I was 16 years old, still at school, and I had a phone call from a producer (friend of a friend) whose regular drummer had broken his wrist with a recording booked up for the following week. I was asked if I could do it, I gladly, and enthusiastically accepted! In my head, that was it! I’d made it! I was going to go and record the 6 songs he’d sent me, he’d realise how amazing I was, along with the rest of the world, and I’d be called forever, for everything!
This is what actually happened:
I practised these 6 songs to a standard I though was acceptable up until the recording day.
Turned up at the studio, set up, and waited whilst they mic’d up the kit. The producer asked if I was ready to do a take of the first song, to which I proudly said ‘yes’ and a series of events unfolded.
I sat down at the kit, and as soon as record was hit, it all fell apart!… I wasn’t playing to the click, or locking in with the track, it felt lumpy, all my hits were inconsistent and I felt like my whole body was being controlled by a very amateur puppet master (nope the amateur was just me!), but in my arrogant/inexperienced head I thought ‘I’m sure it sounds better out there in the control room’.
At the end of the first take, there was a brief silence followed by the producer – ‘Is everything ok in there Em, do you need some more click or something? Shall we do another take?’ So we did. It was even WORSE!
The poor producer tried a final 3rd time at which point he came into the live room and said, ‘I’m really sorry Emily, but I’m just going to have to ask you to leave because this isn’t going to work.’ He was so sweet about it, but it was the biggest heartbreak I have ever experienced, probably still have ever experienced to this present day!
I spent 2 days locked up in my bedroom, crying, refusing to eat, or speak to anyone. Then I got bored of feeling heartbroken and realised I needed to make a decision… either:
1.I hang up my sticks, say well that was a good run, I had fun, but it’s not for me.
OR
2. I learn from it, and face everything that went wrong in that session head on, put myself under the microscope, work my butt off and never ever let anything like that happen to me again.
Luckily I did the latter.
Fast forward 13 years, and not only have I recorded on some pretty amazing albums that I’m so proud to be a involved with, but part of my living is made out of recording from my own studio!
I was also so affected by this episode I also run workshops where drummers come to my studio and practise how to record as a session drummer. I create the exact situation you’re bound to find yourself in, but with low stakes and a supportive environment. I never want anyone to feel the way I did that day, but I’m grateful I went through it, because it’s brought me to this point now.
Recording Masterclasses!
Don’t let what happened to me happen to you.
I will be holding masterclasses, re-creating a typical recording session environment, so you can get confident in a studio and recording setting without any risk. Get in touch to find out more!
