VoyageLA: Meet Chris Arpad, Solo Steel Drummer in Woodland Hills

VoyageLA: Meet Chris Arpad, Solo Steel Drummer in Woodland Hills

by | Mar 27, 2017 | Interview Article

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Arpad.

Chris, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.

Thank you so much, my story: Well … I’m a gigging musician based in Los Angeles, primarily as a solo steel drummer. Over the years I’ve crafted a unique performance of singing and playing steel drums live over my own custom-computerized music tracks, with reggae and island music like Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffett, Santana, Beach Boys, UB40, etc. I am a One Man band, but I tend to avoid that moniker because people have such varying ideas of what that is. So I generally prefer the term Solo Steel Drummer.

Most people know what steel drums are these days; or at least they recognize it when they hear it. It has an exceptional sound that is distinctly island sounding by nature. For those that may not know, it’s a hand-crafted percussion instrument, or drum, created from 55-gallon oil barrels and originates from the island nation of Trinidad.

I was fortunate enough to meet and study with the instrument’s inventor, Ellie Mannette back in 1985 while attending college at Wichita State University in Kansas, and that’s where my lifelong passion was ignited. Along the way I discovered that I am a solar-powered musician; I need the sun and palm trees! So I left the wheat fields of Kansas and followed the sun to California to perform steel drums full-time, and thus far the journey has been a liberating, wild ride! Over all, I just feel so fortunate to be making a living playing music on my own terms.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Well, when your livelihood is paired with your passion, there are bound to be challenges like no other.

I think the trick is to find a balance between the two. You know . . . as much as you might like to perform for free, the necessity of life requires a discipline, a business acumen and sense of structure if you are going to make a living at it. I seem to have been blessed with a big picture view, and I have found a way to enjoy the business side of music, and using creativity on that level too – negotiating deals that are thinking outside of the box, finding unusual places to perform, creating win-win scenarios that benefit more than just myself, I find that is very rewarding too. I think that may be one of the secrets of my success, and overall longevity of my business. I’ve been at it now over 30 years.

From a strictly business perspective, I ‘d have to say that one of the biggest challenges over the last, say 20 years or so, has been from the online business referral/database type sites that do bookings. Most every service business out there these days has found it to be a necessary evil, from Plumbers, Travel Agents, Real Estate, you name it and there is a site on-line that purports to being the best site for finding you the best at the lowest price. It’s such an impersonal way of doing business. Perhaps that’s just me getting old.

I’ve had varying success with these booking sites over the years. However, mostly these days, it’s almost always a fruitless race to the bottom, cutting your rates to secure a booking, and then having to pester clients to send in a review to secure your ranking, etc. Not my style. What can I say? I do subscribe to a few free listing sites here and there, to have that web presence and I’ll occasionally connect with a new client that might not have found me any other way. But by and large my business connections are made personally, and nurtured. Word of mouth and repeat business has been the mainstay for me over the years. My client list almost reads like a family tree, and that’s great!

Chris Arpad – Solo Steel Drummer – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?

Well first off, I am mostly known for being a steel drum soloist. That is my specialty – my claim to fame, in fact if a client insists on a larger group these days, I generally refer them to other steel drum bands that I know. I have had large bands in the past and I prefer to focus on my solo performances. It’s what suits me best. That’s my lane so to speak, and I’m very happy with it.

I’m sure you have heard the phrase “under promise, and over deliver.” Those are words that I aspire to with my performances. I like to arrive early and be set up well in advance of every show. At private events I’ll usually start earlier than the contracted time, especially if guests are arriving. I enjoy first reactions of unsuspecting guests as they walk in and hear me from a distance. It’s as if they are coming upon an oasis, their faces light up and those positive vibrations wash over them . . . I guess that’s what I feel I’m creating, oasis events . . . the welcome feeling of relaxation, that laid back beach party, grab a cold drink and let the sound of steel drums take you away.

Yeah, I genuinely love what I do and it shows when I’m performing. In fact, I rarely take breaks, it’s true! I just hate to break the spell that the music creates. So that could be advantageous to anyone looking to get the most music for their money. I am often complimented on my singing and the eclectic mix of music – beyond the tried and true calypso fare routinely associated with steel drums.

I am not opposed to providing DJ music for events along with my live performances and that is often attractive to wedding events on a budget. I use Bose sound equipment for the best in sound, and I am the perfect live entertainment solution for space challenged venues! I can even provide my own shade and electricity for remote/outdoor events. Have trailer, will travel!

Cocktail hours and dining music is another area of specialty, in that I strive to adhere to any volume constraints and/or required energy level for every event. Basically, there are times when I am expected to be the spotlight and other times I am meant to be the wallpaper – in the background, almost felt more than being heard. There’s a time and place for both situations and often times that occurs several times in the same event.

People come out to hear me at shows and tell me that I remind them of their last cruise, or favorite vacation, and more than once I’ve been told that my shows are a mini vacation.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?

That’s a most unfair question, my goodness! I am proud of so many shows and performances over the years, how can I name just one? I’ve played for so many charities, and events for various causes. I’ve met and performed for so many celebrities. But I’m prouder still for private parties for people that were seriously ill and dying, I mean what an honor you know? Every wedding and first birthday parties are so special. I have often wonder how many cameos I’ve made in photo albums around the world!

Last year I had the good fortune to return to my hometown of McPherson, KS and perform for “Concerts for the Cause” series and help raise money for a great cause, and also performed for my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary celebration. That was a great thing and I am very proud of that. Celebrating life’s milestones is always something to be proud of.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?

Belief and trust in myself, and the fact that performing on steel drums makes me feel good.

It really seems to make others feel good too. So, I like the idea of doing this all my days and sharing that positive vibration as long as it will sustain me and others. I’m having fun and I know my audience is too. My success is measured by each continued day I get to keep doing that.

It’s that infectious tone of a steel drum – it rings out the celebration in all of us, and it’s just a natural thing, the perfect music for celebrating all of life’s special moments. So . . . when you’re in an island state of mind, or in the need to be . . . I’m the guy to call. I got you covered! Thanks so much. I appreciate this interview.

Pricing:

  • Pricing for my performances is flexible per event, but generally start at $250 First One Hour minimum

Contact Info:

Image Credit: Jameson Wong and Jim Griggs      Originally posted VoyageLA, March 27, 2017

Make A Wish – Rolling for Wishes VI – Chuck Jones Center for Creativity

Make A Wish – Rolling for Wishes VI – Chuck Jones Center for Creativity

by | Jun 25, 2014 | Charity/Fund Raising Event

Such a fortunate experience, I originally met Jeff Elder and Karla Kjellin-Elder when they hired me to perform for their son’s Villa Park High School Fund Raiser event – and then graciously re-hired me again for their Casino-themed charity event, sponsored for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. It was billed as the “Rolling for Wishes VI”, held at the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity in Coast Mesa, CA, September, 2013.

I am happy to report, that it was a successful event, raising over $60,000 for the Make a Wish Foundation. It was exciting, fun – and with lots of challenges for me. I produced all the music entertainment for the event; my live steel drum performance with vocals, and spot covering with DJ music throughout the whole night, which was both indoors and outdoors.

Now there’s a challenge. You might see in the photos, I was actually straddling the doorway with one Bose Speaker system outside, and second system inside as I then played in the middle of a large garage sized doorway at the center of the venue – with my right steel drum actually inside the venue, and my left steel drum outside. I played my pans to greet guests as they arrived and moved throughout the party; and I played as they gambled at various gaming tables outside and inside. The pulse was mine, I felt as if I was the nerve central hub for the entire event.

I had a wireless microphone available for the charity event speakers and background music during the talks, and for the main auction event. Then more island themed DJ’d music – peppered with steel drumming whenever I felt inspired – the night just grooved along, right into more dancing and charity casino gambling.

It was a good night. Good Times, Good Fun, for a Great Cause –

Thanks so much Jeff and Karla! 

Flying high with Jet West band & Lewis Richards, of 17th Street Recording Studio

Flying high with Jet West band & Lewis Richards, of 17th Street Recording Studio

by | May 24, 2014 | Recording

Reggae/Rock producer/ engineer Lewis Richards, of 17th Street Recording Studio recorded me on several tracks for a great new Southern California beach rock-reggae band from San Diego, CA called Jet West.

These guys are definitely taking off, their debut album, “Dropping In” on indie label, Hidden Reef Records has already been nominated Best New World Music Album at the San Diego Music Awards 2011; and nominated for Best Rock at the 2013 San Diego Music Awards.

Jet West is:
Deren Schneider (bassist/vocalist)
Scott Floquet (lead vocalist/guitarist)
Derek Potter (Drummer)
Chris Warner (lead guitarist/vocalist)
Jack Taylor (trumpet/percussionist/vocalist)

My first contact with Jet West was through bassist Deren Schneider. He reached out to me via email from my website, told me they were thinking about trying some steel drum sounds for their new record and were in the studio with Lew Richards, would I be available and interested to do a session with them… and that would be  – yes for me.

 


Lewis Richards

When I arrived at the 17th Street Studios in Costa Mesa, Jack Taylor was in the booth laying down some hot horn track overdubs and everything was a groovin motion. Deren introduced me individually to the guys between takes, and there was a great positive vibration in the air, I felt right at ease, great studio. I would not hesitate to predict great things are going to be coming from Lew and 17th Street Recording and I’m looking forward to hearing all of it.

Everyone seemed pretty hyped to have steel drums in the studio, even Lew commented that it was a first for the studio, and him peronally – he was anxious to hear them, and record them too.

Jet West’s reggae style is varied from what I’m accustomed to playing; it fuses rock, both traditional and harder rock with an edgy element, with that great reggae feel. I think it’s fresh and totally loved the opportunity to play on it. Originally they were hearing me on two specific tracks, but I felt a connection with another one too, so I wound up playing on three in total and I’m anxious to hear what Lew uses on the final album. Honestly I would have played on the whole album if they let me. It was a great time.

Jet West Dropping In

Lew Richards is the go-to producer for South Coast Rock/Reggae. He’s played the reggae scene with this band Jesus Wore Dickies even before started producing others, and since then worked with Slightly Stoopid, The Dirty Heads, Rome, Micah Brown, and legends Sublime, Sting and Mary J. Blige. Anytime you need some pans Lew, I’m your man!

Soundtrack Collaboration with Richard Bangs

Soundtrack Collaboration with Richard Bangs

by | Sep 2, 2013 | Recording

My introduction to globetrotting adventure traveler, Richard Bangs, came at his own home in Venice Beach, CA where we met during a performance I gave for the birthday party of our mutual, close personal friend, Dan Deppen.

It was a grand night, with great food, music of course, and fun that we have since endearvored to repeat. Richard’s partner Laura Hubber and son Jasper are just great people too, so down to earth and easy to relate to, a nicer family you’ll never find. And I would be totally remiss if I did not mention how talented and well respected Laura is in her own right, a Harvard-trained media expert, and long-time producer and reporter for the BBC World Service.

She was a Foreign Correspondent in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for The San Francisco Chronicle and The European newspapers, and has consulted and reported from around the world, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Egypt, Israel, Macedonia, Myanmar, Kurdistan, Turkey and Rwanda. Oh yeah, she definitely gets around the world on her own too!

Laura co-produces: Adventures With Purpose, PBS television specials, with Richard; and son Jasper obviously the most, well-traveled young man I have ever met, with a penchant for anything with wheels and wings. Imagine that?! It’s no wonder that this dream-team family of world travelers calls the “crossroads of culture” Venice Beach, CA home. After all Venice is world renown as a hangout for the creative and the artistic.


Laura Hubber

But I just can’t decide if it is ironic or perfectly fitting that their house is on a street that was once a canal waterway, it doesn’t mater, Richard is never one to sit in any one place long and home seems only a brief stopover place to regroup before taking off on another adventure. He is a soft spoken, self-unassuming man in person. A world adventure traveler – you surely wouldn’t know it to meet him, his quiet demeanor hides his many talents.

In addition to making his first descents down 35 rivers, including the Yangtze in China and the Zambezi in Africa, this ol’ river guide has racked up extensive experience as a guide, travel writer, TV host, producer, and entrepreneur. I don’t know why but I always seem to be spirit-drawn to fellow entrepreneurs.


Adventures With Purpose, PBS Special

Richard Bangs

Perhaps it’s this same spirit that drew Richard and his friends, Lew Greenwald, and John Yost together to found Sobek Expeditions back in 1973. They led an expedition on, the Awash – a little-known African river filled with…, wait for it… Crocodiles!

The trip was originally meant to be a “last fling” after recently graduating college before they all planned to enter the routine working world; instead it ultimately inspired them to form a commercial international rafting company, naming it after ancient Egyptian god of crocodiles, Sobek, what else?! So that experience was most likely the turning point, the axiom moment in time, defining the vehicle for his wanderlust adventure travel career.

Many travel adventure years later in 1991, Sobek Expeditions would merge and become Mountain Travel Sobek, and it was during that time, around 93′; Richard helped develop a pioneering website that was among the very first travel site on the internet. His early entrepreneurial vision to broadcast an entire Antarctica expedition – live over the internet in a 1995 web production called Virtual Antarctica caught the attention of Melinda Gates, who persuaded him to leave Mountain Travel Sobek and join Microsoft in 96′. He became editor-in-chief and launched yet another new, pioneering web site featuring live, multimedia dispatches from expeditions around the world called, Mungo Park. 

I’ve personally enjoyed reading his many fascinating articles, and have yet to finish all of his books. Richard Bangs has written 19 books in all – including the multi-award-winning The Lost River, about his expeditions in Ethiopia – and hundreds of travel articles for The Huffington Post, Slate, The New York Times, MSNBC, and other publications.

If that’s not prolific enough, Bangs has also given lectures at the Smithsonian, the National Geographic Society, and the Explorers Club; served on the founding executive team of Expedia.com and as president of Outward Bound, an internationlal non-profit, independent outdoor education organization with approximately 40 schools around the world and 200,000 participants per year. He is host and co-executive producer of the Emmy award winning American Public Televsion series Adventures With Purpose, which has evolved to Richard Bangs’ Quest. 

And now…we can add song lyricist to his credits. Richard approached me with the task  of producing a song called “Cancun Colada” he penned for a piece on Cancun, featured on his series show Richard Bangs’ Quest. It’s a tongue in cheek twist on the Rupert Homes classic song, “Escape” otherwise known as “The Pina Colada Song” and describes the many wonderful features of dream destination vacation Cancun.

It was a total blast to work with Richard on this project and I’ll look forward to more in future.

Egészségedre Richard! (Hungarian; Cheers – to your health Richard)

Here is our final video project: Cancun Colada              

Recording with West Indian Girl, 4th & Wall

Recording with West Indian Girl, 4th & Wall

by | Jun 10, 2012 | Recording

So, I think it was sometime January 2007, Francis Ten, bassist for the band West Indian Girl was looking to add some steel drums to their sound and emailed me. I didn’t know the band at the time so I did a quick google search and discovered a rather trippy music video for “What Are You Afraid Of” with the band in a field, strolling around with  a huge elephant and thought, Ok, yeah! this looks like fun, definitely out there kind of thing. I’m game, let’s see what I can do with this and where it goes.  Check out the video “What Are You Afraid Of”. You’ll see the elephant and get an idea of what I was seeing…

I went to their studio, and I’m not going to lie, it was sketchy looking to say the least. The “studio” was in a warehouse building downtown Los Angeles around 4th & Wall. There were scads of homeless people camping and zoning out in front of the place and Francis was out on the sidewalk amongst them there to meet me along with his dog Tony, a rather formidable Boxer. I was really wondering at that moment, what I had gotten myself into…but decided I was “all in” and just went with it.

I’ve had a few bad experiences when I was a kid, being chased by a pack of dogs once on my paper route, and some not-so-nice encounters with pit bulls, so I was a bit apprehensive meeting Tony, and wondered how it would affect my playing.

RECORDING 4th & Wall

Fran was very cool enough though and put me at ease, explaining as we were loading in, that when the band made their first record contract money they immediately invested in their own recording gear, for the luxury and freedom of recording at their own pace and schedule. This place offered the solace and security they were looking for, and obviously the price must have been right.  You know, the whole thing – it was so gritty – LA, that I think for better or worse the enviornment made its mark on their music too, it was quite a trip.

But then again, as I was rationalizing the immediate scenario – with all the crazy people lying around on the sidewalk – the idea of  having a big dog on your side like Tony seemed anxiously reassuring. Providing he was indeed on my side!

The only entrance to the place was a rollup security door, and there were some tight stairs at first, but then we were able to use my equipment cart to load everything up. Then we started rolling down the dimly lit narrow halls of this stark abandoned-like warehouse towards one of those freight elevators, honestly…it was like out of a dream…the whole thing seemed rather surreal.

Chris Arpad recording “Up the Coast”

I met Robert James in their studio loft that day. He had this wild hair and beard, very soft spoken when he spoke – which was not often at all. He mostly kept to himself, glued to the computer screens and attending to the engineering board.

The space was actually pretty cool, very large rooms with tons of vintage instruments and their new studio gear. I set up on a great old Persian rug, and we made some magic. It was a lot of fun. I didn’t get to work with the whole band that day, only with Robert, Fran, and Tony!

The tune “Up The Coast” was mostly in the can, and I was needed to add some color and ambiance for the track.  It was a joy to play on. We made several takes, and during breaks I learned that the band was basically Fran and Robert at the core. They originally met in Detroit, moved to LA, recorded their music and scored a record deal before they even had a group. The name West Indian Girl actually came from a slang term for a strain of LSD. They thought it sounded cool and fit the sound of their music image.

But honestly, and I hope I’m not giving away any trade secrets here, these guys were not druggies at all from what I could see. No signs of drugs anywhere, in fact they seemed more like organic-vegan surfer dudes. The warehouse studio, however, did fit the seedier drug image of LA, but the reference for the band seemed way more a self-imposed moniker than actual reality for these guys. But hey, what do I know, maybe I caught them on an off day, or they just didn’t care to share with a brother. Here’s the final track that I played on below, “Up the Coast.”

West Indian Girl became a complete Rock Sextet and started touring in 2004. Original members were Robert James (vocals/guitar) and Francis Ten (bass) are joined by Mark Lewis (drums/backing vocals), Nathan Van Hala (keyboard), and Amy White (keyboard/backing vocals), and Mariqueen Maandig (vocals/percussion). 

 

 

Updates

Updates: Since my time recording with West Indian Girl: Mariqueen Maandig, was featured as the “Becoming Attraction” for the January 2009 issue of Playboy magazine.

Mariqueen left West Indian Girl and married Trent Reznor, of Nine Inch Nails and became part of the post-industrial group How to Destroy Angels along with Atticus Ross and Rob Sheridan.

Trent & Mariqueen Reznor

How to Destroy Angels –

Album cover

Mariqueen Reznor –
Playboy 2009

How to Destroy Angels

And the saddest of news, I learned that Fran’s dog Tony passed in 2012. Tony was a very cool and amazing dog, and I’m so sorry to hear of his passing.  He will be missed. Such a great dog!

West Indian Girl continues to produce albums at their own pace. There are many remixes of their tracks floating around in the internet ether.

Fran Ten can also be heard with another project performing with the four piece hard rock band Breaking Arrows. I enjoyed following their Japan tour on line. …hey Fran, know it’s a stretch but if you need some pans on any of this I’m game! 

Check out their video below. Broken Arrows – Tears Falling Heavy.

Tony on the cover of “4th & Wall”

Breaking Arrows

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