Sick Drummer Magazine

Keep up with Dan here:

www.myspace.com/nostalia

I was born in Virginia, MN in 1987. For as long as I can remember I've been interested in percussion. I finally received my first drum kit at the age of 13 and since then it's just been practice and more practice. When I'm not behind my kit, I always have music running through my head and can never stop tapping my feet and hands, it's just always there. I started out playing primus covers in a band but I wanted to play something more aggressive. In 2004, I teamed up with my guitar player Mark Softich and we started up our band Nostalia. We keep trying to push ourselves further then we have ever gone, and with every new song our abilities as players and performers grows. I will be forever practicing and trying to improve for the rest of my life because I can't imagine my life without practice and music.

Dan Carle Interview:

SD.com: How old were you when you started playing?

Dan: I started playing percussion when I got my first drum set at the age of 13

SD.com: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?

Dan: I started out playing the snare drum for my school band and later switched to the drum set for their jazz band.

SD.com: Ever take any lessons?

Dan: I've taken lessons with various players. When I attended Mcnally Smith College of Music in St. Paul,  MN, I took personal lessons with Gordy Knudson ( Steve Miller Band ), Dave Stanoch, and Paul Stueber who are all absolutely amazing players and teachers

SD.com: Who are your top 5 influences?

Dan:
Marco Minnemin
Derek Roddy
Nick Barker
Thomas Lang
Mike Portnoy

SD.com: Assuming that influences doesn't mean favorites, who are your favorites?

Dan: Probably Nick Barker (ex: Dimmu Borgir) and Marco Minnemin (NECROPHAGIST!!!!) My playing takes the most influence from these two maniacs.

SD.com: What are 5 CD's in your personal rotation?

Dan:
Decapitated- Organic Hallucinosous
Threat Signal
Nevermore-Dead Heart In A Dead World
Nile-Annihilation of the Wicked
Vital Remains-Dechristianize

SD.com: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?

Dan: My favorite brand of cymbals is without a doubt Paiste. They're the only brand where two of the same model cymbals will sound exactly alike.  I would have to say the best sounding drums I've ever heard are the DW maple kits and Truth kits

SD.com: Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Dan: I like to spend about an hour warming up my hands and feet before shows. I first start with about ten minutes of basic stretching. After, I play single and double strokes working on both my wrists and fingers separately. While I'm doing that, I warm up my feet by following my hands with alternating 16th notes.

SD.com: If you could give one piece of advice to younger drummers, it would be...

Dan: Definately start working on your technique for your hands and feet right away. Whether it's wrists, finger control or both, developing a disiplined technique early in your playing will benefit you overall speed and endurance. Also, don't forget to breath!

SD.com: Who gave the best live performance you've ever seen?

Dan: I would have to say James King (ex: Origin) gave the best performance with Unmerciful. I have never heard more clean, fast double bass action then what that guy can pull off.

SD.com: If you had to stop drumming, what else would you want to do with your life?

Dan: I would probably do something that had to do with music. Maybe Live sound for production