Meet Patrick O’Kane | Touring Drummer, Producer, Tech

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patrick O’Kane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrick, how do you think about risk?
I think you should always follow your gut. Even if that means taking a “Risk” I would say my entire life was taking a risk. I played sports in highschool and was going to go to school for athletics and gave up my scholarships to work and figure my life out which was a big risk. I ended up taking a leap of faith and decided to move to Los Angeles without ever visiting or knowing anyone out here. I attended a music production school to learn how to produce. That was a massive risk. Long story short I went through so many ups and downs along the way. Terrible living situations and moving from job to job just to survive all got me to where I am today which still feels like just the beginning to me. I play drums for Mike’s Dead and we have had a busy and rigorous touring schedule so far this year which I had to make a decision of taking time away from the Music school that i work at to do what I love and came out here to do. So yeah almost every decision I make in life is just me following my gut, but I guess a lot of people would look at those decisions as risks.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a drummer, producer, beat maker, tech & I dabble in some engineering roles. I definitely specialize in drumming & producing beats. Since I have always been surrounded by music and was introduced to such a variety of music at a young age I think I have a really good ear and understand arrangement very well. I am known for my beats, playing/programming drums, and recently recording drums as I have gotten a lot more into different kinds of mics and different micing techniques. I am most proud of making the leap off the cliff and believing in myself to come out here and leave everything behind and really do this. I am very excited about how this year has gone so far we are two tours & two major music festivals in this year with Mike’s Dead. We just got back from THE GODMODE TOUR with In This Moment. It was an absolutely incredible experience. We played two major DWP festivals on that tour. Welcome to Rockville & Sonic Temple. We are about to hit the road for our 3rd tour this year alongside Upon A Burning Body on June 23rd for another month long run, and we couldn’t be more excited! What sets me apart from others is my work ethic. I have a different gear than most. I have a wide skill set and just work as hard as I can until I fully understand something and won’t ever stop. I stay hungry and I stay humble. Keeps me going. I always say its just the beginning it is just the beginning. I don’t think I will ever be satisfied where I am at till the day I die. I got to where I am today by never giving up and truly believing in myself as corny as that sounds it is the realest thing you can do. It definitely was not easy to get to where I am today. There are absolutely no days off in the Music Industry. Being in a new expensive city and being broke is never an easy thing when trying to build something and get a career going. some of the best advice I got when I came out to LA to pursue this life was if you aren’t willing to put in a 10 year unpaid internship to start tasting a little success than pick a different career. There are going to be many ups and downs. Make sure you are making your art for the right reasons. Be original. Stay hungry. Everyone loves making money doing what they love, but money comes and goes. Fall in love with the process of your art. Practice makes Progress. Music industry is a lot smaller than you think so don’t be an A** hole.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Okay so where I would have to take my friend to eat that is a lot of awesome places but if we have a week that is plenty of time! First of all Cilantro Mexican Grill. One of the best burritos I have ever had in my entire life. It is inside of a Chevron gas station off Sherman Way. Absolutely insane! No Name Shawarma truck outside on the Jons grocery store in Glendale, CA is a hit! Recently I discovered Papa’s Meat & Seafood Co. In Burbank, CA has one of the best Pastrami Sandwiches I have ever had. It is to die for. Fuji Ya and/or Octopus Japanese Restaurant in Burbank for sushi is a must as well. Going out for drinks I love hitting the Rainbow Bar & Grill off Sunset. I always run into homies there and it is just always an overall great vibe. I would definitely take them to some of my favorite secret spots in Malibu! That is one of my favorite spots to go chill by the water and relax for sure. Then after that I would probably have to see what kind of music shows are happening the week they are here and take them to some of Los Angeles’s iconic venues and see some live music! I love shows at the Hollywood Bowl. Always a great time. Might have to take them to Venice and check out the Venice Skatepark and watch some kids shredding and chill by the water. I honestly pick and choose when I go out because I am always in the studio working doing what I love. So whoever comes to visit that is what we will probably be doing majority of the time. But we will get out there and have some fun for sure! Whenever I have time to just be a human I definitely love spending time outside and getting some sun and being by the water.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people that come to mind for this. My parents for sure have been so supportive of my journey! Sometimes they were definitely worried but I think I have made them pretty proud so far. Definitely want to shoutout Icon Collective the Music School I attended in 2015 and all my teachers and mentors. I wouldn’t be the person or producer I am today without them. I work at the music school as well. My boss and friend John Coffey has always been a big inspiration and supporter of me. I definitely wouldn’t be in the situation I am in today without him. My homies Joel Gutman & Alex Flores who are both so incredibly smart and talented! I have gained so much knowledge from them being in studio session and just nerding out with them over the years. Some of my best friends Cody Lewis who is an incredible artist, and my boy Sampson Beats who is an incredible producer and engineer. They have always had my back and supported me and motivated me to be great. I most definitely would not be the man I am today without them. My brother Conor is one of my best friends on the planet and is always checking in on me and being so stoked for me which is always a good feeling. Best big brother I could ask for. My boy Mike aka Mike’s Dead for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to tour with him and grow with him. Being on this whole music journey with me pretty much. It kind of all began together and here we are to this day still rocking. I hope I didn’t forget anyone for real. I have the best friends and most talented people around me. I am very blessed

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Image Credits
Mikey Jablonski