oakland, CA is called the Awesome Orchestra.
Dani talks about her experience with the band Tune-Yards. She also transitions into how she got the gig with Childish Gambino through a connection to Chris Hartz (who also performed with Passion Pit)
If you're looking for windchimes that actually sound good, check out Treeworks in Nashville, TN.
You can check out the Grover tambourines that were talked about, but specifically the model referred to is the Bantamweight model. The style of "church playing" of the tambourine can be learned from watching this video HERE.
Dani uses Latin Percussion instruments, & TRX Cymbals.
Dani mentions the Hit Like A Girl drumming contest. The organization that has chapters all over the world for female percussion players is the Girls Rock Camp Alliance. Tom Tom Magazine is the only magazine dedicated to female drummers and percussionists.
You can catch Dani on tour with Childish Gambino. She will also be with Jenn Freeman at the 14th Street Y with an original composition in October. In August you can catch Dani with Sonya Tayeh at Jacob's Pillow.
