084 – Ed Breckenfeld: Making a Career in Chicago, Longevity In a Changing Music Industry, Thinking Like the Greats

Ed Breckenfeld was born and raised in Chicago and has lived and worked there all his life. He’s done it all, from devoting years of his life to a single band, to being the jack-of-all-trades hired gun, to being the first call for producers, artists and engineers for all kinds of session work. He is the author of “Off The Record,” a long-running transcription series for Modern Drummer Magazine in which he delved into many iconic drum parts across many genres. In addition to working with many local Chicago acts live and in the studio, Ed currently tours internationally with the rock band Pride of Lions.

In this podcast, Ed talks about:

Chicago…the city’s lifestyle, musical infrastructure, musical history, and drumming legacy

What he tells every student about the drums in their first lesson

The advice he gives students who want to pursue music in college

The insight that writing “Off the Record” gave him about how drum parts are created

How the types of gigs you’re in the hunt for change as you age, but don’t necessarily decrease

His experience as a member of a band trying to make its mark in the 1980s, and the nature of the music industry then vs. now

His love of original songs and records, and how he wants his drumming to contribute to those

This episode is sponsored by Sakae Drums.