We were lucky to catch up with Jeff Tripoli recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jeff, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creativity alive by giving myself permission to play the fool. Life is short, and the habits of day-to-day survival often leave little time for creative passion. For many, it’s hard just to get by, let alone nurture the spark of imagination. But how we spend our time matters. Are we truly doing what’s important to us? Most of us aren’t, and it’s understandable. The pull of routine is powerful.
That’s why I try to loosen my grip on perfection and judgment. I don’t punish myself for failures. I practice self-acceptance, knowing that individuality is meant to be expressed, not hidden. I keep my eyes open to what the universe offers. Keeping myself aware of the beauty in small details and the unexpected lessons of everyday life. Most importantly, I try to see the world with childlike wonder. Innocence and curiosity are some of the purest fuels for creativity.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am focused on an artistic career as a professional drummer and percussionist. As an American drummer, percussionist, and collaborator, raised in Syracuse, New York. My journey began in the clubs of Upstate New York, where I started performing professionally at just 17 years old. Over the past 30 years, I have toured extensively across the USA, Canada, and Europe, building a career defined by versatility and exploration. At the heart of my passion lies a deep drive to create fresh rhythms and unique artistic expressions. Continuing my exploration of unconventional sounds, I often incorporate homemade instruments, found objects, and experimental creations into my work—pushing the boundaries of rhythm, texture, and atmosphere.
On October 1, 2025, I will release my fourth coming record, “Natural Habitat” — a deep, immersive exploration of rhythm, space, and the raw essence of sound. Written and produced by Myself, Natural Habitat blurs the lines between music, environment, and experience. Crafted with natural materials and unconventional techniques, the new record weaves earthy textures with hypnotic rhythms and spacious atmospheres. It is an avant-garde soundscape that feels like an evolving ecosystem—untamed, alive, and deeply meditative.
This project is about listening to what’s already there—the sounds hidden in wood, stone, metal, and air. It’s about letting those elements speak and creating something that feels both ancient and futuristic. Each track reveals a unique sonic terrain: organic, trippy, and elemental. Capturing the primal music of the natural world and inviting listeners into a transcendent auditory experience.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One of the most important skills I’ve developed is critical listening. Not just hearing the sounds, but paying attention in different ways. I listen closely so I can pick apart the details (like rhythms, tones, and textures) and understand how the music is built. I’m asking myself if what I’m hearing feels real, effective and true to the moment. I listen with meaning, trying to catch the deeper emotion or story behind the sound and connect it to my own experience. This kind of critical listening has shaped the way I play, create, and work with others.
Some advice: If you’re just starting out, practice really listening. Don’t let music sit in the background. Tune in with intention. Focus on the details and ask yourself if what you’re hearing feels real and why it moves you. Look for the story or emotion in the sound and connect it to your own experience.
Be impeccable with your word. This means saying only what you truly mean and following through on it. Speak clearly, avoid negative talk, and use your words to build trust and respect in everyday situations.
Don’t take things personally. Remember that most people’s actions and words reflect their own experiences, not your worth. When you let go of the need for approval, you free yourself to focus on what you can control.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
In 2021, I began studying with Los Angeles-based drummer and percussionist, Butch Norton, whose work with The Eels, Lucinda Williams, Tracy Chapman, Rufus Wainwright, and the percussion duo Butch Jerome is legendary. Lessons from the “Butch Bunker” have pushed me beyond technique, teaching me how to feel the groove, trust my creativity, and improvise with confidence. His mentorship didn’t just improve my playing, it transformed the way I approach music and express myself as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jefftripolidrums.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jefftripolidrums
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jefftripolidrums
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jefftripolidrums
- Other: www.jefftripoli.bandcamp.com
Image Credits
Justine Lesio, John Miklasz
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
