Joby Burgess: Solving Musical Problems One Sound at a Time

On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I sit down with acclaimed percussionist Joby Burgess for a fascinating conversation about life as one of the world’s most in-demand recording musicians. From film scores and orchestral performances to contemporary classical music and solo projects, Joby shares what it really means to build a career grounded in versatility, collaboration, and an endless curiosity about sound.

We talk about the unique challenges of being a modern percussionist, where every project might require a completely different set of instruments, techniques, and musical vocabulary. Joby explains how he prepares for sessions, why he thinks of collections of percussion instruments as a single musical voice, and how years of experience have taught him to focus on melody, phrasing, and storytelling rather than simply striking objects.

Our conversation also explores the creative process behind recording major film scores, including his work with Ludwig Göransson on The Odyssey. Joby offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how composers, producers, engineers, and percussionists collaborate to discover sounds that often don’t yet exist. From bringing collections of gongs into the studio to improvising solutions with whatever objects are nearby, every recording session becomes an exercise in creative problem-solving.

Along the way, we revisit the music that shaped Joby’s artistic path, including Stravinsky, Frank Zappa, Edgard Varèse, and contemporary composers such as Steve Reich and Morton Feldman. It’s a conversation about listening deeply, embracing collaboration, and discovering that a great percussionist is often as much a musical problem solver as a performer.

Key Takeaways

• Joby explains how modern percussionists constantly shift between instruments while maintaining a single musical voice.
• We discuss the similarities between performing contemporary classical music and recording major Hollywood film scores.
• Joby shares how collaboration with composers often begins long before recording, helping shape the palette of sounds available for a project.
• He offers behind-the-scenes insight into recording The Odyssey with Ludwig Göransson and the creative process of finding the perfect percussion sounds.
• We explore the influence of Frank Zappa, Stravinsky, Edgard Varèse, Steve Reich, and other composers on Joby’s musical development.
• Joby reflects on why experience, adaptability, and problem-solving have become some of the most valuable skills in his career.
• We discuss the importance of learning from master musicians and why observing great players can be as valuable as formal instruction.

Music from the Episode

• Psappha (Iannis Xenakis) - Joby Burgess, percussion
• The King of Denmark (Morton Feldman) - Joby Burgess, percussion
• Troy, from The Odyssey (Ludwig Göransson) - Joby Burgess, percussion
• Concerto for Bass Drum and Orchestra (Gabriel Prokofiev) - Joby Burgess, percussion

About the Podcast

The Bandwich Tapes is a long-form interview podcast where I sit down with musicians, composers, producers, and music industry veterans to explore the stories behind their careers, creative process, collaborations, and musical philosophy. Every episode goes beyond biography to examine how great music is actually made.

Connect with the Show

Email: contact@thebandwichtapes.com