Today we’d like to introduce you to Francisco Nanne
Francisco, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’m Francisco Nanne, a drummer and educator from Guatemala with a lifelong passion for music. What started as a dream of making it in a rock band led me on an unexpected journey—one filled with highs, lows, and a deep rediscovery of my love for drumming. From moving to Hollywood in pursuit of a music career to finding purpose through teaching and education, my path has been anything but linear, but every step has brought me closer to what truly matters: the drums.
At 21, I left Guatemala and moved to Hollywood with two of my best friends and bandmates, Sal and Andre, chasing the dream of becoming the greatest rock band to ever exist. We called ourselves Republi-K. While Andre focused on mixing and producing our records, Sal and I enrolled at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, determined to become better musicians.
We released our album Dark Matter, but as time passed, we found ourselves on different paths. While still at MI, Sal became the most in-demand bass player at the school, playing for nearly every band he could. As the brotherly figure he’s always been, he brought me along to as many projects as possible. One of those projects changed everything.
Sal had joined The Feal, a band led by the talented singer-songwriter Daniel Devorzon, and soon got me an audition. I was thrilled—I had fallen in love with the project. Later, Gustavo came on board as the fourth member, and the band stayed together for five years. During that time, we had the privilege of performing at legendary venues like The Roxy Theater, The Troubadour, and The Granada Theater in Santa Barbara, crossing paths with music icons along the way.
At the same time, I worked at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood. While I made great friends there, the job slowly drained me. When the band eventually split, my life started revolving more around work than music. I was 27, without a band, without a clear career path, and lonelier than ever.
Then, something strange happened one night in June 2017. I was sitting alone in the dark, overwhelmed by frustration and hopelessness, convinced that I was going crazy. My mind spiraled with doubt, and in the middle of it all, a question surfaced: “What kind of crazy do you want to be?” The answer hit me instantly—I wanted to be crazy about drumming. Not for success, not for material goals, but purely for the love of it.
From that moment on, everything changed. I found joy in practicing, spending hours on a single pattern without thinking about where it would lead. With every session, I felt my heart healing. My job at The Standard still drained me—maybe even more than before—but I no longer felt hopeless. I replaced procrastination with practice, and soon, opportunities came—though not the ones I had expected.
I had hoped to land a gig as a cruise ship drummer, but instead, a friend offered me a teaching position at Music Nation in Pico & Hauser. At first, I wasn’t sure about teaching, but compared to my job at The Standard, it was a refreshing change that also gave me more time to practice. Over time, I realized that my students’ progress mirrored my own, so I started taking lessons more seriously. Teaching fit naturally into my new lifestyle: eat well, sleep well, and practice as much as possible.
An opportunity emerged when I auditioned for Mexican superstar Reily Barba, and even though I didn’t get the gig, we became friends, and I started teaching his kids. It was a reminder that I was on the right path—but not yet ready for a big break.
Then, life surprised me again. I met Susi in Guatemala, the love of my life—an incredibly talented artist. We got married in 2019, and she moved to Los Angeles with me to start our life together.
When COVID hit, I lost both my jobs at The Standard and Music Nation. With no income, and Susi without a work permit, we had to act fast. That’s when we created Drum Nation TV, offering online drum lessons. I handled the content while Susi took charge of the website and marketing. As demand grew, I started uploading tutorials on YouTube, building a collection of educational resources and PDFs.
Over time, my online presence grew, and I found myself sitting on a vast collection of educational materials. I had the idea to develop a digital drumming tool, and when I shared it with one of my students—who happened to be a professional programmer—he was excited to partner with me. That’s how DrummerLab was born, a project focused on making drum education more interactive and accessible.
Today, my work revolves around drumming and teaching, a path I never planned but one that feels more fulfilling than ever.
And as for performing? That dream is still alive. Only this time, I envision sharing the stage with Susi, making music together. We practice all the time, and who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll make that dream a reality.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been filled with struggles. I juggled my music career with exhausting jobs, including washing dishes at UCLA and working at Johnny Rockets in Hollywood & Highland, where a knee injury became a huge setback. After my band split, I battled depression and loneliness, feeling lost and uncertain about my future. Then COVID hit, I lost my income, and as a newlywed, the pressure to provide grew, adding weight to an already uncertain path. Through it all, consistent practice kept me moving forward, while my wife’s unwavering support gave me the strength to keep going, reminding me of my purpose and fueling my determination.
We’ve been impressed with DrummerLab LLC / Drum Nation TV, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
DrummerLab.com is a unique platform that helps drummers of all levels improve their skills and provides instructors with tools to upload and manage their own educational materials, interact with students, and track their progress. The standout feature is its integration with a drum machine, allowing users to practice along with customizable drum patterns in real time, making learning both engaging and effective. DrummerLab’s full features are expected to launch this summer 2025.
In addition to DrummerLab, I run Drum Nation TV, where I share educational content and insights on YouTube and Instagram. My goal is to make drumming accessible and enjoyable for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or just curious about the art of drumming.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is the continuous growth I experience through drumming and teaching. Drumming has always been a source of joy and purpose, especially during challenging moments. It’s not about performance or success, but about sharing the healing and satisfaction I find in practicing and improving. Through platforms like DrummerLab and Drum Nation TV, I aim to make drumming accessible to others, sharing the love of music and helping people discover their own growth in the process.
Pricing:
- DrummerLab Subscription: $10 / Month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.drummerlab.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drumnationtv/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drumnationtv7066
Image Credits
@nicolelemberg
