KJ Sawka

KJ Sawka
Birth nameKevin Joseph Sawka
Born (1977-10-10) October 10, 1977 (age 47)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
GenresDrum and bass, dubstep, oldschool jungle
Occupation(s)Musician, record producer, DJ
Instrument(s)Drums, keyboards, bass guitar, percussion
Years active2005–present
LabelsBlack Hole Recordings, Wax Orchard, Beat My Drum Recordings, Impossible Records
SpouseCori Carlson
Websitekjsawka.com

Kevin Joseph "KJ" Sawka is an American musician, record producer, and DJ. He plays drums in the bands Pendulum and Destroid.

Career

KJ Sawka started his musical career at the age of twelve. At age eighteen, he developed an interest in electronic music and started producing. Citing the drumming of Phil Collins as a major influence,[1] Sawka uses a customized drumkit configured to enable greater improvisation, tailored to the type of music he is playing.[2]

In 2010, he became the drummer of Pendulum as the sole American member, appearing on their Immersion album.[3] The group reunited in 2016 for a single live show at Ultra Music Festival, Miami,[4] and subsequently went on tour in 2017.[1][5]

In 2012, together with producers Excision and Downlink, Sawka founded the supergroup Destroid, of which he is the drummer. He founded the independent record label Impossible Records in 2015.[6]

In 2021, Sawka reunited with friend and collaborator, Blake Lewis, to form the group, "The Private Language". Their first single, a cover of the Tears for Fears classic, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" was released on Black Hole Recordings and was shortly followed up by the release of their second single, "Cali Girls".

Discography

Solo

Studio albums
  • 2005 – Synchronized Decompression
  • 2007 – Cyclonic Steel
  • 2009 – Undefined Connectivity
Live albums
  • 2008 – Live at Chop Suey

With Pendulum

With Destroid

References

  1. ^ a b "Interview: KJ Sawka Talks New Music, The Pendulum Reunion, And Phil Collins – NEST HQ". NEST HQ. March 3, 2017. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  2. ^ "Pendulum's drum setup revealed: KJ Sawka's kit in pictures". MusicRadar. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  3. ^ "Pendulum recruit new drummer | music news | triple j". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  4. ^ "After the Ultra Miami Reunion, Pendulum Finally Reveals 2017 Plans". EDM.com. December 31, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  5. ^ "Pendulum". Songkick. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  6. ^ "KJ Sawka launches new label: Impossible Records". UKF. April 28, 2015. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved May 26, 2017.