David Bourgeois – Capital Region Timekeepers

By OP Callaghan.

David Bourgeois is a local drummer, composer, producer, and studio owner right here in our own backyard.  His work with local favorites Treaty and Killtech is legendary, and he’s a genuine supporter and curator of local music and talent.  For other drummers out there, beware of the dog, and let’s welcome David Bourgeois!

RRX: How did you get started being a drummer?

David Bourgeois:  I grew up in Boonville, a small town in Central New York. It definitely felt like there were more cows than people, but growing up in the country had its benefits. For one, our school district had a very strong music program. Marty Ischia, my grade school music teacher, took the time to really help and encourage me; he is one of the strongest influences in what I do today.

Around fourth grade, we were offered the opportunity to take music lessons at school. I initially chose French horn, but that didn’t last long. I briefly considered tuba, but my dad suggested drums. Looking back, I’m not sure he fully realized the level of pure sonic chaos he was about to bring into our home.

RRX:  Do you come from a musical family?

DB: Yes — my dad was a drummer, and his rudiments are still pretty solid. But even more impactful was my family’s general love of music. There was always something playing in our house. From Peter, Paul and Mary to Maynard Ferguson and the Glenn Miller Orchestra, there was a soundtrack to everything we did.

Around age 11 or 12, my Uncle Kenny — my mom’s much younger brother — gave me an eight-track tape player along with a stack of tapes. That was really my introduction to rock music and artists like Steve Miller and ELO.

RRX:  Uncle Kenny for the win!  Do you play any other instruments?

DB: Yes. I play piano and work extensively with electronic music. I also have a fairly large collection of percussion instruments from around the world.

Over the years, I’ve done a lot of writing for advertising and film, as well as for my own bands and other artists I’ve worked with.

RRX:  Cool!  Are you self-taught, or did you take lessons?

DB:  On piano, I’m largely self-taught, though I did have the opportunity to study with electronic music professor and pioneer Joel Chadabe at SUNY Albany.

For drums, I started lessons in elementary school and went on to participate in NYSSMA solo festivals and all-state ensembles. In high school, I moved into private study with Herb Flowers, principal percussionist with the Syracuse Symphony. Later, after relocating to Albany, I studied with Rich Albagli.

I was also playing in professional bands at a young age, often with musicians much older than me. I learned a tremendous amount from working alongside people with more experience.

RRX:  Tell me about your first kit.

DB: My first drum set was a surprise gift from my parents, purchased from a family friend. I came home from school one day, and they said, “We’ve got a surprise for you,” and there it was. It’s still one of the biggest surprises I’ve ever had.

Shortly after, though … my dog ate it. Literally. Our German Shepherd had access to the basement where the drums were and decided they’d make a great toy. I came home to ripped-up wood and scattered hardware.

It was a pretty big bummer — but apparently I didn’t learn my lesson. I currently have four German Shepherds. Fortunately, none of them seems to have a taste for drums.

RRX:  I don’t know if I trust them, lol!  What are you playing now?

DB: My wife Anna and I own White Lake Studios, and over the years, I’ve collected a variety of drums from different manufacturers.

A few years ago, Sawtooth Musical Instruments in Los Angeles reached out and asked if I’d try their drums. They manufacture guitars as well, but the owner, Joe, is a drummer and has put a lot of care into their kits. They sent me their top hickory kit, and I’ve been recording and touring with it ever since.

They’re some of the most consistent-sounding drums I’ve ever played—an absolutely beautiful kit. I’m proud to be a Sawtooth endorser. Terrific people.

RRX:  I checked out their website, and they look impressive!   Tell me about some of the work you’ve done with other artists, bands, etc.

DB: I moved to the Albany area in the ’90s. I played and recorded with the punk band Killtech, worked with Deb Cavanaugh in the band General Eclectic, and was also beginning to do a lot of producing at that time — playing on many of those projects as well.  A couple of studios in the region and one in Vermont also used me as a session drummer.

I was later recruited to play with the Clay People, and a few years after that, I formed the band Treaty, which saw some success.

As I moved into artist development and management, we signed siblings Jocelyn & Chris, whom I’ve now toured and recorded with for more than a decade. They’re family to us at this point. We’ve charted five singles on commercial Top 40 radio, earned millions of streams, and had music placements in film and gaming.

Most recently, we signed Glens Falls native Margo Macero, who is phenomenal. We’re wrapping her debut full-length now, and I’ll be on the road with her later this year in the Midwest and Northeast.

RRX:  I’ve seen your work with Killtech and Treaty.  Exceptional playing.  Who are some of your influences? Has that changed since you started playing?

DB:  Beyond just listing “drummers,” my parents are a major influence. They never told me I couldn’t — or shouldn’t — pursue music.

My wife is also incredible. She’s been with me since the Clay People days and essentially runs our business, handling all the things that allow me to keep creating.

Jocelyn & Chris are on that list as well. I’ve watched how hard they’ve worked and how much they’ve sacrificed along the way.

RRX:  Tell me about a performance or recording that you are especially proud of.

DB:  The “Favorite Ghosts” album I did with Jocelyn & Chris is something I’m incredibly proud of. I co-produced it with my friend Joel Moss, who sadly passed away last year.

We took two songs from the record into the US Billboard Top 20 and had the “most added” commercial radio single in the US twice.

Other highlights include playing at CBGB with the Clay People, performing on “The NBC Today Show” with Jocelyn & Chris, and sharing the main stage at Bourbon & Beyond in Louisville with artists like Alanis Morissette, Brandi Carlile, and Greta Van Fleet.

And then there are the radio and awareness-driven moments—like playing in cities such as Peoria and hearing an entire audience sing your songs back to you. That feeling is difficult to describe.

RRX:  Amazing!   What are your future plans? Where can we see you playing?

DB:  Jocelyn & Chris have stepped back from full-time touring to focus on some educational goals, so we’ve shifted them into a lot of co-writing for other artists. I’m also working with Jocelyn and a linguist to adapt several of their songs into Spanish, which we’re currently recording.

We’re releasing a series of re-imagined covers for Margo Macero to build momentum before rolling out her full record, which was co-written by Jocelyn & Chris.

I’ll be playing with Jocelyn & Chris on April 30 at Upstate Unplugged, and I’ll be out with Margo in Chicago and Indiana in June.

RRX:  Busy schedule!  Good for you!   What is something you’re passionate about outside of drumming?

DB:  I’m passionate about original music, artist development, and production — but equally about approaching that work with kindness.

It’s important to remember that for an artist, it’s never just a “song.” It’s often a very personal, sometimes fragile expression of who they are — something shaped by hope, excitement, and the constant question of “Is this good enough?”

Please support artists.  Go to a show, say something nice. 

I’m also incredibly grateful for my team at White Lake / Bridge Road and for the artists who trust me with their music.

Outside of that, I’m a skier, snowmobiler, wakeboarder, and wake surfer. I collect bourbon — and I have four German Shepherds, who I absolutely keep a very close eye on around my drums.

RRX: That’s a good plan!   Thanks for being with us, David, and best of everything to you!

I also want to congratulate Marky “Balboa” Klein on his upcoming tour playing drums for the Erotics!  Congratulations to Marky and the Erotics!!