The Callling
About
Paiste Artist Since
March 2014
Main Affiliation
The Callling
Other Affiliation
Toddsplanet
Website
www.dannytomtom.com
Setup
Biography
I took interest in the drums at the age of 13. My Dad supported me in this interest and purchased a cheap used kit at the time. I wish I had it back, it was a beautiful but beat up 1970s clear blue Ludwig vista light set. The drums were quite a bit larger then I was but I was determined to make something out of it and so I practiced and played until I was told to stop. My mom never had a problem getting me to play, getting me to stop was a different story. I needed other musicians to play with so I got my brother to learn keyboards and a close neighbor to start on guitar. We then did our best to play together any chance we could. I later joined a youth group at my church where I could take it even further and play in front of people. Playing in church kept me involved in a positive place and gave me something I had to consistently play skillfully for. Fast forward 20 years, I then moved to LA to tour with a band that stayed busy in the NACA circuit. Being in LA I was able to get a lot of fantastic gigs that always led to something greater. From one studio gig to another and singer songwriter to the next I’ve worked with amazing LA musicians. I met Alex of the Calling back in 2015 when I was doing a studio gig at his studio located off Melrose in Hollywood. He happened to be in a position where he needed a drummer for an upcoming gig. I was later asked by him if I could play and from that point on he asked If I could join the Calling in 2015 and since then we have toured the world together. LA is a funny place, you just never know who is involved in the projects you say “yes” to no matter how big or small, everyone is so connected. I remember a studio gig I did back in 2016 I believe it was. Backstory, I work with a blues band and we have done a number of licensing projects and some touring. It's called "The LA Hustle" . I work with friend/writer Ken Goldstein on that project. He asked me to do some studio work for him just after we had met for his new project. Beforehand he had done work at capitol and made some connections with some top LA musicians. Waking in the studio that day I learned I would be working with Lee Sklar, Ben Montench and Marty Riffkan. If you don’t already know what they have contributed to music history you should look them up. It was just another LA night, full of surprises. The list of musicians and artists is too long to list, who I have worked with just from saying “yes” 99.9% of the time. But it has gotten me on a path to success I’ve searched for from a young boy and it doesn't stop. God keeps opening doors. When I'm not playing with The Calling I work with other artists, either on, on going projects or a hired gun for one offs or touring. Here are just a few of those artists Todd Morse of (the offspring) Leona Lewis Planet Shakers Taylor Hicks Deuce Sebastian Izambard (il Divo)
Setup Cymbals
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Details
Sizes: 20", 22", 24"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Medium
Sound character: Full, rich, warm, strong, deep, silvery. Wide range, complex mix. Responsive, even feel. Warm sparkling stick sound over a wide, deep wash. Fairly quick, strong crash sound. Extremely dynamic and lively ride cymbal, suitable for numerous musical styles.
- Sounds
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Details
Sizes: 16", 17", 18", 19", 20", 22"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Medium
Sound character: Full, warm, brilliant, shimmering, deep. Fairly wide range, complex mix. Quick response, fairly soft feel. Rich, strong crash sound with open low end and shimmering highs. Very versatile, responsive crash cymbal suitable for numerous musical styles.
- Sounds
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Details
Sizes: 14", 15"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Medium
Sound character: Rich, warm, lush, deep. Wide range, complex mix. Giving and responsive feel. Broad, warm open sound. Compact, lush chick sound. Extremely versatile hi-hat, perfectly suited for dynamic, articulated playing in a wide range of styles. “They are just chunky enough, but not overpowering. They are a little more chocolaty than the classic 602s”, describes Vinnie Colaiuta.
- Sounds
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Details
Sizes: 16", 17", 18", 19", 20"
Volume: Medium
Weight: Light
Sound character: Dark, warm, smoky. Medium wide range, complex mix. Buttery, soft feel with quick response. Rich, dark, mystical crash sound with tender clarity. Extremely lively cymbal for broad accents and crashes in intimate to semi-loud settings. Well suited for delicate ride patterns or mallet swells. «For those guys who really appreciate just having a cymbal that can do everything, the larger Dark Crashes can do anything. Very crash-able, and if you want to ride on them, they will give you all the ride patterns in the world.» - Gregory Hutchinson
- Sounds