Name: Arian Robinson
Nationality: German
Occupation: Drummer, composer
Current release:  Aggregat's sophomore album Origins is out via Poly Unique. Arian's most recent solo album Death is only an empty dream of the imagination is available from his bandcamp store.
Pure Drum Music recommendations: Fritz Hauser; Personablack; Zach Hill

If you enjoyed this Arian Robinson interview and would like to find out more about his music, visit his Youtube channel.

For more about Aggregat, head over to their official homepage or check out our Aggregat interview.
 


What was your first drum set like and what are you using today? What, to you personally, are factors in terms of build and design that you appreciate in drums and percussion instruments?

My first drum set was a Ludwig Accent in all black. It was just a basic beginner set, but it was a great kit and I put a lot of hours on it.

Today I’m playing a Yamaha stage custom. I bought each drum individually from different owners since this was cheaper at the time than buying a brand new kit. It sounds great and does what I need it to.

I appreciate all drums in all sizes because they all have their own voice with something to say.

Late Rush-drummer Neil Peart said: “The equipment is not an influence. It doesn't affect the way I play. It's an expression of the way I play.” What's your take on that?

The instrument is an extension of you. I agree.

I will play on anything. I will find something new or interesting in whatever drum or equipment I’m playing on in order to express myself through this instrument. If you can make poor quality sound good, then you’re really on to something.

Drumming is an integral part of many cultures, and traditions. Which of these do you draw from in your playing – and why?

I try not to force anything in my playing in regards to my approach or where this inspiration comes from.

I think naturally there are cultures or styles of drumming that influence my playing like West African drumming or even from the North Hindustani Classical Tradition of India. These are just 2 examples, but I find that all culture and music styles can influence each other when learning them.

I never consciously choose to use vocabulary from a culture when working on a drum part or try to force it to work. It is something that may come out naturally in my playing and I may not even realize it, but it’s there.

What were some of the main challenges in your development as a drummer / percussionist? Which practices, exercises, or experiences were most helpful in reaching your goals?

I think independence was a challenge, especially as you start to learn styles that challenge you to play four different rhythms all at the same time. Now it is something I really enjoy.

One approach that works well is to separate everything and play each part by itself and then add it together piece by piece and of course the best experience is playing experience.

What do you think you're doing different than other drummers?

I would say just being myself and not trying to be someone else.

How do you experience the concepts of "groove," "swing," and "rhythmic feel" in music?

Groove is meditation, swing is a part of rhythmic feel, and feel is from the heart.

How do time signatures and tempo affect our perception of rhythm?

Well time signatures can affect our perception of rhythm because if it is in a timing that we are not accustomed to, then that automatically will change our perception of what time is or how we feel rhythm. If something is in 7/8 and you have been listening to music in 4/4 your whole life, then that will definitely open your ears.

Tempo is also an interesting perception because tempo is a pulse and you can play with the pulse by playing with the “feel”.

Example, the pulse is the same but there is a great difference in feel and time when you switch from something straight like 8th notes to something with a bit more swag like Triplets. Then the perception of how you feel the rhythm and pulse has changed.

What is the relationship between harmony, rhythm and melody? How do non-percussion instruments contribute to the overall rhythmic texture of a piece?

Drums are also a melodic instrument, you may just have to listen more closely to notice this. But rhythm and melody are closely related because without rhythm, can you have a melody? That’s always a good question.

Non percussion instruments can add quite a lot rhythmically to the texture of a piece. An example might be the guitar in a punk band or the sitar in the context of Hindustani music.

Or most importantly for a drummer the bass player. The bass is important in the context of jazz for example, because not only are they giving the pulse / rhythmic information to the drummer, but also giving the harmonic information as well to the rest of the ensemble.

Different drums have a distinct sound and drums and percussion are also timbral instruments. What drum sound are you aiming for and how are you making use of the timbral potentials and possibilities of your instruments?

This also depends on the ensemble or musical situation. For myself, as a solo artist I try to utilize the drums in different ways from what they are normally used for. Or looking for new timbres using my own palette of extended techniques or found instruments.

And of course - what do I want to say? That is always an important factor as to how or what sound I am looking for in terms of the drums or cymbals.

The drum set is an incredible instrument for exploration of new sounds and approaches and that’s one of my main focuses as a drummer.

In relation to drumming, Stewart Copeland said: “Listening is where the cool stuff comes from. And that listening thing, magically, turns all of your chops into gold.” What do you listen for?

it depends on many things like the style of music, or ensemble for example.

I think regardless of the situation it’s important to keep your ears open and conscious of what is happening around you and how you can interact or not with the band / ensemble that you are creating music with.

Do you feel that honing your compositional / songwriting skills has an effect on your drumming skills?

Maybe the other way around, but of course either way affects each other. I think drums as an instrument are a great compositional tool in itself.

The drummer is like the conductor of the song. They set the time, the tempo, the dynamics, the feel, the form of a song, just to name a few. So coming from this perspective, I feel like it influences a lot of my compositional style and my process to writing.

How has technology, such as drum machines and sequencers, impacted the way rhythm is created and perceived? Has it been a concrete influence on your own approach?

Well now you can use a computer to create any rhythm you want and as complex or not as you want and everything can be 100% precise or programmed. This is one way it has impacted the creative aspect.

It has definitely influenced my approach in the context of playing in Aggregat. I think of myself as the drum machine and of course I use samples that I have made from a computer. But everything I do is 100% human.

So it has influenced my approach to drumming in this band in regards to striving for perfection while also still being human.

Physical strain is a particularly serious issue for many drummers. How does it manifest itself, how do you deal with it and in how far does it affect your creativity?

I think it is important to avoid physical strain while playing if possible and to find healthy ways to prevent this from happening. Such as developing healthy eating habits, yoga, exercise, sleep etc …

As a drummer I have played many different styles of music and each one has its own straining tasks if you would like to call them that. So for me I try my best to treat my body well and play with relaxation and good movement. everything is flowing naturally and not forced.

Many recording engineers have remarked that the drums can be particularly hard to capture. What, from your perspective, makes drums sound great on record and in a live setting?

Well for starters, it depends on how the drums are played, but it also depends on what context it is in. When I’m listening or working on a solo project than I like to hear the whole kit for what it is (multiple percussion instruments in one set up).

However as an accompanying instrument I personally love a phat kick and snare - but of course it all depends on what musical situation we are in.

Drums and percussion are remarkably often used for physical therapy / healing. What, from your point of view, makes them particularly suitable tools for this?

This is not a new concept as to the “healing powers” of drumming. Drumming is meditation and brings you into the “now” so to speak. This in itself is something healing and good for the mind.

Also physically it is something good for the body and gets you to move your limbs in coordination with one another.