Dawn Richardson PASIC Clinic

Press Release October 2006

"Block Rockin' Beats" has tons of cool grooves and fills for the intermediate to advanced drummer. This book reflects recent musical trends by focusing on funky rock, hip hop, jungle and drum 'n' bass influenced patterns for the drum kit. As time marches on, popular music continues to evolve and change. "Block Rockin' Beats" is designed to give the drummer more ideas and tools to help function in a musical environment that was not only influenced by jazz, blues, gospel, country, soul, latin and funk styles - but also shaped by D.J.s, samplers and electronic music. Drummers are often called upon now to replace or ad to programmed drums in the recording studio. For live shows, live drumming might by melded together with electronic elements or D.J.s, or both. Rock and popular music are incorporating so many different elements and styles at this point, it's hard to keep track! Update your rhythmic vocabulary with some "Block Rockin' Beats" (MB20942).

Also by Dawn Richardson - "Fill Workbook" (MB99966BCD) and the beginning rock kit method "Building Blocks of Rock" (MB97756BCD). Both books are available from music retailers or via phone directly from Mel Bay Publications (1- 800 - 8 - MEL BAY).

Clinic/Performance at P.A.S.I.C. 2006

Dawn has been invited to participate in the Percussive Arts Society International Convention this year in Austin, Texas. Her clinic entitled "Multi-Media Drumming" will address the process of creating and performing with a multi-media project. She will be using her current project 2Toggle (drums/laptop/projected images) - a collaboration with visual artist Lori Nunokawa - to demonstrate the principles discussed.

There are multiple steps from conception to performance that might be of interest to other drummers/percussionists. Working with a visual artist is a different experience than playing in groups with other musicians. The project is essentially solo drums with accompaniment from pre-recording tracks, synced to visual images, which are then projected. These aspects of 2Toggle carry considerations and concerns in both creation and performance. The project explores drumming through sounds and textures and also combines acoustic drums and percussion with electronic music. The musical aspects must also consider the visual artist/visual aspects and then they must create a cohesive work by melding the visual and aural together. All of this is done while also considering the technological capabilities and limitations they work within as a group and as individuals. Check out 2Toggle for a new view on art + music in the future!

Dawn's relatively short attention span has helped expand her drum related musical horizons to include writing, teaching, recording, performing, programming and composition. 2Toggle is the latest multi-media endeavor and combines Dawn's love of drumming and percussion with the vision of visual artist Lori Nunokawa. Although Dawn is best known as a rock drummer, she holds her B.A. in Percussion from Cal State Los Angeles and has studied with Raynor Carroll, Steve Houghton and Greg Goodall.

Dawn has three drum method books published Mel Bay Publications (Building Blocks of Rock, Fill Workbook and Block Rockin' Beats) and has appeared in and written articles for both Modern Drummer and Drum! Magazines. Dawn has toured and/or recorded with 4 Non Blondes, Erika Luckett, Lillix, Penelope Houston, The Loud Family, Kindness and Vicki Randle (The Tonight Show) and is endorsed by Pacific Drums, Zildjian Cymbals and Vic Firth Sticks.