Ben Tennett
Jul 3, 20216 min
Fabio, thanks for agreeing to take part in this! You can often be found on stages all around the world behind George Ezra. However, you originally followed in your father’s footsteps with percussion if I’m right? Can you tell us a little bit about how you got started and when did you discover the Drum set?
Yeah my father (Bosco De Oliveria) is a percussionist and when at a young age I showed an interest in music, he would take me along to rehearsals, sessions and gigs to sit in on some small hand percussion. I was always aware of the drum kit but I only started wanting to play at around nine or ten. Even then it was only around sixteen or seventeen that I decided to take the drum kit seriously.
You started at quite a young age playing with some big artists. By the time you’d left school you had already made some mainstream radio appearances as well as touring internationally. How did that feel to have done so much at such a young age? Did you find that you were thrown straight in at the deep end in terms of pressure and responsibility?
I was super lucky to have been in the environment from such a young age. I believe this made me stage wise. I have always felt very comfortable on stage and in a professional musical environment. At that age, it's almost as if you have nothing to lose and because of your age often people will give you the benefit of the doubt. I never relied on this but it meant that I didn't feel pressure. Funnily enough I definitely feel more pressure and responsibility now than I did back then.
With starting at such a young age, comes an impressive CV! Could you tell us who you are currently working with and who else you have worked with in the past?
For the past 5 years I've been behind the tubs for George Ezra which has been amazing and that is generally considered my main gig. Some other highlights include working with Airto Moreira, Alfa Mist, Jacob Collier, Jamie Cullum, The Odd910, Teotima and Ella Clayton.
I’m a big fan of Parliament Funkadelic and George Clinton, you had the chance to record with them! How did that come about? How was that experience?
Whilst studying at LCCM my production teacher Richie Stevens who knows George Clinton very well invited him to do a masterclass and asked if I'd play some percussion in the band. That was definitely a pinch yourself moment, as I'd been a big Parliament Funkadelic fan for such a long time. After the master-class my friend and I were invited to a little party at Fortress Studios and when we arrived they were having a play and putting a track together. Somehow about an hour later I found myself being the only drummer in the room and George wanted to do a take so I jumped up and they ended up using that take. The track never saw the light of day but my George was under the impression it was Richie on drums and when Richie explained that it was me, George turned to me, gave me a fist bump and said "U GOT DA FUNK!" Needless to say I lost my mind. haha!
You were involved in the London 2012 opening ceremony if I’m right? How was that experience?
Yes that was a really wild experience. I'd never worked on a production that big so it was amazing to see how something like that is put together. Twenty-Five of us were asked to help Mike Dolber, Ralph Salmins and Paul Clarvis to help audition, teach and rehearse over one thousand volunteers (some who were pro drummers and others who had never held a drumstick in their life) and then to play behind Evelyn Glennie during the ceremony. A truly unforgettable experience. Big love to the pandemonium drummers!
Do you use any electronics/software or backing tracks in any of your gigs? Does it change from Artist to Artist or do you have a preferred method of playback that you stick with?
On George's gig I use a ROLAND SPD-SX with some snare triggers and the KT-10 bass drum pedal. At the backing track/click track is run by our midi tech who runs a dual laptop system with time code which syncs up with lights and all.
With George Ezra, you have been fortunate to tour extensively all over the world. You have played many festivals, venues and made several TV/Radio appearances. Do you have a stand out gig or festival in mind that sticks with you? Whether that’s because it’s a career highlight or something that will stick with you for another reason?
There have been many great gigs but I would have to say the gig which we did in São Paulo, Brazil is my career highlight. George asked if my father who now lives in Brazil would like to make a special appearance during the set so we had a little samba reggae moment in a song called Blame It On Me in front of 20,000 mad Brazilians with thirty family and friends in the audience and the rest of my family watching it on TV from all corners of brazil. I've always dreamt of my dad sitting in on one of my gigs as I did on so many of his, so it was a really beautiful moment.
I saw on your site you worked with Jordan Rakei! How did that come about?
The Jordan Rakei thing came about as his drummer Jim Mcrae wasn't able to fly to India to do a gig and kindly asked me to step in as we had studied at LCCM together. It was a very quick trip I think we were only there for about 24hrs but I love Jordans music and he's such a great artist and lovely guy that it made it very easy to just slip in for one gig.
What Drums are you using at the moment and what other gear completes your set up? What Sizes are your Kit?
I have a fair amount of gear and have no shell endorsement as I'm a real vintage drum lover but with George Ezra I currently tour a C&C kit ( 22,12,14,16) with two Ludwig snares ( 14"x5.5" 400 and a 14" x 6.5" Black beauty), a set of Congas and some hand perc. I also endorse Istanbul Agop cymbals, Protection Racket cases, Roland electronics, Vic Firth sticks , remo heads and Cosmic ears.
The majority of your work is in a live environment and you spend a lot of time on the road. How do you keep yourself in touch with the ‘normal world’ going on around you and keep yourself healthy both physically and mentally?
I try to keep in touch with family and loved ones whilst I'm away. It's important to always remind yourself that there is a world outside the bubble that is touring life. Artistically I use photography as my outlet whilst not on stage. I really love street photography and I find it's such a great way to get to know the many places we get to travel to and a great way of documenting that time away. Musically I tend to take a little practice pad DW kit on the road and try to do as much practice as I can and listen to as much music as possible although I miss my record collection.
What’s your favourite piece of gear you own? Are you a vintage Drum lover?
Percussion wise, I love my Caxixi's ( Brazilian basket shakers) but in terms of drums it has to be my 1940's Ludwig snare that I got from Mark at Rusty Drums. I love vintage gear !
How are you keeping yourself busy during these strange times?
It's been a real rollercoaster. I won't say it's been easy but I've found real joy in writing some original music which hopefully will be coming out next year. I've done a few recording sessions when we opened up. I've also had a summer job doing landscape gardening and some woodwork, a great excuse to learn a new skill and keep the mind active. For the remainder of this time I will be getting set up in a new studio and working on remote recording drums and percussion.
If you had any advice for your younger self what would it be?
BE PATIENT! I think my experience as a young boy was so valuable however I think it made me slightly impatient with regards to getting to where I wanted to be. As my mentor Ralph Salmins says "Just be good and the phone will ring".
What’s next for you? Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
What with everything going on, I honestly don't know. I know that I will always play music no matter what and I hope that soon we will all be back working and celebrating life in a muddy field somewhere. I'm really looking forward to releasing my own music and exploring further into my world music roots. There's so much to learn and that's always something that excites me.
Finally, can you share a quick tip or give us a small exercise you always use?
I really enjoy practicing with a click on different divisions. So have a go placing the click in different parts of the beat/bar/form.
Find Fabio Online:
@fabplaysthedrums