Keep up with Morten here:
https://www.facebook.com/mortenloewe
https://www.facebook.com/AmarantheBand
Morten Løwe Sørensen, age 24. I have played with a wide variety of bands in the metal scene and beyond. I have toured/played/recorded with bands like SCARVE, SOILWORK, HATESPHERE, NIGHTRAGE, THE CLEANSING, REX SATANACHIA, ICON IN ME, TRANSPARENT, INSTANT CARNAGE ETC. Aside from those bands, I have my own full-time bands: THE ARCANE ORDER and SUBMISSION. I also do clinics for TAMA and MEINL.
Morten Lowe Sorensen Interview:
SDM: How old were you when you started playing?
Morten: I think I was around 11-12 years when I got my first kit. before that, I was just playing on anything I could hit. I always wanted to be a drummer as far back as I remember.
SDM: Did you play in a school band or any drum corps?
Morten: Yes I did play in the school band, but it really sucked! We don’t have things like drum corps in Denmark unfortunately. It’s too bad cause it can really help your technique, as a young drummer.
SDM: Who are your top 5 influences?
Morten: Hmm… always a tricky question. Sometimes you are not even aware of your influences, but during the all the years I have played the ones who made the greatest impact on me must be: Dirk Verbeuren, Sean Reinert, Gene Hoglan, Peter Wildoer, Tomas Haake, Gary Novak, Vinnie Colaiuta, and Dave Weckl.
SDM: Assuming that influences doesn’t mean favorites, who are your favorites?
Morten: there are so many great drummers. I could easily name a thousand. but some of them: Virgil Donati, Thomas Lang, Elvin Jones, Benny Greb, Marco Minnemann, Derek Roddy, John Longstreth, Reno Kiilerich, Jojo Mayer, Mike Portnoy, Neil Peart, Nick Barker, Buddy Rich, Morgan Agren, Brian Rasmussen, Keith Carlock, Steve Smith, Deen Castronovo and many more…
SDM: Let us know 5 CD’s that are in your current rotation
Morten: Right now I’m listening to KARIZMA LIVE with Vinnie Colaiuta, Meshuggah “Obzen,” Tool “10.000 days,” Scarve “the undercurrent,” everything with Porcupine Tree, Allan Holdsworth (the sixteen men of tain).
SDM: What do you do to warm up before a show?
Morten: I use my practice pads (for hands and bass drum) between 1/2 -1 hour before the show. I like to play various coordination exercises combined with rudiments. usually, I end up practicing. I also stretch a lot. and sometimes plays barehanded (without sticks) warming up is really important for me, although in some ways it’s more mental than physical.
SDM: Can you remember a night you think was your best playing ever? If yes, when and where?
Morten: That’s really hard to remember… I always feel I could do a lot better, but the great gigs are the ones where you are totally present, and playing in the moment, not judging yourself or thinking about how bad the monitor sound is.
SDM: Do you have a favorite brand of drums or cymbals?
Morten: Since I was 15 I have been playing Tama drums, and I still think they are the best, both in design and in sound. I’m currently playing a Tama superstar hyperdrive kit. really nice drums, with a very shallow depth, and very easy to tune. besides that, I play Meinl cymbals, and I really love those cymbals. Also, they make those special products, like the thrash hats, and they are really cool cymbals.
SDM: If you could give one piece of advice to young drummers, it would be…
Morten: Be open-minded, and listen (and play) to all kinds of genres. Get a teacher, and try to learn all about theory. Be diverse, and practice as much as you can without destroying yourself… and have patience.
SDM: Who gave the best live performance you’ve ever seen?
Morten: It’s either Terry Bozzio with Fantomas or Dave Weckl with his own band. Both mind-blowing experiences.
SDM: If you had to stop drumming, what would you want to do with your life?
Morten: That’s scary…!! hmmm, I also play guitar so that might be an option? I can’t really see myself working nine to five ever! this is what I do, and I will probably always do it in some ways. Maybe I won’t be playing extreme metal at age 50, but then it’s great to have diverse skills.
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