HT Interview: The Story of Drummer/Percussionist Todd Isler
NYC musician Todd Isler first came onto our radar through his work as the drummer for Mike Gordon’s killer solo ensemble. Outside of his role in Mike’s band, Isler also is a noted teacher and author who performs as part of two outstanding New York City avant-jazz acts - International Orange and TriBeCaStan. While Isler plays the kit with Gordon, he’s also known for his hand drumming on such unconventional instruments as Pakistani gaval, uduboo and lap drum.
[Photo by Jeremy Gordon]
Just a few days before TriBeCaStan’s record release party at DROM NYC on June 9, we wanted to share our lengthy chat with Isler (pronounced ice-ler), an affable gent who has seen it all over the years. We were immediately struck by Todd’s candor and artistic integrity in this wide-ranging interview that covers his formative years, how he came to work with Mike Gordon, his time with the Phish bassist, his other projects and the life of a professional musician in NYC.
Hidden Track: How did you first get into drumming?
Todd Isler: I’ve always loved music and my parents loved music. When I was very young my sisters and I would put on these puppet shows in my basement for other kids and I would play upside-down wastebaskets and pots and pans.
When I was nine or ten, I went to this Bar Mitzvah and I was freaked out by the drums. They took me back to the drummer and he showed me how to hold the sticks. I went slowly and learned the traditional way, I bought a drum pad then I got a snare drum and then a bass drum. Finally, for my 13th birthday I got a used kit from my teacher and started taking lessons.
HT: What were some of your early influences?
TI: When I got in junior high I became a Deadhead. The first time I did acid I was car camping, which was bullshit camping, we had electricity. My friends were already into the Dead, while I was listening to pop music and Elton John and stuff like that. [The Grateful Dead's 1974 album From The] Mars Hotel kept playing over and over again, the actual vinyl record, and somehow it kept playing all night long. And by the morning, after my first trip, I was a Deadhead.
Scott Bernstein
Scott Bernstein co-founded Hidden Track in October 2006 and was managing editor until taking over as EiC in January 2008. Scotty also writes for Relix Magazine and curates YEMblog.com.
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Love this guy but he needs to know his audience. “Unfortunately phish got together” is not the best statement for him to make hahahah. he is so sick on those drums though. Love me MGB, TAB, Vida Blue, AND THE PHISH FROM VT!
C’mon Kyle, he was referring to the timing, not bagging on Phish. In part of our conversation after I turned the tape recorder off he mentioned how many shows he’s gone to in the last few years and how much he enjoyed them.
Good article, seems like a great guy. Thanks I really knew nothing about him.
Thanks for the article-I had a blast at the couple MGB shows I caught and can feel the connection Todd Isler is talking about-These guys work great together!!
great interview! been digging on MGB for a while now, ever since they gave that free download of the Minneapolis show – what a smoker! this band really hooks up. incredible psychedelic and funk-ay rock. love phish and love mgb, so as long as mikey’s doing one of those, I’ll be happy.
What a great interview, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Looking forward to more MGB shows this fall.
Great Article! I had the pleasure of meeting Todd in Denver, CO at a MGB show and he is really great- amazing musician and a wonderful person- very genuine- looking forward to more MGB and checking out all his other projects :D