We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Devin Pruden a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Devin, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I picked up my instrument later on in life than most of my peers. So, my path is a bit different. During my senior year in high school, I was pushed by the director to join jazz band as the drummer. He even loaned me a drum set to take home so I could start practicing. My first years on the instrument were spent by just getting used to playing the instrument and playing to songs I’d hear. After a while, I started to quickly get involved playing in bands with friends.
Now in college, I started learning more about honing my technique and reading music. At this point, it was all about, practicing, playing with others, and studying other great drummers, and other musicians. I believe you have to put time in to learn the language of music, and I think that is essential. As well as playing with other musicians, especially when they are more advanced because you get exposed to so many things that you may not have been even thinking about before. It’s a great way to change your perspective.
I think an obstacle I personally faced while being a beginner was, having access to “too much” information online. I can think back and remember all the different YouTube drum wormholes there were. There were a lot of things I’d watch that either didn’t give quality information or they would overall just would highlight a way of playing that can distract your focus and lead to wasted time. It’s important to always be open and to learn as much as you can, but also, make sure you are learning from the right people!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a professional drummer based in the Los Angeles area! Genre wise, I mainly play pop, rnb, hip-hop, funk, soul, and jazz styles of music, I try to cover as much ground as I can! I perform live, and I also do session work for artist’s projects. Some of my credits include working with The Urban Renewal Project, Niki J. Crawford, Bootleg Orchestra, Tayler Holder, and South Side Symphony.

I have performed at festivals like Cal World Fest, SXSW, Whale Rock Festival, San Jose Jazz festival (where I opened for Sly & The Family Stone), and The NAMM Show in ’22 & this past year ’25. I have also played numerous award shows, including the WACO Gala in ’22, where I played with Andra Day & Chloe x Hallie, and also The HIM Awards in ’24. Currently, I’m preparing to hit the road with Ryan Ellis on his Better Days Tour.

Within the past year, I recorded on the soundtrack for the Apple TV series “Lady in the Lake” and the movie “Once Again (for the Very First Time)”, both while working with South Side Symphony.

I focus on carrying myself as a person that can be trusted to handle the assignment that’s given. No matter what the work day involves, I can put my best foot forward and do what I can to deliver a truly great performance. I want people to know that in my approach, I want to enhance the music and handle it with care. I believe this mindset has been a great help in my career lately.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Firstly, I have to say that it’s really rewarding to be called back to be a part of any musical setting that I have previously played in! Getting that call back just confirms that working with me was something that the artist, or the other musicians enjoyed. It also allows me to come back to that group with more confidence in knowing how my approach fits with the band.
In a performance setting, it’s rewarding to be able to actively play my part in helping the music come to life. I also love when music I recorded on gets released. It’s almost like Christmas in a way! I love getting to hear a past version of myself play and take in how all the music comes together.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Very early into my journey as a working musician, the year to come was looking great, but that year happened to be 2020. Next thing you know, all the work that was on the calendar for the year was cancelled. Obviously, I wasn’t the only one facing hardship at this time, but like many, I had to figure something out. I chose to take the opportunity to grow a new skill and start my own recording lab to track drums. From that move alone, I have recorded many sessions with my own set-up. I still have things to learn but where I currently am with tracking myself, vs where I started, are night and day. It also helped me broaden my mindset in choosing drum tones, and paying attention to what different changes can result in sonically.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devdomp/

Image Credits

Chris Garcia