Ep. 02: Creating a Life as a Professional Drummer with Arthur “L.A.” Buckner

Arthur “L.A.” Buckner is a performing musician, teaching artist, and producer from the Northside of Minneapolis. He holds a master’s degree in Percussion Performance from McNally Smith College of Music. Currently, LA is playing with his band BiG HOMiE, teaching drums, and also serves as co-host for the two-time Webby award-winning PBS music education YouTube series Sound Field, a video project exploring the music theory, production, history, and culture behind our favorite songs and musical styles. Back in 2020, LA took iTunes by storm with the release of his project, also titled BiG HOMiE, which reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz charts.On this episode, LA and I dive deep into his artistic journey, from learning and playing music through his church to getting his degree, playing in tons of local bands, finding his own authentic voice, and how being a teacher and mentor accompanies and supports all of it.Episode Links and Mentions🌐 The Kredentials🌐 9Tomorrows🌐 Massamba Diop (Tama drums in Black Panther)🌐 Max Roach (drummer)🌐 "The Minneapolis Sound" (Prince, Morris Day, The Time, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jelly Bean Johnson)🌐 Herbie Hancock's book: Possibilites🌐 David Smith (Instagram) Keys🌐 David Feily (Instagram) Guitar🌐 Ethan Yeshaya (Instagram) Bass🌐 Jovon Williams (Instagram) Sax🌐 Adam Meckler (Instagram) Teacher (Trumpet)🌐 Aaron Hedenstrom (Instagram) Teacher (Sax)🌐 McPhail Center for Music🌐 SPCPA (Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Arts)🌐 The Replacements🌐 Chris Osgood (The Suicide Commandos)🌐 Hüsker Dü🌐 Terrace Martin (Instagram) producer🌐 Jovonta Patton🌐 Toussaint Morrison (Instagram)🌐 Nahre Sol (Instagram)🌐 Linda Diaz (Instagram)🌐 Mono Neon🌐 Animals As LeadersConnect with the Guest🔗 Connect with LA on Instagram🔗 BiG HOMiE band on Instagram🔗 BiGHOMiEband.com🔗 Check out the MSP Magazine feature on him🔗 Watch a Sound Field episode!Featured Song"Ooowee" by L.A. Buckner🎧 Listen on Spotify👀 Watch on YouTubeGet new episodes by email: Join the Secrets From The Scene newsletter.Secrets From The Scene is made by Helvig Productions, a Twin Cities recording studio for artists and bands.