I always wanted to be a drummer. Among the reasons why:
- It’s fun to hit things with sticks
- Your instrument doesn’t go out of tune
- You can be on stage without being in the spotlight (perfect for introverts who enjoy close proximity to extroverts)
- You get to see live music from, arguably, the best seat in the house
- It’s the closest you can get to dancing and making music at the same time
However, I was never a drummer. Among the reasons why:
- Drums are big and loud and expensive
These obvious downsides almost give me even more reverence for truly excellent drummers; not only have they mastered an instrument that requires you to use all four limbs simultaneously, but they have done so despite the fact that pursuing their dream meant buying an expensive, high-square-footage instrument so loud that you risk alienating family and neighbours.
In the jazz world, not many band leaders are drummers. That job is usually reserved for genius pianists or diva sax players or strung-out trumpeters.
Perhaps that’s why it took Nate Smith so long to release a record as a band leader. 2017’s Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere is part jazz album, part family photo album, and part journey into the percussive heartbeat of jazz and funk.
What makes this a beautiful song:
1. Using unusual time signatures is clever; making beautiful music with unusual time signatures is sublime. This one is in a gently swaying 9/8, but Smith uses a variety of jarring time signatures on Kinfolk. (Listen to Skip Step if you like songs that make you simultaneously nod your head and cross your eyes in confusion.)
2. The piano line and quiet vocals make for a floaty feeling.
3. Smith could easily have thrown in an indulgent drum solo, but he didn’t. He’s happier to sit at the back, keeping time, and watching everything come together.
Recommended listening activity:
Finding a couple of pencils and carefully arranging a dozen pillows into your ideal drum setup.