Q&A With Thomas Lang
Q: You’re not known as the drummer for any one band, yet you are world-famous.Was that a conscious career decision?
TL: Yes. I wanted to play as many styles as possible. I wanted to work in different situations with different people. I was always interested in being an “all-around drummer.” My musical taste is very eclectic. I like all styles of music and I was always very happy to work in different markets of the music industry. Not just Rock or Pop or Jazz, I always wanted to take all these styles of music, mesh them up a little and work in different niche markets of this industry. And I wanted to record as much as possible with many different bands. So I ended up, for many years, being a session player and I still am, to a certain degree today. I always wanted to write my own music and be my own boss, if possible. But today I am also looking for a band. The music industry has changed a lot and (with sessions) you just can’t get as much work as you used to get as a drummer. So, I do write a lot of my own music now and I tend to be more involved with other musicians on a band level.
Q: How has the music business changed throughout your career?
TL: It has changed drastically. It is a completely different industry today than it was 10, 15, 20 years ago. It’s mainly down to a lot of people stealing music, copying music illegally, and taking away budgets and money from the musicians and from record labels, management companies and everybody else. There is simply not as much money as there was 15 or 20 years ago. The money that can still be made is usually made by people who work very independently and are their own bosses, writing, producing and selling their own music, online mainly, and completely avoid the traditional way of going through record companies.
Q: What advise do you have for musicians starting out today?
TL: My advice to any musician is to be the best musician you can be, but also broaden their skills. Become more independent by being not only a musician but also a writer, a producer… know about engineering and be usable in many situations… and be a little more involved on the business side of things to be potentially independent if you are out of work. If there is not a gig out there for you at the moment, you still want to be able to work. If you write and produce your own music, you are never out of a job.Q: How involved are you with the marketing and promotion side of the business?
TL: I’m very involved. I’m there for every single step of everything that I do - including layout, graphic design, distribution processes, pricing – everything. I try to be involved, on every level, in creating a great product with everything I do, while at the same time having fair pricing for something that really appeals to the audience.
Q: Tell us about your newest DVD?
TL: It’s called “Creative Coordination and Advanced Foot Techniques.” It is a 7&1/2 hour, monster DVD package of 21st century high-end drumming concepts. It’s full of unique exercises and ideas for drummers to work on their contemporary co-ordination skills and to understand high-end contemporary drumming and how to practice in an efficient way. Learning how to be efficient and creative (in drumming) - that’s what it’s all about.