Andy Frasco's World Saving Podcast - EP 131: Nikki Glaspie & Taz

Episode Date: July 6, 2021

Andy is on location at Peach Fest in Scranton, PA! Between interviewing fans, he and the boys played a little rock & roll show. But what's this?! We got Nikki Glaspie on the Interview Hour! Andy picks her brain about Berklee, learns the difference between LA & NYC, and hears an insane story from when Nikki played in Beyoncé's band. Don't change that chanel, cuz we got Brandon "Taz" Niederauer as guest co-host to close the week out. This is EP 131 Follow us on Instagram @worldsavingpodcast For more information on Andy Frasco, the band and/or the blog, go to: AndyFrasco.com Check out Andy's new song, "Love Hard" on iTunes, Spotify  Keep up with the inimitable, Nikki Glaspie:  nikkiglaspie.com Beats covers a CLASSIC by Irma Thomas "Ruler of My Heart" Produced by Andy Frasco Joe Angelhow Chris Lorentz Audio mix by Chris Lorentz Featuring: Joe Angelhow Andee "Beats" Avila Arno Bakker

fresco it's joe your podcast producer hey man good work this weekend looks like you're killing it getting a lot of good attention um slight concern i just got your email about the format of the show in the next few weeks and you said you quote, a bunch of good shit, and I'll know it when I see it. But everybody that you have listed here is either a transcendental meditation person, somebody doing naked yoga. Dude, we can't do Rolling Stones, Allman Brothers people, and then go into this. I mean, call me back.

Hello, Andy. This is Gunta. I just wanted to thank you for having me on the podcast to bring the discipline of naked yoga to the world. Everybody is very familiar with the hot yoga and the Bikram yoga, but the benefits of the Naked Yoga are as far as the eye can see.

And I thank you for helping show the world what is waiting. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for blessing your podcast with the Naked Yoga. Okay, Auf'll be the same. All right, and we're back. Andy Frasco's World Saving Podcast. I'm Andy Frasco. How's everyone doing? This is the Peach Fest edition.

I am actually in the grounds. I am on the soil. I gave my RV. I've been interviewing people, playing. I've been in the grounds. I am on the soil. I gave my RV. I've been interviewing people, playing. I've been in the crowd. It's been such a beautiful experience being here at Peach Fest. Shout out to Peach Fest for just giving me all access to do whatever I wanted. Hell yeah. Thank you so much. I fucking love it. I love it. It's really amazing how many people are here smiling, laughing, loving. Shout out to everyone who came out to our set. Shout out to everyone, all thousands of selfies I took

and how we've helped y'all with the quarantine. And hearing it, you know, you could go through Instagram messages or Facebook messages, but when you hear them in person, it really is something special. And I just want to say I love you. I'm always here for you. I always have been, always will be. And to see you guys there who showed up at a 4 o'clock set, it was insane.

And I didn't expect that many people showing up i gave it all i could i felt like kobe in the fourth when he was down by it was game six i think he was down he was in boston and boston was was up by 20 and kobe's like not on my watch baby we're going for it i was beat up tired Just got off tour for two weeks. I've been in Philly for a week, just getting ready for corresponding. I've been corresponding, running around like a maniac out here at Peach Fest, interviewing all the fans, interviewing all the campsites. Just trying to show the inner layer of what Peach Fest is to me and to my fans and to the people around.

And we got some great content. And on Saturday I played, just beat up, tired. All my friends, when all your friends, like, it really felt like a family reunion because all my friends were here. All the bands, Krasno, fucking Pigeons, Doom Flamingo, Dope Pod, Magic Beans. Pigeons, Doom Flamingo, Dope Pod, Magic Beans. We were all there. And it was just so special to see just back in the flesh my friends that I've been FaceTiming with.

So shout out to all the bands that played at the Peach Fest. Let's go. All my boys, we're moving up. We're moving up in the world. I fucking love it. But yeah, everyone had killer sets, big crowds. Shout out. I'd never seen Oysterhead.

And that was the first time I took a little, you know, maybe we have to bleep this out, but I took a little LSD. And you know me. I'm a mushroom guy. But someone gave me a nice little dose. And holy shit. Trey Anastasia was pretty tight. I'd never seen Trey live before.

We did a gig with him in Lock-In, and I couldn't play, so we watched him sit in with Krungbin, and then we left. But I didn't get to see Trey's band, but Jenny from the Block, Jenny Hartswick, shout out to Jenny. I love you, Mr. Jenny. Jenny from the Block, baby,wick. Shout out to Jenny. I love you, Miss Jenny. Jenny from the block, baby. Is in Trey's band, so I know her well. And, you know, I don't know Trey,

but it was nice to see that man rock. How old is Trey? He's got to be 55, just kicking ass, or 60. I don't know. He looks good. And then Les Claypool, swaggy as fuck. God damn, that man's got swag. I bet you that man made love for hours.

For hours on end. He's like Sting, I feel. You know, he probably makes love. You know, when he makes love, he makes love for fucking four hours. So shout out to Les and his vibe. And then I finally got to meet Stuart Copeland, you know, through a Instagram, instead of a Zoom call, I got to his name. He was like, he came up to me.

He's like, I couldn't make your set, but I heard you're fucking nuts. And I'm like, coming from the punk rock dude from the police, I will take that applause myself. Let's go. Thank you, Stu. Big Stewie. Watching his boy. I appreciate it. This Peach Fest has been amazing.

The hospitality, Jeff, John, the photo. I've been kicking it with the crew. I feel like I'm a part of the staff, so I'm just driving around with Hutch. Got me a couple photographers or videographers. I'm just cruising with the staff. And, you know, this pandemic probably, it had to have hit the staff hard.

You know, we think about the musicians you know we figure it out go get some streams or whatever um but for the people who the other people who who make their living building these festivals i was talking to a few guys you know they do 25 40 festivals a year and they just travel around the country help setting up stages and help with artist transpo and it's just them not having a gig and then finally getting a gig just made my heart so happy because i could see the joy you know the tears of joy you know you walk in a room play a show you know you feel the energy i you know i don't know about y'all but whenever i walk into a room i could feel energy and if room, I can feel energy, and if people are depressed, I feel that shit.

And if people are happy, I feel that shit. And it was such a rejoice, such a celebration to be here at the Peach Fest. So I want to thank everyone who... Because last time I did a correspondence, I got fired the first day. But that was 10 years ago at Waka Rusa, and I've matured since then. Shout out to Peach for not firing me. Let's go. Let's go.

I tried my best. Gave the people what they wanted. They wanted me to shotgun beers with them. I fucking did it. That's the way it goes. But we got a great episode for you. I interviewed a lot of people on this Peach Fest. But this week, I want to put this one out

because I really wanted to interview her. Nikki Gillespie, Nth Power, Beyonce's band, Dumpsta Funk, one of the baddest fucking drummers on the planet. So I got Nikki on the show. We talk. We talk it all. And it's nice to get to know her a bit more and what she went through and then i got a co-host my boy taz you know let's go my son killed it by the way my son has been killing it for three days tazzy slaying it he's playing with everybody he's got his own band i'm just so

proud of him dude 18 years old killing it god bless i'm gonna i told him i gave him um some information on please wear condoms um you'll hear the discussion we have it was kind of a life lesson before he goes on his merry way again i only get to see taz a couple times a year so i'm gonna i'm gonna miss the kid um speaking of kids or local bands or opening bands, nice segue, Frasco. Have you checked out Repsy.com? Yes, guys. I'm telling you.

I keep saying this every week. I keep looking at my schedule, and there's fucking fifth. I'm getting holds. I see holds of my friends' band schedules, and they're getting 13th holds. What does that mean? There's 13 bands in front of you

that can get the gig before you so might as well get another guy helping you out so go to repsy.com all you bands out there if you don't have a booking agent to take a little cut but if you have a booking agent they're fucking nice they swap the cut you got to check out repsy i'm telling you it doesn't hurt they have all all these different genres now I saw. Shout out to them. That's awesome. You got different genres where buyers can check it out. So you can put your band in a genre.

You can put them in all the fucking genres. Fuck it. You're a comedian. You're a death metal band. Whatever. Let's get the gig. And you can get that gig at Repsy.com. Because if you're in a band, it's a win-win situation.

So sign up, y'all, to Repsy.com because if you're in a band, it's a win-win situation. So sign up, y'all, to Repsy.com. R-E-P-S-Y dot com. Well, hell yeah. Man, life is crazy. I, um, you know, I didn't expect all the love I got. Um, when you're feeling low,

feeling down, just remember the moments that we're gonna get through this shit. You know, I keep talking about this to get through this shit you know i keep talking about this but it makes you know i don't mind going in the crowd and hugging everybody and fucking you know kissing their babies and shit and signing i signed i signed an ass today that was pretty tight and the dad approved of it uh i didn't know but it was on the jeans it's not like a real ass i just like signed her jeans or whatever. But just to see the response and to see, you know, when we get out of our heads and realize that there's this whole internal prison when we're sad and we forget that there's all these weirdos out there waiting for you.

So don't be afraid to talk to somebody. This is what these festivals are for. Go out there. If you. So don't be afraid to talk to somebody. This is what these festivals are for. Go out there. If you're lonely, go get a ticket to a festival. Go have fun. Go meet some new friends. This is the perfect time. Everyone has been talking to the same fucking people all year.

They want to find new friends. So if you feel like your friends aren't giving you the love and support, fuck them. Go find new friends. So if you feel like your friends aren't giving you the love and support, fuck them. Go find new ones. We could always change our mentality if we allow it to. Do I have to play the goddamn music? Yo, you're fucking powerful. You're strong.

You got everything fucking going for you if you let your mind stop controlling. Stop controlling you. Let heart, let your love control. Let your mind ask its questions. But the minute you start going in a, it starts digging deeper in the sand. If your mind starts giving you overthinking, overthinking, it's time to say, no devil. Shut that motherfucker off because we know what we want.

We second guess because we're nervous. Never second guess your dreams. Never second guess love and never second guess what you want. You know, don't be afraid to find what you want, even if it's not what other people want. Fuck them. Seriously. Fuck them. So stay weird. Whatever weirdo you have in your fucking mind, keep them there. In your heart, the weirdos in your mind are a little weird and the weirdos in your heart. Well, whatever. Keep both of them there. Because at the end of the day, everyone else could tell you how to live your life, but you get to choose. So choose wisely. And I hope it's with compassion, and I hope it's with love, because we love you. We love you out here.

World Saving Podcast, all the fans out there, all the people who don't even know who we are yet, but just come for the interviews. We're here for you. So hello, stranger. Welcome to the party. Let's be happy. Let's have a great summer, and I hope you enjoy my interview with Nikki Gillespie because it's fucking tight. She's a bad bitch. I swear to God, this chick is she's she's dude hurt. That's what we talked about intuition with Nikki. It wasn't Cordova. So you're about to hear about intuition. Perfect segue for ask a nice work. Okay. Nikki Gillespie, she was with Beyonce. She went to Berkeley for a year,

quit. She said, I'm over this shit. I'm moving to New York. And all of a sudden got in Beyonce's band for six years. And then we talk about depression. Even having the biggest gig, she didn't feel like there was something missing. And it's such a good interview. She moves to New Orleans. Well, I'm not going to ruin it for you. Fucking badass. So ladies and gentlemen, we're going to have a good day. Today's sunny. It's finally sunning out here. The Peach Fest. I'm going to get Taz out here to close out the show. And then we got two more episodes of Peach. So I got a couple more interviews. I got a really fun one with Jay Blakesburg. I think you're gonna love and I won't tell you the last one but he's been on the show and he is you know an almond. I love you

All right guys. Enjoy Nikki and let's get this shit All right next up on the interview, we have Nikki Gillespie. This is a badass. One of the best drummers out there. Yo, Chris, play something. This side, that side. I only know one side. The side of the truth.

This is where I'm from. I can't say more about her. She's unbelievable. She went to Berklee School of Music. She's a drummer. Two years into her moving into New York, she got a gig with beyonce was the drummer for beyonce's band for six years then moved to new orleans played for dumpster funk now she i mean maceo parker you know everybody nth power she's one of the best out out there and she's punk rock

and she's tech she's got technique and she's got a great voice and I'm just here for it. So ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy Nikki Gillespie. chance of victory is photo oppression. Drink the world as a decadent, you're what I selected, but I'm probably my true flesh. And we see that you're the infection, avoidant affection because of so much rejection. Yeah, you really need to change the direction or there will be civil insurrection. Singing punk rock for a week and a half.

When you hang out with Mike Dillon, that's what you do. I'm like, fuck, I'm not going to be able to sing my own fucking songs. How you doing, Nicky? Good, how are you? Good to see you. Good to see you too. Yeah, you know, I've been wanting to do this for a long time. You are an inspiration to a lot of people in the scene, an inspiration to me,

and I can't wait to get to know you a little more. Yeah, definitely. Where are you from? So I grew up in Maryland. I was born in Virginia, grew up in Germantown, Maryland. Then I went to high school in Raleigh, North Carolina. When did you start playing drums? When I was two.

Yeah? Did it just come naturally? Do you remember your first moment? I don't remember my first moment. There's like a picture of me when I'm too like banging on a Rice Krispies drum set. You know, if you send in 40 UPCs, they'd send you a little paper drum set. Yeah. That's awesome.

Yep. I was way back then. Was your family musicians? My mom plays keys in church. She's like a church musician. And my dad, he used to play saxophone, but just in band, like never like seriously. Yeah? Yeah.

That's awesome. So were they big inspirations in your life to play music or? Yeah. Yes, they were. They allowed me to. You know what I mean? they allowed me to. You know what I mean?

When I was in the sixth grade, my mom saw me play in the school band the first time, and she was like, oh, you're really serious about this. And she was like, you could beat on my arm. You could beat on anything. It was so good. She was just shocked that I worked really hard at that. That was my thing.

So when I was 15, though, my dad, we went on this infamous car trip. And he played me. Well, he was picking me up because my parents got divorced. So he was living in Virginia, and I was in North Carolina. So he came to pick me up so we could hang out for spring break or whatever. And he played me Van Halen 1984 hell yeah um eve six hell yeah rage against the machine um a little bit of smashing pumpkins yeah and the gap band and the oj's what did What band did you really feel like you related with the most?

Like that young. Honestly, all of it. Sick. Like, Hoffer Teacher blew my mind. I was just like, what is this? Yeah. And he just laughed. Because he was like, he saw that I had the bug,

you know, and he was like, I'm going to expose saw that like i had the bug you know and he was like i'm gonna expose you some music just because i grew up in church yeah and like secular music is not it's frowned upon like you don't listen to it you know so i was very sheltered and since that like all i listened to was gospel music but then like when I get when I got to high school you know my friends had you know bands that they loved yeah so my homie Mike he was like to play bass drum in the in the drum line like he gave me Nirvana in utero you know yeah when I was in high school and I was like dude this is sick and he played me some Marilyn Manson. And then I, like, found out about Earth, Wind & Fire. And, like, you know, just here and there, Jill Scott.

You know, just stuff that would just drop in along the way. Were you sheltered? Well, in the sense that, like, I was raised in a religious family. Yeah. Yeah, but, I mean, obviously, school, it's like, you know. Was it hard? Like, how old were you

when your parents got divorced? Like, 12. Was that a hard time? Well, yeah, yeah, definitely. Did you, like, understand relationships back then? No, absolutely not. Yeah. Not when you're like 12. I mean, I just like understood that like it couldn't work. It didn't

work. Yeah. You know, so I mean, as a kid, like I respected that, but you know. Yeah. It's like your kids, like you want to, you want to have your mom and your dad. Yeah. You know. But, you know, I still saw my dad, you know. And then like like, later on, we saw each other a lot. And he was very instrumental in, you know, creating what I am today. That's awesome. Yeah. So when he saw you, how old do you think you were when he saw the bug that you had? Honestly, like, probably, like, when I was eight.

Because he said that I was eight, because he said that I was always obsessed. That was the word he used. I was always obsessed with drums, because I had, like, a trumpet under my bed. Like, I played other, I went through, like, all the instruments. Like, at first, you know, you play the recorder when you're in the third

grade. Then they put you on clarinet. I was like, I don't want to play clarinet. I want to play clarinet i want to play drums and they were like no you're a girl you play clarinet this was like an elementary school yeah so i played clarinet all through and then like when i got to middle school i play clarinet and then i told the band you know director i'm like dude i play drums i want to play drums and he's like okay you can play percussion you know and like i was just really i was a terrible clarinet player i would just like look at people's fingerings

yeah right just look at the person beside me and be like i just knew what an e was that was it did that piss you off as a young kid you understood like oh yeah no yeah definitely yeah can we talk about that a little bit it It did piss me off. But what really pissed me off, honestly, was like they said that to me. But then there was a little white girl that played percussion. Oh, fuck. So it was deeper than that. And she was terrible.

Yeah. And I was like, what the fuck? Yeah. How'd that make you feel? Did you understand like racism? Yeah, I did. I understood racism very early because I experienced it early. And my parents, you know, were, made sure that I understood the world around me.

I mean, and that's just like, that's just something that you deal with being an African American. It's like, you know, it's like if you're short you deal with short people problems if you're tall you know you got to bend your head to go through the doorway it's not really like something that you um think about or even complain about because it's just your situation yeah you know i'm saying yeah i yeah so when you finally stuck up for yourself and said hey listen motherfucker well i mean that was in elementary school like Like, I went to a different school. Okay. And I had a black band director.

Okay. And he's like, yeah. Go get it. Yeah, go get it. So did you get the audition against that little white girl? No, no, it was a completely different school. Okay, okay. I would have been tight if it was just a drum off between.

No, completely different school. So you go to a different school. Did you move around a lot? Not too much. I mean, I was in Maryland. I was in Germantown. And then my last year of middle school, I went to Silver Spring. Yeah?

Yeah. Were you always prepping to be a professional drummer? No, not at all. What were you doing? I was prepping to become a cardiovascular pulmonary. No. I wanted to be a heart surgeon. Really?

Yeah. What did you love about the heart? Well, the heart just, I mean, it spoke to me. Because, like, heartbeat, you can't live without a heartbeat. Yeah. You know, and I just wanted to help people. Yeah. So I was like, what's the best way to do that?

Like, be a doctor. And I'm like, what kind of doctor? So I was like, what's the best way to do that? Like, be a doctor. And I'm like, what kind of doctor? And I was like, a heart surgeon. I don't know. Isn't it crazy when we're kids, we're like, when our imaginations are so big, we just pick the most obscure thing. No, seriously.

But like, I had it all mapped out. I was going to go to Duke for undergrad. I was going to go to Johns Hopkins. I was like, I had it all mapped out. I was going to go to Duke for undergrad. I was going to go to Johns Hopkins. I was, like, it was there. Like, I went into the CNA program. In my high school, we actually had a CNA program. So I could go to school and become a certified nursing assistant. Really?

Yeah, in high school. And I started it, and then I was, like, okay, so what happened is this pastor came to our church for a revival. He spoke for- What's a revival? A revival is when a visiting pastor comes and speaks to the church for a week. Because sometimes it takes somebody else to come and tell you. Your parents, they give you advice. Is he like a life coach? You don't listen to it. But no, you know, like your parents, like they give you advice. Is he like a life coach?

You don't listen to it, but no, he's a pastor. He's a pastor of another church. Oh, okay. But. Is it like the same philosophy as a life coach? Like are they teaching you or like, what do they call those in high school? A counselor. A counselor.

I guess essentially. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, but yeah, he's just like giving teachings, you know, from the Bible. Mm-hmm. So he came, and his name is William Becton, and he's a musician. And I was, like, playing drums, and he was kind of like, oh, you know, you're good at the drums. Like, what do you want to do?

And I was like, well, I want to be a heart surgeon but like I'm really loving this music thing you know like I want to kind of like keep going with this and he was like there's two schools you can go to the University of Miami they have a great music program he's like you go to Berkeley College of Music so he was the first person that told me about Berkeley so then I looked it up and I was just like oh my god this looks incredible you know and um actually went to the percussion week to like check out the school because like I hadn't I mean I had been outside of North Carolina but I'd never been like that far north to Boston. So I went up there, and of course I fell in love with it because it was just drums 24-7.

So I was like, oh, yeah, I want to go to school here. But obviously when school started, it was way different from percussion week. Yeah, I bet. So they had subcategories like percussion, drums a week. So they didn't put percussion and drums in the same? No, it's, yeah, that's drum week. They just call it percussion week.

So it includes, like percussion includes drums. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So ever since that teacher told you, hey, you should be the percussionist, you just kept becoming a percussionist? No, well, he was a pastor. I was a senior in high school. Oh, okay.

Okay. Yeah. So you did the audition week or something? Is that what it is? No, it was just like I sent in a tape audition to get accepted to the school, to the college portion of it. Percussion week is just a separate. It's just a week for people that are 15 to whatever can go there and study drums for a week with whatever guests they have or they bring to the school, right? was Giovanni Hidalgo and Horacio El Negro Hernandez,

who I watched videos of obsessively when I was in high school. So I was like, those dudes are going to be there? Yeah. I was like, I have to go. Yeah, crazy. And I actually cried when I met him, like super fan girl. Like, oh my God, I love you. Because, I mean, if anyone knows who Horacio is he's like one of the greatest drummers alive yeah he has the greatest independence there is no question about

that at all he plays left foot clave you know the cascada on this hand and then he's like blowing on this hand and playing some other shit like he's insane oh my god so he actually taught me how to play left foot clave which is like a fucking dream come true you know and we hung out and it was just like an amazing experience and i was like oh i have to stay but then like when school started it was like you know i take ear training and harmony and the history of art. Yeah, all the stuff you didn't want to do. All the stuff that I just did not, was not trying to do. A lot of it I did not do.

Yeah. Did you fail any of those things? I mean, I didn't fail. No? No. But you were just sliding in. Well, I might have had a C. I mean, I was always a good student.

Yeah. You know, but there was a point in my Berklee career. I mean, I quit. I left. I left Berklee because I was already playing gigs, and I figured out that I didn't need a piece of paper to work. I was like, okay, I can't afford this anyway. You know, Boston's so expensive.

Yeah. It's crazy. Like like it's exactly the same like as it was 20 years really you know i mean like the prices of like a studio apartment yeah that's like 1100 bucks a month that's how much it was when i was going to school there even like the tuition was insane for berkeley the tuition now, okay, when I went, it was like $30,000 a year. I heard now it's like at 56 or something like that. No wonder why. I mean, like.

Crazy. Like, dude, that's what's fucked up about the system. Yeah, I agree. Okay, you start your adult life in debt. Yeah. You start out as a fucking slave. It's fucking insane. It's really bad.

Like a quarter of a million dollars to study. Find a gig. To find a gig. Yeah. That's fucked up. You're smart enough. Shout out. I'm going to give you the standing applause.

Shout out to Nikki. You're like, fuck this. So how much debt did you take over? Or did your parents help you pay for the schooling? I'm going to give you the standing applause. Shout out to Nikki. You're like, fuck this. So how much debt did you take over? Or did your parents help you pay for the schooling? Yeah, they helped me out. That's awesome. I mean, yeah.

Were they giving out scholarships? I'm still paying loans. Shut the fuck up. Really? I am. Oh my God. I'm almost done. I'll shout out to that too. I'm close to being done.

But that's some real life shit. You know what I mean? It's pretty heartbreaking rolling into an industry that in the beginning doesn't make any money. There's no starter salary for fucking musicians.

No, there is not. There is not. It feels like a scam to me. It is. Yeah? Well, it isn't. Okay? And this is how I break it down.

You know, it's funny because my homeboy the other day, shout out to Sean Eric, that's my homie. What't, okay? And this is how I break it down. You know, it's funny because my homeboy the other day, shout out to Sean Eric, that's my homie. What up, Sean? He said the other day, you're a civilian-air. It's so true. Yeah, but it is true. It's like I may not be like the richest person in the world, but I am very rich.

I am wealthy with resources and like i eat the best food i smoke the best weed oh yeah you know what i mean like everything i drink the best water you know and like i live like the best life because i'm i'm we're the lucky ones yeah we get to bring joy to people's lives yeah you know what i'm saying so like that is the payment like that's the the the labor of love it's like as much as we fucking struggle and like do all of the things that we do that people don't know about that's insanity. Like, my travel this week. Tell us.

I mean, what's today? Today is Friday. It's Friday. It's Friday. It's Friday. Yeah, I mean, I've been a couple thousand miles this week. You know, like, I just came from Maine. You're like, where are you coming from? I just played last night in Portsmouth.

Shout out to... Actually, not Portsmouth. New Market. There's lots of different towns. And they're all like the same fucking name. I was in New Market, New Hampshire last night at the Stone Church

with Mike Dillon. Yeah, the goat. And then the day before that, we were in New York City. The day before that, New Hampshire last night at the Stone Church with Mike Dillon. Yeah, the GOAT. You know, and then the day before that, we were in New York City. The day before that, I was in Vegas. The day before that, it was Williamsport, Pennsylvania. I mean, I went to Vegas for like 10 hours and came back to New York. Oh, yeah, yeah, for sure. Yeah, exactly.

Like, it's just, but I love this shit. Yeah. I love it. Like, it's just, but I love this shit. Yeah. I love it. Yeah, I feel like, you know, going back to what you said, it's hard to tell anyone about this life because a lot of people don't understand this fucking life.

Like, they're like, how do you do that? It's like, I don't want to tell you how I did it. I'm just, I love to do it. I love to do it. But that is the drive. That's the passion. People are like, how do you have energy to do this like you just got on a plane you just played a gig drove three hours took a shower got on a plane

went played another gig got back on the plane same day to go back to where you were to again play another gig a little different to then drive six hours, play another gig. A little different. To then drive six hours to play another gig. You know what I mean? Is it a little different than the Beyonce tours? Yeah. It's a little different. I want to talk about that, too. I know you probably talk about it all the time,

but when did you get a break with them? I mean, I got that gig in 2006. When did you graduate high school? Or college? Or quit college? I quit in 2006. When did you graduate high school? Or college? Or quit college? I quit in 2004. Essentially.

2005. So you had a two year window. I moved to Brooklyn December 19th 2005. And did that, do you think, move into Brooklyn change your life at all? Yeah. What did that, do you think, move into Brooklyn change your life at all?

Yeah. What did that city teach you about life? It wasn't so much as, I mean, the city has taught me a lot, but it wasn't so much as the city as much as it was to listen to the spirit. Because God told me to go. Yeah. And, like, that's not anything that I can explain to anyone. Like my parents, okay.

I was like, hey, I'm dropping out of school. And they're like, no, you're not. And I'm like, yes, I am. Because that's what God told me to do. God didn't tell you to drop out of school. Yes, he did. Yes, he did. Isn't it amazing when our parents don't want us to do something and we're like, well, my inner soul, my vessel, my God is telling me this.

No, no way. Yeah. But if God told us to go stay in school for four years, like, hell yeah. Yeah, right. Exactly. That was God's move. But, you know, I use God in a more, you know. Yeah, ether.

Yeah, exactly. The spirit. The spirit, yeah. I use God in a more, you know. Yeah, ether. Yeah, exactly. The spirit. The spirit, yeah. The guide, whatever you want to call it. Yeah. It was like, go to New York. And your parents were like, hell no. And I was like, okay, I'm going to New York.

And my dad, I remember he came and like, he came like two or three weeks later or something like that. Maybe not. It was a couple months. Maybe like two or three weeks later or something like that maybe not it was a couple it was a couple months maybe like two or three months later and like i went to school with mark kelly who's a bass player in the roots and like i was hanging out with my dad i took my dad to the zinc bar and like mark was there and my dad was like you know he was telling him his concerns he was just like with you bailing with me yeah with me bailing and moving to New York. He's like, I don't know what she's going to do.

It's crazy. And Mark's like, she'll be fine. She's good. She's a badass. She's good. And my dad took a little bit of comfort in that because Mark was playing with the roots. You know what I mean?

He's on TV or whatever. And whatever, two months later, I got to Beyonce gig. How? It was an open call. It was an open audition. So was there a lot of people? Yeah.

How many people do you know? I think there was like 3,000. Drummers? Not drummers. I think it was 3,000 women. I don't know the exact women. I don't know the exact number. Yeah.

I don't. But were they all in the same room like ready to audition? No, no, no, no. It was like nah. So

there were auditions in Houston LA New York Houston LA New York Chicago

and like somewhere else. LA did say that whatever la and um then they just kind of like filtered people out that and then like the last like auditions were like in new york but it took a couple days because they really couldn't decide. Like, there were just, like, really great musicians that showed up. They weren't anticipating that that many women knew how to play that well. So we had a very intense audition process after they got to the cream of the crop. And it was like a two-day, like, ten hours a day, like, just switching people out. Okay, like, this bass player and this drummer, you know, this keyboardist and this guitarist

and this bass player. Who was the music director? Well, there was a creative director and then when the band got together, then there was like a musical director. So I mean, basically Kim Burse. And then when they finally got to the gig, were you like, was it stressful?

Like throughout that process, have you ever had to deal gig, was it stressful throughout that process? Have you ever had to deal with any type of audition like that? Yeah, I auditioned for Pink before that when I was like 18. I went out to L.A. and auditioned for her. And I didn't get the gig, but I think it was really because I was 18. Really? Yeah, because the musical director walked up to me and was like, you're really talented, I'll see you down the road.

But they didn't want to take an 18-year-old on the road. That's a lot of responsibility. It is. So you rolled in there, you got the gig, and then right away, was it you were touring? Or is it like a type of thing where they plan a set for a year? Or is it like a type of thing where they plan a set for a year? No, so we did like a promotional tour before we did the actual tour.

And the promotional tour, I mean, for that, we just like we rehearsed for a while to get all the music all the material like we had to learn all of these arrangements of you know like 50 songs or something whatever yeah there was some destiny's child songs and then there were like her songs so we had to like kind of like quote unquote learn the catalog and then like go from there you know there was stuff that needed immediate attention which was like when we were doing tv shows like tyra banks and oprah and shit like that yeah you have stuff that you know you rehearse for that and then we still had to get the catalog so that we could start putting the music together like for the tour did you have any mentors in that band who kind of showed you the ropes of how to be in a band like that or friends or i mean i had yeah i had friends i had peers that um they became mentors but not like

right off the bat like knowing someone that had done a pop gig oh yeah you know you know i mean like no not really i mean i met people along the way yeah that were like yeah you know do this do that shout out to Aaron Spears my big bro and Nissan Stewart he showed us a lot of love you know but yeah I mean I had teachers like teachers at Berkeley

that just kind of gave me what I needed to know essentially to do it. Do the teachers in Berkeley just have that philosophy, like most of these people aren't going to get a full education from here, and that's okay? Because I feel like a lot of people don't graduate from Berkeley.

Yeah, I mean, it's like a trade school. Yeah. You get what you need, and then you go, and some people get what they need, some a trade school. Yeah. You get what you need and then you go. And some people get what they need. Some people don't. Yeah. And you felt like you got what you needed in that first year. I mean, I feel like I met the people that I needed to meet.

Yeah. And that's the most important. I think that's in anything college. Like, you don't go there for the education. You go there for the friendship. You go there for the networking. Yeah. And, like, people that you. Berkeley is like, it's like a called. It's like, don't go there for the education. You go there for the friendship. You go there for the networking. Yeah. And like people that you.

Berkeley is like, it's like a fraternity, honestly. Yeah. A lot of people in the jam scene are like all, it's all Berkeley cats. There's quite a few.

Yeah. So you did that gig and then when did you decide not to, when did you decide to be done with that? In 2011. What happened?

I wanted to play real music. Yeah. I'm not a pop fan. Yeah. It's very simple. When did it start driving you nuts? I'm like, I want to play funk. It started driving me nuts, like, the 23rd gig on the first tour.

Why didn't you stop then? Because the money was good? No. I didn't stop because I signed a contract. Oh, shit. So how long was the contract for? It was the duration of the tour. So it was a six-year tour?

Or did you just stay after that? No, no. It was like I did two tours. It sounded like I'd been to war. It did. It did. I did two tours. But I mean it was.

Tell me the hardships of a big tour like that. No sleep. You rehearse. She's a perfectionist so we rehearsed all the time. And if it wasn't right we'd do it until it was right.

And then there's a thing called fatigue you know yeah and people started making dumb mistakes but it's like we still just keep doing it over and over again did you ever did you go through therapy during that time or what kind of therapy um emotional therapy no no have you ever done therapy before? Yeah. Did it help you? What I'm trying to ask is, when you're starting to feel broken down and there's no one to talk to about it, was it hard for you to communicate your feelings towards people about your situation back then?

Somewhat. Sort of. I mean, there were people there that were in the same situation as i was so we were a family you felt trapped um yes and no you know it was just kind of like i did have handcuffs on because like it was like a big bad gig like i would play a fill and that would give the lighting guy the cue oh shit so it was like i couldn't stray too far away from the program but i figured out where i could get me in there you know what i mean yeah because yeah so it's like it's a production there's you don't it's and how much room you got you got you got shit flying over your head yeah you know there's pyro there's like elevators there's all kinds of trap doors and shit like there's no deviating like we're not changing the set list yeah yeah so that's what it was like you get on

the roller coaster and there's no getting off you know it's like i sat down on the seat and i was not done until two hours and 37 minutes later yeah you know what i'm saying yeah is it like groundhog's day man that that would make me depressed. Because, you know, being a musician, you know, you talk, going back to what you said, people don't understand, like, how do you do it? We like the spontaneity. You know, it's like that idea

of moving. And responding to what's coming back at you. So when you left, were you nervous, or you knew you were going to get another gig? No, I wasn't nervous. You're just so confident. No, it's just like high risk, high reward. I believe in that wholeheartedly. But yeah, I mean, sure, I had like, oh, what am I going to do for money? But I'm like, I can get a gig. That's not an issue. So I went to New Orleans to get a gig that's not an issue so i went to new orleans to get a gig and who'd you meet i i started playing with dumpster funk and then what what what did uh what did ivan and them teach

you about music and what did new orleans teach you about music and community man so much new orleans is a portal to me it's like i mean it's the birthplace of jazz we know that but like so many cultures meet there and like created this thing that's you can't explain and they really taught me about they taught me a lot like about community but also you know the importance of the music and what you're giving people and like really like how important it is and how even like they're the fabric of that city yeah you know what i mean so i was brought into a family more so than like this is a gig that I'm playing so it was very different

from Beyonce because it was just like she's the star and like you know like that's it and you felt like you were just a number or something? yeah I mean essentially somebody else is doing the gig now

you know what I'm saying it's not like sure like I brought my thing to it Or just a number or something? Yeah, yeah. I mean, essentially, I mean, somebody else is doing the gig now. You know what I'm saying? It's not like, sure, like I brought my thing to it and like people know me because of that. But like that doesn't define me in any way. Yeah. You know, it's but it's one of those things like I'll forever be Beyonce's drummer. Yeah. Forever.

Does that bum you out? No, it doesn't bum me out because it's like part of my past. But also, I'll be Dumpstafunk's drummer. I'll be Maceo Parker's drummer. But it's just everybody in the world knows who Beyonce is. I mean, it happened today. I stopped at Guitar Center

because I needed some shakers and I needed to get a drum head for Mike's drums you know not even for today but for tomorrow and this kid is like burning on like an electric kit and he like looks up and like i see him like he's kind of like you know he's like thinking and i'm like grabbing stuff whatever and he comes he's like are you nikki you beyonce's drummer really beyonce's drummer i haven't played with her in 10 years i know isn't that crazy but that's that's what i

mean and it's like that's great it is because like that kid is like i just met beyonce's drummer yeah you know yeah yeah and he's it's like that's random but he it was like the greatest he's like that's the greatest thing that happened to him this week or whatever but i was just like trying to buy some stuff but with that comes that he was, he had so much joy. You know, he's so happy. Like, I love you. Like, I've watched all your videos, you know. Isn't it amazing?

I always say like, you do the right thing, the universe will take care of you. Yeah. It doesn't matter. And like, that's where I am right now in my career. And I'm so fucking happy about it. Yeah. And I'm ecstatic about it.

Because I finally know that. It's like you figured that thing out. It's like play the music that makes you happy. And stick with that. It's like trusting your happiness. Trusting that you can make yourself happy through your decisions. Maybe?

I don't know. I'm talking this out loud. No, absolutely. I mean, okay, I figured this out a while ago, which I kind of stopped seeing because I realized that it might be hard for some people to accept or actually do because their life is so hard.

Yeah. Because there are people with extremely hard lives. Yeah. So, you know, I said a while ago, I'm going to choose to be happy. You know, and I would say that all the time, like, yo, you can choose to be happy. But it's hard for a lot of people to do that. Were you the type of person who used to marinate in their own shit when you were sad? Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Some people don you were sad? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Some people don't have that in them. Steam. Steam. Just dark. Pumigate. Absolutely.

Yeah, you know. Did you ever get into, like, any drugs or anything? Not really. I mean, I did when, okay, so I had like a tooth problem for a minute. And, you know, they gave me a whole bunch of oxys. And I was just like. You got addicted to them? After like, yeah, after, you know, after the two weeks or whatever.

Yeah. It was like, it's fine. Yeah. And I was just taking them every day. And then I was like, wait, this is the thing. Yeah. This is it. And like, it stopped immediately.

So you're good about controlling addiction. Yeah. It's, yeah. I mean, like if I make a decision, like, no, it's not happening. Yeah. I mean, it seems like you're good about trusting yourself with saying no. Because you said no to a huge gig and said, fuck that. I could find happiness somewhere else.

I'm going to find happiness in New Orleans. Meet Ivan Neville and meet the group and meet that whole community and take the pay, you know, because at the end of the day, fuck money, you know? Yeah, for real. I mean, the thing is, I'm also changing that as well. Tell me.

So not fuck money. Okay. Okay? Okay. Fuck money to the extent of relying on it to make you happy. Yeah. But not fuck money.

Okay. We need money. Okay. And I'm about to get a fuck ton of it. Let's go. Yeah? Yeah. Like.

But, you know, it's like saying those things. Like spelling. Yeah. When you say something, you cast a spell oh shit so you're putting it intuition you're putting in you're putting it in the in the ether it's out there like i'm fucking rich bro yeah and like you can be too if you want to be yeah you want to be 100 absolutely so you're fucking you're a millionaire well let's fucking be millionaires together absolutely so do you do you feel like when you started doing having that philosophy you started

getting the things you've always wanted yeah well it's it's constantly changing like it's changing by the day because like we're artists and we always think that you you always think you have to trade one for the other yeah you don't what do you explain that what i mean is i don you have to trade one for the other. Yeah. You don't. Explain that. What I mean is I don't have to trade money to play what I authentically am. You know what I'm saying? Like, as an artist, we always think, like, oh, nobody's going to take this. Nobody's going to take this, nobody's going to buy this. I have to write this pop song that everyone's going to love

and make me a millionaire. It's not true. Earth, Wind & Fire is an example of that. They did whatever the fuck they wanted. Yeah. And everything they did, because they loved it, it became into the ether, what we call money. Exactly. So I think it's really just like a train of thought. So were you never like that? I seem like, I felt like you'd always like, you've always

like, you're like, hey, I'm going to Berkeley. All right, mom. Yeah. But as it relates to money, it's just like, you know, I've never had any money, you know, so you kind of have to change your relationship with money. So when you first got money, were you, were you spending everything? Yeah. I spent a lot of money on food and like my friends, like I would just like take all my friends out to eat really good food. Yeah. And that's what I spent a lot of my yeah on food and like my friends like i would just like take all my friends out to eat really good food yeah and that's what i spent a lot of my money on your friends honestly that's really beautiful though yeah because i always had the mentality of like i could die tomorrow what does it matter if i saved this this and this i going to live right now. I'm going to eat this fucking Wagyu A5 ribeye right now. Let's fucking go.

You know what I'm saying? Yeah, totally. But like, you know, I'm a musician at the same time. Would you ever get super sad like eating, like saying, I don't know you don't want to talk, but say going on a tour you don't want to go on. Yeah. And you have a per diem and you're fucking, you're going to take yourself out to a nice

steak and fucking treating yourself to make you feel good. Yeah. So you don't feel like shit. Your other mind state sucks. Yeah. And you're in there and you're eating that steak and it just doesn't fucking taste the right. Oh, yeah, absolutely.

I've definitely been like, this was the worst 300 i've ever spent just mad it's just because you know you know sadness controls everything and we don't know we're depressed until we are at rock bottom have you ever been in rock bottom i yeah Where was it? Do you remember the time? I was on tour. Actually, okay, that, there was a moment on tour. I've had a couple of, like, like, okay, the first one was, like, I had surgery on my toe while I was on tour. Like, the biggest tour of my life. And I was in a fucking wheelchair. And you had to play?

Yeah. Oh, my God. I was depressed. Like, it was so bad. And my homie, shout out to Caddy Rodriguez, she was, like, she was playing tenor in the band. And, like, every day I had to, like, do makeup. You know what I'm saying?

Like, we would get dressed for the gig. You know? We had to put on makeup and, like, put our face on and, like, get dressed. We were going on stage with Beyonce. You can't look like a hobo on stage with Beyonce. And every day I would just put on shades and be like, you know. Yeah. Like, I was like, this is the biggest moment of my life.

And I could not crush because of an injury. How'd you get the injury? I, like, crushed my toe with a hardware bag and then just never dealt with it, you know. And then it got infected oh fuck and then like i was in uh we were in milan and and when we got okay so we partied the night before um i think it was in uh switzerland and I mean, rage, like, all night. And, like, I got on the bus, maybe, you know, I slept for an hour or something.

We got to Milan. And I got out, and I was like, man, when am I ever going to be in Milan again? So literally, like, four of us, like, just hit the streets. We just, like, walked around, like, the entire day. We were just walking around Milan, going and seeing art, buildings, museums, like whatever. We were just taking it in. Yeah.

You know? And then when I was playing the gig that night, it felt like a pin was like sticking in my toe every time I hit the kick pedal. And I was like, oh no, this is like not good. the kick pedal and i was like oh no this is like not good so we drove overnight to cologne and i fell out of my bunk because i went to stand up and like it was so painful i fell out of my bunk and we were like everybody was like yo what is that screaming crying yeah i mean i i didn't like cry i just like i was like oh you know, and it hurt really bad. So the concierge took me. There was an emergency room, whatever, like, just down the street,

and he took me because I didn't speak any German, you know. Yeah. And they were, like, the doctor looked at it and was like, oh, yeah, you have an infection. And he says to the concierge like ask her like does she want me to take care of it now or later you know like i can just give her stuff that will pacify it you know until she can deal with it later and i was like no let's deal with this shit now surgery unbeknownst to me he he cut my toenail off. I didn't know that's what he was going to do.

He cut my fucking toenail off, my big toe. Oh, my God. Are you serious? Yeah, he took a fucking pair of scissors and he went. I mean, he stuck me with a local, you know what I mean? Did you feel it? No, I didn't feel nothing until, like, later that night. I, like, destroyed my hotel room.

I was just like throwing shit because it was so painful. So painful. Was it your right foot or left foot? My right foot was my pedal, my kick foot. Oh my God. Yeah, so I had to get a double pedal and get an X hat so I could play hi-hats closed over here. And then I had like like, three pedals,

and I had to use my left foot to, like, play the kick drum. And this is the biggest gig, and you have to relearn the drums. I did that for, like, three weeks until, like, it was okay. It was really bad. Did everyone know what you were dealing with, or did you keep it hush? No, the band knew. And, like, Matthew, Beyonce's dad, saw me in a wheelchair. He was like, what's wrong with you?

And I was like, well, I had surgery. And I was like, tell Beyonce, like. Were they sympathetic? We'll see what happens. She didn't know. They didn't tell her. Nope. And then she saw me on crutches, like, three three weeks later and was like, what happened to you?

And I was like, what? I was like, you didn't hear me learning how to play the drums again? Dude, she's like, oblivious. Oblivious. You know, I'm like, didn't something sound off? She's like, no. I was like, I've been playing with my left foot. She's like, what?

Oh, my God. She's like, I had no idea. Oh, my God. They don't keep shit. They don't say anything to her. Yeah, yeah. I mean, that would probably have stressed her out. You know, whatever.

It's cool. Holy shit. So during these three weeks, you were just super depressed. Oh, yeah. Because I was like, this is my moment. Were you over this gig yet? No. Your head was still in it.

Yeah, it was still like, I need to do my job. So who kicked you out of that mind state? Caddy. What'd she say? She was like, what she said was you need to put makeup on what that's what she said because you're looking sad yeah but she was just like you need to try your best yeah it wasn't about the makeup you know i'm saying it was just like you need to work through this shit you need to come back to us as you've been like over here yeah and you're perfectionist

somewhat yeah i'm like i don't believe in perfect really i mean i believe in perfect in the sense of imperfections are perfect so you know i'm not like a like there are happy mistakes you know i'm saying yeah in that sense so what was bumming you out that you couldn't execute? Yeah, there was, no, I couldn't execute. Yeah. And that was bumming me out because, like, that's what I worked my entire life for. I know. Like.

If you took a step back, Beyonce, your boss, didn't even fucking know the difference. She did not know. That's how dope you are. God, that's insane. She did not know. So that happened. So you bailed. You started. Then when did you. So I'm going to. That's an awesome story, by's insane. She did not know. So that happened. So you bailed. You started. Then when did you?

So I'm going to. That's an awesome story, by the way. And pound to you for doing it up. Because I would have done the same thing. I would have bitched. I would have had a fucking shitty face. And someone's going to have to tell me. Yeah.

Take the microscope away. Yeah. Just like get it together. Because you actually are. Yeah. on the biggest gig of your life. I know. Isn't it amazing? Get it together. The biggest gig and still can't find that didn't make you happy.

It's dope. That's respect. That's a real musicianship. Like you picked your own path. And that's something I think is so beautiful about your story. And then now you have your new band how many years you've been doing that uh nth power became um a band a full-time touring band in september of 2014 because like we were playing together but you know everyone was in a band i was

in dumps of funk nate was in John Brown's Body. Nick was, like, playing with Big Daddy Kane. Nigel was playing with The Lettuce. You know what I mean? And, no, he was playing with, what was he playing with then? Orrin Haynes? Who? Nigel.

Nigel. Yeah, I can't remember what gig he? Nigel. Nigel. Yeah. I can't remember what gig he was coming from. Not then. Like not full time. Just, you know, he would like come out and sing songs here and there. Has he always just like sang his ass off like that? Yeah, absolutely.

Is that your big bro? I would say that I'm more of a big sister to him. Hell yeah. Then he's my big bro. He's like my little bro. Is it hard to... I mean, we're like the same age. You know what I'm saying?

We're brother and sister. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, man. That's so amazing. Well, I know you got to get going. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm stoked. I'm stoked on your life.

And I'm just happy you're happy. I'm stoked on your life. Really? Because you look happy. I am happy. You know, it's like. I'm literally, I'm like playing the best music ever right now. Yeah.

And it's really crazy. Because, I mean, I'm playing with a bunch of people right now. Yeah. Like, I have a new band called Kamani. Nigel was playing in that band too with Sputt and Xavier from Ghost Note and Kat Dyson, who used to play with Prince. She could be the funkiest guitar player alive. She is so funky.

It's ridiculous. I remember the first gig that Sputt and Xavier were on Sputt kind of like just looked at me like yo and I was like yeah have you met her before that yeah I mean yeah so I have a thing in LA

I do Nikki Glassman and the homies so she used to come to the homies shows and like hang out no I volunteer with a foundation called the harold robinson foundation so i was out there all the time like you know volunteering and hanging out with kids teaching them how to play drums and all kinds of different things so it was like i might as well do something but you is just, like, kind of one of those cities. Like, I wanted to, like, build my name or, like, cement my name, you know, in a place that is a music town. You know, I live in Austin, you know, which is a music town.

And I was in New York for almost 15 years, you know. And it's, like, I wanted to do something cool in LA. And I'm not shitting on LA or anything at all, because I know there's cool shit going on. But I wanted to just do something out there. I wanted to bring the East

Coast attitude to it. You know what I mean? I grew up in LA. I know exactly what you're saying. People are like, you know, they're laid back. They're passive aggressive as fuck. They're passive aggressive. Everybody's like a stoner. Okay, so what's the difference between

LA and New York? Is this a joke? I mean, it's like a joke, but it's not. It's real life. What is it? In LA, they stab you in the back. L.A., they stab you in the back. Yeah.

In New York, they stab you in the chest. Yeah. You know, like, you're going to know that I don't like you. Yeah. I'm not going to be like, oh, yeah, you're cool. Everything's fine. And then talk shit about you behind your back. Yeah.

Like, that is the dumbest shit. That's the wackest shit. You know? Why do you think L.A.'s like that is the dumbest shit that's the wackest shit you know why do you think la is like that because everybody's trying to get something from someone you know people are trying to get that gig yeah they're trying to get on that tv show to try and get on that movie trying to get on that production crew or whatever i think i feel like that's so it's what it is everyone is just insecure and competitive yeah and they're just trying to play the game

yeah you know that's bullshit it's so fake this is why i never you know i have a couple real friends in la but you know i grew up there and i still feel like i you know all the people i i quote unquote no i don't know at all. Yeah. You know, as you get older. No, I understand that. Totally. It's kind of lonely. And I actually, I mean, I have a bunch of friends in L.A. now, but they're all from different places. The transplant. Yeah, they're all transplants.

Ah, I know you got to go. Nikki, thanks so much for being on the show. Yeah, absolutely. Thanks for sharing your time with me. Yeah. I'm just a super fan of you. And I think everything you do, you're badass. I got one last question

for you what do you want to be remembered by for or whatever what do you want history to remember you by I want history to say that I was the most compassionate badass drummer that like really gave a fuck. Like I really care about people. Yeah. I care about mankind. I care about the earth. I care about animals. I care about like every sentient being,

you know, and I just want to spread that care. Yeah. I want other people to care. Cause like if we all do a little, no one has to do that care. Yeah. I want other people to care. Because, like, if we all do a little, no one has to do a lot. Yeah. You know what I'm saying?

Yeah. So it's like, I want to be remembered for, like, spreading love and really making the earth a better place for humans, animals, trees, like, everything. You know, it's like, I just want to make it better. Well, I'm thankful to share existence with you.

Yeah, likewise. Have a great day, Nikki. Thank you. Now, a message from the UN. Alright, here we go. Ruler of my heart, robber of my soul Where can you be? I wait patiently My heart cries out From the pain inside Where can you be? I wait patiently When you're alone And the going gets rough

Come back come back come back I've had enough Make me your queen Happy again Hear my cry Please my King Ooh Ooh

Ooh When you're alone And the going gets rough Come back, come back, come back I've had enough And there you have it. Thanks, Nicky, for all your awesome words. I got Taz here with us. Dude, co-hosting. Dude, I'm locked in this room right now He took me against my will

I just finished my set with Kanika And now I'm just locked in here, man Don't you tell your fucking parents either, Taz I'm sorry My dad's in the artist lounge right now He's like, where did he go? Where did he go? Frasco kidnapped him again

What's up, dude? I'm chilling, man Dude, you are kicking ass, bro. Thank you, man. You too, you too. Dude, it is... We're doing our thing. Bro, I just heard that you're going to Yale.

Mm-hmm. You got into Yale, Taz? I'm going to Yale. Let's go, big dog! Let's go. You got the sound effects, man. Hell yeah. Why'd you pick Yale?

Man, I just... It was a dream along with, you know, playing well is also being academically sound. So I've always, you know, before I even played guitar, I wanted to go to a really good college. So I just shot for the stars. And then I promised my mom, like when I started playing and like going out that I'd never lose the school thing. And then that was a promise to myself as well. So as soon as it came time to put those applications out, I just had to make sure that it was on my game.

And I'm super proud of myself for that. Bro, you're going to Yale, bro. I know, man. It's crazy. So what's the plan? What are you going to study? It's crazy. I'm studying probably economics, but also music.

So double major, because they don't have minors, I think. No. So music and economics. So I'll be on my music grind. Also on my studies, but also it's in New Haven. Yeah. So the Westville Music Bowl just opened. I know.

You'll be selling that. Right now. So I'll be over there every day. Whenever there's a show, I'll be over there. Oh, my God. Your life is going to be amazing. It's going to be crazy. It's going to be crazy. You're going to be with college women.

I need to tell you this. You got to wear condoms. Dude, I know. You got to. Dude. You're going to get famous. I can't afford some little tats running around. I can't. That ain't happening, bro. I promise. Promise? Yes. Alright, good. I had to get that out of the way before we talk.

So you're doing sports. You got do you do you feel like you um have a like athletic mentality when it comes to playing guitar yeah i just want to be the best i can be yeah but that's like a you know it's like an internal goal you know i just want to keep getting better yeah not just plateauing because like you know people you can it's easy to get caught up in like, oh, you're so good or like, oh, like you're getting better and better and better. But, you know, you've got to want it inside when it comes to this music stuff, because it's not like you're not getting accolades or like trophies. So it's more of an internal battle with myself to just try to get better and better and not plateau because it's easy. It would be easy to do that. Yeah. Like also during quarantine, you know, you're doing a lot of stuff. And not only are you I talked to your dad a little bit

about this. I want to hear from you. I feel like you're really focusing on songwriting right now. For sure. Is that important to you? Yeah. I'm in the studio grinding, doing my thing. All the songs is the most important part. Yeah. So we're just trying to get that game elevated. And pretty soon, I can't wait to show the world what we've been working on in the studio really hard day and night. Yeah, I heard you've been working with like Randy Jackson. Yeah, yeah. What other producer? I'm super lucky.

This guy named Theron Nephew Feimster, who has worked with people like Bieber and Michael Jackson. I get to work with him, which is crazy. I'm just super lucky to be in this space and have all these people. Well, you deserve to be in that space. Oh, thank you, man. What are they teaching about songwriting? Man, it's just the simplest melodies

create the best songs. That's the lesson that I learned, you know? You don't need a million changes or anything like that. It's just something that makes people feel good. And that's what I do. And also, it's got to come from the heart. You can't fake songwriting. You can try. But, I mean, I saw you yesterday and everyone's out there,

hey, don't tell me what to do. Everyone's vibing, man. Hopefully one day I'll be able to create the same response from a crowd. That's what I'm working on. Hell yeah, man. So who are you guys? Who are you listening to now that you are inspired by? I've been listening to Kanye a lot.

Hell yeah. I love Kanye. He's just a really, really great producer, and his music hits me in a way, which is probably surprising to everyone listening to this because, you know, I'm a guitar kid and stuff. But I like a lot of rap a lot right now. Yeah, like who else?

I like a lot of Eminem. I like Jay-Z. I like Push lot of rap right now. Yeah, like who else? I like a lot of Eminem. I like Jay-Z. I like Pusha T. I like a lot, a lot, a lot of rappers. Pusha T is the shit. Dude. You like Chance? Yes, yes.

Chance the rapper. Acid Rap is a great, great collection of songs. Don't get any ideas, though. No acid for you, okay? I got you. I got you, man. All right, cool. Stay eye on the prize.

Don't be like Uncle Frasco. I'm sorry. Don't. Well, that's great, though, bro. So you're going to be, are you still working out? You're still doing the thing? Yeah, still keeping my body right and doing all that. How's your head? It's good. It's finally good because, you know, we're playing again.

Yeah. It was hard being locked in my house for like a year and a half, but we're out, and I'm happiest I've ever been, so it's good. What's the hardest part about being in your head when you're a high school kid and you can't even graduate with your kid teammates yeah it's like i mean being in my head it's like they're for me it's really bad because i don't know how to get out of it because you know i'm still young and stuff so just but thankfully i have a really good support team around me with you know my parents and my brother and they help me whenever i need it.

What do they tell you about getting out of your head? Man, they just actually I had I actually struggled with something a couple like I had a couple bad shows in a row. And, you know, the guitar is like an extension of myself. So when I'm not playing up to what I think I could be doing, it really hurts me inside. But they're just telling me, you know, LeBron has a bad game. You know, Jordan had bad games. Everyone has bad games. But it's not where you are now. It's where you get to that makes you, you know LeBron has a bad game you know Jordan had bad games everyone has bad games but it's not where you are now it's where you get to that makes you you know it makes fucking go it's

just you know they always pep me up and they always get me fired up and with those basketball analogies they always just get it right into my head because I'm a huge basketball fan yeah no so yeah I just have the best parents in the world that's really they really are I just met your mom for the first time and how much she loves you, bro. It's just so dope. I know your pops. I know Gare. He's the man.

He is. So what are you going to do? Are you going to gig on the weekends, or what are you doing? I'm doing some gigs on the weekends, but it's going to slow down a little bit, of course, because I've got to focus. I've got to study up. I will not be partying all the time. I'll be partying definitely,

but I got to make sure that the grades are good. And then I'm also going to be doing gigs from time to time. That will not stop. Westfield Music Bowl is right there. Toad's Place is over there in New Haven. So it'll be a healthy balance. Yeah, and that's good because you are, this is the time.

Go to college. Go have fun. Make out with some girls. Have a beer. Watch for that. If you want. Don't drink. No, that's so exciting, Taz.

How hard was it? What was your grade point average in high school? I have no idea. What? It was good, I can tell you that. So how'd you get into Yale? Man, they just really like people. I think they just really like people who are driven on one path and aren't just following the path of,

oh, I have a million great grades and I was in a million clubs. I was not in school a lot. I was following my dreams and just trying to be the best guitar player I could possibly be and i think they really saw my work ethic and they thought and saw something in me thankfully so did they did they sit you down and say hey if we're gonna if you're gonna come to our school you're you're gonna study yeah no they did because i had a i had two interviews before i got in and the second one i had they were like so if you come here you know you're not gonna like tour heavily

like you might have some shows here and there but like you know you have to like you know study and i was like yeah of course yeah and i was like as soon as i'm there my main focus is that and i'll still be playing guitar in my room all day dude but and jamming with my buddies but like when it comes to being there i'm super serious and they were like all right we're good so then they were like we'll hope you get in and then then I did. So it was cool. Fucking awesome. And that's why I think this is a perfect path for you to not focus on gigs and just focus on being the best songwriter you can be. This is your time to go in the works. Man, I got a lot of time to now just get that songwriting thing in the works.

I'll be writing a lot of songs there. And, man, it's going to be cool. What makes you the most happy, Tez? Being here, really. Like, being on the road with my family is, like, the best thing ever. I hope everyone gets to experience it. Like, they're all happy for me. My brother's here.

I brought him on stage. Just doing that. He supports me. He loves it. And his friends are here. They're chilling. They're having a good time. Everyone's just having a good time.

We're not worried about anything. Yeah. My dad's not worried about work. My dad's not worried about work. My mom's not worried about work. And we have food on the table. And CJ's helping. Like, we just, you know, we're just having a good time here. That's fucking awesome.

So I guess how important is family to you? It's the most important thing. Yeah. I mean, I can't play good on stage if I don't have, you know, a healthy home to go to at the end of the day. Yeah. To sleep in a bed that I'm comfortable in with a roof that I'm comfortable living under. So, I mean, it's literally the most important thing to me. Are you going to be living in the dorms over there?

Yeah. I'll be in the dorm by myself. First time living by myself. Are you nervous? No. You're stoked. I'm stoked, dude. Dude, I'm about to go off.

Oh, my God. I'm about to go off, dude. Dude, Yale doesn't know what they're about to get themselves into. They don't know. They don't know, man. Oh, man. It's going to be fire. And, you know, being on the East Coast, it's all sports, basketball.

I mean, you're in it. People know that if, I mean, they do. They follow the sports with Dolav where we do an update about all the fantasy. Young Padawan Taz over here thought he was going to whoop all our asses. Didn't even. Let's talk about this for a second. That's what I want to talk about.

Last year, COVID year, BS. I beat you to get into the playoffs and kicked you out. You were not making the playoffs. I know. And then the fantasy said nah, and then they did the bubble and all that. So I got into the playoffs last year, but this year I did not do good. You didn't good. I did not draft enough good centers.

Looking back, you didn't draft a good center. And then you tried to trade me John Moran for Hassan Whiteside, and I said no. Yeah. Do you regret that? I'm dumb. Dude. At the end of the day, it's just, you know, you live and you learn, and I'll beat you next year.

Yeah, but that's... You know what it is? What it is? That's what the perks are. When you start throwing shitty trade offers to us, we're older than you, Taz. We're going to throw them back. You have the worst trade offers I've ever seen in my life. I don't want you saying anything.

Me and Jack, sometimes me and Jack text him. We're like, Jack from Sophistafunk, and we're like, what is Andy doing in this chat right now? He's trying to trade LeBron for bench meat? Like, no, dude. But I'm telling you, next year I'll be back. Next year I will be back. I know you will.

What about who do you think is going to be back? You still a Knicks fan? Yeah. Of course. All day, every day. How do you feel? Also, I like the Sixers, too, because they've been really good to me. I feel really good about this season.

First time I felt good in a while. You're a Sixers fan. What do you think about Ben Simmons? It's hard, man. I don't even want to talk about it. No? It bums you out? But I mean, look, Atlanta beat them. It's hard. It's hard, man. It's hard. Isn't it crazy

like dudes like Trey Young and Luka Doncic are only, like, three years older than you. Dude, I'm older. I'm, like, Zion's, like, two years older than me. It's crazy. But you're just as much of a virtuoso as he is. I don't think so. Maybe one day.

I mean, he's playing with, like, LeBron. Yeah, but you're playing with Warren Haynes and all these cats, dude. I'm just lucky to be here. Like those guys are I'm inspired by their work ethic. And yeah, I really look at basketball that, you know, see where I want to be and like see how hard those guys are working and where they are at such a young age. And just also to see the bad stories of the people, you know, got hooked on drugs or whatever. Yeah. And try to or maybe got injured. So you got to keep your body right. Like, I look at all that stuff to, you know, just keep me on the right path.

Yeah. But to see those guys doing that at like 18, dunking on, like Jason Tatum at 18, like dunked on LeBron in the Western Conference, or Eastern Conference Finals. I was like, yo. It's inspiring, right? If he could do that at 18, I don't know what I could do.

Dude, you're killing it. You're one of the best guitar players out there, and you're 18, bro. Give yourself more credit, dog. I've never seen anyone command a stage like you do, bro. I'm going to be honest. You had Peachfest turn into a different fruit.

It was crazy. That was some watermelon action. Dude, I appreciate you, man. We all have our strengths, but you do that same thing by your guitar singing. Thank you, man. We all have our strengths, you know? But you do that same thing by your guitar singing. Thank you, man. People shut the fuck up and listen to you. Thank you, man. I appreciate it.

I work on that every day. I'm sure you do, too. Oh, my God. Working on the stage. Yale women are going to be just so... I'm so excited for you. I am so excited for you. I'm really excited.

I'm so happy that... You're rolling in there single, right? Yeah. Yeah, just rolling there. Dude, I'm single excited for you I'm really excited I'm so happy You're rolling in there single right? Yeah Just rolling there Dude I'm single Clean slate I'm like not short anymore No you're like 6'2

I'm 6'1, 6'2 I'm very lucky man Yo you are about to About to be a buffet big dog I'm not the typical I don't think I'm the typical guy. No, you're not. That's why I was like, so I'm like, it's it makes total sense because you are, you know, you're a genius.

And we all know it in the scene. We've fucking been seeing it since you're fucking 10 years old, 12 years old, bro. Dude, I've been I've been I've known the smell of weed and alcohol since I was like. And for you to not even do any of that stuff is dope, dude. Nah, man, because I've been exposed to it. I think that's helped because it's so normalized to me. My dad's like, look at all this. Just know what it is. And when you get older, if you want to do it or not, it's your decision.

But I'd advise against it. And I was like, okay. And since I've been exposed to it and playing to the smell of weed and alcohol and other things yeah it's just normalized to me so i don't think oh my god that's so cool i just think it's like you know just thing but like look at and i look at like all the athletes all the young athletes they're not messing around with that shit no they're just keeping their body is your body is a temple taz it is take it from me because in 14 years, I'm 33, big dog. Big dog. I hurt.

I hurt now. My stomach, I got acid reflux. You don't want acid reflux. I don't want that. No. I'm going to be honest. Just fucking work out. Do your thing.

Get the fuck going to Yale, dude. Let's go. One more time for Taz. Taz is going to Yale, everyone. Taz is going to Yale. So what are you writing about? One last question and we'll go back to Yale, everyone. Taz is going to Yale. So what are you writing about? One last question and we'll go back to the Peach Fest. And then I got two because this is Peach Festival.

What are you writing about? What do you want to write about as an 18-year-old kid? I'm writing about, I mean, 18-year-olds, we haven't been through that much life yet. But, I mean, I've been through enough to where I can write songs. I'm going through stuff with girls or, like, family members or, you know, traumatic events or stuff like that. Like, I'll be really inspired and I'll wake up from, like, a dream and write about it or something. I'm just, you know, whatever inspires me, really, is what I'm writing about.

That's awesome, man. That's awesome. Well, keep the dream alive. Thank you. How many times have you played Peach? This is my third or fourth time playing Peach. Which is crazy. Dude, how old were you when the youngest you played Peach?

Probably like 14, 15. Do you remember the moment? I remember playing with Widespread. That was one of my favorite sit-ins I've ever done. What happened? I was there and Jimmy Herring was one of my favorites. Who called you? I don't even remember.

My dad was like, they want you to sit in. I was like, dude, I'm scared. You were? Jimmy Herring is one of the greatest guitar players of all time. So I was like, oh, my God, I'm going to get to play with them. And they're all such great musicians. Dave Schools, of course. Yeah, the best.

The baddest bass player on the planet. Yeah, he is. So I was like, they were like, what song do you want to play? And I knew, I called out Surprise Valley because I'm a widespread fan. So I was like, I want to play that one. And then they said, okay. And I remember going in the dressing room and rehearsing it with Jimmy Herring. And I was just like, is this real life?

And then I got on stage and it was real life. And it was one of the greatest days of my life, for sure. You have so many guitar teachers, you that fucking love you bro thank you man yeah colonel bruce and uh what did jimmy what did jimmy say after your after your set man he just said he said i looked really comfortable up there i remember him saying that and i usually don't remember what people say to me after i play with them but i remembered that one and he said you looked really comfortable up there. I was like, yeah, I know.

You guys are like the greatest band ever. So it's really easy to get up with them. Did your dad, who got you into jam music? It was really my dad. Yeah? I've been listening to the Allman Brothers as we're at Peach Fest since I was like probably like one years old, like before that. Really?

Probably right when I was driving home from the hospital. I was listening to the Allman Brothers. So it was like that. And natural progression, you know, bands like Grateful Dead, Fish, yada, yada, yada. Now we're here. Have you met, have you played with Trey? No, I haven't. But one day I will.

Is that, is that the, what's the top of your list? What does your dream sit in? Man. Anybody. Kanye, anybody. I would love to play with's kanye anybody i would love to play with kanye yeah i would love to play with kanye there's so many there's so many acts that i'd love to just play with not even like sit in with them but like be their guitar player yeah i'd love to be kanye's guitar player who's that dude you're who's that younger kid you're hanging out with in vegas

justin lee schultz dude dude he's crazy what he's so good dude i saw i saw you guys do some shit during quarantine too right yeah he hit me up to uh like because we're both like instagram musicians or whatever yeah so he hit me up he's like dude what's up and i mean he's already a virtuoso and he's like he's like 14 like he's like a virtuoso to all everything dude everyone just he is so so, so good. Tasteful. He can play anything that anyone throws at him. I was just jamming with him like last, like a couple of days ago with Shua. Shua's here.

We all know him. And I mean, he's just crazy. And every instrument too. Guitar too. I saw that video. He's so good, bro. I saw him on the piano killing. Saw him on guitar killing.

He's just crazy. Someone's got to get him here at Peach Fest. him on guitar killing. He's just crazy. Someone's got to get him here at Peach Fest. Yeah, we will. He's amazing. Then what about dudes like Jacob Collier? I love Jacob Collier. What do you like about him? The experimentalism of it.

He's breaking all the rules. He knows all the theory, but he's breaking all the rules. And I really appreciate that. That's something that Colonel Bruce taught me. It's just, like, F the rules, dude. You can do whatever you want and whatever you feel. And he's doing that. And he's the best at it. He can play... Jacob Collier can play every instrument.

I'm sure of it. And I listen to all of his albums. I love all of them. And he's just really, really good. Well, I feel like your generation is... You're doing it, buddy. We're doing good. Hey to everyone out there listening to this. I hope you're like not on a toilet or something.

That would be awkward. Yeah. That's my dream. I've always wanted to do that. Like call out the people who are listening. Like you're probably on a couch right now or like maybe you're on a plane or something. Just want to say hi. Well, this is your moment.

This is the end of the show. This is the time. Can I hit one of the buttons? Yeah, hit the red one. This one? Yeah. Now, this is your moment. Give the people a motivational speech

to give them through the week. Guys, here we go. You got to want it. You got to get through that work day. You got to get through it. It is time. Because on the weekend, you're going to party. You're going to party it. You've got to get through that work day. You've got to get through it. It is time because on the weekend, you're going to party. You're going to party hard.

So listen to this. This has been Andy Frasco featuring Nikki Glaspie with a little cameo from Brandon Taz Niederauer. We are out. Thank you. Good night. Wear condoms, Taz. Goodbye. You tuned in

to the World's Heavy Podcast with Andy Fresco now in it's fourth season thank you for listening to this episode

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Prescott's blogs and tour dates you'll find at andyfrescott.com. And check our socials to see what's up next. Might be a video dance party, a showcase concert, that crazy shit show, or whatever springs to Andy's wicked brain. And after a year of keeping clean and playing safe, the band is back on tour. We thank our brand new talent book on Mario Davis. We thank this week's guest, our co-host,

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