Dance Gavin Dance, the Sacramento-based post-hardcore powerhouse, unleashed their seventh studio album, Mothership, on October 7th, captivating fans with their signature blend of intricate musicianship and genre-bending soundscapes. At the heart of this sonic tapestry lies the dynamic drumming of founding member Matt Mingus. Modern Drummer sat down with Mingus to explore the rhythmic foundations of Mothership, delving into his influences, techniques, and the creative process behind his distinctive drumming style that propels Dance Gavin Dance.
Matt Mingus Dance Gavin Dance Mothership Interview
In this exclusive interview, Matt Mingus reveals the journey that shaped him into the rhythmic force behind Dance Gavin Dance. From his early aspirations in school band to drawing inspiration from diverse musical styles, Mingus’s path is a testament to self-driven dedication and a passion for groove. He shares insights into his formative years, highlighting key influences that molded his approach to drumming.
Early Musical Spark and Influences
Mingus’s drumming journey ignited at the age of nine, eighteen years prior to this interview, fueled by a desire to join the school band. Faced with the choice between trumpet and drums, the allure of percussion proved irresistible. This initial spark set him on a course that would lead him to become a defining element of Dance Gavin Dance’s sound.
When discussing his drumming influences, Mingus points to a diverse range of artists and experiences. Abe Cunningham of Deftones stands out as a significant early influence. Growing up in Sacramento, the same city as Deftones, Mingus was immersed in their music, absorbing Cunningham’s powerful and nuanced drumming style. Deftones’ impact on Sacramento’s music scene, and on Mingus personally, is undeniable.
Beyond iconic drummers, Mingus also credits his seventh and eighth-grade band instructor, Jay Roberts, as a pivotal figure in his development. Roberts, a seasoned professional drummer turned educator, provided Mingus with invaluable guidance and encouragement, especially within the school band setting. Mingus fondly recalls Roberts allowing him to experiment with a double kick pedal even in jazz band settings, showcasing a forward-thinking approach to music education and fostering Mingus’s percussive exploration. This early exposure to jazz, alongside his rock influences, laid the groundwork for his versatile drumming style within Dance Gavin Dance.
Developing a Unique Drumming Voice
Interestingly, Matt Mingus reveals that he didn’t pursue formal drum lessons until much later in his career. Instead, he embraced a more hands-on, collaborative approach to learning. He emphasizes the value of “shedding back and forth” with fellow drummers, learning through practical application and peer interaction. This self-directed learning style underscores his innate musicality and drive.
Mingus’s formative training ground was the school band system – concert band, jazz band, and marching band. He diligently practiced rudiments and fundamentals, building a solid technical foundation. This rigorous practice, combined with his experiences in diverse band settings, honed his skills and instilled in him a deep understanding of rhythm and timing, crucial elements of Dance Gavin Dance’s complex music. His transition from jazz band to rock music in eighth grade marked a pivotal moment, as he began to synthesize his diverse musical experiences into a cohesive drumming identity.
Matt Mingus Dance Gavin Dance Mothership Album Art
Mastering Double Bass and Evolving Technique
While Dance Gavin Dance is known for its intricate and often syncopated rhythms rather than outright speed, double bass drumming is still a component of Mingus’s playing. He maintains his double bass skills by consistently practicing older Dance Gavin Dance songs and actively seeking new rhythmic patterns in his songwriting. This constant engagement keeps his technique sharp and allows for continuous evolution.
Mingus also describes a unique approach to pushing his double bass boundaries within the studio. He mentions how producer Kris Crummett sometimes subtly alters double kick patterns to complement the guitar parts, occasionally creating rhythms that initially challenge Mingus’s abilities. This collaborative process, driven by the pursuit of musical excellence, forces Mingus to expand his technical repertoire and ensures that his drumming remains dynamic and progressive, both on record and in live performances.
The Groove Behind the Complexity
Despite the technicality inherent in Dance Gavin Dance’s music, Mingus’s drumming is characterized by a deep sense of groove and feel. This is evident throughout Mothership, where his playing seamlessly blends intricate patterns with a powerful rhythmic foundation. He attributes this groove to his deep appreciation for funk and Motown music. Artists like The Four Tops, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Aretha Franklin have profoundly influenced his sense of timing and rhythmic pocket.
Mingus also cites classic rock icons such as Steely Dan, the Eagles, The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Prince as crucial in shaping his groove. By drawing inspiration from such a diverse palette of genres and artists, he has cultivated a drumming style that is both technically impressive and deeply soulful. This fusion of technicality and groove is a hallmark of his playing and a key ingredient in Dance Gavin Dance’s distinctive sound.
Creative Process and Mothership Drumming
When it comes to songwriting, Mingus often takes a unique approach, mirroring the guitar parts on the drums. He enjoys translating the melodic and rhythmic ideas of the guitarists into percussive patterns, creating a tight and interwoven musical texture. This close interplay between drums and guitars is a defining characteristic of Dance Gavin Dance’s music, contributing to their signature sound.
While he primarily drums to pre-written guitar parts, Mingus also describes instances where he originates rhythmic ideas, prompting the band to write music around his drum patterns. Furthermore, he actively contributes to the rhythmic intricacies of transition sections within songs. This collaborative and dynamic writing process highlights Mingus’s integral role in shaping Dance Gavin Dance’s musical landscape.
Recording Mothership with Kris Crummett
Mingus describes the recording process for Mothership as efficient and comfortable, largely due to his established working relationship with producer Kris Crummett. Having collaborated with Crummett on numerous projects, they have developed a strong studio rapport and a streamlined workflow.
The drum recording for Mothership spanned five days, a testament to Mingus’s preparation and Crummett’s focused production style. The process began with meticulous drum setup – changing heads, tuning, selecting cymbals, and ensuring click tracks were in order. This attention to detail in the initial stages sets the stage for a productive and focused recording session. Mingus emphasizes his preparedness upon entering the studio, which contributes to the relatively quick tracking time.
While the songs were largely finalized before recording, Mingus acknowledges that minor adjustments, particularly to fills and double bass patterns, sometimes occur in the studio. This collaborative refinement, often guided by Crummett’s input, adds a layer of spontaneity and polish to the final recordings.
Comfort with the Click Track and Drum Sound
Matt Mingus is a proponent of recording with a click track, a practice he adopted over time. Initially, playing to a click presented a challenge, but through consistent practice, it became second nature. He recognizes the click track as an essential tool for maintaining rhythmic precision in the studio environment, a crucial element in Dance Gavin Dance’s tightly crafted sound.
When discussing drum sounds for Mothership, Mingus prioritizes achieving the “best sound possible” while maintaining sonic consistency with Dance Gavin Dance’s previous releases. This desire for both quality and continuity reflects his commitment to the band’s established sonic identity.
Working with Kris Crummett: A Drummer’s Perspective
Mingus speaks highly of his collaboration with Kris Crummett, emphasizing not only their professional partnership but also their close friendship. He values Crummett’s perspective as a drummer himself, noting that Crummett’s suggestions for drum part adjustments are consistently insightful and beneficial.
Crummett’s active involvement in the drum recording process, offering constructive feedback and suggestions, underscores his significant contribution to Dance Gavin Dance’s music. However, Mingus also emphasizes the band’s preparedness when entering the studio, indicating that the core drum parts are meticulously crafted beforehand. This balance of pre-production and in-studio collaboration is key to their successful recording process.
Beyond Dance Gavin Dance
Outside of his central role in Dance Gavin Dance, Matt Mingus remains musically active in other projects. He participates in a heavier band alongside fellow Dance Gavin Dance members and friends, exploring a different facet of his drumming. Additionally, he performs live drums for Dance Gavin Dance vocalist Tilian Pearson’s solo project, showcasing his versatility across different musical styles. Mingus’s openness to diverse musical collaborations highlights his passion for drumming and his commitment to continuous musical exploration.
Matt Mingus’s Drum Setup
Matt Mingus utilizes a maple Truth kit, favoring a configuration that includes 8×10 and 10×12 rack toms, a 16×16 floor tom, an 18×20 bass drum, and a 6×14 snare. He relies on DW 9000 series hardware, including a double bass pedal, for its reliability and performance. For cymbals, he uses TRX cymbals, often experimenting with different models to achieve desired sonic textures. His setup is completed with a Pork Pie throne for comfort during long performances and Vic Firth 3A sticks, a popular choice among drummers for their balance and feel. This detailed description of his gear provides valuable insight for drummers seeking to emulate his sound or understand his equipment preferences.
Matt Mingus’s drumming on Dance Gavin Dance’s Mothership is a masterclass in technicality, groove, and musicality. His diverse influences, self-driven development, and collaborative spirit have forged a distinctive drumming voice that is integral to the band’s captivating sound. This interview offers a valuable glimpse into the mind and approach of a modern drumming innovator.
