#182 Bruno Esrubilsky- Drummer for Mitski, Joseph, Hedwig & the Angry Inch, & More!
Bruno is an Argentine born-Brazilian raised drummer and percussionist based in Brooklyn, NYC.
Graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Bruno moved to New York in 2011. Since then, Bruno has toured every continent of the world, played drums on the hit Broadway show Hedwig and The Angry Inch (4x Tony Awards winner), appeared on many TV shows (credit list below), has performed at festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo, Outside Lands, Java Jazz Festival (Indonesia), Fuji Rock Festival (Japan) and legendary concert venues such as Radio City Music Hall (NYC), Red Rocks Amphitheater, Ryman Auditorium (Nashville), Kennedy Center (DC), Central Park SummerStage (NYC) and The Filmore (San Francisco). Recording credits include records in the USA, Japan, Argentina and Brazil (more in MUSIC section).
Bruno has played on countless headlining and supporting tours (including Lorde, Adam Lambert, Amos Lee, Grouplove, Neon Trees and more). During the Fall 2018, Bruno wrapped MITSKI’s sold out Be The Cowboy 2018 Europe/North America Tour, including a 4 night sold out stint at Brooklyn Steel.
Throughout 2019, Bruno toured the world twice over with indie-rocker Mitski, performing at some of the world’s biggest stages and festivals, while also touring on the side with Jake Clemons of Bruce Springsteen’s band and performing with British artist YUNGBLUD. Bruno also taped Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas, with Mitski, which aired on January 18th 2020; and was featured on the September issue of Modern Drummer Magazine
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to the great James Gadson who turned 81 years young on June 17th.
Gig Alerts
Shout-out to The Jazz Exchange which is an organization committed to connecting communities through jazz while creating a platform for established and upcoming jazz musicians. The purpose of this organization is not only to create performance opportunities for musicians but also connecting with audiences around the world. We connect by reaching people through live performances in different communities as well as incorporating documentation of these performances through audio and video. The organization works hard to create memorable experiences for audience members and performing artists, along with supporting local venues that create a unique visit.
If you missed the live stream you can watch it below……
The Global Citizen community, is putting on a concert.
There is a Justice Comes Alive concert coming up on Sunday. $5 (minimum) will get you to be able to view it.
Live Nation is set to deliver a drive-in concert series, dubbed “Live from the Drive-In,” to U.S. fans. Live Nation officials revealed their multi-city drive-in tour with Digital Music News this morning. The announcement comes just three days after the leading concert promoter unveiled a similar concert series for United Kingdom residents. Grammy-winning country artist Brad Paisley will perform in all three of the current “Live from the Drive-In” cities – St. Louis, Nashville, and Indianapolis.
Educational Spotlight
There are updates coming with regard to the future of PASIC, and that info will be delivered in the future with current president, Joshua Simonds.
Social Soundbyte
Drummers for Equality Raffle (UK Edition)
Product Review
Zildjian has some new in-ear headphones. The new Zildjian in-ear monitors are designed to deliver high quality sound for musicians on stage, in the studio, or practice. They are built with a Dual Dynamic Driver that delivers a smooth frequency response for all listening applications. Includes both medium and large, premium, soft silicone SpinFit™ ear tips that provide increased noise isolation as a result of their ergonomic design, yielding better audio performance and lasting comfort. A ¼” adapter and cleaning tool are also included as a part of the round carrying case that holds the monitors. You can grab a set for a cool $150.
You can also support the movement with Zildjian’s new Black Lives Matter t-shirt.
They are $30 and 100% of the proceeds go to #BlackLivesMatter organization. Zildjian has developed this new t-shirt. Made from the same super-soft, lightweight fabric as our logo tee, this solid black t-shirt has a relaxed, modern fit, and features a raised fist graphic with the #blacklivesmatter hashtag on the front and a small Zildjian logo beneath the back collar. The woven loop Z tag on the bottom hem adds a touch of detail. Available in unisex sizes small to 3XL. Shipping starting 6/23.
Iconic Recording
Freedom Highway is the song from (the album with the same name) released in 1965 by The Staple Singers. The title song referred to the murder of Emmett Till at Tallahatchie River. The lyrics begin “March up freedom's highway / March, each and every day.” and continue “Made up my mind / And I won't turn around." Mavis Staples reprised the song in 2008 on Live: Hope at the Hideout, which was released on November 4, 2008, the same day that Barack Obama won the presidential election. You can read more about this album in this - ARTICLE. If you would like to see more of the albums that drummer Al Duncan worked on, you can read his CREDITS.
Music News
A newly discovered 1968 live performance recording of legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk is set to release next month. Fans can listen to the 47-minute-long Thelonious Monk set, entitled Palo Alto, on CD, vinyl, and digital platforms beginning on Friday, July 31st. - Article
The Artist Rights Alliance (ARA) has introduced an “Artists’ Bill of Rights” outlining its stance on several important music-industry topics, in addition to forming a 93-artist Music Council to offer insight and policy recommendations moving forward. - Article
Owing to the immense fiscal and operational impact that the novel coronavirus has had on the live music sphere, leading concert promoter Live Nation is preparing to dramatically reduce artist payouts in 2021. - Article
It now appears that a small percentage of the nearly 160 million Americans receiving a federal stimulus check have been issued a second stimulus check. Here’s the guidance on the extra distributions from the Internal Revenue Service. - Article
Americans would unilaterally receive a $4,000 ‘vacation credit’ for US-based airfare, lodging, restaurants, and other travel-related expenses under a recently-revealed Trump stimulus proposal. The credit, part of an estimated $2 trillion stimulus boost, may also apply to artists and musicians touring the United States. - Article
The song leading into the interview is "Drunk Walk Home" Live @ Brooklyn Steel, by Mitski.
Bruno Esrubilsky Interview
Bruno and Damon start by talking about the roots of Tango from Argentina. Buenos Aires was a major hub for African slavery, particularly during the 1800s - where almost one quarter of Buenos Aires inhabitants were black. Unlike many other countries, slaves in Argentina were permitted certain rituals - one of which being the drum-based music and dance called the Candombé. After slavery was abolished in 1853, the Candombé continued to flourish, evolving into the milonga, and ultimately into tango. You can hear some of the Candombé music HERE.
In 1907, the Brazilian and the Japanese governments signed a treaty permitting Japanese migration to Brazil. This was due in part to the decrease in the Italian immigration to Brazil and a new labour shortage on the coffee plantations. You can read more about that HERE.
If you’re interested in making an authentic Chimichurri sauce, try this recipe…..
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
3-4 cloves garlic , finely chopped or minced
2 small red chilies , or 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped (about 1 tablespoon finely chopped chili)
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 level teaspoon coarse salt
pepper , to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes to release all of the flavours into the oil before using. Ideally, let it sit for more than 2 hours, if time allows.
Chimichurri can be prepared earlier than needed, and refrigerated for 24 hours, if needed.
Use to baste meats (chicken or steaks) while grilling or barbecuing. We don't use it as a marinade, but choose to baste our meats with chimichurri instead. However, you can use it as a marinade if you wish. Also, add a couple of tablespoons over your steak to serve.
some pro-tips:
Finely chop your parsley before you start. I usually get a large handful, wash and finely chop, then measure. (My father doesn’t measure, he eye-balls, but you get the idea.) If you don’t have enough, grab a bit more, and chop again until you have the right amount.
If you like the strong flavour of garlic, use 4 cloves, If you like milder garlic, start with 2 cloves; mix it all in and allow to sit for a few minutes. Then, taste test. If you’d like more, add more.
Chimichurri can be adjusted to your taste. Add more salt, more pepper, less or more chili. It’s up to you. This is my father’s version and one we love. We hope you love it too!
Fresh red chili is optional. We use a whole large chili, but you can use half, or none at all. You an also substitute it with 1-2 teaspoons of dried red chili flakes.
Red wine vinegar is the best vinegar for chimichurri. Use lemon juice as a substitution. We don’t recommend balsamic or white vinegar.
Real olive oil will solidify in the fridge, and then liquify when it is set out at room temperature.
You can pair your flank steak and chimichurri with some good wine. If you’re having a Brazilian Churrasco, you can wash it down with a Cachaça.
Bruno’s first musical influences were rock and prog rock bands like Rush, Kiss and Dream Theater. Damon brings up the band Sepultura. Bruno talks about how Pascoal Meirelles is one of his mentors.
Bruno mentions his affection for the rhythm Baião from Brazil. You can play that on the drumset of on more folkloric instruments. Or Maracatu as another one Bruno really digs. Bruno talks about how Forro is great for dancing. Its also from the Northeast and has a smaller chamber ensemble.
Partido alto is another rhythm Bruno brings up. Specifically by the ensemble Azymuth. This is the David Sanchez song and album Damon mentions.
Damon and Bruno start talking about the subdivision of rhythms from Brazilian sixteenths to the phrasing by marching ensembles. Damon brings up the Steve Jordan explanation of phrasing in Rock and Roll.
Bruno and Damon talk about the collaborative recording project they met on called Stuck At Home Records.
The rhythm Bruno got his inspiration for this particular groove is a North African groove he learned while at Berklee from Mokhtar Samba and studying his books, especially the rhythm Gnawa (also spelled Gnaoua).
Damon talks about stepping up his editing game in Logic by watching tutorials by Music Tech Help Guy on YouTube. He also uses Final Cut Pro instead of iMovie.
Bruno enjoys running. He and Damon talk about the sneaker from Switzerland called On Cloud. They also talk about the Strava app for tracking their running and biking routes.
Bruno talks about studying with Dave Elitch and Damon brings up Dave’s warmup routine. Both Damon and Bruno use the Reflexx practice pad for stick workouts.
Bruno uses Zildjian Cymbals, Evans Drumheads, Promark Sticks and Mallets, Big Fat Snare Drum and AlClair In-Ear Monitors. He also uses Roland electronics and Ludwig Drums.
You can follow Bruno on his Website, Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is “La Despedida” by Silvina Moreno.
