Joe Clegg

Gretsch Artist Since: 2009

Country: GB

Band or Affiliations: Ellie Goulding

Current Kit Setup:
Gretsch Broadkaster Vintage Marine Pearl
14x22" BD, 8x12" TT, 14x14" FT, 16x16" FT
14x5" Solid Aluminium Snare
14x6.5" Bell Brass Snare

Influences:
Matt Chamberlain, Phil Collins, Darren King

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
Phil Collins. That was the first time I heard a Gretsch kit and it stuck with me. I haven’t found a kit I like more than the Broadkaster that I’m currently playing.

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
My advice would be to learn how to use a DAW to make music. It’s more accessible than ever to be able to record yourself playing, to use technology to recreate the sounds you hear on the radio and to use those skills to find your own path to create music for yourself. Becoming a great drummer is one thing, becoming a great musician is another.

Bio:
Joe is a session drummer and Musical Director based in the UK.

After hearing an acoustic demo of Ellie Goulding online in 2009, Joe became her touring drummer and musical director. Joe met Ellie just as she signed her deal with Polydor in the UK, and has had the unique opportunity of playing a part in the development of her live show, from clubs all the way to worldwide arena tours.

As Ellie’s career developed Joe had the opportunity to play on her first major album release, ‘Lights’, (The Writer, Every Time You Go), followed by the repack ‘Bright Lights,’ (Human), both certified platinum in the UK, followed by ‘Without Your Love’ on her second album ‘Halcyon.’ Joe has appeared onstage and on TV with Ellie countless times around the world, from festivals such as Glastonbury, Coachella and Lollapalooza, to Good Morning America, Saturday Night Live and Later with Jools Holland.

Alongside his musical work with Ellie, Joe contributed creatively to her live show (Creative Director on Ellie’s 2010 ‘Lights’ UK tour and 2013 ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ UK TV appearance), and a series of short films made whilst on tour, with a 9min short ‘Paper Planes and Playground Games’ appearing on the physical release of ‘Halcyon’ in 2012.

Joe works as a musical director for multiple artists with his company Artclub Live, helping to create and develop the live shows of artists at every level.

Joe has been a Gretsch Drums artist since 2009.