It is not always that you have the opportunity of meeting a young, advanced and talented musician and Daniel Prins fits the bill with ease.
We the discerning music lovers are more than happy that Daniel is back with us to give us the opportunity to enjoy his artistry and we hope he will be with us for a long, long time. It took some time to meet him but we we are glad to have got the opportunity.
Q: You hail from a renowned family of musicians. Your grandfather Peter Prins was a legend pianist and leader of his very successful band Peter Prins Combo. Your father is another acclaimed musician drummer Christo Prins much in demand in today’s Sri Lankan music scene. What was the magnet that drew you to play drums?
Daniel Prins – Expressing his
ideas behind the kit
A. Well if I am being honest, that magnet may have been the ease of access, given that there was always a drum kit somewhere around the house. That and also, it was and will always be a bunch of fun to just sit at a drum kit and make noise! I always loved music, and so picking up an instrument was just a matter of when rather than if.
Of course, being a part of a musical family meant that there was plenty of encouragement for us to try our hand at picking up an instrument and having your dad play a particular instrument definitely sways you towards the same!
Q: As a point of interest Joe Morello the drummer of the international famous Dave Brubeck band started off playing the violin at the age of six and then when he was 15 years switched to the drum. Was it during your school days that you decided to sit on the drum stool and express your musical ideas to us all?
A: Yeah I think a mixture of in-house school music competitions and opportunities to contribute to school plays and the likes gave me that initial push into figuring out how to express my ideas behind the kit.
Q: You are back in Sri Lank after completing academic studies in music and drumming in particular in Malaysia. What was the syllabus like? is it similar to the American Colleges? Did you enjoy yourself learning the intricacies of drumming in the many rhythms?
A. I was very fortunate that the university I studied at used a very similar syllabus to what I would have had access to in American colleges if I had studied music there. We learnt quite a diverse set of modules, including Music theory and Harmony to Composing for Film and Orchestra, Arranging for various situations and even some Production. To be honest, it was these modules that I ended up enjoying the most. Even though they weren’t specifically drumming modules, they often presented me with musical applications that forced me to approach the drums in a different manner to what I may have typically done so, being primarily a performing drummer.
Q: During your time in Malaysia did you get the opportunity to play with leading musicians of that country or even with international musicians on tour?
A: I was fortunate in Malaysia to have the opportunity to play with many great Malaysian musicians. There is a brilliant “jam” scene, especially in KL, where almost on a weekly basis you interact and perform alongside industry professionals and through it, I had opportunities to perform at gigs and share the stage with some world class musicians that I can now call my friends (I hope), which I think is pretty cool.
Q: Today the music scene has changed in many ways and in rhythms. Would you encourage soloing in odd time signatures using only sticks without drums?
A: This is a very interesting question, because I definitely shy away from the idea of soloing in my day to day drumming life. But, why not! I might start with just the odd time signature and drums because that is already quite the challenge, and then once that becomes easy enough, yes, take away the drums! Having restrictions on what drums you are allowed to play, is a great way to practise one’s creativity. Maybe I’ll have to give it a try.
Q: Now here in Sri Lanka are you playing regularly with a band or do you prefer to free lance? Do you intend teaching the correct art of playing the drums to interested young students?
A: Since being back, I have generally been freelancing. I think it works better for me at this time as I do look at furthering my studies at some point! Teaching is an interesting topic, I do think I want to give it a try. I like to think that I approach drums in a musical way and do think that there is room to teach that to younger musicians.
