Meet Dave Moraata of Smyrna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Moraata.

Hi Dave, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started playing drums around 14 and just kept building from there. I joined my first band when I was 17 and started working as a sideman around 21. At 23 I moved to Nashville and never looked back. There I would take various gigs as a sideman subbing for everyone that I could along with the occasional session from time to time. I would also play a ton jam nights to hang out and meet new people. I met the singer from the band Saving Abel at one of those jam nights and soon joined the band within a year or so. I soon ventured off to Los Angeles on occasions and found myself recording there as well. Now, here we are.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not really but I think all forms of growth are supposed to be challenging. I moved here with my wife and kid. He was only 2 when we moved here so I had to hold a full time day job while playing drums as much as possible. Daycare was to expensive so my wife picked up a job at a daycare so that my son could have a place to be all day around other kids to socialize. We lived over an hour away from Nashville too so driving back and forth after working all day was a challenge as well. I’m also self taught so there were a lot of “painting by numbers” that had to be done as well. I taught myself a lot just by hanging around other musicians.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I play drums! Being in a band is pretty rad but I also sub gigs on occasions and record a little as well. And I’m not to sure what sets me apart from others. Snare drum tone? TBH I try to blend in a much as possible. I love meeting new people and learning a lot about them.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
You have 2 ears for listening and 1 mouth for talking. Be kind to yourself and other people because you never know when you’re in the good times or the bad times.

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