Anthony Mosca of Kid Baron and Taryn Haze – The NAMM Show 2026 Interviews
Anthony Mosca of Kid Baron and Taryn Haze – The NAMM Show 2026 Interviews
Anthony Mosca of Kid Baron and Taryn Haze – The NAMM Show 2026 InterviewsThe NAMM Show has a way of pulling musicians into its whirlwind — a collision of gear, talent, and pure creative chaos — and in the middle of it all this year was drummer Anthony Mosca, a rising force whose momentum is impossible to ignore. After cutting his teeth with Kid Baron, sharing stages with artists like Machine Gun Kelly, and building a loyal following through his high‑energy drum covers, Mosca is now stepping into a new chapter as the drummer for Taryn Haze.
Despite the noise and spectacle of NAMM 2026, Anthony carries himself with a grounded enthusiasm — the kind that comes from someone who’s worked hard, taken big swings, and isn’t afraid to chase the next opportunity. Over the course of our conversation at The Media Center, he opened up about his early inspirations, the whirlwind of touring life, the surreal moments that shaped him, and the advice he has for musicians navigating the industry today.
What follows is a candid look at a drummer on the rise, still fueled by the same spark that first drew him to a drum kit as a kid.
We’re here with drummer Anthony Mosca at The NAMM Show. First of all, what has your NAMM experience been like for 2026?
For 2026, it’s definitely been overwhelming — in a good way. This is my third time here, but this year I really wanted to focus on all the drum‑related stuff and not get caught up in everything else. There’s so much going on that it’s easy to get distracted.
What initially pulled you toward the drums, and when did you realize it was going to be more than a hobby?
I grew up around music from the very beginning. My parents took me to concerts when I was basically fresh out of the hospital. My mom had a drum set, and I remember being five or six and just being drawn to it immediately. Funny enough, I actually played guitar before drums, but I’ve always had that rhythm in me — that instinct to hit things and make patterns. Drums just felt natural.
How did you end up working with Kid Baron, and how did the tour go?
The tour was amazing — such a great experience. But getting there was wild. I got this totally random DM on Instagram from Jack Griffo. All it said was, “Do you want to go on tour?” That was literally it. I was like, “Uh, yeah, of course.”
At the time I was working at Hot Topic, and I basically told them a week before the tour, “Yeah… I’m not coming back.” They weren’t thrilled. I had one week to learn the entire set, and we rehearsed until like 5 a.m. every night. Then we grabbed a Cruise America RV right after rehearsals and hit the road. That run was with Weathers.
What was it like touring with Weathers?
They were super cool from day one. Our first show was in Arizona, and we met them right away. We hung out a bunch, and they were just really welcoming. It made the whole tour even more fun.
What were some of the highlights of going out on that tour?
It was my first tour ever, so honestly that alone was a huge highlight. But meeting new people, traveling for music instead of just sightseeing — that was special. And after working at Hot Topic for two years, it felt amazing to finally be out there actually playing music as my job.
What goes through your mind when a tour like that comes to an end? What was that last day like?
It was honestly really sad. The whole tour I was riding this high, having the best time of my life, and feeling so grateful. When it ended, it hit me that I had to come back to reality for a bit. It was all good, but definitely bittersweet to let that experience go.
Now you’re working with Taryn Haze. How did that come about?
I’ve sort of known Taryn for about a year through mutual friends. I’d always see her around, but we hadn’t actually worked together until recently. We just played our first show this past week at the Viper Room.
How did that first show feel for you?
Honestly, I was a little nervous. I always get nervous when I’m playing with new people — especially when I don’t know them super well yet. I like to actually get to know the people I’m playing with and be friends, not just show up, play, and leave. But it was really cool. We rehearsed a bunch, the show went great, and we’ve got more shows coming up. I’m excited for those.
What was it like sharing the stage with Machine Gun Kelly, and how did that even happen?
That one was wild. I had tickets to see him with my sister, and one day I just woke up with this random idea: “I should bring a sign and ask to go on stage.” I’d seen him bring fans up before, and other bands like Foo Fighters do it too, so I figured, why not try? What’s the worst that could happen?
So I brought a sign that said, “Can I come up and play drums?” and instantly he was like, “Get up here, bro!” The crowd literally split open and let me through. I went up on stage, and it was honestly one of the highlights of my life so far.
Aside from getting to play with one of my favorite artists — and one of my favorite drummers — it was this moment where I realized, “If I work hard enough, I could get to this level.” Sitting behind the kit and seeing thousands of people in front of me… it was life‑altering. There were a lot of people at that show.
What was it like meeting Yungblud, and did you tell him about your TikTok cover?
I’ve met him twice, but the last time was pretty hectic. He was doing a merch pop‑up at The Complex, and I didn’t really get to talk to him much, which sucked. I just said hi, but everyone was rushing him, so I didn’t get the chance to mention the cover. Still cool to meet him, though.
You post drum covers on TikTok of various artists. Has anyone ever reached out to you about them?
Yeah, actually — I think one or two have. I did two covers of songs by Lit, and their bass player commented like, “This is so cool.” I always tag artists just in case. I don’t expect them to see it, but sometimes they do.
NAMM is a gear lover’s paradise. What pieces of equipment have been game‑changers for you and your sound?
With drums, I feel like the gear is pretty straightforward — drum set, drumsticks, cymbals. I’m not super deep into all the little inventions people come up with. But as far as gear that’s made a difference, I’d say drumsticks. I’ve tried a bunch of different kinds. I just bought a new pair from a brand called Scorpion, so I’m going to check those out. Hopefully they’ll be a game‑changer.
Who are some of the other artists or bands you’ve worked with that people might not know about?
I was in my own band back in New York. I had a cover band for about a year, and I also played with a local band called Breach the Asylum. Out here in L.A., I was in a metal band called Darling Breathe — pretty heavy stuff, but really fun. I’ve also played with an artist named Ziggy Six, and now Taryn Haze and Kid Baron. Other than that, I’ve done a lot of spot gigs — if someone needed a drummer and asked, I’d jump in. That’s pretty much everyone I’ve played with.
What drummers are inspiring you right now?
I’d say Tommy Lee has always been my biggest inspiration. I grew up on ’80s music — my dad always had it playing in the car — so Tommy Lee was a huge influence. John Bonham too. I’ve got a bunch of favorites, but I’ll stick with those two.
What’s up next for you? Any upcoming collaborations?
Right now, the main thing on the schedule is a bunch of shows with Taryn. We’re playing at DiPiazza’s in Long Beach on February 20th. I’m really looking forward to that one.
Do you have any advice for musicians seeking an endorsement deal?
Honestly, I’ve noticed that just being yourself goes a long way. Talk to people — really talk to them — instead of walking up and saying, “Give me an endorsement.” When you meet brand reps, they’re all here because they love music too. It shouldn’t be all about you.
With endorsements, it’s a collaboration. So I like to ask them about what they do, what they’re into, what kind of music they like. Connecting on a personal level first makes the business side way more natural afterward.
In Conclusion
As NAMM 2026 buzzed around us, it was clear that Anthony Mosca is stepping into a new phase of his career with the kind of drive that turns opportunities into momentum. Whether he’s recounting the surreal moment of being pulled onstage by Machine Gun Kelly, reflecting on the grind of learning a full tour set in a week, or talking about the simple joy of connecting with other musicians, Anthony carries the mix of humility and hunger that defines an artist on the rise.
With new collaborations unfolding and a growing presence in the L.A. music scene, he’s carving out a path built on instinct, work ethic, and genuine passion for the craft. And fans won’t have to wait long to see that energy in action — Anthony will be behind the kit for Taryn Haze at DiPiazza’s in Long Beach on February 20th, bringing his signature intensity to the stage.
If this NAMM conversation is any indication, it’s only the beginning of what promises to be a standout year for him.
(Interview by Ken Morton – Photos by Jack Lue)
