Maxime COSANDEY
ASBA artist – Dirty Sound Magnet
Maxime Cosandey approaches every show as a human and sonic adventure. Blending raw energy, organic groove, and free improvisation, he stands out as a passionate, authentic drummer deeply connected to his audience.
Maxime Cosandey, drummer of the psychedelic rock band Dirty Sound Magnet, embodies twenty years of loyalty, passion, and evolution within the group. Over 850 shows, five studio albums, and thousands of hours of rehearsals and shared experiences have forged a unique musical language among the members.
His playing strikes a balance between raw energy, precision, groove, and constant improvisation. No two shows are ever the same — each performance is a two-and-a-half-hour journey, shifting between explosive intensity and delicate dynamics. Maxime lives music in the moment, letting energy and sound guide his movements and channeling pure sincerity into every beat.
He relentlessly pursues new sounds, where every detail matters: shell sizes, drumheads, cymbals, meticulous tuning, and microphone choices are all part of his sonic research. His recent collaboration with ASBA, an exceptional French drum maker, allows him to deepen that exploration even further.
The ASBA adventure began with a chance encounter in a music store, followed by conversations with Thomas, Léo, and artisans Jean-Marc and Benjamin. Blending passion and craftsmanship, this partnership provided him with the perfect instrument to express his rhythmic vision.
His custom ASBA Rive Gauche kit (24”x14, 13”x8, 14”x8, 16”x16, 18”x16, stainless steel snare 14”x6.5”) plays a major role in shaping his sound aesthetic. The warmth of the wood gives him both organic power and surgical precision.
Before choosing the Rive Gauche, Maxime long considered a metal kit, drawn to its heavy, thick tone with minimal overtones. But on stage, he needed something more familiar — warmth and flexibility that only wood could offer. And while the Rive Gauche remains his ideal companion today, he keeps a curious eye on ASBA’s innovations — the Fantôme is already catching his attention.
On stage, Maxime isn’t chasing technical display. He defines himself as a pillar of groove, living and transmitting musical emotion in its purest form. His movements guide the band and set the pace for dynamic shifts. Each of his improvised solos tells a story — never written in advance, carried by the energy of the moment. Out of breath and in communion with the audience, his solos end in a final burst and a thunder of applause.
Today, with ASBA, Maxime knows he has found his instrument and the right partners to accompany him on the next stage of his musical journey — a solid foundation to keep shaping his sound and sharing ever more intense and authentic moments with his audience.
“The ASBA Rive Gauche is the sound I’ve been waiting for all these years. Warmth, precision, and authenticity — everything I look for behind the drums.”