Episode Summary
On this episode of The Bandwich Tapes, I’m joined by drummer, singer, and session musician Remy Morritt. Originally from Seattle and now based in Los Angeles, Remy has built a career working with some remarkable artists, including Lizzy McAlpine, Christian Lee Hutson, Role Model, Fenne Lily, and Joey Dosik. We talk about his journey from playing along with records as a kid to becoming an in-demand studio and touring musician, and how his approach to the drums has evolved along the way.
Remy grew up surrounded by music, with parents who introduced him to artists like The Police, Steely Dan, Rush, and The Beatles, and an older sister who opened his ears to an entirely different world of music. We discuss those early influences, his years studying jazz at the University of Washington with drummer Ted Poor, and the importance of developing your ears and musical instincts before becoming too concerned with technique.
A big part of our conversation centers on Remy’s work with Lizzy McAlpine. He shares how he became part of her touring band, what it’s like recording with Lizzy and her collaborators, and how he approaches supporting a singer whose music depends so much on dynamics, melody, and emotional expression. We also get into the creative process behind his drum part on “A car wash and a new pair of pants,” and why being recognized for your individual musical voice can be more rewarding than simply delivering a technically perfect performance.
We spend time discussing the differences between recording remotely and working in a studio with other musicians, the challenges of balancing touring with life at home, and the evolution of Remy’s playing toward a more restrained, song-centered approach. His appreciation for drummers like Levon Helm, Jim Keltner, and Jeff Porcaro leads us into a conversation about feel, time, and the subtle decisions that make a drum part memorable.
What I particularly enjoyed about this conversation was Remy’s perspective on developing an identity as a musician. We talk about listening as a skill, learning directly from recordings, and understanding that the most important thing isn’t necessarily how much you can play, but whether what you’re playing actually serves the music.
Connect with Remy Morritt through his website or Instagram to learn more about his work, recording services, and upcoming performances.
Key Takeaways
- Finding your musical identity: Remy discusses how his playing has evolved from a more technically focused, aggressive approach toward one that emphasizes restraint, dynamics, space, and personal expression.
- The importance of early influences: Growing up with a wide variety of music, particularly through his parents and older sister, helped shape Remy’s musical curiosity and encouraged him to explore different styles.
- Learning from Ted Poor: Remy’s studies at the University of Washington provided valuable lessons in jazz, improvisation, musicianship, and the personal challenges of artistic development.
- Playing for the singer: Working with Lizzy McAlpine has reinforced the importance of listening to the vocalist, responding to phrasing and dynamics, and crafting drum parts that support a song's emotional direction.
- Developing a recognizable sound: Remy explains why he values being called into a session specifically for his musical personality rather than for his technical ability alone.
- Learning by playing along: Studying recordings by Levon Helm, Jim Keltner, Jeff Porcaro, and other influential drummers helped Remy understand the subtle differences in feel, placement, and musical intention that can’t always be learned from books or exercises.
- Building a sustainable musical career: From relocating to Los Angeles without guaranteed work to balancing remote recording, studio sessions, and touring, Remy shares his perspective on relationships, collaboration, and finding fulfillment in different seasons of a musician’s life.
Music from the Episode
High Hopes 3000 - Role Model
Carousel Horses - Christian Lee Hutson
Spring Into Summer - Lizzy McAlpine
A car wash and a new pair of pants - Lizzy McAlpine
About the Podcast
High Hopes 3000 - Role Model
Carousel Horses - Christian Lee Hutson
Spring Into Summer - Lizzy McAlpine
A car wash and a new pair of pants - Lizzy McAlpine
About the Podcast
The Bandwich Tapes is a music interview podcast hosted by musician Brad Williams. Each episode features conversations with musicians, songwriters, producers, and artists about their careers, creative processes, musical influences, and the experiences that shape their work. Through thoughtful, musician-to-musician conversations, the show explores not just the music people make, but how and why they make it.
Connect with the Show
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