*Replica City - Fort Collins August 2023*
*Photo credit: @permanent_ephemera_photo*

We recently had the chance to get to know Nathan Rodriguez, who you may know as the drummer for Cherished, Replica City, Deth Rali, etc.

What/who made you want to pick up the sticks and sit behind a kit?

Outside of obvious influences. . my relationship with my father as a small child formed my early music taste for sure. Hearing “KISS Alive” in full and drumming along on pillows trying mimic Peter Criss’ solo at the end of “100,000 years” is one of my earliest memories of feeling that initial spark. Years passed before I got my first kit but thankfully It was my grandmother “Shirley” that really nourished my creative side early on.

What’s been on constant repeat for you this year?

More recently I have been listening to “Sleeveless” by Johnny Dynamite & The Bloodsuckers & “Angel’s Pulse” by Blood Orange. But over the past year I have I would say bands like - The Garden, Momma, & White Reaper have been contenders for most rotation.

What are your thoughts on the Denver music scene and community?

As a whole I am grateful to live, work & contribute in Denver. The scene itself can feel a bit stifling due in part to either the powers that be or the fact that we are so isolated geographically; that being said, there is no shortage of crazy talented & driven people that make up the community.

In spite of my own ego there is both beauty and rage knowing that the scene will thrive with or without any one persons specific contribution. I would rather keep putting in work than remain stagnant regardless of the outcome.

What has been the biggest challenge for you as an artist, and to counter that, what’s been your greatest accomplishment?

Honestly my biggest challenge aside from the tendency to get in my own way productively.. has been trying to grow & maintain working in this industry/field while protecting my livelihood outside of the gig. I consider myself blessed that I have been able to change careers to better lend itself to my lifestyle but that hasn’t been easy by any means and continues to be a problem that is no where near being solved.

On the other hand, one thing that I am very proud of is that I have been able to stay busy and productive working in/on music without leaving Denver. Touring alone is not the most viable option for sustaining my personal efforts & I would much rather do what I can to contribute to the plethora of good things coming out of Colorado than take that anywhere else.

What advice do you have for other aspiring drummers/artists out there?

Play the long game.. one thing that has helped me keep things in perspective and focused on growth is realizing / appreciating that in all things.. (not exclusive to music / art alone ) the work is a direct reflection of where I am in life. What I have accomplished this year is vastly different from what I was doing even 5 years ago. If anything I try to remind myself that a lot of the problems I have now are ones I wish I had a decade ago & I welcome what may come in the next 10 years & so on if I am so lucky.

Do you remember your very first gig? Or, tell me about the worst gig you’ve ever played.

This is a tough one. My first “real show” was in / around January of 2006 at the Black Sheep in Colorado Springs (damn near 18 years ago). I can’t remember too many details but I’m sure it wasn’t good. . TBH it took years to get semi decent at rocking a set & it is still very much a work in progress. .

To go along with the “worst gigs” I have ever played, I regret thinking of the times any of my bands were invited to open for a group we admired only then to perform badly.. or on top of that the countless poorly attended or ill performed sets I have taken part in over my years playing professionally. That type of thing will destroy peoples musical aspirations entirely.. I have definitely been in bands that have broken up after a “bad” tour or string of gigs. Lmao

*Cherished in Brooklyn NY August 2022*
*Photo credit: @jackivitetta*

In your opinion, what’s the most legendary drum part or drum intro of all time?

Okay so the intros into “Sugar We’re Going Down” by Fall Out Boy & “So Fresh, So Clean” by OutKast are oddly similar but both go incredibly hard. Listen to them back to back and anyone would agree, they are easily the most recognizable/iconic drum intros in pop music without a doubt.

What’s your philosophy when it comes to writing drum parts for songs?

It has kind of changed over my years of playing, but I really like to be mindful of sequencing & momentum. Thanks “Daft Punk” Granted.. I try to bring a little something original to every song I play on - I wanna keep things interesting & groovy overall.

How do you adapt your playing to so many different styles?

Who said tone is in the fingers? Idk what it is or how to explain it but I just do what I do and fortunately people like that enough to reach out and consider me for more. This year in particular has been very rewarding in the fact that I have been able to take on more writing & hired gun/fill in work than ever before. Honestly I would love to do more of that sort of thing if time and opportunity allows.

What’s your current rig/drum set up?

My gigging set up includes a 50 year old (13” 16” 22”) “Ludwig” Vistalite kit I bought from my buddy Taylor Drose back in 2019.

A 13” “Orange County” snare drum that my dad bought for me on my 21st birthday before his passing.

A set of “TRX” KX hybrid cymbals, 14” hats, 18” medium crash, & a 22” ride that I bought as an endorsement offer in 2018. I also use a 20” “Zildjan” A custom crash ride that I picked up from “Rupps Drums” about 8 months ago.

A “DW” Iron Cobra kick pedal -

coated “Evans” G2’s on the toms -

coated “Remo” ambassador controlled sound on the snare drum

and “Pro-mark” forward 5bs in my hands.