This article was supposed to be about a 2022 song by Petey, called “Lean into Life.” It’s a great song and you should totally give it a listen. It almost sounds like you are listening to “Someone Great” by LCD Soundsystem. The vocals and hooks that follow have a matter-of-fact specificity that also evoke James Murphy, in a way that feels good. The lyrics present a harsh and vivid mirror, and make us wonder if we are the asshole. Did I hug too many people, unsolicited, the last time I went to a rave? Did I recklessly blow several hundred dollars on a night out that I won’t even remember? Have I been complaining about the same things for years?
“I think I’m making myself sick, at the thought of getting sicker.” *Chef’s Kiss*
“Lean into Life,” is a dance song first. The consistent beats and hooks maintain a steady thread thought the entire song that really allows one to let go. The lyrics might be something you don’t pay attention to at all; but they seep into your subconscious and make you a better person. The vocals get more wild and unhinged as the song progresses. And If you’re a fan of Modest Mouse, you’ll get a kick out of the adamant tone that Petey takes in the third verse.
But, when writing about music, these articles can take on a mind of their own. And looking into Petey lead me to discover the opening act from his last tour, North Americans. This, in turn, lead to an interview with a freelance drummer who worked as a RoadDog for them on their tour. He has gleaned what it means to be a working musician living in a global cultural capital like Los Angeles. So without further ado, here is the wisdom from living and working drummer, Greg Settino.
Greg Settino has done just about it all. He has toured, created, taught, recorded, and performed; spending time in studios, busses, hotels, cover bands, weddings, bars, venues, and schools. He started playing drums at the age of eleven, working with working with various private instructors before beginning at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2005. He affectionately recalls the names of every individual who brought him further into the art form of music, and happily chooses to pass the lessons he has learned along the way on to the next generation.
When Greg discusses his discovery of drums as a child, it feels like a fable from the mind of C.S. Lewis. Settino was visiting his father’s friend’s farm in rural Massachusetts when he stumbled into an old barn. In his youthful exploration, he wandered through dusty warm shafts of sunlight beneath the rafters. The dreamy light illuminated an old drum set that was perfectly preserved on the rustic floors. Cue angelic harmonies and harps: Greg knew that he had found his thing.
Greg’s introduction into the real world of music required him to become a master of variety. Working a litany of gigs meant that he had to learn many different styles. In his mid-20s, he started his own Brooklyn band, Tiger City (which he describes as Hall and Oats meets Prince), and began touring. When the band broke up, he returned to Boston and continued to work gigs, substitute taught at former mentor’s classes, and found session work recording at studios for other bands. At the age of 31, he decided to move to California to give Los Angeles a shot.
But why LA?
Greg always felt like Los Angeles was the right fit for him. The natural world is readily available there; many of his closest compatriots from music school were there, and it is a place where community is a real priority. Working in freelance, Greg would meet people and create relationships organically and naturally. Some jobs would turn into others; And in his Southern California life, he found himself playing famed haunts like the Hotel Cafe, Fox and Hound, and Bar Lubitsch. He participated in open mikes, song-writing nights, and even founded a punk band called Egg Drop Soup. Cut to now, seven years later: Greg Settino has a storied life, and continues to make a living as a musician in the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
So what is the secret sauce? How do you find the pieces to put together the puzzle of a life in a creative place like LA? And how did you end up on a tour? Working as a freelance drummer with a penchant for variety means that Greg is constantly being hired. He can do whatever needs to be done, and do it well. This lead him to touring with North Americans, not even as a drummer, but as a merch manager, driver, and drum tech. The way he sees it, all facets of the business can be done with dignity. And often, these jobs that many people over look are the ones that carry you closer to your dreams. Greg advises aspiring musicians to be consistent, reliable, and professional, and “keep getting in front of people.” A perfect day for him is teaching in the morning, recording in the afternoon, and playing a gig at night; with a few 6-week tours per year. So simple!
And why music?
“Art is about expressions, and music is ultimately a devotional act. As a teacher, the ability to create a sense of possibility in others is incredibly fulfilling. What we have going on inside wants to get out, to be expressed and music is such a marvelous medium for that.” – Greg Settino
So if you’re thinking about being a musician professionally, there are many paths you can take. And if you like it all, you can do that too. Greg Settino is living proof that you can make a joyful and fulfilling life with a pair of drumsticks.
Check out a playlist of various studio recordings Greg has played on here, and check out Greg’s vibe here. Greg is available for live gigs, touring, recording sessions, drum tech work and private drum set instruction; contact via DM and gregsettino@gmail.com
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