Before we kick off, a couple of studio session gigs I was fortunate to be part of were released recently, and I wanted to share them with you.
First up, last week Australian band The Bennies dropped their highly anticipated new album You Can’t Put Out This Fire
These guys are hilarious and write fantastic tunes, and it was an absolute pleasure to be part of the project.
I tracked the entire album over two days in my own studio, using all my gear, while the tracks were still very much in their early ‘sketch’ form. Most had no vocals, no bass, and in some cases, barely any guitar too! But the did have a vision, that was clear. So to hear what they’ve become now, I’m genuinely impressed.
Check it out if you get a chance. You’ll have a blast.
Next, a little while back I popped into 11B Studios, based here in Mt Maunganui, to track drums for the latest single from the incredible singer-songwriter, Jackson Owens.
Pulling from the spirit of Motown and classic RnB, Jackson wrote this soulful banger ‘Coming Home‘.
Bit of inside info on this one – I only listened to the track once on the drive over as I didn’t want to get too analytical about it. I just wanted to feel it in the moment.
I did three full takes, chatting to Jackson and his dad between each one. They ended up loving take two so much that they used the whole thing, with no edits at all. That’s rare these days, and honestly, very cool.
So yeah, wrap your ears around those if you get a chance. Both are very different projects, but each one was a great experience and genuinely enjoyable work.
Alright, now on with the show…
This week marked the final live lesson of the April 30-Day Program, and it was a big one.
Firstly, I pulled the curtain back and walked everyone through exactly how I operate as a professional drummer in 2025.
From how I structure my business, to how I work at creating consistent value for my audience, and the mindset required to build something sustainable.
We talked visibility too. Because if you want to be a professional, it is not enough to just be great at what you do. You need to be seen!
This lead on to the power (and curse) of phones and social media, but how I use it as a tool, and not a weapon turned on myself, like most of us do.
But the core of this week’s session on the kit, and what everything else is built on, was creativity and facility.
In terms of facility, I broke down the exact things I have done, (and still do), to keep my skillset growing and developing, as well as my creative energy flowing at all times. Its all connected.
Not in waves. Not when it is convenient. Always!
I’ve got an approach to building facility, that, in my opinion, (and depending on how deep you go), is an endless rabbithole of ideas and potential growth on the kit. THATS what we dove into for the drum curriculum portion of Week 4.
But creativity isn’t just about expression – what we physically can do, its also about the energy that we harness, and THATS what I’d like to talk about today.
This is not about waiting for inspiration to strike. It is about building systems that protect your inspiration and your desire to get behind the drums. So guarding the craft, challenging yourself, and staying connected to the reason you started playing in the first place.
Its simple… When your creativity is full, your playing is full.
All cylinders are firing. Your voice is clear. Your personal and professional value rises. And that changes everything.
Now, after 69 newsletters, hundreds of coaching conversations, and more than a few personal recalibrations, I’ve spoken about this countless times. But I still think it’s worth revisiting. Ask yourself this question honestly…
Are you still in love with your craft? With THE craft itself?
Not do you still like playing. Not do you still want to get better. But are you still deeply connected to that thing that got you started in the first place?
Because if not, it might be time to take a proper look at what’s draining you. A proper look at what has robbed you of the only ‘gift’ any of us truly have – the love for the craft.
When I wrote my very first MasterMind Drummer newsletter, back on the 1st of January 2024, I introduced the idea of ‘protecting your creativity at all costs’. A concept I had been saying, sharing, and teaching, for many years.
I talked about what I call your “creativity pool,” and I still think that analogy holds well. It is the source of all good things. Your playing. Your motivation. Your vision. It all flows from that internal creative well. And when it runs dry, nothing works the way it should.
I’ve seen it in my own life. I’ve seen it in the countless lives of drummers that knock on my literal and digital door. And chances are very good, that you’ve felt it too.
At the time, I broke the creative journey down into three phases. This something I realised in my own journey, then started seeing the trend far and wide…
First, the skill acquisition phase – The first 10 years! This is where literally everything feels exciting and fresh. You can do no wrong.
You’re discovering new techniques. Learning the language. You’re most likely broke, but it doesn’t matter, because ‘It aint about the money man’.
The hunger is real, and the passion runs deep.
Then comes what I call the commoditisation phase – The second 10 years! This is where your skill starts having true and substantial value. You start earning money! Yay!
You’re heading somewhat in the direction you want. You’re teaching, doing sessions, taking gigs, and seeing the potential of a true career in this industry.
You realise people will actually pay you to do the thing you love, and at first, that feels incredible. What validation! “That shows you, dad!” (totally projecting here, ha)
But over time, something starts to happen. It starts to become a grind. You’re saying yes to things more so out of obligation and habit, and no longer inspiration.
You’re teaching too many students. You’re taking on too many low-pay gigs that you know you should have passed on. You’re now compromising your values. And the kicker? It happens slowly and is barely noticeable.
It all happens right under your nose, and just a little at a time.
And finally – The next 10 years! This is what I call the rediscovery phase. And unfortunately… not everyone survives this phase…
This is actually where the real work begins, and potentially where the real career begins, too.
You start asking the bigger questions. What do I actually have to say on this instrument? What kind of artist do I want to be? What am I actually building towards here? If anything? Do I even enjoy this anymore? Is the struggle worth it? And finally… What do I want to do with my LIFE?
From all the teachings I’ve done, and the observations I’ve made over the years, I believe most drummers get stuck somewhere between phase two and three. They build some skill, they start making some money, but then? Well, they get trapped.
They’ve stopped exploring. They’ve stopped creating. They’ve stopped challenging themselves. And eventually, they stop loving it altogether.
When this happens, it no longer matters how talented or skilled you think you are. If you are not in love with the craft anymore, it shows.
It shows in your playing. In your energy. and in the way you show up – on and off the kit.
One of the core messages I teach at MasterMind Drummer, throughout all my lessons, is that your value as a drummer is not just tied up in your ability to play well.
You need that, yes – Mastery should always be the ever-moving target we seek out, but it’s really about discovering your voice, both on and off the kit.
It’s about understanding who you are and what you have to say. Your perspective. Your philosophy. Increasing the personal and professional value you bring to the world. And none of that can develop properly if your creativity is being drained on a daily basis.
You cannot create with intention if you are constantly reacting.
You cannot grow if your calendar is filled with work that bores you.
You cannot elevate if you are always in somewhat of a ‘recovery mode’.
And hold up, don’t shoot the messenger… I get it. We all need to say yes to things sometimes. Things that are not always ideal…
We have bills. We have families. We have students. We have… LIFE!
But there is a difference between making strategic compromises and completely giving away all your creative energy just to survive.
You do not need to be a purist here. I’m certainly not. You just need to be honest.
So ask yourself these 3 questions, right now:
1. What am I doing that is draining my creativity?
2. What do I keep saying yes to that I know is not helping me grow?
3. What would I stop doing today if I believed something better was waiting for me tomorrow?
These are uncomfortable questions. But they are the ones that truly matter, and that you should be asking yourself often.
Because here is what I know for sure…
When you are in love with your craft, everything changes.
Your practice sessions get better. Your progress is faster. Your gigs become more expressive. Your content lands harder. Your confidence goes up. And strangely enough, your opportunities start to increase, too!
And it’s not because you are chasing them harder, it’s simply because you are finally in alignment.
People are drawn to creative energy. There are no two ways about it. They can feel it. And when you are living and working in a way that protects that energy, you essentially become ‘magnetic’, for want of a way to put it.
I often talk about doing a “creativity stocktake.” That simply means taking the time to reflect on what is adding to your creativity, and what is taking from it.
For some of you, that will mean cutting back on the over-teaching you know you are doing. For others, it may mean finally prioritising that personal project you’ve had in the back of your mind for some time now. Or, it could be simply blocking out some time, (and mental space), to just practice, and without a goal. Just for the joy of it! – Crazy I know.
Look, it might even mean saying no to some of those gigs that pay, but don’t actually move the needle.
And understand this too… This is not a one-time fix. It is a practice.
Every few months, I run my own stocktake. I look at where my time is going. I look at where my energy is being pulled. And I ask myself honestly if it is helping or hurting the creative path I am on.
Sometimes the answers sting. But they always help.
Black Comet was that for me. It was the band I invested heavily in over the past three years, and the one I made the decision to leave at the start of this year. I asked myself the tough questions, and when I answered them honestly, it was the only option that made sense.
Tough questions… even tougher answers.
So if you are feeling a little stuck, a little burnt out, or just not connected to the instrument the way you used to be, start here –
Take stock. Be honest. Recommit to the version of yourself that actually wants this. Because this craft is too good to be reduced to just a job. Be selective, be intentional, and think long-term.
You’re too good to play like someone who has given up, so let’s bring back and prioritise the love of the craft, and, going forward, protect it at all costs.
Because, as I said earlier, the only true gift any of us really have is simply that we give a shit about this instrument in the first place. Thats it. That was out of our hands. The rest is on us.
So don’t waste it!
Let’s leave it there this week! I’m off to do a workout and then head down to the studio to get some work done.
If this newsletter hit home, and now you’re wondering ways in which you can diversify your income on the drums, don’t forget to check out my video 8 Ways To Make Money As A Drummer in 2024. It has served very helpful for a ton of drummers out there 🙂
Stay hungry (and healthy),
Stan.