076 – Matt Hankle: Playing on Broadway, Acting Like You Belong, Going All In On the L.A. Rock Scene

Matt Hankle grew up in New Jersey, the son of a classical flautist and a jazz trombonist. His first professional experience was at age 17 when he spent a summer touring with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. After three semesters at the University of Miami, he re-joined the circus full-time for two years. He then settled down in New York where he worked on Broadway for over a decade, playing everything from Chicago to Mama Mia to Blue Man Group. In 2013, he moved to L.A. and hasn’t looked back, catching on with L.A.-based acts such as Yeghikian and Mulholland Drive.

In this podcast, Matt talks about:

How the circus band encompassed the traditional “boom-chick” style, but also modern rock, pop and metal.

Full-time subbing on Broadway, i.e. learning multiple shows and playing a different one each night

Gaining trust on the LA scene, musically and socially

How breaking away from the New York theatre scene required him to break away from New York

Day-to-day life in New York vs. L.A.

The importance of accepting invitations to hang, sit in, etc.

The no-frills, old school metal approach of Yeghikian

Hitting hard and “putting weight behind the notes” without sacrificing groove, sound quality, or physical health

Matt Hankle endorses Vic Firth sticks, Remo heads, and Paiste cymbals

This episode is sponsored by Sakae drums