BRETT SAWMY - Drummer

One of the main missions we set ourselves as a website was to showcase pure talent and especially when it's homegrown here in Cardiff. There was never any doubt that Brett was going to feature on our site, Brett is a world class drummer and mentor to many musicians. We admire all he does to help and support aspiring musicians here in Wales, like us he knows exactly where his RWTZ are.

Brett has been involved in music since the age of 18, playing drums in a variety of local bands and has been a self employed musician since 1995 gaining many years of full time experience working in the rock and popular music industry.

Signed a five album recording contract with Parlophone/EMI Records (The Beatles, Blur, Coldplay, Radiohead etc), and toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe playing drums in the Welsh band Ether.

'Ether', were Rory Meredith, Gareth Driscoll & Brett.

Rory & 'G' are hugely talented, multi instrumentalist vocalists whom can turn their hand to most things musical. Writers / Producers / Engineers etc.

Ether released a number of singles throughout 1996, 1997 and 1998 and our debut album "Strange" was finally released on 6th July 1998.

Ether recorded another 24 songs in 1999 which I like to think of as Ether 2nd and 3rd Albums. An amazing experience which saw them working with Hugh Jones, Al Stone, David Whitaker, The London Communinty Gospel Choir and a 24 Piece String Section at Abbey Road. Unfortunately, these tracks / albums have never seen the light of day, it's gutting to think that these recordings will never be released!

Worked with a variety of Producers -

    • Al Stone (Jamiroquai, Sting)
    • Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson, Saliva)
    • Donal Hodgson (Jeff Beck, Sting)
    • Greg Haver (Manics, Mel C)
    • Hugh Jones (Dodgy, Echo and the Bunnymen)
    • John Cornfield (Muse, Supergrass)
    • John Leckie (Stone Roses, Radiohead, Kula Shaker)
    • Roy Spong (The Cure, Oasis)

 

Gained a vast amount of studio experience from recording at -

    • Abbey Road (The Beatles, U2, Coldplay)
    • Eden Studios, Chiswick (U2, Dido, Jamelia)
    • Famous Studios, Cardiff (Manics)
    • Frontline Studios, Caerphilly (Lost Prophets)
    • Masterock Studios, Kilburn (Robbie Williams)
    • Matrix Wessex Studios
    • Mayfair Studios, Primrose Hill (Coldplay, Radiohead, No Doubt)
    • Metropolis Studios, Chiswick (Robbie, Tom Jones, Mark Owen)
    • Monnow Valley Studios, Monmouth (Manics, Black Sabbath, Pulp)
    • Parkgate, Hastings (Paul McCartney, Gary Moore, Blur)
    • Sawmills, Cornwall (Duran Duran, Muse, Supergrass)
    • The Church, Crouch End (Dave Stewart, Alisha’s Attic)

Experienced in radio sessions, video shoots, photo shoots, interviews and other promotional work, TV work, MTV, plus a variety of regional and national TV music/entertainment shows. Brett also featured regularly on the pages of Rhythm drum magazine, as an artist and a writer.

Performed drum workshops for Sonor drums and for Roland UK, showcasing their groundbreaking TD6 electronc kit.

Held sponsorship/endorsement deals with Zildjian Cymbals, Sonor Drums, Evans Heads, Protechtor Tour Cases and Hearos Earplugs.

At the moment, Brett teaches drums at the World's Best Drum Store, 'Percussion House' in Cardiff (www.percussionhouse.com). He also works on a freelance basis as a Mentor for the New Deal for Musicians, a Drum Tutor for Community Music Wales and as lead tutor for Princes Trust Sain Byw (Rock School).

Most recently he recorded an album with local band Ayra, who are signed to Warner Chappell, and is awaiting news on a record release with the band Sugar Rush who are in talks with USA label Universal. Also, played drums for singer/songwriter Dan Dunne at Monnow Valley Studio with four time Grammy Award winning producer Bob Marlette...

 

Check out Brett's own website at www.brettsawmy.co.uk