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Finsbury Park drum tutor Lauric Mackintosh is riding high after releasing his first drumming essentials book The Mackintosh Method earlier this year. His band Silvertwin have just taken to the stage at O2 Academy Brixton, and are about to head into the studio for their next release.
Whilst we’ve worked with Lauric for many years now, we’ve never sat down to chew the fat. So we’re keen to find out a bit more about what made him pick up the sticks, and how his experiences have affected his teaching philosophy.
If you’re looking for a Finsbury Park dum teacher, you can find out more about Lauric right here – his studio is near the Finsbury Park / Manor House area.
Jam in the kitchen
Hi Lauric! Let’s crack on and go right back to the beginning. When did you first pick up the sticks?
I started having lessons when I was 8 years old after a couple of years of banging on my parents’ pots and pans!
When did you realise that it was more than just a hobby, and you might want to continue with drumming as a career path?
I think it was when I was 15. I started jamming with a couple of friends of mine. We played either at school or in the loft of my parents’ house. We even combined all our pocket money together to get in rehearsal studios whenever we could. I’d also started playing in all kinds of bands at school. Ultimately, playing alongside other musicians was what transformed music from a hobby of mine into something I could see myself dedicating my professional life to.
Taking flight
That period of your life is such a formative time. Who were you listening to at the time and who has continued to inspire you as both a player and a teacher?
I’ve gone through phases with most styles of music. The first music I got into was what my parents were listening to. Neil Young, Santana, Cat Stevens, Genesis, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and John Mayall were all on frequent rotation at home or in the car. I guess it was mainly blues, rock and folk. So I had very early access to John Bonham, Michael Shrieve, Phil Collins, Mitch Mitchell and so on.
I then started getting into soul and funk music when I was 14 years old. I loved Clyde Stubblefield and James Gadson. I was also listening to the indie-rock of the time – Arctic Monkeys and Bombay Bicycle Club were really big for me.
When I spent a year away working in Central and South America I got into a lot of reggae, cumbia and salsa. I came back to London to study music and immersed myself into the London jazz scene which led me to neo-soul too. I started checking out more Brazilian, West and North African and Indian music too.
I also really admire and have learnt so much from the great session players of the 70’s and 80’s – Steve Gadd, Jeff Porcaro and Bernard Purdie to name a few. I’ll always be a student of music myself and I will never stop listening and learning.
I always encourage my students to not only be students of drumming but of music in general.
This is such a wide-ranging array of experiences. It surely must have rubbed off on your teaching style too?
Yes, absolutely. Having been lucky enough to travel a lot and study with drummers around the world, I love teaching my students a diverse range of music. I think it’s so valuable to learn about different drumming styles which bring their own rhythms and techniques. It also teaches people a little about different cultures and how music has developed over the last century. I always encourage my students to not only be students of drumming but of music in general.
From school to schooling
What has been a particular career highlight for you so far?
Touring with a band called Zola Blood over a two-year period was such a highlight for me. We toured Europe extensively seeing some amazing cities, playing a lot of cool venues.
Playing at the O2 Academy Brixton with my band Silvertwin is another highlight. The band includes two members I started playing with when we were all 15 years old.
And what about a teaching highlight?
I’ve taught a few students now for long enough to see them from their first lesson to doing their grade 8, and then going on to applying for music colleges. When they get accepted that’s a huge highlight for me.
I’ve also helped older students get started with playing in their own bands which has been hugely rewarding.
Above: Check out the single Ploy by Lauric’s band, Silvertwin
Keep growing
This is the thing – it’s never too late to learn is it!? What advice would you give to an older student, or someone who might be considering taking up drumming as a hobby?
Actually the first piece of advice I give adult learners is the same that piece of advice I give to my younger students: make sure you know your fundamentals and build from there. Always practice slowly at first and concentrate on your timing and groove. Learning new things as you get older can get harder or require more time. Taking your time helps you to keep growing your love for the instrument.
Creative community
You’re based in a studio ten minutes walk from Finsbury Park. What do you enjoy about being based in that area of London?
There’s an amazing creative community around Finsbury Park and Manor House, where my studio is based. As a Finsbury Park drum tutor, I live around the corner from the studio, which is part of a complex containing around 60 other music studios. My housemates are mostly creatives and I’m enough lucky to have many talented friends who helped me with finalising my book, from designing the cover and graphic design to photography and marketing. We’re always keen to support each other’s projects – being part of a creative community helps to keep us inspired.
That’s right, you’ve just released your first drum book! Huge congratulations from us. It’s quite the bible and incredibly useful for someone starting out on their drumming journey. What gave you the initial idea to put together a book on this scale?
When I started teaching I would write out exercises and song transcriptions on paper but I soon realised how time consuming that was so I began making my own resources digital.
After a few years I had developed these resources far enough to give me the idea of creating a book, instead of having my students drowning in sheets! Then began the process of creating a structured learning method which would also compliment the grade books and this first book was born.
If you were to distill the book down in one sentence, what would it be?
A fun and effective book for anyone looking to learn the drums.
Couldn’t have put it better myself! Before we wrap up, what’s next on the agenda for you?
I’ve got enough resources to make these books into a series so expect more! I’ll also be back in the studio with my band Silvertwin this summer with a UK tour being planned for later this year. I’d love to run more drum camps and will look into planning my next one for next year.
Lauric, that was great – thanks so much for your time!
Interested in starting up lessons with Finsbury Park drum tutor Lauric Mackintosh?
If you’re looking for drum lessons and you’re based in north London, then Finsbury Park drum tutor Lauric Mackintosh is surely your first port of call now! Make sure to drop us an email to find out Lauric’s availability. Don’t forget to let us know a bit about yourself too.
If you’d like to read more, head on over to Lauric’s profile right here.
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