Dunlop Sessions: Animals As Leaders

In this edition of Dunlop Sessions, Animals as Leaders throw down some of their finely crafted metal fusion masterpieces and talk about exploring creative potential, the intersection of creativity and technicality, and the transcendence of sharing their music with live audiences.

00:00 Interview (Tosin)
00:45 "Ectogenesis"
05:32 Interview (Tosin, Javier, & Matt)
07:44 "The Brain Dance"
14:41 Interview (Tosin, Javier, & Matt)
15:59 "Nephele"

Recorded Live at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley CA by Adam Munoz
Mastered by Myles Boisen, Guerrilla Recording, Oakland CA

Special Thanks:
Tosin, Javier, & Matt of Animals As Leaders
Fantasy Studios Staff
SIR Rentals, San Francisco CA
Morgan Amplification
Zoom USA
Universal Audio

VIDEO CREDITS:
Executive Producer: Jimmy Dunlop
Associate Producer: Chrys Johnson
Director: Joey Tosi
Editor/Asst Director: Max Baloian
Director of Photography: Donavan Sell
Gaffer: Andrew Haney
Camera Ops: Ben Lunden, Colin Mcaullife
Asst. Camera: Nick Schwyter
Grip: Little Giant Grip and Lighting, San Francisco CA

[someguy]

I left this video playing while I made a sandwich and when I came back my math homework was done

[TheArtofGuitar]

I really hope people talk about the drummer of this band as much as they talk about Tosin. Holy crap it's hard to lock onto a sequenced track that hard.

[akshitjha]

It's a lot of notes to remember.
- Javier Reyes (2017)

[SFUPodcast]

As a drummer I’m consistently baffled by how good Gartska is. Watching Tosin’s fretting hand, his fingers move so effortlessly that it’s hypnotic. Javier’s precision is next level. These guys are aliens or machines, I can’t tell which.

[guitarlaughs]

I heard click tracks practice to Matt Garstka to improve their timing

[Broken-Flesh]

I feel like I get smarter the more I listen to these guys.

[hfreed]

Every time a prog-metal artist says "ebb and flow", an angel gets it's 8-string.

[musanetesakupwanya]

I'm a jazz singer and this is my favourite band!

[EOS]

This live performance made me realize how big and important Javier is for AAL.

[KadeKalka]

There's nothing better than seeing them play "The Brain Dance" live.

[jasperalmoore]

One does not simply play an Animals as Leaders video in the background and manage to get any work done.

[drummer]

I didn't realize how many of the lead parts are actually Javier playing. They're all so good.

[UdobiMusic]

I may not be a great father to my kids, but I'm a great son to my father Tosin

[chicken]

I am a guitarist and I LOVE Tosin and Javier, they're the reasons I started listening to AAL. But for fuck's sake, even as a guitarist, Matt is so god damn incredible to watch. He's almost the reason I keep listening now lol.

[Heinrick]

Holy shit, that tone is MASSIVE! Especially on Nephele

[Rock-mory]

I'm a guitarist but, that feakin drummer. He's just as awesome as the other's

[martialmusicman]

Tosin has improved a lot with his virbrato and feel on solos since I first heard him! He was already god-tier at everything else.

[KhanalSush]

glad too see Javier getting more exposure

[SteveJAbraham]

Just realised that I'd never heard Matt speak before. And damn! I did not expect that voice 😅
The band was tight as always 😄

[andyp]

I think is my new favourite video on YouTube. Such an amazing performance, and it's fantastic getting to see them play up close so clearly - especially Javier, who doesn't get nearly as much attention as Tosin or Matt, despite also being an incredible musician. I'm just glad they are all in the same band making such fucking awesome music together.