On the Drums
Luke Holland
We sat down with DW artist Luke Holland for our first-ever drummer digital feature.
by justin lisa
The Evolution of Luke Holland.
When it comes to modern drumming, Luke Holland has built a reputation on precision, creativity, and a relentless drive to evolve. From viral videos to global stages to inspiring collaborations, his career reflects a new generation of drummers redefining what the instrument can be and what a musical career looks like. But beyond the chops and the spotlight, it’s relationships behind the scenes that matter most.
DW: Tell us about your drumming journey. How did you get started?
LH: So, I had a natural knack for it as a kid. And one day, our next-door neighbor opened up his garage and started playing drums. I think I was 10 years old and walked over there, and I just asked if he could teach me something, and he taught me the most basic groove ever and I picked it up really quick. Then, I punished him for the next two weeks by going over anytime he’d open up the garage door. After that, I mowed lawns and stuff around my neighborhood for about nine months, and I got my first-ever kit.
DW: What are your first memories with DW gear?
LH: I remember going to Guitar Center and Sam Ash before I had a job and could afford $300 cymbals, seeing the DW kits set up, and just being blown away. Then I signed with DW in 2014, and I felt like that completed my full drummer gear journey, because by then I'd signed with Meinl and Remo. And when I got the DW full endorsement, it was like, okay, we're set here.
My first kit was a Collector’s Series® Exotic Twisted Rainbow with 24-karat gold hardware. And I remember opening it up, and I didn't want to touch it. It was so pretty, you know?
"You're making 40,000 people dance.”
DW: How has your setup evolved over the years?
LH: Before I had a full-time drum tech, I would set up my drums on stage, and I had a 5-piece kit with a few splashes with my band, The Word Alive. As I was setting up and tearing down every night, and I just got sick of all this extra stuff. So, I downsized to a 4-piece and I took a bunch of cymbals off to make it easier on me when traveling.
In a way, my setup was simplified for a long time. And then I remember in 2017, Tony Royster Jr. (Jay-Z, Katy Perry) called me, and he was like, “You know what you need? More sounds.”
Then I reached out to DW, and you made me the Mapa Burl 7-piece with three rack toms, two floor toms—and the only one DW made with Rose Gold hardware. That was a moment I realized DW really cares about their artists, you know?
DW: What are some memorable onstage moments for you?
LH: When The Word Alive announced a farewell tour, I had a hometown show in Arizona. The venue is sold out with a bunch of family and friends in the crowd. We had this light-show intro where it was pretty dark. I remember going up to the kit and it’s on a riser and I can barely see and I tripped and I fell into the hi-hat stand and knocked over multiple parts of the kit. And I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life.
“It was not about how many notes—it is purely about groove.”
DW: What are your biggest challenges as a drummer and musician?
LH: Maintaining my body. I'm not 21 anymore—I'm 32, and I've been constantly touring my whole life, except for COVID. Now, I finally have some time off, and I have so many different injuries getting looked at. Making sure you're healthy is number one.
DW: What’s a genre that you've embraced? And was it a surprise for you both as a fan and as a player?
LH: A good chunk of my career has been on the technical side, but I’ve been fortunate to play for so many different artists. But one in particular comes to mind, a house group called RÜFÜS DU SOL. They're a three-piece, and they do everything live. I filled in for them through the end of 2019 until COVID hit in March 2020, and there were hardly any chops at all. It was just pure four-on-the-floor house music. You're making 40,000 people dance, and that was a different live experience for me. It was not about how many notes or any of that—it was purely about groove.
“If you think you're killing it and you're the best. You're in the wrong place.”
DW: Is there a piece of creative advice that you frequently reflect on?
LH: Never stop learning. Something I've always told myself is that if you think you're killing it and you're the best? You're in the wrong place.
DW: What projects are you currently working on?
I’ve been recording video game music lately, which really stems from my YouTube channel. I'm also getting back into recording tracks and being creative with songs that don't originally have drums. My colleague Jason Richardson and I just did the music for a video game trailer for Apex Legends, announcing a collaboration with a huge anime series called Gundam. So, we're doing stuff like that because we're huge nerds and it's awesome.
Luke Holland plays Skrillex
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