What happens when you sit down with Ray Hearne, the powerhouse drummer of Haken? You get talk of extreme limb independence, ridiculous time signatures, brand-new signature cymbals, and a whole lot of laughs along the way.
Ray welcomed me into his brand new drum studio, which he jokingly calls “Pinewood Studios” thanks to the sheer amount of pinewood he’s built into the space. I was honoured to be the first person to film there. The room itself is a drummer’s paradise: large, well-lit, and lined with drums from various Haken tours, each one immaculately looked after. We set up in front of his striking red acrylic Natal kit, and I couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed when Ray invited me to have a go — let’s just say he’s world-class while I’m… well, not quite in the same league!
Our conversation covered everything from limb independence to whether Haken’s infamous instrumental “Nil by Mouth” could be seen as this generation’s “Dance of Eternity.” Ray shared his thoughts on education, teaching, and the common bad habits he spots in students, along with how he helps them overcome those hurdles. He also broke down his drum kit for us and spoke about his signature Samsun cymbals. Beyond the gear, Ray reflected on his legacy, offered advice for aspiring drummers, and emphasised the importance of attending live shows.
00:55 – Limb Independence
02:42 – Is Nil By Mouth This Generations Dance Of Eternity?
06:40 – Education, Teaching, Practicing & Bad Habits
09:30 – Overcoming Struggles
10:30 – Ray’s Kit Breakdown
14:18 – Signature Cymbals
15:10 – The Mike Tyson Answer
17:30 – Advice For Aspiring Drummers
19:10 – Classical Music & The Importance of Attending Live Shows
Somewhere in the middle of all this, Ray cooked me lunch — pasta with smoked tofu — so yes, I can officially say I’ve been cooked for by a drumming legend. We even filmed some other exciting content that I can’t reveal just yet… but keep your eyes peeled…
Ray Proudly Plays…
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