Touring, Gear & Drumming: Behind the Scenes with Leon Kechayas
Photo credit: Brittany Long
Leon is one of Australia's most in-demand session musicians. He is incredibly versatile as a drummer and plays all styles remarkably well. I wanted to know how having sponsorships with companies makes the lives of musicians easier.
Magesh Magesh, Musicngear: What companies do you currently endorse?
DW Drums, Meinl Cymbals, Pro Mark Drumsticks & Evans Drumheads.
You recently opened for Coldplay on their Australian tour. How do the brands that you endorse help with shows of this magnitude?
The endorsement deals allow endorsed players to have priority with backline companies when requesting specific gear. This is important, because shows (especially like these) may require different setups to what would usually be seen in other shows. It is also peace of mind knowing that I will get the correct gear that will not only sound good and look good onstage but can also withstand the punishment on the road.
For example - the DW drumkit that I had for the x8 Coldplay support shows in Melbourne & Sydney were barely tuned between all the gigs. It held its tuning like no other kit does, thanks to the 50 threads per inch featured on DW Collectors Series drumkits. The 9000 series hardware I requested is extremely robust and built for touring, so I had no issues in all conditions... and x4 out of x11 shows were in the pouring rain with no cover above. The gear performed the same as it did in dry conditions and the drums/hardware held up well.
I know the Coldplay tour went to New Zealand too. Did the companies you endorse provide back-line gear or did you bring your own drums/cymbals?
Yes, they did - I had a different kit for the last three shows in NZ. Same specs as my Australian kit, just a different color. I opted to bring my cymbals along, as I did with the Australian shows. The cymbals are probably the most personal touch you can get on the road, so I often choose to travel with my cymbals on every gig I do.
Can you talk about the best way up-and-coming musicians can get an endorsement from their favorite drum or cymbal brand?
My best advice would be to not focus on getting endorsements. I recommend focusing solely on practicing to become the best version of yourself. That should hopefully lead to lots of gigs, which will then grow. By that time, if you are doing the right things, endorsements will find you, not the other way around. It is important to be focused on the craft and not the crop.
Could you run down what a regular week in your life looks like from Monday to Sunday?
During a normal season, where I am touring most weekends of the year - usually, Tuesdays to Wednesdays/Thursdays will be spent at home, doing 'normal' life things and running through any material that would need going over. Then from Thursdays/Fridays, I would be at the airport, heading to wherever the next shows are in the country. Friday/Sat and sometimes even Sundays will be the show days, and then either Sundays/Mondays will be traveling back home. And then we start the process again. Usually, it is 3-4 days at the end of the week that I am away for shows.
The usual weekdays can also be filled with studio sessions and teaching, depending on what my schedule looks like - which is kind of different most weeks, apart from the Thurs-Sun traveling run.
I find the joy in having a life that allows me to do what I love for a living with my mates, but also allows me to have different weeks. This keeps it fresh, and interesting and motivates me because you have to keep working and pushing, otherwise, if things fall through you may be out of work for a bit. So it keeps me busy and hungry to progress.
What projects are you working on?
Currently, I am working on a friend's 10-track instrumental album, produced by the one and only Brett Garsed.
There are a few other personal things I am working on as I had a little bit of free time this January - including restoring an all-original and matching Rogers Big-R drumkit from 1976. Will be something fun on the side of all the gigs and something to look forward to.
In terms of my craft - I'm always working on something different. Lately, I've been focusing on getting lots of different sounds in my studio for upcoming sessions. When time allows for it, I enjoy exploring new avenues and trying new things.
The possibilities are endless!
Connect with Leon Kechayas
Instagram
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
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