Sweet Lou

Name: Matthew “Sweet Lou” Holmes
Place of Origin: Copperas Cove, TX
Instrument: Congas

If you had the room on stage for your prime setup, what would it be?
I would use a whole world full of percussive treats - bongo, djembe, bata, all types of tinks and trinklets, about four different bells, blocks…ummm, a snare drum…and anything else that could be used to compliment the sound of the band.

What percussionists do you listen to the most?
I listen to a wide range of percussionists. Most influential are congueros of course: Giovanni Hidalgo (I enjoy his use of melody while playing and soloing combined with amazing technique), Candido and Patato (fathers of the melodic style with 3 and 4 congas), Richie Flores (amazing technical monster), Ray Barretto (tremendous sound quality and control), and Poncho Sanchez (the first conguero I studied - ridiculous feel and solo phrasing).

Others: Tito Puente (nuff said), Chepito Areas (recently turned on to this cat - all around badass), Dave Samuels and the Caribbean Jazz project (any recordings are percussionist dream – includes Richie Flores, Luis Conte, Roberto Quintero a variety of amazing drummers and in my opinion the best latin jazz marimbist and vibe player Dave Samuels), Horacio Hernandez, Ignacio Berroa, Alex Acuña, Karl Perrazo.

How do you keep yourself relaxed on the road?
It's not that difficult. I’m pretty much a relaxed person anyway so on the road I just don’t let little things get to me, ya know? Except for stupid drunks!

Sweet Lou proudly endorses LP Percussion