Photo: Artist Cinque: Veteran Musician and Drummer

Photo Credit/Photographer: Jake Magraw

1. CA: How did you get into music?

Cinque: My parents bestowed me with musical zeal from before I was born; my father worked in radio in many capacities and both parents had such a profound affinity for music without even being musicians. I was exposed to so much quality music, and media in general, that the natural progression was to enter that field; first with keyboard, then violin, next was guitar and ultimately, and most notably, drums.

2. CA:What genres of music are you mostly influenced by?

Cinque: Literally every genre. Even a genre I don’t particularly care for will contain some information or at least a perspective that’s invaluable to formulating a comprehensive world view. But if you put a gun to my head, I’d say Indian classical, Hip-hop, Jazz, and Progressive metal.

3. CA: Who are some of the artists that you have been on tour with and how’s life on tour as a musician?

Cinque: Macklemore, Flatbush Zombies, Karen (The Late Late Show house band) Ana Tijoux, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Arto Lindsay, Melanie Charles, Janka Nabay, and Ignabu (solo project) to name several - such a blessing to create with such greats but, despite how glamorous it might seem, touring is hard work. It’s tough to be constantly subjected to time zone differences, intense travel, lack of sleep, hard work and 1000% focus on stage every night for weeks, and just general lack of equilibrium, routine, and being grounded. But damn, I’m super appreciative of all of the opportunities I’ve had (and will have) to spread positive vibes all over the earth and just to be able to see so many corners of the world; truly something out of a movie.

4. CA: How is life as a professional musician, walk us through your practice routines?

Cinque: My practice routine differs depending on what I’m prepared for. There’s a general upkeep of fundamental work-outs every day (rudiments, scales, etc) but, there’s inevitably some other practice I have to engage in whether it be writing/producing a tune and digging into all of the nuances that come with that or learning a set of tunes for an artist I’m meant to perform with. I’m also engaging in practice in other facets other than music; I’ll practice anything from different lighting techniques or ways of working with the environment for film photography to advanced cooking/baking techniques. Practice never stops.

5. CA:What advisor would you give to aspiring drummers and musicians?

Cinque: I would honestly suggest to have a clear purpose for your artistry; a goal that you’re trying to attain and/or a problem you’re trying to solve. And then shed (practice) incessantly, hah! And diversify; express yourself with multiple mediums as to actualize that goal you imagined.

6. CA: How do you stay in a creative space?

Cinque: I don’t, hah! Maybe I’m not always meant to create and sometimes I’ve gotta go for a run or read, or vegetate with Netflix or something else to fill the creative well. On the other hand, there’s some creative magic manifested whenever it needs to be but, it’s important to have input to replenish one’s energy stores and not perpetually output.

7. CA: What’s your favorite book or movie and why?

Cinque: It’s a tie between Cat’s Cradle by Vonnegut and The Fire Next Time by Baldwin. I could not put either of these books down; hours flying by, missed train stops, everything. Pulp Fiction for the movie; out of sequence, incredible music, hazy cinematography, hilarious and one-in-a-million situations - love it.