Matt Halpern has built a career that many drummers can only dream of. As the powerhouse behind progressive metal giants Periphery, he has become known not only for his incredible musicianship, but also for his generosity, positivity and commitment to helping the next generation of players.
Joining Ollie Winiberg on Drummers Review, Matt opened up about everything from Periphery’s unique songwriting process to the importance of being a well-rounded musician in today’s ever-changing industry.
Despite Periphery’s reputation for writing some of the most technically demanding music in modern metal, Matt explained that the band’s creative process often involves pushing themselves beyond what they initially think is possible.
“We write these parts, you can’t really perform them from start to finish,” Matt explained. “Then it’s like, ‘Oh s**t, now I’ve got to go learn this.’ Those are the things that make you better.”
That constant challenge has become a key part of Matt’s development as a drummer. Rather than forcing complexity for the sake of it, he believes the music itself should be the thing that drives musicians forward.
One of the most interesting aspects of Periphery’s approach is their completely open songwriting process. Matt explained that every member of the band is encouraged to bring ideas to the table, regardless of which instrument they play.
Whether it’s a drum groove, guitar riff, vocal melody or lyrical idea, everything is considered if it serves the song.
The conversation also turned towards building a sustainable career as a modern musician. Matt believes that today’s drummers need to look beyond simply being great players and consider the other skills and passions they can bring into their careers.
From teaching and content creation to graphic design or other creative outlets, Matt encouraged musicians to find ways to combine their talents and create multiple opportunities within the music world.
“I always encourage people to think about their passions and their talents and the things they like, and see if there are connections that they can draw to help sustain this career,” he said.
Matt also discussed the importance of learning from other musicians, naming session legend Josh Freese as a drummer he would love to spend time with, not just to talk technique, but to understand how he approaches serving the song.
Before wrapping up the conversation, Matt shared some advice for aspiring drummers: stay curious and explore as much music as possible.
“Don’t be afraid to immerse yourself in different styles of music,” he said. “There’s no rush. Take your time, enjoy music, learn different styles. That will help you in whatever style you eventually end up playing.”
A perfect reflection of Matt Halpern’s own career… always learning and always encouraging others to do the same.
