Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kyle Hansen. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kyle, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Since I was young I have always been into music my parents always played music around the house and my dad played guitar. As a kid I was always tapping and banging on things to the point where I finally begged my parents to get me a drum set for my 11th or 12th birthday. At that time my cousin who was a little older than me played the drums which is partly why I got into the drums as well. But skip to being in high school I ether wanted to be a professional drummer in some bad or a pro golfer since I was playing golf a lot at the time. When I graduated high school I didn’t know what I wanted to do in life as a career so I did what any body does went to a community college hoping to find some sort of path about what I wanted to do. Around that time I started getting into recording drums I had a little recording setup at my house that I would mess around with. About a year into going to Miracosta College I discovered that they had a recording arts and live sound program and new right then and there that that’s what I wanted to do with my life so I immediately enrolled myself into the program for next semester. I mean I always sort of new I wanted to be in the music business some how just now sure in what capacity. So while in the program I meet two people who I became good friends with and eventually started a band together called “Abner”. One of the buddy’s who I meet was already working in the industry as a stage hand and av tech and was going to college to help further his career as an audio engineer. He would later be the one who got my feet into the industry introducing me to one company which eventually lead to many other companies as a stage hand, av tech and audio engineer. So long story short since I was a kid I alway new I wanted to pursue a career in music some how just wasn’t until college did I know that could become a reality.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

For those who don’t know who I am my name is Kyle Hansen or better known on YouTube and instagram as “kyledrums99”. I am a musician, drummer and recording engineer who works as a stagehand, AV tech and audio engineer to help support my musical journey to be able to keep playing music. I work as a stage hand setting up and tarring down concerts for many different touring bands. I also freelance as an AV tech and audio engineer for corporate events. In my spare time I spend most of my time working on music. I have a YouTube channel called kyledrums99 where I post drum covers and other music and recording content. I have a lot of fun filming and recording my drum covers because it really brings me back to when I started drumming and why I love it so much. As a kid I used to just put on my head phones and play along to my favorite songs which is really how I learned how to play the drums since I never really took many lessons and was manly self taught. So when I am not recording covers for YouTube I am usually working on my own music. I am also in a band called “Abner” from San Diego which I play drums in. We have an EP and some singles out with a couple of music videos on YouTube. I am heavily influenced by alternative and pop punk music which is where I get my inspiration for the covers and music I play. But in saying that I also listen too many other genres of music as well. Some of my favorite drummers that have influenced my playing are Travis Barker, Ilan Rubin, and Keith Moon just to name a few. How I got into my side of the music industry is I started going to Miracosta College out of high school not knowing what I wanted to do but knew I need to further my education and about a year into going there I discovered they had a recording arts and sound reinforcement program which I then joined. Through this program I meet two friends who we then became band mates. One of my buddies who I meet was already working in the industry and one of companies he was working for was hiring so he put in a good word I ended up applying and one thing lead to another now I work for a few different companies in the music AV industry. I am proud of what I do its hard work at times but really rewording knowing that people are having a good time and that I helped setup and play a part in that event or concert. I want people to know that I enjoy what I do I love playing the drums and making music and to follow your passions whatever they may be because if I can do it so can you.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding thing for me is knowing that weather it’s the concerts or corprate events I setup or the music and covers I make that someone is getting joy out of something I have been a part of or created musically and that they see the passion for what I do and that it inspires them to be great at what they do. I love playing the drums and making music so to be able to be a part of music in some way and to do what I love is so rewarding.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

So for me I believe it’s about being consisted when it comes to posting content is important. The more you post the better chance you have of reaching new people and growing your audience. But being consistent can be tough you know coming up with new Ideas and other things like that. I mean I struggle all the time with not feeling like I am posting enough or trying to find new things to post about when its come to my drumming content. Also spending the time to make the content the best that it can be is important as well making sure that there is more quality than quantity in what you post. Another thing that’s important is being able to engage with your audience I fell like I do a pretty good job of that by responding to dms on Instagram or replying to comments below my YouTube videos. But how I built the platforms that I have is just by posting about content that I love and that makes me happy and hope that resonates with people. I post a lot of drumming and music related content so a lot of people who follow me are people who are into some of the same things that I am into. For instance at work I post a lot of stories on Instagram about some of the concerts and bands I am helping setup for which I do feel like keeps my audience engaged and curious about what I am doing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyledrums99/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyle.hansen.338/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kylehansen3778?si=0akJ_OlQnYR0B7M3

Image Credits

Just clarifying that I have rights to use all the images provide.