Hm Magazine welcomes back an old regular feature, where we highlight someone in a related field or music business. Meet Brian Soule of Anchor Drums (and his drums).
What is the vision of your company?
Our main purpose as a company is to create something that will change lives. Creating a drum that will challenge a drummer to play harder, push them in their songwriting, and hopefully excite them to give it their all when playing live! Hopefully, through all of this we can help make a difference to drummers. What makes me smile is hoping that the drum will be used in a song that someone will hear and that song will be the one that changes their life. That is what keeps me building drums!
How did the company start?
I have been tinkering with drums since I was in college. Always painting, re-wrapping, cutting them down and just trying to change them up. I always got bored with the same kit and wanted something that looked different than what anyone else had. I eventually started refinishing vintage kits, then started buying old kits and completely re-doing everything from shells to hardware. Finally a couple of years ago a friend kept saying I should give it an official shot and start a company. So, after lot’s of prayer, research, designs, and many late nights, Anchor Drums was born.
What do you think sets you apart from other drum companies? What do you do different (or hope to do different)?
When we sat down to come up with ideas for this company, I really wanted to build drums that had a unique look to them. Everyone’s build was different, but when you saw it, you would know it was an Anchor Drum. Being a big vintage drum fan, I wanted something that could hold up to modern music, but had a slight touch of vintage class to it as well. I also wanted to use various styles of hardware that you didn’t normally see. In the vast see of drum companies it is difficult to be noticed and be “different”. But, we decided to only use two lug styles to give ourselves a brand. So, we only use our full length tubes and ball lugs. There are other lugs that everyone uses and look great, but we want to be set apart. Also, instead of solely using Keller shells for everything, we like to use other companies. We have been strictly using Gladstone shells, but also work with Vaughncraft, Erie, and some smaller companies that make some great shells! As for the sound, we work with the drummer to tailor it to suit their musical needs. I would say the Anchor sound is big, full, and boomy!
What drummers are you working with now?
We have been lucky to work with some great drummers so far and we are thrilled to have them on board with us! Josh Mace (Sumerlin), Ryan Patterson (A Jasey Project), Josh Douglas (This Armistice), Andy Butcher (The Cast & Crew), and Dave Rich (Polar War). We are talking with alot of great drummers right now as well! Super excited about adding to the family!
What’s the exact status of your relationship with these drummers? Are they sponsored? Do they get free drums? Discounted pricing?
Each of these drummers are on our endorsement roster. We are a small company and therefore don’t have the ability to offer free drums, but we do have a discounted price for endorsements. To be honest, I like the fact that they aren’t free. This shows the willingness and desire for our drummers to want to be a part of our family and I love that! They realize it’s not “free”, but they love what we do and why we do it. Those are the type of drummers we want! We strive to have a solid friendly atmosphere and we want people to feel they can call us up and chat anytime!
What are some mishaps you recall from your company’s history?
We have really been pretty happy with everything so far. There is the occasional screw that breaks, wrong parts sent to us, or backordered parts that end up making wait time on drums a bit out of our control. But, aside from those issues, we have really been very fortunate so far.
What are some things (if any) that you’ve corrected in terms of design and building your drum kits? (for example, your snare locks kept breaking until you realized such and such….that sorta thing)
We have actually been pretty lucky so far. I did a lot of planning and research before raising the main sail! I wanted to make sure everything we used was unique, solid, and performed it’s particular job extremely well! As we have grown, we have altered various little things in order to make our drums that much better.
How do you see your role as a business being an extension of your faith (or not)?
Actually it is the reason I started the company. I wanted to create something that could in a sense be a “ministry” to drummers. First off, was to create a unique and affordable product. Something that drummers could use to further their career and hopefully help to change someones life by them hearing a song it was used in or even seen in a live setting. I hope that people can see our hearts and the reason for why we build. We just love drums, love God, and just love meeting new drummers!
What amazes you about certain drummers?
Creativity. I love seeing and hearing drummers that break away from the normal standard. Drummers that push the limits of what a drum kit should do and really making it an art form. Some of the best drummers I have seen and heard are completely self taught. Sometimes learning your own way to play certain styles, beats, and patterns can really make a drummer sound and look very unique.
Anything else you’d like to say?
Thanks to you guys for letting us be in HM! Been a long time reader and it’s an honor to be a part of your ministry! To those reading, stop on by and say hello anytime!
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