The Stoic Drummer Newsletter Vol. 2
I appreciate you allowing me into your world and for the opportunity to share. May you all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed working on it. Thank you to those who continue to support the book, Revival Drum Shop and all independent shops. We all come from a common spirit: creating community and believing in something.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey. I hope this finds you and yours well. Truly grateful for all of your feedback and support on the maiden voyage of the newsletter. Here’s to community and the art of sharing. Let’s get into it…
“CULTIVATE YOUR DRUMMING”
— from The Stoic Drummer Book
Cultivate: “To try to acquire or develop (a quality, sentiment, or skill)”.
This is obvious with anything you want to be better at. Of course, it’s key is to focus on technique and the physicality, but there are many ways to “cultivate” your drumming mentally that will come through as you play. Try researching other creatives such as George Nakashima (Architect/Woodworker), Marina Abramovic (Artist), or Walker Evans(Photographer). Their philosophies and approach can water and cultivate your field of musicality.
A big thanks to Dave King for his continued love and support.
Check out his beautiful rendition of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” from Rational Funk EP. 77.
NEWS & HAPPENINGS
THE STOIC DRUMMER is now available at the newly opened VIRTUE DRUM in Jackson, MI. Congratulations to Jeff on his new endeavor!
ENTREPRENEURS’ ORGANIZATION of Portland have asked me to talk about resilience, The Stoic Drummer book, and to play some music on September 23rd via Zoom. Should be fun!
I’ve been tracking some drums with my old friend M. Ward. Honored.
New book is coming along. Bopping and weaving, but showing up everyday.
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
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“33 1/3 SWORDSIGHTROMBONE”
by DAVID SMAY (2008)
A well-written love story based on reinvention, finding your soulmate and dedication to your true musical self. Smay embraces Mr. Waits journey perfectly. A Waits fan or not, chances you’ll get something of this great read, from a fantastic series.
“ART OF LIVING” by SHARON LEBELL (2011)
This was my first book on Stoicism that I picked up on tour years ago. Recently I received a letter from Sharon - so cool! The book is based on Epictetus (born into slavery) who once freed, established an influential school of Stoic philosophy, stressing that human beings cannot control life, only their responses to it. By putting into practice the ninety-three wise, and razor-sharp instructions that make up “The Art of Living”, you learn to meet the challenges of everyday life successfully and to face life's inevitable.
“THE SECOND MOUNTAIN” by DAVID BROOKS (2019)
In The Second Mountain, David Brooks explores the four commitments that define a life of meaning and purpose: to a spouse and family, to a vocation, to a philosophy or faith, and to a community.
ALBUM RECOMMENDATIONS
Music of “GURDJIEFF/DEHARTMANN”
Meditative and mindful, Gurdjieff's music stems from Eastern melodies and music he heard in remote monasteries. From 1923 to 1929 Thomas de Hartmann worked closely with Gurdjieff at his Institute for the Harmonious Development of Man outside Paris, translating into European notation the music Gurdjieff composed from his travels.
“TOMORROW’S GONE” by CHARLIE MEGIRA
His was a music both familiar and entirely alien at once. It touches on corners of darkness, an isolation both lonely and sweet, all wrapped in a cold glow that draws the listener into each note, each melancholy melody triggering unrecorded experiences. His various projects put out music which began as a junction point between Link Wray’s surf guitar and the theatrical psychobilly of The Cramps, took a turn towards goth-inflected post-punk, and towards the end of his career would sojourn back into his earlier musical fascination with late 1950s and early 1960s rock ‘n’ roll.
“BACKYARD BANGERS” by A GRAPE DOPE
John Herndon of Tortoise)'s installment in our "Arthur King Presents" experimental album series
Herndon describes it as “a collage of sounds - found and recorded in various places and in various ways and then glued together with some rhythm, some space, melody, harmony, noise." Adding, "I hope it reads like a slice of my record collection- hip hop, punk, disco jazz, metal, noise, house, techno, comedy, various others."
Check out the first single "Puppet Clubbing"- a glitchy electronic rock weirdness, not miles from Ratatat.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
“RUMBLE - THE INDIANS WHO ROCKED THE WORLD”: A documentary directed by Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana, produced by musician extrodinare Stevie Salas. I auditioned for Stevie’s band many years ago - that’s a story for another time. An eye-opening film that celebrates and shows the impact of Indian music and culture on blues, jazz, rock ’n’ roll and how music evolved from seeds planted by ingenious culture. Wonderful feature on the late great Randy Castillo and insight from legend Jim Keltner and rocker Matt Sorum.
Joe Wong’s “THE TRAP SET” Podcast with Jim Keltner.
Steve Dawson’s “MUSICMAKERS & SOUL SHAKERS” Podcast with Jay Bellerose.
Do what you love and be patient and kind to one another.
Rest in awareness, reconnection, unwind and trust your goodness.
Learn more, not earn more.
Stay safe, healthy and inspired.
Much love and respect - José
Feel free to reach out to me directly at revivaljose@me.com
The Stoic Drummer Newsletter Vol. 1
I appreciate you allowing me into your world and for the opportunity to share. May you all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed working on it. Thank you to those who continue to support the book, Revival Drum Shop and all independent shops. We all come from a common spirit: creating community and believing in something.
I appreciate you allowing me into your world and for the opportunity to share. May you all enjoy this as much as I enjoyed working on it. Thank you to those who continue to support the book, Revival Drum Shop and all independent shops. We all come from a common spirit: creating community and believing in something.
“DEFINE YOUR DRUMMING VALUES”
— from The Stoic Drummer Book
In this world where at times we can be easily pulled and distracted in so many directions - both good and bad - it’s nice to have reminders of our own musical principles and values to help us focus.
PRINCIPLES = “a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.”
VALUES = “the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.”
To help me re-focus when I need it, I recently wrote a “drumming mission statement” to remind me of what’s important to me as a drummer. It was fun to explore and a GOOD distraction for sure. Sitting quietly reflecting on when I first started playing, my career, the good and bad choices that I’ve made and researching creatives I admire to see if any of their characteristics aligned with mine.
I have to take a moment to thank Joe Chambers (Drummer/Educator/Multi-Instrumentalist/Composer), Robert Lax (Poet/Hermit), Tinker Hatfield (Designer) and Axel Vervoordt (Interior Designer) for their inspiring work and creeds. My drumming mission statement is short, but powerful and I love that it’s right there on my 5x3 index card whenever I need it. I also decided to apply the same practice with other aspects of my life; husband, father, friend.
I do believe we will come out of these unprecedented times better and wiser than before. That we used the time to center, to breathe, to grow and to rediscover the values and principles that really define us as drummers, creatives and most importantly, humans.
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
“COURAGE TO CREATE" by ROLLO MAY (1976)
We all know creatIvIty is an essentIal component of a successful and fulfIllIng lIfe. Yet despIte its importance, it's a hIghly mIsunderstood phenomenon. Few understand its nature and inner workings, and are therefore unaware of how to stimulate it and use it to our advantage. This classic work provides a better understandIng of creatIvity and ideas on the topic. Definitely worth a look.
“The opposite of courage in our society is not cowardice, it’s conformity” - Rollo May
“HOW TO THINK LIKE A ROMAN EMPEROR”
by DONALD ROBERTSON (2019)
This book is a wonderful introduction to one of history’s greatest figures: Marcus Aurelius. His life and this book are a clear guide for those facing adversity, seeking tranquility and pursuing excellence.
“The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes, the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way”
- Marcus Aurelius
“RADICAL COMPASSION” by TARA BRACH (2019)
The essence of the book empowers genuine change: healing fear and shame, with stories and meditations to help build authentic relationships. When we stop being at war with ourselves, we are free to live fully every precious moment of our lives.
“In the process of deeply accepting our own inner experience, instead of being identified with a story of a limited self, we realize the compassion and wakefulness that is our essence.”
- Tara Brach
ALBUM RECOMMENDATIONS
"FUR ALINA" by ARVO PART
All sparse and beautiful arrangements, some solo piano pieces, some duets with piano, violin cello and viola and one string quartet. The pieces on this record are all unique to the style of Arvo Part. Deceptively simple compositions that force you to live in the moment.
“LOVE DRUMS FROM THE GHETTO” by MALAKU DAKU
DurIng the mId-70s Malaku recorded and produced the album “Love Drums From the Ghetto”, an album that truly showed off his skills as an artIstIc genIus. WIth thIs album Malaku an important contribution to the never-endIng rIch heritage that Is AfrIcan American musIc.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Powerful insight from Mark Manson’s Newsletter "MINDFU*K MONDAYS". Really great and thought-provoking, to say the least.
Wonderful "FRESH AIR WITH TERRY GROSS" interview with James Nester. He discusses his new book "BREATHE" and the new scIence of breathing. Thanks to Dave Elitch for hipping me to this!
Final thought...
Embrace the slowness, the unknown and get back to discovering your true self, because when you do, you’ll make this a better world.
Stay safe, healthy and inspired.
Much love and respect - José
Feel free to reach out to me directly at revivaljose@me.com