Long time no talk! Yes, that’s right, the kiwi has landed back in the homeland!
After 7 weeks, 11 beautiful countries, and 19 incredible shows with the powerhouse that is Natasha Bedingfield, I’m back home – coffee in hand, thoughts in my head, and feeling pretty damn grateful for what I just experienced.
Where Have the Newsletters Been?
I know what you’re thinking: “Where did you go, dude?” Fair question.
Two months ago, after writing 2,000 words every week for 18 months straight, I decided to pause the newsletters so I could fully commit to the job at hand – this tour.
I wanted to be completely present and immersed in the experience, not scrambling around “trying to fit things in here and there.” So I decided the newsletters could wait.
Instead, I ramped up my stories (and wall posts) on social media to give you a real-time glimpse into the ride. I’ve had a ton of messages from people saying they enjoyed tagging along, so for that, I thank you.
Reflections From the Plane…
Headline festivals, headline shows, 40,000-strong crowds, studio time, private jets, double-decker tour buses, countryside estates… its fair to say we packed a lot in! And I think the best way to explain how I feel about it all is to share what I wrote on the plane, on my home…
“How do I even attempt to summarize the experience I just had? Simply put, I can’t. Words would not do it justice.
It’s weird to be simultaneously enjoying the greatest experience of my professional career (by far), coupled with the emotional pull of not having my wife and kids with me for such a long period of time. I had to come to terms with it pretty quickly, as, unfortunately, it’s the dichotomy of what we do.
The band – Rod, Jim, you are absolutely incredible, a true honour to share the stage each and every night.
The wider team/crew – Josh, Scott, Joe, Tommy, world-class on all levels! You’re only as good as your crew, and you guys are the best.
But most importantly, Natasha, the reason we were all here in the first place. What a pleasure and privilege to spend the last 7wks with you – on and off the stage. You are such a lovely, strong and powerful person and your ability to bring people together through your music is amazing to watch, and second to none. Thanks for trusting me on this journey, and for the experience as a whole. I’m truly grateful.
I must also say a massive shout out to my incredible wife, Jess. Your love, support and encouragement for what I do, gives me endless strength. Thanks for being you, and for letting me be me. You really are the best.
And last but not least, thanks to my companies – Yamaha, Agop, Remo, Wincent, and sE Mics, for making these shows as comfortable as possible.”
The line that sums it all up…
“It’s weird simultaneously enjoying the greatest experience of my career, coupled with the emotional pull of not having my family with me.”
I mean that. I feel so incredibly fortunate to do what I do. I absolutely love playing live. And I love touring too! I just love being a professional musician. But what I don’t love? Being away from my family. That’s something I will always struggle with, and the true dichotomy of what we do.
That said, I actually dealt with it better than I had expected going in.
The reality is, regardless of what level it is at, touring is quite relentless: travel, waiting, lobby calls, line check, soundcheck, waiting, pre-show prep, pre-show huddles, performing, pack-down, waiting, hotels, post-show wind-downs, being around new people most the day… Add to that your mental and physical health, nutrition, hydration, and quality sleep (if you manage it). There is a lot you need to manage and consider, especially if you want to do this at the highest level.
So what did it all look like for me? I took it really seriously. I’ve toured plenty over the years, but always on shorter stints. This was nearly two months of a complete routine shift, and I knew it would be a huge mental challenge.
So I did everything I could to stay at my best: no alcohol, no sugar, daily exercise and stretching, mostly whole foods, conscious spending. I went into this wanting to be at my absolute best on and off the stage, and I built systems and habits to keep me mentally and emotionally consistent. And guess what? It worked.
And the results? Simply put, I did my job well and everyone was stoked. Every show felt amazing, the hangs were great, and Natasha even said this was the best her band has ever sounded. Huge compliment!
She was so inspired she dropped a new demo on us mid-tour, which we woodshopped live on stage for a couple of weeks, before booking a London studio in our final week so we could track it.
None of that was planned – it was just a byproduct of her loving the vibes on and off the stage, which is very cool.
Oh, and man, I must say, the new track is killer too! I wrote a really cool groove, playing off her vocals, and am very happy with how it all came out. She’s an incredible songwriter.
Hopefully, I can share it with you soon, but bottom line… I’m stoked for the experience.
What’s Next?
Well, first up… Brazil!
In just two weeks, I’m back on a plane for a one-off show with Natasha, at The Town Festival in São Paulo. We’re opening for Mariah Carey, with crowds expected to hit 150,000. This time I’m only away for 5 days, which is much more manageable.
Next, my drum clinic tour here in NZ –
For this clinic tour I’ll be diving into life as a working drummer – what it takes to play for an artist like Natasha, how to land gigs like that, bringing your voice into a session, applying pocket and chops tastefully, carrying yourself on the road, and more.
There will be performances, education, giveaways, a Q&A, – plenty to take away. Don’t miss it.
If you’re in NZ, you can grab your tickets HERE
More exciting news…
As you know, I run DrumGear.co.nz, where I stock products I genuinely rate and recommend. I’m excited to announce that I now have Tandem Drops available in NZ. That’s right, I’m officially the distributor for these amazing weighted tone control pads.
If you’ve followed my socials for a while, you’ve seen me using them. Why? Because they’re a game-changer. No more gels, no more rings. Just attach the Tandem Drop of your choice: 40gm, 60gm, 120gm, or 200gm, and they act like a manual gate, giving you the perfect amount of tone control.
I use them every single day, in every setting – studio, live, teaching – and I can’t recommend them enough. Kiwi drummers’ stock is very limited, so don’t wait. Grab yours HERE
And then, apart from all that, I have in-person and online lessons to get back into – a bunch of people have been patiently waiting, I have more MasterMind Drummer material coming – including frequent newsletters again, and I have a TON of practice I want to get done, too! No rest for the wicked!
Final Thoughts
Although it was challenging, this tour was easily one of the greatest experiences of my professional career. I’m proud of how I handled it, grateful for the people I got to share it with, more motivated than ever to keep working on my craft, and genuinely excited for what’s ahead.
But for now, I’m getting straight back to what I always do: working on my playing and focusing on improving who I am off the kit as well. Why? Because without a shadow of a doubt, that is what gets true results. Trust me…
As always, thanks for taking the time to read this and for being part of the journey with me. If you have any thoughts, I’d love to hear them.
Stay hungry (and healthy),
Stan