Matt Brooks

RAYE

I've loved drums for as long as I can remember. I was drawn to the drums but had nothing but chopsticks, pots, and pans with which to express my desire until the age of 11 when my local church got a drum kit… The rest (as they say) is history.

While at University I got the call to work with an international band 4Real (based out of Austria) and toured with them for 2 years, which led to me doing clinic’s and workshops for musicians in Europe.

After a break from professional drumming, 2013 saw me take to the set depping gigs for Raleigh Ritchie (Columbia) and that re-ignited my passion to pursue a music career again. I’ve since worked with numerous artist’s as a Drummer, Musical Director, and Programmer and I continue to venture into different genres of music, travelling around the UK and the world doing what I love.

People describe me as a solid, musical, pocket drummer who plays different genres of music authentically, but (in my own words) describe my drumming as, “dynamic, expressive and energetic.”

I’ve had the privilege of working with Nicole Scherzinger, Megan Trainor, Jason Derulo, Chlöe Howl, Nina Nesbitt, Conor Maynard, Julian Peretta, Amber Olivier and more…

I’m currently touring with record breaking 6-time (in one night l) Brit Award winning singer / songwriter RAYE and doing lots of TV and promo internationally.

Matt
Brooks's
IN 3

Matt Brooks's
IN 3

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

Saturday Night Live. Even as someone from the UK, the significance of playing on SNL is not lost on me. It’s a show that is known for breaking artists into the US market and it is respected globally. It was an honour to grace that stage.
WORDS OF WISDOM FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF DRUMMERS

My emotions drive my creativity. When I’m happy, that will bring out a different side to my creativity to when I’m angry or frustrated but I harness all of those emotions and channel them into what I do as it makes me unique and causes me to find new ideas in places where I would never seek to find them.
FAVORITE ZILDJIAN CYMBAL/COMBO

I think everyone’s first pair or drumsticks are Vic Firth. Mine certainly were. Even from a young age I was aware of the legacy of Vic Firth and the quality of Vic Firth products. Now as a busy touring drummer, I need to know that I can trust the sticks in my hands to truly be an extension of me, feel good in the hand and be durable to withstanding long rehearsals and excessive touring schedules. Vic Firth are the perfect pair and the Extreme 5A are a perfect match for me.