We’re looking forward to introducing you to Gerry Doot. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Gerry, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My cat licks my hair. By the time I’ve shooed him away my 6 year old son has usually woken up. I roll over to check the time and it’s usually earlier than I’d like, but here we go. I say good morning to my 10 year old daughter. I drink the rest of my bedside water and get dressed. I let the dog out and feed the animals. Then starts the breakfast debate. Oatmeal? Veggie sausage and hash browns? Avocado toast with a fried egg? I like a big breakfast. After a series of reminders and please’s I get my kids out the door and drop them off at our hippie little play-based school. Once they are settled I head out to start teaching or do a hearing screening. And we’re off!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Most importantly I am a father and husband, but I wear many hats. Most of my income is from teaching and playing drums in a variety of settings. I’ve been teaching at the School of Dance and Music in Hermosa Beach for close to 15 years, and I also teach private lessons at my studio in Inglewood. I had the opportunity to teach at Caz Family Performing Arts Camp for a week this summer where I taught bucket drums and youth rock band; I also played with the Quincy Jones tribute band and a 20 song dance band.
While teaching is important to me and is very fulfilling my real passion is performance. I play with a handful of groups as a hired professional on stage and in the studio when the opportunity presents itself, but I really love performing with my band Serious Face. I left my touring band after my wife and I had our first kid and I was losing my mind not doing anything creative. I didn’t really play guitar but picked it up and started strumming the only two chords I knew, that became the first song I wrote. Now I’m about 15 song deep and love the creative and emotional release that Serious Face provides.
When I’m not teaching and playing I work two other jobs as the manager of the West Hollywood Farmers Market and as the only (as far as I know) In-Home Newborn Hearing Screener in Los Angeles. I go into people’s homes and use a specialized machine that reads a baby’s response to a series of noises and signals, it feels great providing peace of mind to new families choosing to have home births and out of hospital births. Like I said… many hats.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I feel like I had some serious imposter syndrome as a kid. I’ve always been a performer, playing in bands and doing theatre throughout high school and college. I never believed I was the best singer, drummer, dancer, actor, wasn’t tall or handsome enough. I love being in my 40’s because that I don’t give a shit about any of that anymore. The truth is that I am the best me that I can be. I love being me, with all my strengths and imperfections. I’m still learning and growing as a person and as a musician, and every bit of my experience adds to the whole that is me.
I hate seeing any top 100 albums or reddit post asking who is the best drummer of all time. That is brutally missing the point of art. A best album, drummer, actor, painter, etc doesn’t exist. I really feel like being best at something shouldn’t be the goal, it should be about self-exploration and working to improve at your own rate. Artistry and growth come with time and experience. I wish I would have known that so much sooner.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
My music is mostly about my fear, pain, and anxiety. When I was younger I hid all of that as a happy-go-lucky suburban kid. I didn’t really know struggle with things like poverty or class, as a straight cisgender white male I have all the privilege in the world. It was easy to not look at the realities of the world. I was a senior in high school when 9/11 happened (on my parent’s 25th anniversary) and it was such a rude awakening to the true nature of the world. I really dug into the ideas of counter culture and punk rock, fighting against corporations, government, and a changing planet. When I had kids it really magnified those realities and made me want to change things in my own life. I think a lot of my music encompasses that, the idea of a crumbling world and society and the hope we can glean from that. I have to believe that we can fight against and live through fascism, tyranny, and ignorance. I really appreciate my ability to turn these feelings into words and melodies.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Shit, I hope so. I feel like it’s taken me this long to figure out who I am, and I really like who I am becoming. I always want to be my best self and share that with those around me in the most genuine way possible.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m in LA I feel most at peace at home. Don’t get me wrong, it’s crazy there. We have two kids, two cats, a dog, and a turtle. It’s loud and kind of messy sometimes but it’s really great. But, for me nothing is more peaceful than the mountains. I love spending time outside of the city where I can hear real quiet. No cars, planes, people yelling, sirens. It’s so still. I feel so much more chill coming back to the city after I’ve had some time out there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.seriousface.bandcamp.com
- Instagram: @seriousfacemusic @the_doot
Image Credits
Cynthia Silverstein
Bob Geile
