Barry van der Biezen

Drums & percussion - Music is a powerful form of expression. It allows me to share emotions and connect with others.

0% played

The song On the edge of time from the album Progressio.

Scroll down

Barry van der Biezen is the drummer for the band The One Ahead and creates the groove together with Czarek Trocewicz. In addition to drumming, he is also the music producer and handles all technical aspects within the band. As a second major responsibility, he is in charge of the design and technical development of the website theoneahead.pl.

A little insight into Barry’s musical beginnings, current plans and point of view in questions and answers.

How did it happen that you chose the most ungrateful instrument in terms of logistics?

My parents told me that as a child I said that I wanted to play drums. Actually, not even knowing what the instrument is and what it involves. I remember myself that when I heard by chance from the family of solo Cesar Zuiderwijk (Golden Earring) and his show from that moment it became clear that it will be 100% drums. My dad was still trying to talk me out of this idea and persuade me to play the harmonica. I suspect that because of logistics – he just knew what awaits us. However, as you can see, nothing came of it. After these unsuccessful attempts to get the drums out of my head, my parents were persuaded to buy a basic drum set. Their condition was to take a lesson in playing this instrument. It also happened.

Haven’t you thought about changing analogue to digital drums?

No about change. I see digital drums as a good addition, especially for rehearsals because it is quiet and because there are special effects in it. Acoustic, however, is more demanding and looks better on stage.

How has your look at music and its performers changed over the years?

As a child, I grew up with Rolling Stones, for example the Beatles never attracted me. On my way I was accompanied by many performers, until I reached Pink Floyd which I am faithful to this day. Thanks to them I discovered how timeless their music is. There are not many bands whose music is like that.
Thanks to the fact that I began to be interested in sound and recording myself, I realized that all these years Pink Floyd has consistently good sound and how good composers are.
When it comes to drums my view on technique and speed has changed a lot. It has ceased to be so important to me now I am trying to play with Groov and put my emotions into this game.

What drives you to develop in the field of sound?

I was in Frankfurt in the 90s at the Music Fair (Musikmesse) and then it was possible to record instruments to the computer. As I saw it, it became my dream, which for ordinary people was still unattainable then. Only recently it became possible. The technique has gone a long way and there is much easier access to everything.
From 2015 I started to realize this dream to see if what I once imagined will be really possible. Thanks Youtube & Co. you can learn a lot and learn to use the experience of others without making mistakes. Which, unfortunately, doesn’t protect against making your own, but thanks to this you learn faster.

Where does this desire to jump into the deep end come from?

Because I am like that. I like challenges. The easiest way is to say that you can’t do something and then the matter is simple. I prefer to learn something, it costs me a lot of effort, but I also enjoy it a lot.

If you could choose, what equipment would you like to play on?

Now I play on the old version of Pearl Master Studio, these are birch drums and have good sound. In the future, maybe I would like to play the Pearl Reference Series in terms of sound I also like very much. There is so much good equipment now that it would be difficult for me to decide what is better. I also heard different Tams and Sonora, whose sound is really good.

Is it easier to play covers or your own songs?

I play my own songs more naturally and I can always change something depending on what day and inspiration I have, I don’t have so much freedom in covers, although I played them in my own way. There are known elements that should be played, but I tried not to copy 1: 1.

What is your biggest dream about music?

My dream is to have your own album. Then it is a moment recorded forever, it has something magical to me.

What do you like more: playing concerts or working in a studio?

I can’t say that I definitely like something more because they are two very distant worlds. Concerts focus on meeting people. It’s great if there are people who are positive about your music. The whole concert atmosphere; lights, sound system and tension, adrenaline before the concert, concentration on playing and fulfillment after the good performance – are cool
The studio does not have this atmosphere and requires a lot of concentration when recording with an emphasis on playing everything as well as possible. In addition, you need to decide how the song should sound. There are a lot of decisions that you have to make and you get to know yourself a little better- how you act when you get frustrated.

Do you remember any slip-up or funny situation at the concert?

Strange things always happen at concerts, everyone makes mistakes, stumbles, drumsticks fly out of their hands, or break, sound engineers forget about microphones or auditions. Generally, during the concert this is not funny at all, rather frustrating, but after a while you remember these situations with a smile.

Kwisonalia 2025 Gryfów — Making of music video “Born in ’69”

Why did you decide to participate in this project?

As Jurek said at the beginning there were only three of us. Just to have fun. Since pieces of songs began to arise from our jamming, with which we could continue working, we decided to look for a team. And in 2018 we started a project that got the name The One Ahead.For me it was important to create and play my own material. After the previous project, I wanted to do something completely different. It just happened thanks to making music together.

What from your point of view connects you and what divides you?

From my point of view, we share a passion for creating and playing music. We are divided by different things, but the important thing is that we always try to find a compromise.

What is your favorite song from your album?

The closest to my heart is the song “Tyle co nic”. I think this is the only song from the album that began to exist by giving the rhythm “half time shuffle”. Guitars and the rest played on this rhythm.

Why do you like this song?

This song has a completely different character than the rest of the songs on the album. I really like this groove and the change in rhythm in the chorus. In total, there are three different rhythms, I really like it.