Brandon Aaron Burkhalter - Dark World - June 2023 Interview + Video

My name is Brandon Aaron Burkhalter, and I began playing drums at age 11. I was fortunate to study with several great teachers over the years and spent some time at some great schools, practiced really hard, and learned through bands and “real-world” scenarios until I began freelancing full-time as a drummer. I currently perform in bands, help others with session work, teach, and operate as an independent artist.

My Current Gear:

Cymbals: Meinl

14″ Byzance Foundry Reserve Hi-Hats

20″ Byzance Dual Trash Crash

20″ Foundry Reserve Crash-Ride

18″ Classics Custom Trash China

Drums: Ddrum Dios Series

22″ x 10″ Bass Drum (x2)

10″ x 8″, 12″x 9″ Rack Toms

14″ x 14″, 16″ x 14″ Floor Toms

14″ x 3.5″ Modern Tone Cast Steel Piccolo Snare

Video: “Newfound Rapture” Music Video (supporting the newly released album, “Dark World”)

Brandon Burkhalter Interview:

SDM: How old were you when you started playing?

Brandon: I started drumming when I was 11.

SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?

Brandon: I did – school band, and drum lessons, attended the Dallas Arts magnet high school (BTWHSPVA), and spent some time at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

SDM: Who are your top 5 metal influences?

Brandon:

1. The Rev

2. Mario Duplantier

3. Tim Yeung

4. George Kollias

5. Derek Roddy

SDM: Who are some of your other favorites?

Brandon: Dave Weckl has always been my favorite drummer – really dig Keith Carlock as well!

SDM: Let us know 5 bands in your current personal rotation.

Brandon:

Soreption
Humanity’s Last Breath
Fallujah
Oz Noy
Dave Weckl Band

SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?

Brandon: I try to cover as many bases as possible, but depending on the gig, I will gear my warm-up towards what I’m needing to accomplish for the performance. If it’s metal, lots of speed and muscle fiber recruition are the focus, and I’ll practice tough sections of charts during warming up if I’m using those as well. If it’s odd-time signatures, I’ll focus on that for a bit; if it’s a pop gig, I’ll try to practice feel and pocket with a metronome and some mid-tempo rudiments – so on & so forth.

SDM: Do you read music? Regardless of answering yes or no, please tell us how it might have affected your playing.

Brandon: I do read music – I consider it to be a valuable asset to my career. There are plenty of talented drummers who get by without reading (including even Buddy Rich), but having a visual, even “grammatical” understanding of music helps me to interpret it in a more comprehensive way. Transcribing music allows me to learn the material quickly if time is short when I’m contracting for session work, and it gives me the ability to share educational resources with students and appreciators of my music – I am grateful for it. Don’t ever be glued to the chart, though!

SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be…

Brandon: I would say consistency is key. Life is going to give you obstacles, but if you remain constant towards what you want and have a “whatever it takes” attitude, you will manifest what you want into existence. It won’t happen overnight, and if it could, it wouldn’t be worth it anymore. Lay down one brick at a time, and don’t forget to remember where you started and to be grateful for what you have accomplished. Keep pushing!

SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?

Brandon: The best recent performance I’ve seen was Todd Sucherman with Styx at the TCU Theater in Dallas – the band was amazing, and Todd’s drumming was surgically precise and tastefully executed. Awesome set-up as well – the drum set looked like it had been architecturally engineered!

SDM: Aside from drumming, what else do you like to do?

Brandon: Other than drumming, I also enjoy running, piano, writing music, photo/video work, and some martial arts.

Press release for “Dark World”

https://brandonburkhalter.band/bio