Damani & Stixx - The Duo Behind DrumTrax
Drumeo Gab Podcast
English - September 22, 2019 12:00 - 1 hour - 79.5 MB - ★★★★★ - 99 ratingsMusic Arts Performing Arts drummer drumeo drumeogab drumgab drummingpodcast interview Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
“People talk about what makes money as if it’s the same thing as being good!”
Damani and Somadhi (AKA Stixx) are the people behind the very popular DrumTrax app. With nearly 40,000 users, together they have created an exceptional service for drummers all over the world to jam to tracks created for FREE! They also host their podcast called “Drum Code” where they have had guests such as Eric Moore II and Devin Sumner. In addition to guest interviews, they often have solo shows where they explore deep subject matter that many of us likely consider regularly. They are also involved musically together in their band called Mino Yanci.
They also offer lessons through their DrumTrax YouTube channel where both Stixx and Damani share lessons and concepts to consider and apply within your drumming.
I have seen their tracks being used for online content all over social media for quite some time now. Very recently, Juan Carlito Mendoza performed and taught lessons at Drumeo. One of the tracks Juan performed to was, in fact, a tune composed by Damani titled “Odd Movements”. This tune is one among many drumless tracks featured within the DrumTrax app.
You Will Hear About….
The origins of the DrumTrax app, which takes us all the way back to Mike Johnston’s DrumLab. Smoke and mirrors. What we see online vs what things really are. Musicians who work hard at their craft in hopes of earning a lot of money vs for the sake of art. Damani’s belief that by proclaiming you are a “pocket drummer” is a limiting belief. The Dunning-Kruger effect. Facing your own insecurities and dealing with them. Managing your expectations with making music/performing. Learning how to become an instrument of creativity. The importance of serving through music.
Why Should You Listen?
This episode is FILLED with inspiration. Stixx and Damani share their points of view on intentions with art. They express their discontent for anyone who explores music for the sake of money and fame. We talk about insecurities, managing our expectations and why we shouldn’t stop developing once we feel we have learned enough.
Towards the end of this episode, the conversation is truly impactful. We talk about how music and creativity flow through us and that we must allow that to happen without getting in the way. It gets a bit spiritual but from where I view this, and them too, making art IS about spirituality. It may not seem that way for everyone. For some, it may just be about learning, executing, listening, and essentially being a team player. But for some, it goes deeper than that. In my experiences music has always moved me in a way that I have difficulty explaining. It is powerful and it is a blessing that should be held with high esteem.
By learning and developing skills, it allows us to respond to what comes through us. As Paul Wertico said numerous times in a recent episode, “the music plays me”. I believe that you will powerfully receive this message. This and many other parts of the conversation struck a strong response from these gentlemen and myself.
Music used in this episode:
An assortment of DrumTrax app tracks
DrumTrax’s Socials
Drumeo Gab’s Socials