What a crazy few weeks! If I’m honest, it’s only in the last couple of weeks that I’ve really come back online, since returning from the Primus audition.
And to be clear, this has nothing to do with not getting the gig. I really mean that.
My mindset has always been: the gig was mine until it wasn’t. The right man was always going to get the gig, and he did. It was a hell of an experience. What a pleasure. No regrets.
What I’m talking about is more of a physical reaction. Once everything was all said and done, I just felt wiped out.
But it wasn’t just Primus. It was everything that happened around it—heading away to play with Natasha Bedingfield right in the middle of all that, and then making the decision to move on from Black Comet, too.
Lots of moving parts!
NZ, Aus, Great Barrier Island, USA, NZ…. I love it. I LIVE for it… But man, phew!
So when I finally got the word from Primus that I didn’t get the gig, it felt like a bookend to an intense 10-week stretch—one that, on top of everything, happened to land over Christmas and New Year’s.
And let’s be real… my Christmas break wasn’t exactly a break. I had just two days off, and that included a 40-person family reunion, then BAM—everything kicked into full force again.
I make a conscious effort to take care of myself—body and mind—but even I was surprised at how much it rinsed me out when it was all done.
Looking back, I think I was just focused on getting the job done, (and done well), and running on adrenaline.
So, I took a minute, spent time with the family, realigned with my goals for 2025, and got my head back in the game.
Now? Well, all cylinders are firing. And there’s a lot happening…
The top priority right now is prepping for the next Live MMD 30-Day Coaching Program.
And by prepping, I mean dialing everything in even further and taking it to the next level. This is very much the 2.0 version, and I absolutely can’t wait to kick it off.
In case you’re new here, this is a 4-week live coaching program I run online. Each week, I teach a progressive drum curriculum—a curriculum I see as essential if you want to take your playing to the next level, and then pair that with an area of personal development—because, in my opinion, your playing and your mindset go hand in hand.
Here’s how the structure looks:
Week 1: Dynamics & Mechanics Reset // Health
Week 2: Applied Mechanics // Wellbeing
Week 3: Single Kick Development // Business
Week 4: Creativity & Facility // Purpose
Over the 30 days, you’ll have my full support inside a private community, where we stay accountable and locked in.
And to top it off? For this 2.0 version, at the end of the program, you get lifetime access to all my MMD Courses too. Insane value.
I have a couple more spots available, so if you’re interested in joining this life-changing program, just reply to this newsletter with “Count me in“, and I’ll hit you back with all the details.
Now, lets get into the juice of it all…
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What I wanted to dive into this week is the idea of making decisions now that serve both your short-term progress and, more importantly, your long-term goals.
In short—doing future you a favour.
But why am I talking about this?
Every newsletter I write comes from a real event or experience—something that sparks a thought, a lesson, or a perspective shift.
This week, it came from two coffee catch-ups I had with a couple of friends recently. Unrelated, but just days apart.
Now, I’ll level with you—my circle is small, my circle is tight, and I like it that way. I don’t let too many people in. Not because I’m closed off, but because I’m just really happy in my own space, doing my own thing. Always have been. I like to keep things simple.
As they say, quality over quantity—always.
Anyway, as mentioned, these two conversations were separate, but they carried the same theme, and that’s what I wanted to bring to you today….
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The first chat was with a very talented singer-songwriter friend of mine.
He’s about to have a baby— a huge moment in life—and we were talking about how to manage and protect his creative songwriting energy, while staying financially stable.
Here’s the problem.
He plays covers. He does corporate gigs.
Funnily enough, though, in terms of optics, he does a pretty dam good job at keeping it on the quiet. He just gets the job done, and does his own thing.
Now, I use the word “problem” loosely. It’s only a problem if you see it as one—and he does.
Yes, he gets a lot of work.
Yes, he gets paid well.
Yes, he does a great job.
But, in short, it’s draining him.
It comes at the cost of his creative energy (and his voice)—the very thing that fuels his passion. Instead of writing his own music, he’s often spending all his energy recreating someone else’s.
A common problem.
So, we broke it down.
If he values his own songwriting more than the money from playing covers—then something has to change.
So, his decision?
He’s stepping away from covers for the next little while. 6-12mths.
He’s going into his own ‘ghost mode’. He’ll pick up some work outside of music to keep things stable, pay the bills, enjoy this new chapter with his growing family, and go all in on his writing.
That’s a powerful move.
And look—I end up having these conversations a lot with people. Probably because they already know where I stand.
They use me as a soundboard, looking for validation, reassurance, or just some no-BS perspective. And that’s okay.
Not only do I think it’s okay—in most cases, I think it’s necessary.
If you want to maintain your love for your craft and still have creative fire as you get older, you have to protect it.
But let’s be real—it’s not easy.
Walking away from stability? From comfort? From something you’ve built up and got really good at?
That’s hard, for sure. But sometimes, it’s necessary.
He knows his Master Plan, and he’s doing everything in his power to move toward it. That’s a strong constitution!
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Then there was the second chat—this one was with a friend who plays more local cover gigs than anyone I know.
He’s been doing it for years. He’s well-established, is great at it, has his hands in everything, and makes a solid living as a full-time musician.
But despite all that, he feels unfulfilled.
I asked him why.
His answer?
“I want what you have.”
I laughed. “What do you mean?”
He said, “I want to be known as an active session musician, available for original artists. But no one thinks of me that way. I’m known as a covers guy.’”
And honestly? I get it.
He’s built his entire career around covers—by choice. He made a plan, executed it well, and got to the point he was aiming for.
But now? Well, he’s not happy.
And why? Optics and fulfilment.
First, let me be clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with playing covers for a living—BUT, as long as it aligns with your long-term goals. It mustn align.
But based on his answer to my next question? It very much doesn’t…
I asked him, “Bro, where do you want to be in five years? If you could have things exactly how you want them, what would that look like?”
His answer?
“Playing for original artists, live and in the studio, making content and just enjoying the craft.”
But here’s the kicker…
Everything he has done up to this point is in direct opposition to that goal.
This is something I hear all the time. It’s the self-imposed trap, but it’s hard as it has a firmm grip on you.
Musicians struggling because they want one thing—yet their actions are taking them in the opposite direction.
I told him straight up—people will not think of you that way until you make serious changes. You have to own it and start actively turning the ship one degree at a time, in the direction of that five-year vision.
Case-in-point, here is a question I got the other day, followed by my answer –
The Question :
My Answer :
I had a vision, made a course correction, and started moving towards my Master Plan.
So, with all this in mind… Seriously. What do you—the reader, want out of this life?
Because you’re not a victim here.
No one else is in control of your career. You are.
You take each step forward, each day. No one else.
When I first started posting on social media ten years ago, I had decided to stop playing with a major artist signed to Warner Music.
I was in the same kind of pivot moment.
I left because I wanted to be around my family more, preserve my love for the craft, and increase my value in the process.
I was going to make a comeback, no doubt, but
A. When I was ready, and
B. Only once I had something to come back with.
I still loved playing and performing, and still loved sharing my passion for the instrument, so I started posting on social media to scratch that itch.
But over time? It did way more than that.
It built my brand. It gave me a voice. It allowed me to express my ideas and connect with others.
And all of that has served me well ever since.
Back then, given my frame of mind, every post ended with the same hashtag:
#DontDigItDontDoIt
Because I realized, if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, then you need stop fuckin’ doing it! And A.S.A.P.
It really is that simple.
I can hear you already… “But Stan, what about my job?”
Find another one. Plenty of paid work out there. Just think out side of your box, and keep your eye on the prize.
Look, there are no victims of professional circumstances in developed Western societies. We are privileged here.
You choose how you show up each day.
You choose how you spend your time.
You choose whether to stay stuck or move forward.
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So what’s the takeaway from all this?
This newsletter isn’t for people who are happy with their situation. If you love what you do, great! Keep doing it.
But if you’re frustrated—if you want one thing, but your actions aren’t lining up with it—then you need to make a change.
And that starts with one simple question:
Where do you want to be in five years?
Don’t gloss over this. Sit with it. Write it down.
And then? Start working your way back and course-correct along the way.
Identify the little daily decisions that aren’t serving that goal, and then make the hard but necessary calls.
They won’t always be easy. They shouldn’t be easy. But as I say, they will be necessary.
In short – Do Future You A Favour…
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Alright, let’s leave it there this week.
I hope this serves as a reminder to step back and take stock of where you’re headed. Be intentional. Make the decisions now that will serve your future self. No one else is going to do it for you.
And remember, if you’re ready to level up—on and off the kit—my next MasterMind Drummer 30-Day Coaching Program kicks off soon. This is the 2.0 version, more refined, more focused, and packed with value. If you’re serious about taking your playing and mindset to the next level, reply with “Count me in“, and I’ll send over the details.
Stay hungry (and healthy),
Stan