Hope you had a solid weekend—got outside, spent time with good people, maybe snuck in some pad work, and actually earned some quality downtime.
Lots on at this end, and all great things…
Yesterday, I sent out the first email to my cohort for the April 30-Day, officially kicking off the two-week lead-up to what’s going to be an intense, transformative journey.
In it, I laid out expectations, mindset, and the importance of bringing the right attitude—everything needed for a truly valuable 30-day experience. I also included an incredible piece of audio that I’ve relied on for years to stay locked in and focused.
What audio you ask? Sorry! Thats for 30-Day members only 😉
I’ll also say—if you’re interested in joining the MMD 30-Day Coaching Program, just hit reply and let me know. I’ll add your email to the list and reach out when the next intake is announced! Groups are small, and its ‘first in, first serve’.
Can’t wait to get this group rolling!
Next up—I’m finally able to share that I’ll be heading to the UK and Europe for July and August on a 7-week tour with the amazingly talented Natasha Bedingfield.
I’m really looking forward to locking back in with Natasha’s camp. We had such a blast over Christmas and New Year’s, and I can’t wait to do it all again on an even bigger scale.
What makes this even more special is that, from what I’ve heard from her management, the entire team specifically requested me for this tour. That means a lot. I know it’s no easy (or cost-effective) feat to bring a drummer from the other side of the world—so the fact that they’re making it happen? That makes me really happy.
I’ve also been invited to hold a private masterclass for all the students at Toi Ohomai Polytech, where I’ll be diving deep into what it really takes to be a professional musician.
We’ll be covering everything—increasing your value, mindset, how to practice effectively and efficiently, building a brand, and how to level up both personally and professionally.
I love having these kinds of conversations, and I’m looking forward to sharing insights that can help these students carve out sustainable, fulfilling careers in music.
This works out perfectly, as it leads straight into May/June, when I’ll be back on the road for the next MasterMind Drummer Clinic Tour.
This time around, the focus will be on increasing your value—both on and off the kit—and the exact system I use to make that happen.
So yeah, lots to prep for, lots to focus on, and plenty to keep me moving forward…
And Then, This Dropped…
And on top of all that, last week, Primus dropped my audition on their YouTube channel.
It’s 20 minutes long, fully produced, and honestly? It looks and sounds great! I truly couldn’t be prouder of how it all turned out.
BUT! let’s talk about something more important than the video itself.
Let’s talk about the attitude it takes to walk into an environment like this, and put your best foot forward.
I say that, because from the moment I sent my first email to Primus, in my mind, the gig was mine, and no one could have told me otherwise.
Now, let me make it clear, this is not because I believed I was entitled to it, and not because I thought I was better than anyone else auditioning (trust me, just look at the list). But because that’s exactly the attitude you need to bring to every opportunity.
This is actually how I approach everything I do—it’s mine until told otherwise. And if you want to maximize your chances at landing any opportunity—big or small—you need to approach it the same way.
Because attitude is altitude.
That phrase has been echoed by many over the years, but one of the biggest voices behind it is Nick Vujicic, a motivational speaker who was born without limbs and has built an entire philosophy around mindset overcoming limitations.
It’s also been emphasized by legends like Zig Ziglar and John C. Maxwell (go on a google deep dive), both of whom have spent their careers teaching how attitude dictates success.
And it’s true. The way you approach an opportunity directly impacts the outcome. Walk in half-hearted, unsure of yourself, waiting for permission to believe you belong? You’ve already lost. But step in with confidence, owning the space, prepared and ready to deliver? You’ve already won—whether you get the gig or not.
The Right Person Always Gets the Gig
So, on that note, Mr. John Hoffman got the gig, and I couldn’t be happier for him.
And do I mean that? Absolutely.
The right person was always going to get the gig. And it wasn’t me. That’s how these things work.
But before that decision was made, I had to believe I was the guy. Because if I went in with anything less than full conviction, I would have already lost before I even stepped in the room.
The truth is, confidence and conviction don’t guarantee anything, but a lack of them guarantees failure.
You have to show up like the job is yours, before it’s yours.
And that’s exactly what I did.
My (Unorthodox) Approach
Everyone prepares differently. I later found out, once getting asked a bunch after the audition itself, my prep was a little unorthodox compared to others.
Here’s what I did:
I ran every day listening to live versions of the songs that we were asked to learn.
Not the album versions—just the live versions. And not just from one era, but from all three of Primus’ previous drummers.
This was deliberate. I wanted to learn the form of the live versions—the most common way they play them, but I didn’t want to get locked into any one drummer’s approach. This was crucial.
I never once played along to Primus tracks in my studio.
Instead, I would jam on the feel of each song, but in a freeform sense, making sure it was locked in and felt natural to me.
The goal? To walk into the audition already feeling like the songs were mine. Not to be a copy of anyone else, but to have them live in my own playing.
This meant I wasn’t locked into specific licks or fills (unless integral to the song)—I was just flowing with the music and reading the room.
When I talked to others after the audition, they told me their process was quite different. Most played along to the tracks, locked in to exact drum parts, and replicated what had been done before.
Hearing those words from Larry and Les—”He’s tight, he’s powerful, he nailed the tunes,” “He’s a scientist of drums,” and my personal favorite, “He was the closest to a hybrid of all three drummers—Brain, Herb, and Jayski”—meant a lot.
It reinforced something I already knew: I did the work. I left nothing on the table.
I didn’t walk out of that room thinking, Damn, I should’ve done more.
I prepared in a way that allowed me to bring my best, most natural playing to the gig.
I stayed true to my approach, my process, and my instincts. And now that the video is out? It’s a perfect reflection of that.
I’m proud of it. I stand by it.
Now, here’s the big takeaway…
Whatever opportunities come your way, approach them like they’re already yours.
Not in an arrogant way. Not in a “this is owed to me” way.
But in a way that ensures you bring your absolute best. It’s about the attitude you’re carrying with you.
Because whether you get the gig or not, that isn’t up to you.
But how you show up? That is.
And that’s really the only part that truly matters.
Consistently show up at your best, remove ALL expectations, have the best attitude you possibly can, and the right gigs and opportunities will land where they’re supposed to.
The ‘Skull Crusha’ Is Ready…
So yeah, John got the gig, we know that now, and he’s going to kill it—actually, he already is!
But, you know, if they ever need a little extra ‘firepower’ behind the kit…
The Skull Crusha is cranked up, locked in, and ready to go.
Just sayin’… 😉
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Let’s leave it there this week. I’m off for a 10km run, then biking to the studio for a full day of practice, content, zoom calls, and lessons. 🙂
Thanks as always for taking the time, and feel free to let me know your thoughts. I appreciate it.
As always, stay hungry (and healthy),
Stan