#265 Attis Clopton- Drummer, Photographer, and More!
This episode is sponsored by Dream Cymbals.
This week’s guest is Attis Clopton. If you ask Attis what his day job is, he’d quickly respond “musician.” However, the drummer, who’s travelled the world recording and performing, would be remiss not to mention his impressive photography skills. Though not formally trained, Attis has developed an eye and the ability to capture subjects in a way that many professional photographers struggle with throughout their career. But what may set Attis apart from his contemporaries is his openness, his curiosity and his unpretentious disposition, all of which help him lock into the moment and keep his photos from looking overthought or overdone. Ahead he shares some of his recent favorites with 6sqft. - Article
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to the late great Jimmy Cobb.
Happy Birthday to Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Check out HIS NEW BOOK!
Happy Birthday to Rodney Barreto. Born in 1984, Rodney comes from a family with musical tradition. His second last name, the very well known Barreto, is synonymous with excellence in drumming in Cuba, as Rodney’s uncle is Julio César Barreto. Although Julio César was an enormous inspiration for his nephew, he was not the only family member that contributed to Rodney’s musical story. Rodney’s great uncle was a composer for Cuban singers, including the famous Benny Moré. From the early age of three, Rodney was totally involved in musical activities, and captivated as he watched his uncle practice, and took in the live shows during street carnivals.
At 9 years old, Rodney entered the elementary music school in Havana to study percussion. Although percussion students are not supposed to start with the drumset until the age of 18, Rodney had his first drum lesson at 11, and 5 years later, at the age of 16, he was already touring internationally as a professional drummer.
At the age of 17, Rodney joined one of the biggest and most prestigious Cuban salsa bands, Isaac Delgado’s Orchestra, with whom he toured with for five years.
It doesn’t matter if it is salsa, jazz, rock, hip-hop… Rodney Barreto is the owner of a very personal style and groove, that has made him one of the youngest and brightest drummers in Cuba.
Happy Birthday to Jordan Perlson. The career of drummer, percussionist, producer and educator Jordan has spanned about as wide a stylistic reach as one can imagine. Be it with jazz legends Seamus Blake, Gary Burton, David Liebman, or folk heroes Alison Brown and Missy Raines, or reggae giants Matisyahu and Trevor Hall, cutting edge music innovators like Becca Stevens, Snarky Puppy, Banda Magda and Jeff Coffin, progressive music with Adrian Belew, Echolyn or Kaki King, or fusion megastar Hiromi, Jordan has become a known force in these many circles. Credits on 100+ recordings, including national and international ad campaigns for Powerade, Netflix, The NY Rangers, Buick and more, Jordan is at home in the studio as he is on stage. Visit his Remote Drum Recording page to learn more about hiring him for your next project. Having taught at prestigious institutions such as Berklee College of Music, New York University and masterclasses all over the world, Jordan is a passionate educator. Visit his Distance Drum Coaching page to learn more about studying with him. An author of 2 books for Mel Bay publishing, Jordan’s books have been translated into several languages and are used the world round by teachers and students of many levels.
Happy Birthday to Marcie Chapa. Marcie, a noted percussionist with love for music and passion for education in the arts. She was an original member of Beyoncé’s all-female band and worked with Beyoncé for a number of years. Jay Z, Alicia Keys, J Lo, Jill Scott, Al Jarreau, Kanye West, and Mary J Blige, just to name a few, have all called upon Marcie’s gift. Her television credits range from The Late Show with David Letterman to The Oprah Winfrey Show. Marcie has graced award show stages that include The Grammy’s and The Billboard Music Awards. Currently, Marcie can be found performing on many stages in her hometown of Houston, TX, with the Marcie Chapa Project featuring David Delagarza, Grammy Award winner. Marcie also teaches music and is director of the drum line at Houston’s MacArthur High School.
Marcie is part of an after-school workshop that uses music and percussion to keep kids off the street and on the right track. Marcie has also participated in a series of two-day retreats in the California mountains as a mentor and leader for young girls with unique life challenges. Marcie used music as a vehicle to connect with the girls and allow them to express themselves in ways they had never experienced. Marcie’s impact on the young girls of the program was only matched by their impact on her. Music is Marcie’s art, her dream, her life. By the age of 18, Marcie was performing professionally for crowds of thousands, while perfecting her craft once inspired by percussion greats Tito Puente, Sr., Karl Perazzo, Giovanni Hidalgo and many others.
Happy Birthday to Royal Hartigan. Royal is a percussionist, pianist, and tap dancer who has studied and performed the musics of Asia, Africa, Europe, West Asia, and the Americas, including indigenous West African drumming, dance, song, and highlife; Turkish bendir frame drum; Japanese taiko drumming; Philippine kulintang gong and drum ensembles; Chinese Beijing, Cantonese, and Kunqu opera percussion; South Indian solkattu rhythms; Korean pungmul drum and gong ensemble; Javanese and Sumatran gamelan; Gaelic bodhran; Native American drumming; Dominican merengue; Brazilian samba; Cambodian sampho drums, Vietnamese clapper percussion, European symphony; and African American blues, gospel, funk, hip-hop, and jazz traditions.
Gig Alerts
The three-day Boston Calling festival in Allston, Massachusetts, has announced its full lineup.
Rage Against the Machine was the previously announced headliner, but Metallica and the Strokes will be replacing them. Foo Fighters is also a headlining act, with over fifty artists slated to perform. Some of those artists include Weezer, Run the Jewels, Glass Animals, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Avril Lavigne, Modest Mouse, and many more. -Article
There are currently TWO Percussive Notes editor positions open. Learn more below.
Percussive Notes is seeking an editor in charge of Health and Wellness material. Such articles should deal with topics and issues relating to the health and wellness of percussionists and serve as a resource for students, teachers, performers, and hobbyists.
Percussive Notes is seeking an editor in charge of Marching Percussion material. Such articles should deal with contemporary and traditional styles in marching percussion and serve as a resource for students, teachers, arrangers, performers, and aficionados.
For more information on these postitions, CLICK HERE.
Zildjian Cymbals has some job openings available. You can CLICK HERE to see what positions are needing to be filled.
Pearl Drums has a summer internship available. Their unique internship program provides a wide range of opportunities for students to gain a real-world competitive advantage and insights into the marketing and distribution of percussion instruments in the U.S. Intern placement is within Pearl’s Marketing and Sales departments with emphasis placed on Drumset, Marching Percussion, Concert Percussion, and Hand Percussion product lines. Each summer a limited number of places for internships are available.
For more information on qualifications needed to apply, CLICK HERE.
Social Soundbyte
Friend of the show, Pete Lockett posted the full performance he did with Thomas Lang at PASIC 2021.
Malletech released several songs from the 100 Years of the Vibraphone concert, featuring friends of the show, Stefon Harris, Joe Locke, Warren Wolf, Obed Calvaire, and more!
Educational Spotlight
The educational lesson series with CongaChops and Latin Percussion is continued this week with the Cajon.
Product Review
NEW for 2022, the Vic Firth Bluetooth Isolation Headphones!
Their popular Vic Firth Stereo Isolation Headphones are now available in a wireless version. Ideal for any drummer looking for reliable, high-quality hearing protection along with superb stereo playback.
-Connect wirelessly to enabled devices when you want it or plug-in with the included 3.5mm cable and 1/4in adapter for wired usage when you need it!
-Reduce outside noise by 20 decibels and stay immersed in your session with approximately 20 hours of listening time before recharging.
-Designed for the perfect playing experience, the Vic Firth Bluetooth Isolation Headphones provide a comfortable around-the-ear fit and cushioned headband for extended sessions.
Learn more on our site and pick up a pair for yourself today!
Iconic Recording
The iconic recording for this week is: “Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9” by Wilson Pickett, from the album ‘In Philadelphia’
The personnel is:
Guitar: Bobby Eli, Drums: Earl Young, Engineer: Joe Tarsia, Piano: Lenny Pakula, Guitar: Norman Harris, Guitar: Roland Chambers, Bass Guitar: Ronnie Baker, Organ: Thom Bell, Piano: Ugene Dozier, Percussion/Vibraphone: Vince Montana, Vocals: Wilson Pickett, Writer: Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and, Wilson Pickett.
This song was sampled in “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A. and “99 Problems” by Jay-Z.
Damon covered the percussion parts for “99 Problems”
Music News
On the first Friday of the month since March of 2020, Bandcamp has waived their revenue share to help support the many artists who have seen their livelihoods disrupted by the pandemic. Over the course of 17 days, fans paid artists and labels more than $70 million dollars, helping cover rents, mortgages, groceries, medications, and much more. If you’re among the nearly 800,000 fans who participated, thank you.
It will likely be several months before live performance revenue returns in full. So they’re going to continue doing Bandcamp Fridays in 2022, on February 4th, March 4th, April 1st, and May 6th. As always, isitbandcampfriday.com has the details.
The artists for the Superbowl have been announced in a trailer (seen below). The band is put together by musical director, Adam Blackstone, and Trevor Lawrence Jr. will be playing drums for the show.
There’s an article to help you find your lane as a musician and ignore everything else. By saying no, you’re setting boundaries, showing you know what you want, and saying yes to something else. All at the same time. -Article
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of #4 free at-home Covid tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:
Limit of one order per residential address
One order includes #4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
Orders will ship free starting in late January
Attis Clopton Interview
The song leading into the interview is “Eye Am the 1 4 U” from Attis’ album titled, “Silly Songs About Stupid Girls”
Attis is from Decatur, Alabama and has been in Brooklyn for over a decade.
Attis and Damon met onstage at the After Party in NYC.
Attis started playing drums in the church, later on in high school.
Attis grew up on a farm with his grandmother until age 10.
Pork rinds may be healthier than potato chips.
Damon brings up the book, “The Cooking Gene” by Michael Twitty. He also makes a reference to the 1619 project episode about agriculture and also music. Attis brings up the Uncivil Podcast.
Damon mentions the Chitlin’ Circut. Attis goes into detail about the music he grew up listening to. Carter Beauford was one of Attis’ early influences.
Attis attended Jacksonville State University and then Berklee College of Music.
After a couple years in Boston, Attis moved to NYC.
Attis did some busking in the NYC subways. To do so, you have to acquire a permit.
Before Covid shut everything down, Attis was playing drums in Australia for a circus called “Life - The Show”
Attis is an avid runner and that helped him get through the pandemic.
Attis is also an avid photographer.
Damon and Attis talk about running and cycling apps to use. Here’s a list of free ones.
Damon brings up friend of the show, Carter McLean and his relationship to photography.
One of the reasons Damon asked Attis to be on the podcast was because of this post about re-entering society as a musician.
Damon and Attis talk about being an extroverted introvert, as well as managing social media. Attis goes on to talk about content vs art.
Damon mentions the Artist Rights Alliance and the Artist Bill of Rights they came up with (seen below)
The Right to Control Our Work – the ability to decide when and on what terms our creative works are performed, reproduced, or distributed, and the ability to assign these rights to partners of our choosing.
The Right to Economic and Artistic Freedom – including the right to fair market value compensation for creative work on all platforms at all times and a music ecosystem that incentivizes creativity, breadth and variety, diversity among creators and styles, and that nurtures and supports the next generation of artists.
The Right to Attribution and Acknowledgment – including ready access for all audiences on all platforms to credit information and liner note materials.
The Right to a Music Community – including fully funded public arts education and support for non-commercial performances and works so that creative opportunities, expression, and connection are open to all and society is broadly enriched by as many forms of art and as much artistic participation as possible.
The Right to Competitive Platforms – including channels of distribution, communication, and social media that are competitive, transparent, accurate, secure, open to all on non-discriminatory terms, protective of user privacy, and free of industrial scale piracy and any other commercialized theft of our work.
The Right to Information and Platform Transparency – including effective audit and transparency rights with respect to all platforms, services, and companies that use, distribute, or monetize our work.
The Right to Political Participation – including the ability to advocate for the recognition and protection of all these rights without retribution, blacklisting, or retaliation from distribution channels, platforms, or partners; and the elimination of restrictions on organizing and collective action in support of such advocacy.
Attis talks about sharing information versus hoarding it and how that helps the music community.
Damon talks about the competitive aspect of music versus the community aspect.
Attis talks about the balancing act of subbing.
Attis picked “Jealous Guy” by Donny Hathaway as the iconic recording. Damon will feature that next week.
Attis has become a swimmer and was featured in the NY Times where he told the story. Attis is also afraid of heights.
Shout-out to Dave Cowan and Dave DiCenso.
You can follow Attis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is “Secratery (Kreep Lyfe)” from Attis’ album titled, “Silly Songs About Stupid Girls”
