The Downbeat Podcast - Matt Garstka (Animals As Leaders)

My guest this week is the phenomenal Matt Garstka. Matt is the drummer for Animals As Leaders and generally considered to be one of the best drummers of his generation. Back for his third episode, I pick his incredibly ridged brain about the drums, working out, movies, and all the good stuff.
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[@DrumeoOfficial]

Loved this!

[@curtismoss8616]

Love you Jared

[@quarkdrumming6290]

Who wouldn't love some parallel lessons on Drumeo with Garstka?

[@j.9_6]

@DrumeoOfficial I need Craig on Drumeo ASAP pls ❤

[@Zoniex]

dude I just want 10 hours of matty G going on and on

[@cecildungaroogoldenapple4741]

Im watching the first ad before the video and im thinking the same

[@rowanb4395]

😂@@cecildungaroogoldenapple4741

[@stone-snare]

matt is by far the most impressive drummer i've ever seen live. it's almost difficult to even listen to their records because they're so good live. animals have the perfect balance of technicality and musicality in my opinion. they've quickly become one of my favorite bands ever.

[@RAUFFUS_0]

15:33 - "the struggle to free myself from restraints becomes my very shackles" (any Meshuggah fans here?)

[@t3hgir]

@@fitz93 I'll never forget randomly downloading it from a torrent in like 2007 after seeing the French guitar youtuber Mattrach play "rational gaze" in some best guitar riffs video. I hated the vocals initially, deleted the file and then next two weeks in school all I could hear in my head was Catch 33 riffs and grooves and Jens screaming in my ears.

[@loganryan1317]

​@@t3hgir i remember his canon in d

[@jprodriguesdrums]

This is God Tier conversation. The ultimate drum/life talk. Thank you both for existing and sharing all of this! 🙌🏻

[@everydayoddity]

Hours of philosophical and spiritual discussion about flow state, and then ‘you can’t go from digital bath straight to actual bath’. Absolutely sent me. Unreal episode!

[@coopernichols4275]

Matt and Craig are the #1 bromance in the world. Like, the conversations you guys have are just delightful and enlightening. Fucking excellent.

[@hydrakn]

Learn so much from when these 2 talk... appreciate what they both do big time.

[@heavenly2k]

Dudes like Matt are part of why I started working out lol. I've been lifting everyday since March just to improve my physical condition to be a better guitarist and drummer.

[@shanephillips4011]

Hell ya brother, being in good shape is critical in every aspect. 20+ years in construction and still hit the gym

[@eduardodemorais]

1:03:50 yamandu costa being a topic in a metal drummers conversation is just amazing

[@hugorezende199]

simm, maneiro demais isso

[@shelbyflora8764]

Here to represent all the girlies who love Animals As Leaders & The Downbeat 🫡❤️

[@dokes3643]

RESPECT

[@paintedlady_81]

Preach, sister!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@paintedlady_81]

This is around the fifth time I’ve watched this episode.

[@hugorezende199]

yeahhh, now we have 2! you and Matts girfriend 🤪❤

[@moremeditations3622]

Joy of Motion has one of my favorite mixes in the genre 😂 I didn't realize it was so hated by everyone

[@t3hgir]

it's a "2014" mix looking back

[@pretzel_aksmash353]

That album is goated wtf

[@marcopolo4468]

Dude we need more of these podcasts, it’s so helpful to us as drummers. I’ve got so much in common with Matt and Craig, you guys are fueling this fire just by having drum discussions

[@coasterfreek219]

awesome, great interview. Thank you Craig

[@JVVVCK_]

One of the best episodes to date, stoked you were able to have Matt back on 🙏🏼

[@Boxerharvey1]

As an aspiring drummer and avid Downbeat listener & patreon, this is easily the best podcast I’ve have ever heard & seen.

[@supersapphire]

thank you so much for this upload Craig, information valued in diamonds and articulated so well. I will need to revisit this multiple times to take some of this stuff fully in. Cheers!

[@andrewliamdesigndevelopment]

So much respect for him staying on a program even on tour.

[@ControlKey]

Finally another podcast with Matt, time to watch the whole thing in one sitting

[@stevewade4190]

I just discovered this channel, idk where the hell I’ve been, but this is just sooo good! There are so many lil gems of knowledge to grab

[@reynlord666]

you’re here now that’s what matters 🖤

[@braedonavants]

Beautiful podcast, thank you for sharing 🎉

[@CreatureFromTheBlackTattoo]

Great episode - been looking forward to this one 🤘🏻

[@fanrosefabrose9457]

1:23:44 clip it and ship it, we got we wanted boys

[@drewbronig]

The inner game of tennis was a total breakthrough, glad to see it mentioned!

[@kingofthecuntsfromcuntasia3286]

Easily episode of the year 🤌🏻 Absolute class

[@DrLangly]

Great stuff as always

[@neverendingwinkleface6482]

Musicians of the 60s, 70s, 80s, really good musicians. What a time to be a musician!

[@OsmonArtist]

awesome interview!

[@smoked-old-fashioned-hh7lo]

matt is my biggest inspiration on expanding the way i think about music. it's changed everything for me.

[@stevenparsons1211]

nobody has ever called me glorious before much less that many times

[@njsteere]

This comment is glorious

[@rocioiribe5841]

it was glorious to listen to as well

[@evankral]

I absolutely love the ‘Red Miso’ arguments in both of the recent podcasts. HAHAHA

[@rowanb4395]

😂

[@neverendingwinkleface6482]

Hands down probably one of the best podcast yall have made, you should both have a podcast lmao

[@anthonyreynoso7275]

This is basically the JRE for drummers

[@joshmireles4999]

I remember listening to ABR for the first time and thinking the 4/4+7/8 was GENIUS. The next week I discovered AAL and couldn't sleep for days trying to break down ONE song hahaha

[@VMac3]

What part of the podcast was this?

[@dillongorman7538]

This was awesome! Expected not less from the two of you. Rock on!

[@jarrahdrum]

this is so cool , thank you

[@KBStickEm]

Keep rocking it, man!!

[@proddreamatnight]

Cannot get enough of this podcast rn

[@LeYoIdBeHe]

Craig Reynolds, matt garstka, and dmt. My 3 favorite things. This podcast is amazing.

[@thombakker2835]

Great episode dude. Thanks so much!

[@johnrinehart8866]

Crazy to think about that The Joy of motion was edited more than Matt wanted it to be. It would be interesting to hear it not as edited like The madness of many or Parrhesia.

[@D_jamz]

Great ep!

[@Vittkid]

a legendary convo with 2 legendary drummers

[@ReeBPM]

Matt's ghost note lesson has been so important in getting my left hand back after injury. The value in his lessons are unreal! I'm away to run back through it again to work on foot hi hat timekeeping 👍

[@ejoyce98]

Been waiting for this one 😍

[@CharlieViking95]

2 hours and 30 minutes of Matt G?! Ima bust.

[@c0hink176]

I'm bussing

[@rixcom7621]

Two of my favorite drummers on the planet!! Cheers!

[@jonashellborg8320]

This video/pod cast was soooo good! I listened to the full length of it, as it was full of incredible information! Sharing neurotilal, over analysing stuff in a super naked way, sharing the whole person above what the drummer is, and all the deep dives into grooves, soloing, the danger of defining things too much, then how in last bits how Garskta is so used to odd time counts he just speaks it. Loved it, Craig and Matt!

[@grizzlywhisker]

Thanks for this podcast. I'm also a total drum nerd, I've been playing drums my entire life and I'm always looking for info on different beaters and equipment type stuff as well as just general knowledge and tips.

[@simmoisbest1]

YES!!! hes back on!!❤

[@ballmouse]

I’m new to drums, so I’ve had to google so much of the things y’all were talking about, but still really cool to hear such high level drum talk, sprinkled with some lifting and spirituality. 😂

[@YouthDrummer]

im not a podcast guy, but this podcast may have just made me into one. great great content!

[@CreationTVstation]

Such a good fkkn interview!!! ty ty!

[@mattnormandrums]

This is cool hearing Craig suggest The Inner Game of Tennis book to Matt. I was working on one of Matt's lessons last night and noticed when I think about what I am doing too much, my feet tense up and I cannot play well. When I let go and relax into a sort of subconscious auto pilot state, I went on to flow for the full five minute round with little error and great footwork. Just ordered this book. Thanks for suggesting it here Craig.

[@Leaving_Orbit]

Awesome conversation.

[@TheBUDoubleT]

Craig is really good at translating some of these complex concepts into terms even I can understand

[@DrLangly]

Excellent excellent excellent

[@erikarko]

This. Is. Awesome!!

[@paintedlady_81]

I am one of the 2%!!! I love drums and nerdy boy music!!! 😆😆😆

[@moremeditations3622]

Camera quality is better than my eyes

[@dokes3643]

SOOOO GOOD

[@TheWizard706]

This thumbnail is the best 🖤

[@infernojones1758]

good shit man

[@theboss477]

“Mastering Time for Women” 😂😭

[@cstm1080]

Insanely cool chat

[@JimmyKlef]

Just want to say this was fantastic. I can't imagine who might hate you, like was mentioned in the intro but I wouldn't know why. Also, it actually makes me happy to know they know Joy was a bit murky or whatever, but I hope they know the last album sounded absolutely fucking stellar. It's an overall unbelievable experience. I can still see matt wanting to pull it even more open and dynamic, I always agree for a wee bit more cymbals in modern productions, but the album sounds absolutely killer. It's for sure another gold standard to compare to right now.

[@Toppu]

2:23:39 good job spoiling the movie for Matt

[@MyTheLad]

So fucking stoked too holy shit 🔥

[@zombiesateourchannel]

Holy shit. Matt made me realize why I am approaching drumming the way I am approaching it.

[@Glassererika]

i love this

[@christianmusician16]

This podcast deserves more credits

[@DrumThruDriveIn]

Fuckin awesome. Loved it!!

[@justinray5585]

Dude has gotten jacked!

[@ngaugeblading9690]

Another great episode! The flow state is definitely real and applies to a lot of stuff as well. I used to play Roller Derby at the highest level (world cups, international club champs) and when I was playing well I was just "in the moment" and not thinking too much. You do your thinking at training and drill it into yourself that much that it becomes second nature. Thinking too much definitely fucks you over. Also I take my beaters out of the pedal before putting them in the case 😂

[@rocioiribe5841]

Been waiting on this one. Fully actualized Natty Matt and Vlogger man 5000.

[@MonsHakala]

The best❤️

[@nickslad3164]

Super good 🎉

[@Diakonov29]

59:29 - Your delivery reminds me of a scene from robin hood prince of thieves. the sheriff of nottingham alan rickman and the line about cutting out hearts with spoons. Good Podcast.

[@scotthornsey]

I never really got into animals as leaders, because (if Craig is smooth brain) it's like someone spit polished my brain. I'm a dumb core kid but after enjoying this podcast so much I felt like I owed them some attention. I've now listened to their entire discography driving south from the lake District and I feel like I've been missing out all these years!

[@cexyes6572]

next podcast with Matt Halpern

[@elliotrichards6948]

Matt is such a class act

[@nic-drums]

Great episode! You should have Aric improta on your podcast next time!

[@AlexKB01]

Yessss

[@pjkillaastudlovin]

1:37:10 the best part of the interview 😂 1:49:21

[@krosyn2990]

He'll ya!!!

[@drewsmithbass]

this was dead good

[@VladProkhorovDrums]

Dude your intros kill me 😂😂 thank you for this! Matt is the best, and you are a fantastic drummer and Podcaster!

[@federico.9737]

Craig's voice the whole video: journey is usually the part you remember anyways

[@basicelements1688]

lots of info and insides and humor 😎🤘relaxed podcast greetz frm the land of cheese holland learning and performing are two things totally agree...when you perform you let go and trust that of what you practice and learn wil come out naturally

[@platform1studio610]

amazin vid again dude. greetings from fife. hahahah

[@Andrewjbrock]

🔥🔥🔥

[@twobestiesonebraincell7672]

Mastering time for women has me in tearsssss

[@mrlnstrousden]

Yes kreig!! 🐐⚔️🤘🏻

[@Sushidrummer87]

Woohoo!!!

[@sheilanclarke2810]

Another great episode, Craig. PS: guess I'm part of the 2% of women into the podcast but also Animals As Leaders.

[@albalkiewicz4616]

Most frustrating is how lyrically, how people are not catching the impact of the “so to speak” & the “and the sweat” a which whether you realize or not, drives the brilliance of the track

[@rivo9980]

Craig's face when Matt says he likes something hard is peak comedy ngl

[@fanrosefabrose9457]

These 2 are like jocky boys from college who remained best freinds after graduating, the dude humor is hilarious and on point

[@platform1studio610]

i want the beater hahaha

[@platform1studio610]

for years..................i believe

[@myprivateyoutube1440]

Your ad read sounded like it could have been a cut scene from This Is Spinal Tap .....

[@rogom-ts4ew]

I love at 48:35 that Craig has to say that, we're all thinking it too

[@rolllimbo973]

Craig Which trick beaters were you talking about ? I had to listen to this at work and I’ve been sifting through the video trying to find when you talk about them lol. I have dw9000 short boards with a trick driveshaft and better beaters are the missing piece to the puzzle lol. Great podcast tho my dude keep it up!!!!