Austin Gembora

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I’m inspired by the gift God has given me. He has truly allowed me to feel purpose in this life and allowed me to grow and share my gifts around the world. I’m inspired by the different cultures. By all the places music has been able to take me. I’m inspired by New York City. I’m inspired by my friends and my peers. By healthy competition with other drummers in the community, where we all gather almost ceremonially in a circle and trade ideas for hours into the night. I’m inspired by the greats. By the way Elvin painted the world with his ride cymbal and with his comping alongside John Coltrane. By the way Marcus Gilmore makes his drums and cymbals sound like waves crashing and washing out along a beach. I’m inspired by ancient rhythms. By the energy of a living room in Cuba where everyone gathers in song, dance and drums. By Samba in Salvador, Brazil where music and drums are played at all times of the day as part of everyday life. By the way music and rhythm can put human beings into a trance and tap into something spiritual. A single sound can inspire a whole composition. Whether it’s an interesting synth sound, an old sample, or even a tap of a ride cymbal. I’m inspired by my loved ones, my friends and life.

WORDS OF WISDOM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRUMMERS

To young drummers I would say be open to as much music as you can be. Learn to open your mind and really feel into what you love and what makes you feel a certain way without looking to others to see what they love. Not to say music sharing with peers isn’t important, it absolutely is, but just to make sure you can feel into your own emotions and understand why something resonates with you. I believe this is part of the path to creating your own sound. Not so much about trying hard to sound different than everyone else, but to be your authentic self, practice, and trust the process. Also I believe it is very important try to sound as authentic to the music and genre as possible. Really listen close and pay attention to the subtleties and intricacies of the music and the way the grooves feel. Record yourself and listen back a lot! Pick out the things you like and the things you want to work on.

FAVORITE ZILDJIAN CYMBAL/COMBO

I love my Zildjian 22" K Dry Complex Ride II. It definitely took some time to get to know it. There is no hiding behind the wash of a cymbal, it really exposes you and forces you to make sure you swing in the pocket. But when you're in the flow, it's such a voice in the music and as the name puts it, it's definitely "complex" with lots of colours and depth around the whole cymbal. Perfect for jazz, personally I love it for a guitar trio setting as it leaves so much space but commands the time.