Savannah drummer and bassist Dominique “Pockets” Harris, of many Savannah bands, including the Kyle Yardley Blues Band, opens up about his musical influences, favorite Savannah venues, guilty pleasures, and much more.
What first got you into music?
Well I come from a family of professional gospel singers so I believe music is just in me. My earliest memory is me getting a drum set when I was about 4 years old or so. My brother will put on the gospel tapes and I was sitting behind the drum set and play right along to them. Somehow I could already keep a beat my first time even sitting behind it.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Some of my biggest influences are Nate Morton,( the drummer from The Voice), Carter Beaufort (Dave Matthews), Quest Love (The Roots), and of course I can’t forget the Great Larry “Put the Chair Down” Duff lol
How would you describe your sound to someone hearing you for the first time?
I would describe my sound as Electric Blues. You’re going to hear some blues, some rock, some funk, and some gospel of course blended all together to become one great sound.
Music is just in me. I was four years old, keeping a beat behind a drum set like it was second nature.
How did you get started in the Savannah music scene?
I got started in the scene around September 2018 at the Bayou Cafe. I was looking for open mics and Kyle Yardley was the first person to reach out to me and told me about the Jam with Eric Culberson at the Bayou every Tuesday.
What are your favorite Savannah venues to play, and why?
My number one favorite place to play in Savannah is The Warehouse. Kyle told me about the jam at the Bayou, I went out and met with him and I had my first gig with him at the warehouse in November. So because that was my first gig in Savannah it kind of holds a special place in my heart.
Which Savannah artists and/or musicians would you love to collaborate with?
Being in the music scene for the last 7 years and being who I am, I have pretty much played with everyone that I can think of. One person I haven’t played with yet though that I would like to would probably be Jawan Mathis.
What are your thoughts on the current state of Savannah’s music scene?
The Savannah music scene could definitely be better. You have excellent musicians out here who have studied and practiced their craft and are getting underpaid because bars don’t want to pay anything around here, just being honest.
What is your creative process like?
My creative process during a gig for example depends on my band members. Although I am the drummer and I’m the heartbeat and driving the train, what I do depends on my bandmates because I am feeding off of them. So I will play something different every time depending on what they are playing.
How do you prepare mentally for a live show?
I mentioned Nate Morton earlier and preparing for a gig he wants told me when he used to get nervous and he would go in the bathroom and look at herself in the mirror and he would tell himself that, you are the drummer, this is your gig, this is what you do and then he will repeat it to himself. I have tried that and it definitely works and now doing it for so long I just love the crowd and I’m always ready to go. The bigger the crowd the better.
I’m the heartbeat of the band, but what I play changes every night because I’m feeding off whatever my bandmates give me.
What’s a “guilty pleasure” song or artist you secretly love?
My guilty pleasure song, I will 100% rock out to Miley Cyrus’ Party in the USA and another favorite of mine is Colors by the Black Pumas and of course anything Hendrix.
What’s a non-music hobby your fans don’t know about?
A non musical hobby that I have but I think everyone knows about is that I love to shoot pool. Some would call me a shark but I wouldn’t go that far lol I just love the game and no matter what I do I try to at least make sure that I’m good at it a little bit.
If you created an All-Star Savannah Band, who would be in it?
If I were to create a Savannah All-Star band, I would definitely go Big Band. You would have me and Larry Duff on drums, Jon Lee and Justin Vreeland and Eric Culberson on guitar, Big E on bass, Kyle Yardley and Ace swapping harp solos and Jon Lee Vocals as well.
What’s next for you—any new music, shows, or collaborations coming up?
Jon Lee and the Apparitions, we just finished recording our next album so be able to look out for that early next year and also you may see me playing more bass next year as well.
Are there any new styles, sounds, or directions you hope to explore?
I’m just pretty much focused on working on my sound and getting better for myself and then starting to explore other avenues. Not really sure what though.
What message would you give to your fans?
To all my fans out there I would tell them all if they’re looking to become a musician or whatever they want to do, go for it. Not everyone will support you and not everyone will tell you yes but you have to keep pushing and make sure you doing it for yourself and everything else will come as long as you don’t give up. Put the time in, put the work in, and perfect whatever your craft is and you will absolutely reap the benefits from it in the end. Pockets out ✌️🤙
If you want to be a musician, or anything really, put the time in, put the work in, perfect your craft — and you will reap the benefits in the end. Pockets out.
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