Drum Dog Podcast
The Drum Dog Podcast goes deep on the instrument we love. In our interviews, we sit down with world-class drummers, from session players to festival headliners, for honest, unhurried conversations about their playing, their careers and the craft behind the kit. Guests include Bill Bruford, Gavin Harrison Antonio Sánchez, and Mel Gaynor.
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Drum Dog Podcast
Mike Lowry (Future Islands) Interview: Subtraction, Space and Pocket
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In this episode of the Drum Dog Podcast, we sit down with Mike Lowry (Future Islands) for a deep dive into groove, taste, and the long road of musical identity. From formative hip-hop shows in ’90s Baltimore to punk basements, funk clinics, and sharing festival stages with New Order, Devo, Beck, and Sparks, Mike traces how feel, subtraction, and tone became the cornerstones of his playing.
We talk about learning drums later than most, rejecting chops in favour of pocket, the influence of legends like Clyde Stubblefield, David Garibaldi, Steve Gadd, and Dennis Chambers, and why less can often say far more. Mike also breaks down his approach to writing drum parts in Future Islands - balancing electronic foundations, live dynamics, and instinct - plus those surreal “how is this my life?” moments that only come from years of staying true to your sound.
00:04 - Intro & musical background
01:20 - Joining Future Islands & early influences
04:05 - Developing groove, space & feel
07:30 - “Subtraction” concept in drumming
11:15 - Songwriting & band dynamics
15:40 - Studio process & recording approach
19:55 - Live performance energy & consistency
23:10 - Gear, setup & sound choices
26:45 - Creative challenges & evolution
30:20 - Advice for drummers & closing thoughts
#drums #futureislands #mikelowry
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