Today we’d like to introduce you to Ian Foreman.
Ian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m originally from Ozark Missouri and grew up going to church with my mom; she was the musical director for the church’s choir. She then soon after joined the gospel band, I absolutely loved watching them play shows and had a special eye on the drummer. I was hooked. Then one day my mom saw me nodding my head to a song in the car and asked “do you like the drumbeat?” and I said ‘Yes!’. She waited till I was twelve to get me a snare. I joined the school band and started taking lessons at The Percussion Shop in Springfield Missouri with Casey Smith soon after. Even though I had no idea what I was doing, I found so much joy playing on that snare. My mom saw my passion and interest growing so then she got me a Peavey black drum set and I couldn’t have been happier.
I have my older brother to thank for opening my eyes and ears to all different styles of music; everything from punk rock, Bob Marley, to Metallica. And my mother was a heavy influence on me when it came to music as well. I have her to thank for sparking the interest and helping me pursue music education by putting me in lessons and getting me drums to beat on during all hours of the day and night, aka “practicing”.
I did school band all the way to my junior year. I then started playing shows out on the weekends and after school with bands that had guys who were all older than me. I linked up with Josh Heinrichs who was/is a pretty well-known name in the reggae community in MO and he really opened the door for me to meet some cool peeps in the reggae scene. Super lucky to say we still play together to this day.
I graduated high school and wanted to continue music but knew I needed to move out of the Midwest. So I applied for colleges and my first response back was the Musician Institute in Hollywood, California. I had just got off a tour, the van was dropping me off at a Crackle Barrel in Oklahoma and my mom picked me up in my car with my drums and basically a packed suitcase. I made it to Hollywood that following fall and graduated in 2012.
Not going to say it was easy after graduating. I knew I wanted to continue playing, but LA was expensive, dog eat dog city. I saw so many of my friends and fellow classmates give up and move back to their hometowns. I knew that wasn’t going to be me. I took up odd jobs to get by but would play drums with whoever and whenever I could. Finally decided to get out and move south to Costa Mesa, crashing on friends couches and living off burritos. I got a job at a pizza spot called Sgt Pepperonis and met the part-owner, Stan Frazier, drummer for Sugar Ray. He linked me with 17th St Recording and introduced me to the homie, Lewis Richards. Soon after I started working as a session drummer with Lew which led me to meeting bands who were in need of a good drummer. I toured nationwide with various groups and worked as a session drummer and teched for some artists whenever I was not on the road.
A few years after that, I found a girl, we got a dog. Now we all three live in Costa Mesa. I teach at Van Tuyl Music Academy in Huntington Beach and do private lessons, work in various studios and juggle playing in about five bands currently.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! After graduating, I remember finding myself selling meat door to door! Anything to stay here in Cali and to keep playing. When stuff gets rough, I try to remember that this is just s fun ride and everything will always be ok in the end. Gotta just keep on truckin. I now am proud to say I am fully supporting myself on drums. Feeling blessed everyday, I get to play and support my family with my talent. I am a lucky man in more ways than one.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
The thing that sets me aside from others is that I am really organized, dedicated and down for almost anything. I say yes a lot. I truly am addicted to playing drums. I am dedicated to the different people I am in projects with because I stay organized with my time and because I have a great home base. I think it’s important to keep an open ear out for all types of music too so I research and listen to all genres to stay up to date with trends. I love a wide array of stuff, so it’s easy working with all types of different bands. It makes me a more well rounded and experienced player I like to think. I love learning from my students and just learning in general. I like to practice in my free time, the little of it that I have. You can never stop learning or playing.
Being in different bands also has taught me how to work with different people over the years, my people and business skill have definitely improved–you have to figure that stuff out when you’re in this industry. You have to know your worth even when you’re playing with homies. You have to be clear and communicative, always. I am most proud to say I give my all to any project I say yes to and I bring a lot of fun and good stories to the table and like to make people laugh.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Always staying humble, positive and punctual. All those I guess.
Pricing:
- In-home 1 hr Drum Lesson $75 *OC only*
Contact Info:
- Phone: 323 240 4516
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iansforeman89/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ian.foreman.35
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/ianfinful
Image Credit:
Matt Doheny, Sean McCracken, Sundrenched Vibes, Corona Chronicles
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