Drumming with Dead Can Dance

Peter Ulrich thinks he got the ultimate fan trip-to play, record, and tour with his favourite band, Dead Can Dance, and to be part of the legendary 4AD label of the 1980s. From there, he went solo to pursue his own musical vision, embracing the support and influences of his mentors Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard. This, in turn, led to a collaboration with New York producer Trebor Lloyd and a huge range of musicians, which spawned a trilogy of albums released between 2013 and 2019, all the while continuing to attend DCD shows and cross paths with Perry and Gerrard. Peter Ulrich lives and works in the very centre of Norfolk, UK.

"...[G]reat book... one of the best memoirs I have read... honest, open and while very in-depth it is a fun and interesting book to read... You do not have to be a fan of Dead Can Dance, but if you are not, you will be once you have finished reading it." —Aaron Badgley, Spill Magazine"This book really does capture so much, so well, what it was like in the early days, both for struggling artists and the fledgling independent label community.” —Ivo Watts-Russell, founder 4AD Records"Getting a glimpse into the crucible of creation/re-creation was exhilarating...Through this memoir you can enjoy the view too, and see the inner world of a seminal and highly influential band as they rise into success." —Benjamin Schreihals, Gothic Beauty Magazine"A thoroughly absorbing memoir, filled with fascinating detail." —Joanne Harris, author"[Ulrich is] a natural writer, deftly weaving in tales of life... and affording cameos to those who burned brightly. A historical document of a vast musical landscape, this will fascinate those who weren't there, and make misty those of us who were." —Jane Cornwell, Songlines Magazine"Well, what a journey...fantastic read." —Paul Erikson, original bassist of Dead Can Dance"...in-depth memoir... very exciting... all those tiny details we wanted... Highly recommended." —Klemen Breznikar, It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine"...the book...It's great! Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston - my first DCD gig. Lisa came on with a teacup and saucer." —Glen Johnson, founder, singer, guitarist of Piano Magic"...highly collectable piece of fan memorabilia for DCD devotees. Furthermore... richly descriptive recollections of the adventures in sound... other 4AD projects, including This Mortal Coil... a solo career and further collaborations... his preoccupation with possibilities of instrumentation reveals a unique passion... Ulrich's devotion to the cause is impeccable."—Bryony Hegarty, Louder Than War"...a real treat to recall my own collaboration with Peter and our insanely eclectic adventures in creating The Painted Caravan trilogy." —Treboy (Big T) Lloyd, founder, writer, producer of The Peter Ulrich Collaboration, head of City Canyons LLC"Lively and entertaining... with sterling levels of recall... A voluminous, lengthy, extensive five stars." —John Lloyd, Fox Books, Leicester, UK"A wonderful and fascinating personal story... so many nuances and parts of the story that I didn’t realise... and... a lot of forgotten memories."—Steve Webbon, Beggars Group"Part autobiography, part band biog, this is nothing if not unorthodox, but fully in keeping with the band that inspired it... the self-taught percussionist was closely involved in some of their defining records and shows, and his insights are often illuminating... Engagingly written"—Johnny Sharp, PROG Magazine"...just finished the book... absolutely loved it!" —Greg Fasolino, "one of the foremost Goth and Post-Punk historians in the world (post-punk.com)""...that story you tell about a dinner in Venice and then you present Lisa's completely different recollection of the same event... I love that! We all have such faulty memories of what occurred. There is no reality!" —Sam Rosenthal, founder of Projekt Records and black tape for a blue girl"A fabulous fly-on-the-wall read." —Coral Rockks 985FM CKWR, Canada"...incredibly well-crafted... and [the] writer's voice carries such positivity and a general love of music, along with the camaraderie of creation and what it feels like to be in a band - struggles and successes and all!" —Bret Helm, founder, singer, bassist of Audra"How one phone call can change everything. Ulrich tells a heady, detailed story of living in and learning fast having joined Dead Can Dance - one of the most unique groups ever, leading to his personal musical flowering. The creative ebbs and flows, worlds of life on the road and music business shenanigans come vividly to life."—Dave Massey - music journalist and historian, music publishing A&R/Creative Director and fellow drummer"Ulrich comes across as very personable, with plenty of rather wry humour, and... a sense of genuine surprise and delight at being part of a diverse music scene."— warped-perspective.com"[Ulrich's] personality and sense of humor absolutely comes through! Really wonderful job." —Timothy O'Donnell, graphic design v23/4AD"Great book, very well written..."—Claudio Bustamante, Fairfax City Music, YouTube Channel"I love how this weaves so much historical and influential contemporary music with the story... beautifully written... utterly compelling." —Lisa Tenzin-Dolma, author, singer-songwriter"I am reading this book and keep telling my friends about it. I feel like I am sitting in a time machine - haha - love it!" —Magno Damase, DCD fan posting on Facebook"Fabulous memories of exciting times, superbly written." —Colin Wallace, 4AD