Jim Donovan Interview

Drum Magazine
Recording Issue
3/2002

FAVORITE STUDIOS
1. What is your favorite studio in which to track drums?
Although it's not a comercial studio, Bill Botrell's "Williams Place" Studio in Caspar ,CA is by far the best drum tracking studio I've ever enjoyed.
2. Why is it your favorite?
The possibilities for different approaches and different enivronments at Williams Place are very key. Some of my favorite sounding tracks from the new Rusted Root CD entitled "Welcome To My Party" were recorded in the kitchen of the studio (Sweet Mary, Blue Diamonds). Bill's vintage microphone selection and of course his mastery of the art of recording play prominently into how I feel about his place. We truly were able to capture different drum sounds for every track, and I love each approach. It doesn't hurt that the studio overlooks the Pacific ocean either...
3. What projects have you recorded there?
Just the new Rusted Root CD "Welcome To My Party"

FAVORITE RECORDING
1. Which song and/or album features drum tracks that you're most proud of?
I don't want to sound like a broken record (sorry for the pun) but the new Rusted Root CD "Welcome To My Party" is my best work and my absolute favorite Rusted Root album. Particularly on the songs "Union 7", Welcome to My Party" and People of My Village" Also our 94' CD When I Woke has a great piece called "Drum Trip" which I'm quite fond of. And on the album Remember there is a track called Airplane/Agbadza which is very beautiful.
2. What is about those tracks that sets them apart from the rest of your recorded work? Is it the quality of your performance, sound, drum part, etc.?
On "Union 7" and Welcome to My Party" I love the sonic qualities and the feel of the parts. These songs just have a monster groove that really jumps out of the speakers.
I like that the parts are simple and serve the energy of the songs. I love "People of My Village" for it's intensity and the new direction the song gives to Rusted Root. "People" takes the tribal elements of Rusted Root and cranks them into 2002 with organically created loops and a passionate song. It was one of the first times I'd really used a computer to create music. Doing that piece I began to learn the rhythmic and melodic possibilities of the digital audio world. My Mac has truly blown my mind wide open to infinite possibilities of sound creation and has proven itself to be an invaluable arrangement tool. Using a computer has really made my time better and has helped me become a more inventive player overall because it helps me continually think outside my normal "box" of just the drumset. "Drum Trip" I love for its raw uncensored energy.
Finally on Airplane/Agbadza there is a richness a inventiveness to the composition as a whole which makes me smile each time I hear it. Our former percussionist Jim DiSpirito played a big part in the creation of this piece.

TIPS
1. What is the most important thing that every drummer should know about recording drums in the studio?
Prepare in advance as much as possible. This means knowing the songs head to toe before setting foot in the studio. Rehersals are also the time for experimenting with different sounds, heads, sticks, drums, muting, tempos etc. You can save yourself and the band a ton of money just by being prepared. Record yourself as much as possible even with a cheap tape recorder just to get an idea of what you sound like. Also practice to a metronome. Even if your band has never used a click, one of the most requested things for a drummer to do is use a click track. It helps if the whole band practices to one as well. Other important things I've learned along the way: Everything changes, try to remain as open as possible to suggestions and ideas. Leave you Ego at home, the music comes first period. The drums accompany the song, play to and enhance the energy that the song requires. Also encourage everyone as they track and overdub. Everyone likes to hear "good job or excellent solo" when they're pouring their soul out. One kind word can change the entire vibe during a recording session.
2. What is the biggest mistake most drummers make in the studio?
For myself it has been overplaying. Trying to create that one "Killer " fill that everyone who hears it will talk about for years (Like the one in Rush's "Tom Sawyer"). Play only what the song needs. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify...(but still be inventive)