Meet Sam Gallagher | Drummer/Producer/Engineer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Gallagher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
I read a lot of parenting books and articles. I have two boys (11 and 13). There’s so much great advice out there for parents. A few big things I try to keep in mind is that your kids are watching you a lot and paying attention to how you go about your day and how you interact with them and others. It’s pretty easy to tell your kids to be nice people and teach them all the nice things we’re supposed to do, but if they aren’t witnessing you do those things with other people then it’s just confusing. Another big thing I’ve been working on lately is being in better control of my emotions, especially around them. I heard someone say the best thing a parent can do for their kids is demonstrate a well regulated nervous system. I couldn’t agree more and I got a lot of work to do in that department.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My Dad was a drummer and a huge music lover. He had a large record collection and would blast music everyday. That’s where my love for music started. Then when my older sister started sharing music she was into that was when I started to kind of curate my own musical tastes. The summer after 5th grade I had a lot of down time and was watching a lot of MTV when it was still mostly music videos. Then I just decided on a brief moment that I was going to be a drummer. So I took my dads drums out of the garage and set them up in my room and when he got home I told him “I’m a drummer now!”
He was mostly self taught and didn’t want me to be so he found me a really great teacher and I had my first lesson a few days later with one of the coolest people I’ve ever met.
Then I was in music programs at school like Concert Band, Marching band, percussion ensemble, jazz band, and so on. If there was any musical activity then I wanted to be a part of it. I usually had my own band or two of friends that I was jamming with as well.
All I ever wanted to do was play drums in a band with my friends and make records and tour. By the time I was 30 I was actively doing those things for years but I had two kids and keeping that going wasn’t sustainable so I started taking a stab and producing. I worked with a few people I had played with over the years and it went really well so I just kept doing it when I wasn’t busy drumming. The budgets I was working with were basically nothing so hiring an engineer was eating up the entire budget. So I started learning how to record and was really overwhelmed at first. Then Covid hit and a lot of people were making records at home but needed drums recorded. That worked out pretty well for that year. I was able to record a good amount of tracks for people and spend a lot of time getting the recordings to sound better and better. Now I live in Altadena and I built a studio behind my house that thankfully survived the fires and I work pretty consistently as a drummer, producer, or engineer. There’s been a lot of ups and downs over the years but I’m really satisfied with where I’m at and where things are headed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
That’s a fun and challenging question! There’s just so much. Most of this will center around food.
Let’s start with breakfast at Porto’s. Their potato balls and guava cheese pastry are my go to. Then amoeba for some record shopping and Professional Drum Shop. Then Carneys on the sunset strip for chili dogs for lunch. I’ve been going there my entire life and it reminds me of my childhood. Then a dodger game. Even though we just ate a chili dog we’re going to have a dodger dog and a beer.

Day 2
We’re going to do some recording in my studio and then get lunch at Uovo. It’s currently my favorite Italian spot. They fly their pasta in from Italy everyday and it tastes just like the Italian food I’ve had in Rome. Then a hike in the Angeles Forrest. There’s a lot of amazing trails and waterfalls. Before the fires I would take people to Eaton Canyon but that hasn’t reopened since the fires. For dinner we would do Colombo’s in Eagle Rock. It’s an old school Italian steak house. It’s a bit rugged but I love it and it’s not that expensive. I usually get a martini, Caesar salad, and chicken Parmesan. They oddly have the best chicken strips I’ve ever had. Not something I normally get but a friend recommended them and she was right.
Day 3
We’re doing a beach day. My favorite is Zuma. But we’re going to need to pack a lunch. I haven’t been to Bay Cities in a minute and it was closed for a bit but let’s say it’s alive and well. We’re getting the Caprese Sandwhiches to go. That evening we’ll come back to my place and I’ll make cocktails. I built a bar in my house and really enjoy making drinks for people. If you play chess we’ll do that while we enjoy a cocktail and listen to records.

Day 4
More time in the studio. For lunch we’ll get sandwhiches at Perry’s Joint up the street from me. I like the Tuna Simone and the Hey Joe the most. After lunch we’ll go downtown and see The Broad Museum. I love the infinity room. After we can get pizza at Danny Boys. It’s my favorite pizza that I’ve had in Los Angeles. That night a show at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Day 5
Late morning walk around Descanso Gardens. Lunch at Bar Betsy in Altadena. I think I’ve had more than half the menu now but everything is amazing and the staff is so friendly. We’ll split charcuterie, a couple of various vegetables and their burger. They also have probably the best capuchino I’ve ever had. After lunch, more recording. For dinner we’ll go to Miya Thai in Altadena. I’ve known and worked with the owner and he’s a stellar human being. The place makes home style Thai food and many of the recipes are from his family.

Day 6
Top Golf in east LA. I don’t golf but top golf is amazing. After we’ll head to little Tokyo for Raman. I have a few different spots I like on 1st street. Then we’ll walk through the outdoor mall and buy some fun items in the shops. That night we’ll see a show at The Troubadour.

Day 7
Home State for breakfast tacos. Then we’re going to visit a friend at their studio and see what they’re working on and grab lunch at El Compadre. We’re all getting margaritas and I’ll request the mariachi band plays El Rey and La Llorona. I’m a sucker for a wet burrito or hard shell tacos with shredded beef.
After that I’m dropping you off at Burbank Airport for your flight home because LAX is some kind of strange and unusual punishment.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
That’s really difficult to narrow down. I’ve had so many people over the years that have had big impacts on me in such a positive way. This year a producer I’ve known for a while but didn’t directly work with until last November has had a big positive impact on me as a musician and human being and that’s Xandy Barry. Since Covid I’ve worked with and had a lot of encouragement and support from Carlos De La Garza. They are both really positive and encouraging people who have been very insightful and supportive. I know a lot of other people feel the same about them too.

Instagram: Superfunguyallthetime

Other: Here’s an ongoing Spotify playlist of music I’ve either played drums on, produced, or engineered.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3o1q3qJAQf5FLE1J0t9buS?si=JDjLQUOIT5iTnyNA4ogMsA&pi=fm-5jRv0QZKLM

Image Credits
Sid The Cat
Michael Runion
Jessy Fury
Mom