Drums
When not playing bass or writing songs, Justin is also an active drummer. Justin used to play drums on tour with alternative-folk singer-songwriter Alex Riggs (2016 - 2020) and 80’s synth-pop revivalist Waldo Witt (2019). Justin has previously been the drummer for the lo-fi shoegaze group An Occasion For Balloons (2014-2016), Raleigh post-punk group Night Battles (2020-2022), and Raleigh chamber pop group Ins Kino (2021-2023). Justin has also filled in behind the kit for Cameron Stenger Rodes Baby, Moneybox, and others.
These days Justin plays Ludwig and Maxwin drums, Meinl, Zildjian, and Bosphorus cymbals, Evans drumheads, and Vic Firth drumsticks. His favorite drummers are John Bonham, Matt Frazier, Christopher Bear, Keith Moon, Mick Fleetwood, and Bryan Devendorf.
Alex Riggs
After responding to a facebook posting looking for a drummer in early 2016, Justin began playing drums with prolific Durham singer-songwriter Alex Riggs. In the four years since, Alex, Justin, and collaborators Lauren Francis and Owen FitzGerald have shared many experiences together - including performances at Hopscotch Music Festivals 2016 and 2019, Sing Out Loud Fest 2018 in St. Augustine, Florida, and the 2019 NC State Fair.
Most notably, Alex was invited to support fellow Durhamites The Mountain Goats in 2018 on a national US tour that took them all over the southern half of the country, putting the band is such hallowed rooms as The Moody Theatre in Austin, TX, Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, NM, and the Georgia Theatre in Athens, GA. They have also shared the stage with David Dondero, The Weepies, Gruff Rhys, Daughter of Swords, Cate Le Bon, and many more.
Waldo Witt
Initially named Table Tennis Dreamer, Waldo Witt is the solo project of Austin singer. keyboardist, and producer Waldo Wittenmyer (TOMA, Velo), a friend and frequent collaborator of Justin’s who has worked with Ravary and Happy Abandon in the past.
Having met Justin in 2016 at SXSW, Waldo eventually relocated to Chapel Hill, NC and launched his solo work there. Justin played drums with Waldo on two tours of the East Coast in 2019 and contributed percussion, guitar, bass, and backing vocals to Waldo’s debut release Randall, named after his beloved Ford Econoline.
Waldo and Justin have shared stages with several notable up-and-coming indie acts such as TC Superstar, Super City, Video Age, Glove, and Future Thieves. Waldo Witt released a second EP, Inner Paths, in May 2020.
“All My Life” live at the Caledonia Lounge, Athens GA
“2 Many Vibez” live at the Caledonia Lounge, Athens GA