Last week, Vans, in partnership with SJC Drums kicked off their Loyal to the Craft Tour, a free drum workshop with Josh Manuel of Issues, which will be hitting cities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Chicago throughout mid September. The workshops are tailored for anyone from beginner to advanced and include a Q&A, meet & greet and much more!
Shows are FREE & open to the public – simply RSVP @ sjcdrums.com now!
We recently caught up with Josh Manuel to talk about the workshops and what fans and drummers can expect. Read the full interview now below!
You’re getting ready to head out on Vans and SJC’s Loyal To The Craft tour this month! This tour is kind of unlike anything you’ve done before – can you tell us a little bit about it?
I’m stoked for this tour to start! It’s something I’ve been passionate about for a long time now and I’m thankful Vans and SJC approached me with the opportunity. I teach lessons when I’m on the road with Issues so I’m going to try and keep that intimate vibe and just make it a night where everyone can just come hang and enjoy themselves.
What can people expect from the workshops? What are you excited to share or teach?
I’m going to be covering concepts ranging from beginner to advanced so everyone is welcome. Mike and I are going to be talking about the music industry and how I got my foot in the door using social media. I’m also looking forward to answering any questions the audience may have!
How did you get involved with SJC to partner up with them for this tour and these workshops?
I’ve been playing SJC Drums for over a decade now and they’re like family to me. Whenever they approached me about the idea I was immediately down!
Ten years ago, events like this were very hard to come by or non-existent. What do you hope musicians and aspiring musicians take away from these events and workshops? How do you feel this can benefit the music industry or aspiring musicians?
My favorite part about this whole run is that it’s completely free so everyone is welcome. We’re going to facilitate an safe environment of learning and exploration. I’m hoping it will inspire musicians in general to learn from each other and create more community focused events.
These tour dates only stretch throughout mid September, but could we expect something similar to this again in the future?
YES! I would love to do more dates when my schedule allows it.
Do you have any other fun or exciting plans in the works?
I play drums in Issues and we’re releasing our new album Beautiful Oblivion on October 4th! After that hitting the U.K. and then doing a full U.S. tour!
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us! Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for having me! I hope to see everyone out on the Loyal To The Craft Tour!
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: sjcdrums.com | vans.com | joshmanueldrums.com | issuesrock.us
VANS Presents: The Loyal To The Craft Tour
FRI SEPT 6 Middletown, NY @ Alto Music
SAT SEPT 7 Worcester, MA @ Railers Tavern *also feat. special guests
SUN SEPT 8 Croyden, PA @ Neshaminy Creek Brewing
MON SEPT 9 Philadelphia, PA @ Philadelphia Drum & Percussion
TUE SEPT 10 Pittsburgh, PA @ Black Forge Coffee * also feat. local School of Rock Bands
WED SEPT 11 Columbus, OH @ Skully’s Music-Diner *also feat. Pray For Sleep, The Lost Boys Collective and Northern Remains
THU SEPT 12 Detroit, MI @ The Underground @ Dime *also feat. Antighost, Forest Green, Gold Route
FRI SEPT 13 Chicago, IL @ 2744 W. Superior Street *also feat. local School of Rock Bands
SAT SEPT 14 Chicago IL @ Riot Fest *we’ll be hanging out with SJC Family!!