At only 18 years of age, Andreas Brobjer (Falköping, Sweden, 1987) has already received numerous awards for his achievments and is getting more and more renowned around the world for his skills.



Among Andreas' accomplishments are:



* In 2004 he won the "Swedish National Championships In Drumset Soloing", and went back in 2005 to defend his title and won once again!



* At only 17 years of age he was asked by acclaimed Swedish keyboard wizard Rikard Andersson (Majestic, Time Requiem, Space Odyssey) to lay down the drums on the album entitled "The Astral Episode" with his highly technical metal project called Space Odyssey.



* Andreas is also active in various other bands and projects like for instance prog metal band Platitude.



The usual info - a biography in Brobjer's own words:

I was born in Falkoping, Sweden in year 1987. I was raised in a very musical family, which I guess affected me a lot when I was a kid. I started playing in year 1992, but didn't get serious with it until just a few years ago, sometime around year 2001. Ever since, I have been known as a very diciplined drummer.



I strive evey day to develop further as a musician and see music as a never-ending evolution which you can never fully master. This is what is keeping me alive and I see my drumming as the most important element in my life.



Many people has, ever since I was a little kid, referred to me as a prodigy. If that's the case, then using the talent in the right way is the goal to where I am today. I've always been 100% focused about all projects I have had going. When I was younger, I had periods when I was totally hooked on one single hobby. I've always had total tunnel vision, focusing on only one projects at a time and with full attention.



Anyway, I have had periods of only playing soccer, fishing, playing the guitar, playing the piano and painting, for example. I would use to do these hobbys for a month and then drop it to change to something else. So I have never given these things any mentionable attention. Luckily, the drums caught my interest in a completley different way. It felt like a part of my body, where I could express my feelings through my hands, feet and mind. I have always heard that my playing reflects a lot of temper, and that is probably because it is so personal for me.

I have played drums for quite a few years now. Since 1992 to be correct, and through the years, the drums has become as personal to me as my bodyparts are. It was something that I loved in a deep way and longed every day to study deeper (and still do today). I don't think I could ever quit playing the drums. It is the best thing I know in my life. Be sure to always follow your passion. I know drumming will always be mine.



Practicing?

I have spent countless hours of practicing but nothing beats 'just jamming'!. No matter how much you practice, you won't be any good unless you take your time to meet other musicians and just 'play'. I can honestly say the I've developed my technique, feel, chops (or whatever else you would want to call it) 90% from this. Don't ever get stuck in practicing technique unless you really get something out of it.



There is so much more than the technique itself. Phrasing, musicality, time, dynamics are other extremely vital elements that sets a drummers trademark. Technique is just a tool from which you create your art. It's just like a pencil.

You could have good pencil technique, but you need a purpose and thought about what you're about to paint, for people to appreciate your art. Be creative, musical and personal when you play.

This is what I have put my emphasis on throughout the years I have been playing.



Stylistically?

I would describe myself as a jazzfusion drummer with many characters. I have been very inspired by drummers like Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Weckl, Peter Erskine, Virgil Donati and early Terry Bozzio (the Brecker Brothers time).

I never try to copy anyone, but I think that listening to a lot of different drummers forms your own unique style. These are my top five influences, so I would in one way or another, somewhere in my playing, be a blend of these drummers.

I am extremely happy that there are so many excellent drummers to absorb inspiration from today. I often get to hear that I have a very personal style and I am very happy for this. It helps me create my own trademark.



Lately, I have been working in a lot of heavy metal environments, like Platitude and Space Odyssey, which is fun to play but hard for your dynamic playing to reach out in, stylistically. Even if a metal drummer plays dynamic, it often will not get through the final mix of an album because of the way the music is produced. That is what I personally don't like about metal music.



Although, it is very important to fit into all different musical environments and working with metal helps me build my musical versality and freedom.



Music?

I grew up listening to bands like The Beatles. Nowadays I listen to everything that I think is good. Maybe it's the music itself that affects me deeply or it might be because of the skilled musicians playing or maybe because of the way the music is produced. It is hard to tell what makes good music.



My biggest influence, whom I discovered lately, is a Canadian artist called Devin Townsend. I have never ever experienced such a deep impact as when I listened to him the first time. Devin is the biggest musical talent I have ever had the chance of hearing.



I also listen a lot to jazz and fusion. I like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Weather Report. Jaco Pastorius is another great talent. I enjoy listening to westcoast music from the 80's, like Toto and Steely Dan. I enjoy AOR acts such as Mr. Mister and Richard Marx. One artist I really like is the extremely talented Canadian singer/songwriter Lisa Dalbello (especially her 1987 release "She"). I like American modern rock like The Foo Fighters and Third Eye Blind, John Mayer and Shawn Mullins.



Angtoria, the Swedish/British orchestral/metal band formed by female singer Sarah Jezebel Deva (Cradle Of Filth, Therion, Mortiis), composer Chris Rehn (Abyssos) and Tommy Rehn (Moahni Moahna), recorded their debut album, "God Has A Plan For Us All", in November 2005. The drums on the album were handled by Andreas Brobjer as well.

(main source: www.andreasbrobjer.com)