Real (GOOD) Drums for churches - Churchfront Podcast | Joey Parish
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Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast - Episode with Joey Parish Guest: Joey Parish - Founder of Parish Drums Episode Description
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Joey Parish, founder of Parish Drums and longtime touring drummer with Chris Tomlin and Shane & Shane. Discover how one drummer's need for portable gear led to a complete rethinking of drums designed specifically for worship contexts. From canvas drum heads to brush techniques, Joey shares practical insights for worship teams looking to solve volume and space challenges.
Key Topics Covered Joey's Background
- Started playing in church in 5th/6th grade with a pawn shop drum kit
- Early touring with Chris Tomlin (the "little east Texas guy in a cowboy hat")
- Years on the road with Shane & Shane, learning nuanced, acoustic-focused drumming
- Transition from bus tours to flying and the birth of Parish Drums
The Parish Drums Innovation
- The Problem: Need for consistent, portable drums for fly dates
- The Research: Existing portable kits were too heavy (70+ lbs without cases)
- The Solution: Custom-built nesting kit under 50 lbs, fits in airline luggage
- Evolution: From 14" bass drum to current 18" bass drum design
Design Philosophy
- Wood Choices: Mahogany exterior, poplar interior (softer, less dense woods)
- Bearing Edges: Rounded edges for less resonance and more control
- Shell Depth: Shorter drums for quicker decay
- Goal: "Dead, thumpy" drums that don't require extensive muffling
Revolutionary Canvas Heads
- Patent Pending: First-of-its-kind cotton canvas drum heads
- Benefits: Extremely quiet, removes high frequencies, maintains attack
- Testing: Road-tested extensively during Shane & Shane Christmas tour
- Sound: Natural muffling without sacrificing musical quality
Playing Techniques for Worship
- Brush Advocacy: Nylon bristle brushes for volume control and articulation
- Brush Development: Creating improved brushes to solve durability issues
- Dynamic Range: Learning to play from whisper-quiet to full volume
- Adaptability: Removing drums as needed to fit the room/moment
Practical Tips for Worship Drummers In-Ear Monitor Mixing
- Counter-intuitive Tip: Turn problem instruments UP in your mix to naturally play softer
- Simplification: Turn off crowd mics, choir mics to maintain timing focus
- Click Track: Use plenty of click for solid timing foundation
Transitioning from Rock to Worship
- Understand the Mission: Create an environment for corporate worship
- Know the Songs: Learn originals thoroughly before adapting
- Build Vocabulary: Play with different worship leaders to develop adaptability
- Embrace Dynamics: Move beyond on/off playing to gradual dynamic shifts
Room Adaptation
- Play the Room: Adjust setup and dynamics to fit the space
- Less is More: Sometimes removing elements serves the music better
- Acoustic Partnership: Leave space for other instruments to fill
Technical Insights Microphone Approaches