Eleven PDX

Portland Author and Drummer José Medeles

Next to a 76 gas station on East Burnside Street in Portland is Revival Drum Shop, owned by José Medeles, who has played with The Breeders, Joey Ramone, Donavon Frankenreiter, Ben Harper and Modest Mouse, and currently leads 1939 Ensemble, a modern avant-garde jazz band. He recently wrote and self-published The Stoic Drummer, a collection of mantras and axioms for his fellow drummers.

It takes a certain type of musical mind to create the rhythm and structure necessary for any song, but drummers are sometimes overlooked as integral parts of the band. José used the ancient wisdom of stoics like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus to enhance his lifelong practice of drumming, in turn changing his complete outlook on life. With a heartfelt forward from Billy Martin of Medeski, Martin, and Wood, The Stoic Drummer is the perfect companion for any serious drummer who needs some assistance focusing on their craft during these difficult times. Its Zen-like layout alone helps concentrate the mind on the wise words within. When I met José for this interview, I found his mindfulness and thoughtfulness to embody the very tenets of stoicism that inspired his work.

 https://elevenpdx.com/community/literary-arts/portland-author-and-drummer-jose-medeles/