Stanton Moore is a funk, jazz and rock drummer reared in Metairie in Jefferson Parish in suburban New Orleans, Louisiana. Most widely known as a founding member of Galactic, Moore has also pursued a solo recording career and recorded with bands as diverse as jazz-funk keyboardist Robert Walter and heavy metal act Corrosion of Conformity.
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» All Drummer InterviewsHey everyone! My name is Stanton Moore and I’m excited to talk to all of you today! For those of you who don’t know me I am a New Orleans native who has spent the last 20 years touring the world with a Funk band named Galactic. In addition to being in Galactic I also have a solo career. Since 1998 I have released 8 solo projects including my newest album “With You in Mind” which released today!! “With You in Mind” is a tribute album to the late, great Allen Toussaint. On this album I worked closely with pianist David Torkanowski and bassist James Singleton some of the most talented musicians I’ve played with to date.
In addition to my album I’ve been working tirelessly on the Stanton Moore Drum Academy (SMDA) which is an online instructional drum academy that provides drummers of all skill levels new ways that they can improve their drumming in a number of different ways. For more information on SMDA’s features check out my site
Buy and Stream "With You In Mind" HERE: http://smarturl.it/Stanton_WYIM
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Do you have any plans to do more Garage A Trois or maybe something else with Robert Walter ?
Also what's it like to work with Skerik? He seems completely off his rocker (in a good way).
I would love to do more with GAT. I dig playing with both the original lineup with Charlie Hunter and the later lineup with Marco Benevento. Hoping to start doing some more shows with both, but not sure when. Playing with Skerik is a blast, he’s become one of my best friends as well.
As a NOLA musician, what are the biggest changes in New Orleans post-Katrina? Both positive and negative. (We love your work! We'd also love to see or hear more of the Moore/Walter duo!)
Allen Toussaint said something very eloquent in that he said ”Katrina was the best booking agent New Orleans musicians ever had”. So I think the music and culture of New Orleans was brought to the attention of a wider audience. That’s a positive. A negative is that a lot of youth programs have been done away with and we’re now seeing a spike in crime from some of the younger population who are now growing up.
Hey Stanton, I wanted to thank you for introducing me to Zig and also making really awesome music. My question is, if you could pick three albums that had the most influence on you, what would they be?
P.S. Digging the new album!
Only 3? That’s hard! Can I pick 3 artists? John Coltrane, Led Zeppelin and The Meters…
Glad to hear you’re digging the record!
I do every year! just feeling a little greedy is all :-) so that sounds like a probably not?
Probably no Freq in NYC, but Dragon Smoke will be at the Brooklyn Bowl in Sept!
I really loved your turn with Corrosion of Conformity. Your playing on "In the Arms of God" was a huge influence in my own playing. Do you have any plans to do another hard rock/metal album again?
Thanks! Pepper, Skerik and I made an EP about 10 years ago called Kurbfeeler that hasn't come out yet. Pep is working on finishing it up and getting it out soon!
What's your favorite venue to play in New Orleans?
I love playing Tipitina’s with Galactic and Dragon Smoke, Snug Harbor with my piano trio (David Torkanowsky & James Singleton) & DBA with my organ trio (Robert Walter & Will Bernard)
LOVING the new album. How can we get a Frequinox show in NYC again (been a long time since that BB King's set) ?
It’s hard to tour with Frequinox as we are all so busy with other projects, but we play during Jazz Fest in NOLA every year… Come down for JF!
Hi! I'm a drummer currently struggling to practice on my own, however I still play in two different bands with rehearsals once a week. I want to become better on my own, but since my drums are located 25 minutes away (by bus), I find it quite challenging to actually practice by myself, so I mostly just use a pad at home. Do you have any suggestions for useful pad-exercises, or any other helpful advice to get myself to practice by myself? The only times I practice by myself is when I've got loads of motivatiton after attending a concert or something like that. Thanks!
As a touring drummer I have to practice away from the kit a lot. I carry a brush pad and stick pad with me all the time and shed in my hotel room or backstage a lot. I’ve actually been posting a bunch of video and written lesson on
Hi Stanton!! Congrats on the album, man!! Love it!! Do you any update on visiting Europe with this project??
Thanks Nick!!! I though I might see you in here Malaka! :D
Glad you’re digging it. Not sure of exact dates in Europe, but I know we’ll be coming over there, hopefully sooner than later! Hope to make it to Greece as well for sure!
What will the new Galactic album sound like?
We’re about to start releasing some of the singles we’ve been working on. It’s funky! Hopefully you’ll be hearing some of it soon.
Galactic teased a new live album on social media a while back, but we haven't heard anything since. Are we getting one any time soon?
Not a live record, but new material is being mixed as I type! Hopefully you’ll be hearing some new singles soon!
Hi Stanton! I'm a big fan of your drumming! I've a great memory of your show at Tipitina's in New Orleans for Thanksgiving (2014). :-)
My question is have you ever had physical pains due to playing drums and if yes, how do you deal with it?
I've had shoulder pain when I play for almost 2 years now. I'm trying to work on my posture but and I cannot really get rid of the pain...
Thanks!
Luckily, I haven’t had much pain. I try to work on my posture as well. A loose grip helps… Also practicing with a mirror is helpful for working on your posture.
Hi Stanton,
Huge fan. I love how you look like the happiest guy in the world while you are drumming. It's really great. I'm curious who writes Galactic's lyrics? Also, is there a singer that you'd like to work with that hasn't played with Galactic yet?
Thanks! I love what I do and feel very fortunate to make a living doing it. For lyrics, we usually send an instrumental "embryo" of a tune to a writer we think that song will fit with. The lyrical aspect of our writing is a very collaborative effort. Yes there are many singers we'd love to work with… The list is probably too long to mention. We feel very fortunate to have been able to work with some amazing singers
Hey Stanton!! So stoked on the new album!!
Had 2 questions:
1.I've heard you play Yes We Can before, where you ever thinking of putting that on the new album?
2 What clothing company makes the best all black shirts?
Glad you're digging the new record. I though about Yes We Can, but we've been doing it for years with Galactic and a lot of other people have done it as well. I wanted to put my own slant on some of Allen's tunes that I hadn't had as much experience with
Actually, check out this version of YWC by the Pointer Sisters with Gaylord Birch on drums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVxv6AFt7YM
Check out his drum solo at 2:55... Crazy funky! And I like the Banana Republic black polos they fit and hold up for a long time...
Seriously yes. What is the Stanton Moore Sponsored Black Polo ?
Believe it or not Banana Republic... They fit and hold up for years, plus they don't change them so I can buy more online and they fit the same and feel the same as the last ones I have. I like consistency!
Hey Stanton! Any advice on how to get through and stay healthy during long tours? Do you have any must haves for touring?
I like to practice as much as I can when on the road. It helps me stay sane. I also like making time for good meals.
Hey Standon! Huge fan and fellow Brother Martin alum. What's the greatest thing Marty Hurley taught you?
He gave me a strong rudimental background and taught me to always strive for excellence.
What are the best heads for rock music? BTW - Ruckus - Money Shot - Emphasis! (On Parenthesis) - Power Patriot are my favorites so far
Thanks! I like coated emperors for rock. For my big drums 14,16,18,26 I like the vintage emperors.
How do you feel about your charts being arranged for other ensembles?
I have a few I would love to arrange for brass quintet.
Love it! Please post them to my FaceBook if you perform them. I’m always flattered when other musicians play any of our music.
Hey Stanton!
What's your advice to get a great New Orleans sound out of a mediocre drum kit (shells only)?
Learning how to tune is super helpful in helping any drum set sound better that being said I like to tune by bottom head a little bit higher than the top.
Thanks for replying! We try and make it to your shows when you come through Austin, Galactic or otherwise! Loving the new album too!
Thanks for the support! Glad to hear you're digging the record as well.
Thanks for the response. I feel like some songs have a David Shaw feel. Has he done some writing for you guys?
Yes, Dave has helped co write Hey Na Na and Dolla Diva... We're working on some new stuff with him as well
I didn't know how I'd feel about all the guest singers on your last few albums, but I really enjoyed Ya-Ka-May when it came out. I need to revisit it.
Thank you. Allen Toussaint collaborated on Bacchus on Ya Ka May.
Also a tune called Muss the Hair which was a Japanese bonus track for that record
Other than the Galactic band members and any of the Meters, who is your fave nawlins musician to play with?
Allen Toussaint was definitely on that list. Dirty Dozen, Rebirth and Soul Rebels... And of course, David Torkanowsky and James Singleton!
With you and Matt Abts being two of the best drummers in the world, one can only hope that there will be some epic drum jams and sit-ins on the upcoming Mule/Galactic tour. How long have you known Matt and what do you like best about his drumming style?
I love Matt's groove and feel. Such a nice cat as well. I've known him for almost 20 years. I'm really looking forward to that tour. I'm hoping we get to play together a bit...
Thanks for replying! I'll give those vintage Emperors a try. I have the coated on my set now.
One more question. Is there a special process or paint used for the kick head art?
Please bring back Tiger Roll!
Remo makes my head art front heads. I'll mention Tiger Roll to the guys!
Thanks everyone! That was fun. I've got to start getting ready for my in store performance tonight at Louisiana Music Factory.
I'm very excited to release my new record today, I hope you'll all check it out and I hope y'all dig it.
I've also been working hard on the lessons for
Stanton, I love what you do and wanna say thanks for doing this AMA. How did you develop such a personal style over the years and what were some of the biggest obstacles you've faced throughout your career? Also, are we gonna get anymore albums from your Trio?
Johnny Vidacovich always encouraged me to strive for my own sound, so early on I intentionally tried to do things differently or in my own way. My new record came out today and features my trio of David Torkanowsky and James Singleton as the basis of it, we just added tons of special guests!