Skip to content

564 - Ryan Connors: MD'ing for Hozier, Finding Self-Acceptance as a Drummer, Loving the Rehearsal Process

April 23, 2026 · 1 h 12 min

Show notes

Ryan Connors is a multi-instrumentalist, MD, songwriter, and producer based in Nashville. He is currently keyboardist, MD, and backup drummer for Hozier, and has also worked with many other artists and bands including Yola, Melinda Doolittle, and Dynamo. He also writes and produces his own original music.

In this episode, Ryan talks about:

  • How smaller college programs give you more opportunities to play
  • The virtues of multiple disciplines vs. specialization
  • Being able to “speak drum” as an MD and producer
  • The benefit of closing some doors
  • Getting to play with Gadd
  • “Finding where it feels good and not leaving there”
  • Loving the discovery and connection that happens in rehearsal
  • Leading by example as an MD in any given situation

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All episodes of Working Drummer

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.