Pauli Lovejoy

Gretsch Artist Since: 2026

Country: GB

Band or Affiliations: Harry Styles, Florence + The Machine, SNL UK

Current Kit Setup:
Gretsch USA Custom in Peacock Satin Flame finish
14x20 Bass Drum, undrilled
8x12 Rack Tom
14x14 Floor Tom
16x16 Floor Tom

Influences:
The talking drum. It’s a constant reminder that the drum was originally, and should always be, a form of communication. Before anything else, we’re speaking through rhythm.

We asked...Why Gretsch?:
I’ll never forget Aaron Fagan playing a red Gretsch Broadkaster with gunmetal powder coated hardware. He was one of my earliest influences as a drummer.

The first drum kit I bought with proper adult money, while living in Brooklyn back in 2012, was a 1960s Round Badge Champagne Sparkle Gretsch kit. It’s been set up in my bedroom, bars, clubs, countless studios, and was even the kit I played with Damon Albarn on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Every time I take it out, someone compliments it.

There’s something incredibly special about being part of that lineage. If Gretsch was good enough for Elvin Jones and Art Blakey, and continues to be part of the sound of players I love like Steve Jordan and Cindy Blackman-Santana, then I know I’m in good company. And even Brian Blade, who isn’t a Gretsch artist, has played and collected some beautiful vintage Gretsch drums over the years.

There’s a history and a spirit in these drums that I’ve always connected with. And let’s be honest, nothing beats that “Great Gretsch Sound.” Ha!

Advice to aspiring musicians?:
Don’t take advice from musicians.
Listen to your heart. Follow God!

Bio:
Pauli The PSM is the musical adventure of Pauli Lovejoy (he/they) - a drummer, composer, producer, musical & creative director, model and DJ. Born in London to Jamaican parents with Senegalese heritage, Pauli is recognized as one of “The World’s Best Drummers” according to The Guardian and WIRED.

He captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands of fans as the touring musical director and percussionist for Harry Styles’ LOVE ON TOUR. Previous credits include musical director for Jamie xx, fka twigs, Maggie Rogers, Charlie Puth, Lizzo and touring drummer for Damon Albarn, Robyn, Sampha and Bobby Womack. He was the first artist to play the Sphere as U2’s Atomic MC / DJ for 40 sold out nights during the inaugural Vegas residency. He is currently the music director for Harry Styles, Florence & The Machine and Saturday Night Live UK.

Under the moniker Pauli The PSM, he released his debut project The Idea of Tomorrow featuring Idris Elba, followed by two EPs garnering praise from The FADER, Nowness, The Line of Best Fit and more. He ventured into new frontiers on his experimental album: OFFAIR: The Power of Your Subconscious Mind Vol. 1: SPACE creating an ambient body of work inspired by Afrofuturism, pre-Babylonian zodiac signs and a passion for outer space.
Past original composition credits include YouTube Originals’ Black Renaissance featuring Michelle and Barack Obama, Ben Sherman SS23 & AW23 campaigns, Spotify’s Stream On Event, and Roku’s Centerpiece featuring Maurice Harris and Rashida Jones.

In 2023, he returned to his solo material debuting the Ariza-produced dance track ‘Saucy’ at Wembley Stadium opening for Harry Styles followed by the intergalactic love song ‘Milkyway’ all leading up to a worldwide headlining tour - his first! The Saucy tour touched down in major markets across US, UK and EU, selling out in cities like NY, Chicago and London. His recent work and global touring career have received kudos from RollingStone, Wonderland Mag, Hypebeast, Clash Magazine and more.

Pauli is currently working on his debut album.