Interview with Matt Chamberlain

Displaying his drumming madness on the albums of Tori Amos, Morrissey, Fiona Apple, Critters Buggin, Dido, Sean Lennon, The Master Musicians of Jajouka, Robert Fripp,Sara Bareilles, Jon Brion, David Torn, Indigo Girls, Weapon of Choice,Macy Gray, Stone Gossard,Christian McBride, Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, Tim and Neil Finn, David Bowie, Elton John, Peter Gabriel, The Wallflowers, Natalie Merchant, Bill Frisell, the Saturday Night Live Band, Robbie Williams, Kanye West, Garbage, Anika Moa, Shakira, John Mayer, Brad Mehldau, Liz Phair, Chris Isaak, Dave Navarro, Kevin Max, Sam Phillips and William Shatner..to name a FEW…, whether you know it or not? YOU have heard Matt Chamberlain.  Nicknamed “the Human Loop” he is as modest & understated as he is talented.  AND that TALENT??  Indeed a thing of Epic proportion.  Known for his unique style & solid as steel performances, Matt Chamberlain is the Drum Monster.  Check out his BPM :)

Quick 5 Stats:

1. Road Dog or Jet Hog?
I probably spend equal time driving and flying.

2. Breakdance or The Hustle?
A chemist in Australia finally succeeded in mixing oil and water.

3. Argyle or Plaid?
Did you know there are always so many fragments of spider legs floating in the air that you are constantly inhaling them wherever you go.

4. Best make out song ever?
I can tell what songs not to play when you’re getting busy…

5. Favorite shoes or Bare Feet?
Gorilla Feet!

Your musical career would be considered legendary if you were in fact old enough for that sort of talk. However it feels like you’ve only just begun. From those early days with Ten Hands in Denton, Texas to 80 million records sold later… What do you still want to accomplish?

I’d like to learn piano, guitar and a lot more about composition so that i can write music when i hear it.

“The Loop On The Fly Guy” Tori Amos has often referred to you as “The Human Loop”. What inspires you, even at this remarkable level, to keep pushing the bar even higher??

Playing music is one of the most profoundly fun, mind altering experiences a human can have. i just want to keep playing and creating.

Having described your solo album as “an imaginary soundtrack to an Asian-Western-Sci-Fi-Horror Movie”. I gotta believe that humor has been a constant companion along your amazing journey to success. How does Matt Chamberlain chill out when the session wraps at night?

well if it was a long day i’d probably go to the hotel and crash out or maybe grab a beer somewhere..nothing too exciting

What’s been shakin’ lately in the your Seattle project studio? And do you garner the same excitement from production as you do from those awe inspiring LIVE performances of yours?

The studio at home has really helped me to continue doing records. With record budgets being cut to almost nothing i’m finding that people are looking for different, creative ways to make records that don’t cost an arm and a leg but with the same high quality results.Over the 20 years i’ve been doing sessions i have asked different engineers what they like as far as mics, mic pre’s ,compressors,etc and i’ve also learned that you can get great sounds in small rooms so my place is perfect for drum overdubs and smaller tracking sessions…at the moment i’m doing tons of records with friends that i’ve always wanted to work with and also writing away on my personal project.

I know you’ve recently been working with the Seattle based Fight The Fear foundation. Please tell me more about your relationship with the organization & how that came about?

I was contacted by my friend Brandi Carlile about doing a song with her for the Fight The Fear Foundation. It is basically an organization that teaches women self defense skills and violence prevention education. Check out the website for the full story
http://www.facebook.com/l/bbd12;fightthefearcampaign.com/index.html

Where do we catch you LIVE in 2010 & please share the best piece of advice given to you so far?

 This year I’m hoping to hit the road like a crazy person with my drum-laptop project. I should have dates on my website in the next few months…. The best piece of advice that has been given to me was from the late Capt. Jerry Evans “we are here for a good time not a long time”

Thanks for a solid good time Matt!

Keep up with Matt Chamberlain here:
http://www.mattchamberlain.com