We owe a lot to session musicians. Brad De Leon gives an idea of what the industry is like.
Without session musicians so many record just wouldn’t get made. They allow for a song to come to life whether that be through a killer bass line, soaring string section or wild horns. We caught up with Brad De Leon, one of Sydney’s best to see what exactly it takes to do well in that line of work, and why being really good at an instrument doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to be great in sessions.
1. What do you feel like some of the misconceptions about session musicians are? Can you set the story straight?
Just because you play drums or any instrument well, doesn’t mean you’ll get the gig. There are so many musicians out there that can really play, but you’ve got to find out how to stand from the rest. Theres no room for a B-game. You just have to always bring your A-game. You have to be the best available musician that gets hired to go on tour or perform on a record. There will be a chance that no one will know who you are, but you get the job because you’re a solid musician.
2. When did you first make the move over to session work, were/are you in a band of your own?
Only recently! I was part of Sydney Hardcore Punk band Baltimore for a couple years and released the ‘Room with a View EP’. Once I had left I decided it would be a great challenge to try session work. Being able to work with an array of artists constantly challenges me as a musician, to be creative and to work professionally with the artist, ensuring what I do compliments the music. I’ve always wanted to play In arenas and go on huge tours, but it’s difficult of course! So instead of sitting round waiting for opportunities I guess I just realised I have to go find it myself. Doing session work was the idea that came to mind because I get to play with so many different artists and I’m constantly on the kit and thats where I want to be most of my time anyway!
3. As someone who spends a lot of time in the studio, you must get to experience a real variety in the music you’re exposed to. What’s been the most exciting recording session you’ve been a part of?
I can’t pinpoint my most exciting recording session to be honest, every session in the studio is always exciting to me. I know that sounds like a cop out, but I just enjoy being in there and challenging myself and working hard to be the right man for the job.
4. What’s the process when it comes to recording with people, how much preparation do you need to do?
Depending on the project, I usually get rough demos and from there I study the structure of the song and figure out a groove that would fit. You have to be able to learn things fast, theres no room for errors if you want to be good at what you do and to secure more opportunities in the future. So I would listen to the tracks, learn it, go in with ideas incase those don’t work. If its music I don’t usually listen to, I would pretty much school myself into that genre and listen to artists similar.
5. Are you ever feeling like you don’t connect with the music and find it frustrating when you are playing on something you don’t really believe in?
You sometimes get those days where you play something and it just feels incredibly weird and I have definitely played on some tracks that I didn’t really feel that passionate about. But it’s what makes me grow as a player and as a person.
You just have to be open to all types of music and learn to appreciate each style of songwriting.
6. What is the hardest thing about your job? And what is the best thing about your job?
Starting to find work is difficult and building your name as a session musician is not so easy. Although working with such talented musicians and being exposed to so many different styles of genres is exciting. The constant challenge to adapt your drumming to work with the songs and studying the artists you work with keeps me motivated. Learning things fast takes commitment and great attention to detail. It’s not always easy coming up with different variations in the studio if your first idea doesn’t sit well with the producer or artist.
7. What advice would you give to someone looking to get into working as a session musician?
Study the musicians you work with, keep with your style but always adapt. Push your boundaries and pick your moments. As a session musician, you have to be on point all the time. Be damn sure what the artist needs and then provide it. Hitting hard isn’t always the way to go. As a drummer, there’s always an urge to hit that spotlight, but more often than not, keeping the groove, playing it simple and keeping in that pocket is what it’s all about. Lastly, be the best, know every genre and listen to music that you don’t always listen to. The more you know, the farther you’ll get. Oh and don’t be a dick. No one wants to work with a twit.
To learn more about Brad and get his details, head over to his profile.
