 Photo by Faye Blais Name
Jessie Jungalwalla Where are you from and/or where do you live now? Breamlea on the Surfcoast in Victoria How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument? 22 years, teenage angst! Do you play any other instruments? I sing What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now? Just casual jams mainly, working on a Rage Against the Machine cover band but not ready for gigs yet! What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)? My last band was ‘The Late Nights’ when I lived in Vancouver, which was a combination of soul, folk and spoken word with some ridiculously talented women. Before that I played in a band ‘Jungal’ with my sister and best mate, we played together for 12 years. Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about? In Jungal I wrote a little, and definitely put lots of thought into our live performance. It was really all about engaging the audience and feeding them with our energy. What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run? I think collaboration is very important to any artist who wants to explore possibilities outside of their own imagination. Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now? I’m loving Sampa the Great, Tank and the Bangas, Four Tet, Gang of Youths, Peep Temple….I could keep going! Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why? Every drummer has a favorite drummer right? Don’t judge me but I freaking love Carter Beauford from Dave Matthews Band. His intricate hat work is insane, every hit is perfect and he does it all with a cheeky smile. How would you describe the kind of music or projects you’re mostly involved in? And what kind of unique perspective/sound do you bring to these gigs? Honestly since moving back to Australia I’m not such an active as a musician outside of my weekly jams doing RATM. In the past though I bring a simple, solid backbone beat and some vox work as well. Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises? My favorite exercise is more like a little game where I just play a groove and do a fill every 8 beats for 5 minutes. The thing is the groove can never be the same, so it pushes me to expand outside my usual bag o tricks. Does social media play a big part in how you promote yourself as an artist and your various projects? Do you promote your work in other ways? Back when I was playing and promoting the projects I worked in more, social media, as it’s generally free was about 75% of our promotion strategy! Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise? Nope Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you? The Rockies in Canada If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be? Get more lessons!
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 Photo by Rachel Barrett Name Elloise Walsh Where are you based? Right now I’m actually moving from Fremantle to Perth. I grew up in the Perth hills and also the UK. How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument? I started playing when I was 15 years old. Basically I took music to get out of taking 2nd English. We had to play a song as a band and I wound up on drums by chance. I found it perfect as I could perform which I found I loved instantly but I was behind a wall (drumkit) that meant I also couldn’t see who was watching me or be seen. best of both worlds. Do you play any other instruments? I play keys, guitar and I dabble in singing. What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now? Currently I am drumming for Trolley Boy and a theatre show called Styx, playing keys and guitar for Axe Girl and kind of everything for a solo album I’m working on which doesn’t have a name yet. What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)? Drums for the Love Junkies, Filthy Apes and the odd fill in/session thing here and there and Guitar and singing for Dead End Brawler. Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about? I guess all the projects I work on have various levels of collaboration which I’ve had small parts in. The thing that is really my baby is about my gender transition. I was writing songs whilst transitioning just as a venting tool really. It helped me process the feelings. Some friends of mine shot a documentary about it and I asked if I could write the music. When I had a look at the old demos I was like oh there’s a really interesting albums worth of work here that would be fun to release as a kind of snapshot of that process. I asked some friends to help and they were all keen so I'm at the point of finding funding and setting up some recording time. What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run? Collaboration means different things in different situations. Sometimes you're all working to realise one person's vision. Sometimes you're all working evenly to come up with the best thing you can and sometimes your all just throwing shit at a wall and whatever sticks is what it is. I think it’s important to be flexible with collaborating. Shut up and listen one someone is trying hard to get something across. But at the same time if you’ve got an idea you feel strongly about you should fight for it too. Lately I’ve been trying to also show ideas to people that I think aren’t that great. Sometimes it surprises you what someone might like or sometimes it just takes a fresh set of ears to say try it again but faster/slower or in this key or whatever. I find it real tricky because you're trying to take the emotion out of an emotional process. The more you do it though, the easier it seems to get. Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now? I just saw Laura Jane Grace and the Devouring Mothers last week who’s my all time hero and i got to hug her and Atom Willard who is an absolute beast! of a drummer. It was an incredible gig and a now treasured memory. “Screaming Females - All at once” I’ve been listening to almost every day recently. Other than that Some Beowulf, Bjork, Two steps from the Water are the last 3 things I listened to. Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why? Atom Willard for one, Dave Grohl was the teen hero of course. I love a hard hitter. Around Perth Jamie Gallacher, Jess June, Dan Harper are some local drummers I love. The list of musicians that inspire me are endless really. From locals who are friends to huge acts that sellout stadiums and everything in between, you can always find something interesting and new to be fascinated with. In particular I find other trans and queer artists very inspiring as they’re fewer and farther between and I know how hard it is to be honest about something that is that difficult to deal with. I also want to thank them for making my life a tiny bit easier by being visible. In the last 5 years i’ve seen real life progress from society because they saw someone and went ah yeah they’re not that different really. How would you describe the kind of music or projects you’re mostly involved in? And what kind of unique perspective/sound do you bring to these gigs? My home is Punk, grunge or whatever. Loud guitars, smashing drums and screaming vocals. There’s a catharsis there that always makes me feel better. But I also play keys in a pop band, folk in a theatre act and I’ve been in metal bands and dressed up like a monkey on stage. I really like anything. There’s too much out there to be kept to one or two things so I guess i’d say I’m all over the place. Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises? Not anymore, I used to do rudiments and all that to warm up and practice on a pad for an hour a day and get as much time behind a kit as my parents could deal with. Now with all the instruments I'm playing and having a job and all that finding time to practice is kind of difficult. I tend to hear something and think I want to learn that and then I try to get as close as I can over a week and then move onto the next thing. When I went to WAAPA I took practice real serious and then I realised music is supposed to be fun, so now I just do what I feel like, I have no ambition to be the best drummer in the world or sell the most records or whatever. I’d like to get paid maybe one day haha. but to be honest I just like playing and that's all it needs to be. Does social media play a big part in how you promote yourself as an artist and your various projects? Do you promote your work in other ways? I’m not great at the social media stuff. I want to start doing it so I can promote my own stuff but right now I tend to just share whatever the band page posts. I think the power of social media is very overrated. I tend to follow my favourites and look at a gig guide and ignore the rest. I still most of my information about artists to check out from friends, radio, music blogs, interviews or Spotify algorithms. I prefer the word of mouth thing the best, you get an honest opinion of something plus I love talking about music. The best way to promote your work is to make really great art. People will usually come if it’s good. Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise? I started a gardening business called Tidy Bush Gardens. Hit me up if you're in Perth! haha. Apart from tour per diems i’ve never made money. in fact, I've lost a lot. Once you hit a point of success you take all that money and put into the next recording or the next tour to get to the next step until the project is no more. Unless you blow up and become super successful and surprise!!! I’m not super successful haha. Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you? All over the world! 6 weeks all around America which was terrifying and amazing! Vietnam which is my favourite country so far, in a month I’m off to the UK for another 6 weeks. Lots and lots of places. I like to look at them as paid for holidays. Travel around somewhere and see it then at night go to a bar to get your free drinks and play. It's a pretty rad lifestyle. The trick for me is getting on top of life when I'm back home. If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be? Just chill babe, It’s called playing music not working music, enjoy it! Also the cymbals you’ve got are too thick, you sound like you're hitting a piece of tin into a megaphone and people want to be able to hear things the next day.  Photo by Lewis Nixon @ljn.photo Name Bridget Coleman Where are you from and/or where do you live now? Australian born with Filipino heritage & Melbourne based. How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument? I’ve been drumming for 25 years! Geez.. Haven’t thought about that... I’ve always been drawn to drums and used to break into cupboards to play on pots and pans as a toddler.. It wasn’t until I was older I had drum lessons - learning traditional rock and jazz. Do you play any other instruments? My lola (nan) taught me how to play piano when I was little & when I was a teenager I wanted to shred like Donita Sparks (L7) so learned guitar. I still dabble with guitar occasionally and have written music in previous projects - but drums are my main love. What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now? I’m drumming for 2 bands 💖
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)? This is like naming ex partners.. Haha! There’s a few.. Matramuta (ladies of death metal), Myagi (indie - formed at Rock n Roll Highschool), Pussy XXX (glam-metal), Taste the Venom (indie), Hunting Club (post-rock), Bricks are Heavy (L7 tribute), Attacked by Seagulls (post-hardcore). They’re on soundcloud if you’d like a listen. Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about? I used to write lyrics and music for Matramuta & Pussy XXX because I used to write lots of poetry and enjoyed writing lyrics expressing life as an outcast in the outer eastern suburbs. These days, I enjoy booking shows, discovering rad new bands and organising shows with them. It can be pretty special. What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run? I love collaborating! It’s so satisfying when you’re at rehearsal experimenting with sounds, nailing timing and finalising structure arrangement. It’s even better when you’re on the same creative page and share amazing ideas. This is the most challenging part of being in a band.. Finding creative chemistry with multiple personalities. Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now? I have been exploring metal bands with non-cis male members in them - sadly, the metal scene is still under represented (they exist) and it infuriates me. The bands I’ve discovered & love are Venom Prison, Sisters of Suffocation, Nervosa, Employed to Serve & our very own Melbourne heroes, Outright, Somatized, Spawn and Lai. Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why? Luana Dametto, Nervosa - My fav metal drummer at the moment! Those blasts 👌 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPJJ7fGgW8E Senri Kawaguchi - Because. This! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvDsi-gohDo Dave Lombardo - Because. Slayer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y33gdal8dXU&list=RDY33gdal8dXU&start_radio=1 How would you describe the kind of music or projects you’re mostly involved in? And what kind of unique perspective/sound do you bring to these gigs? The genres I enjoy drumming for are post-punk, metal and hardcore. I prefer to play in bands that are energetic and fun. Performance wise, I’m a bit of a show off and when I feel a buzz from the crowd, I usually stand up on the kit and perform solos. My personality is not about hiding behind the kit and expect banter, fast fills, double kicks and aggressive playing at any one of my shows.  Photo by Zo Damage http://zodamage.com Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
STRETCHING is important!! I practice stretching before I play and perform a warm up of fast rolls in soundcheck. For stamina, I stay fit with boxing and martial arts training. I don’t want to be gassed during my performance, so I keep my fitness levels up by working out. If any musos want to try awesome classes - check out Alternative Women’s Fitness. Does social media play a big part in how you promote yourself as an artist and your various projects? Do you promote your work in other ways? Big time! If you want to get gigs and followers you need to be on social media and be active! Long gone are the days of relying on street press and Facebook events is the new gig guide. A few shows we’ve booked are through bands who have found us on socials, so it counts! Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise? (no worries if this is a bit personal) Haha. No. However, I can’t function as a human without music and it’s important to be in a job that recognises work life balance. Some people choose time with family.. Well, music and bands are my family. Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you? Sharing a stage with the White Stripes, The Bangs, Destruction, Magic Dirt, The Haggard, Blood Duster & Crucified Barbara are definitely up there! If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be? There’s no regrets. I’m pretty happy and glad that I was courageous to play metal in a scene with barely any female representation. It was tough, but with some of the bullshit I copped back in the late 90s, I was resilient, played hard and showed ‘em how it’s done. Other thoughts/info Upcoming gigs: Glomesh: Mon 12 Aug @ Northcote Social Club - Glomesh Bday show TSS gigs: Fri 28 June @Last Chance Sat 13 July @Nighthawks - with other rad non-male dominated heavy bands Website Glomesh https://www.facebook.com/Glomeshband TSS https://www.facebook.com/tss.slays Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/bridget-coleman  Photo by James McPherson Photography Name
Holly Thomas Where are you from and/or where do you live now? I’m originally from rAdelaide, but now reside in Melbourne. How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument? I’ve been playing for about 15 years now. I’m not really sure what initially drew me to the instrument other than potentially love at first sight?! I saw them sitting in the music room during my primary school days and wanted to play them SOOOO BAD! Do you play any other instruments? I try my best to sing like an angel as a backing vocalist :P, however I don’t really play any other instruments to a professional standard. I do play guitar and bass for therapeutic benefits and for a bit of attempted songwriting at home. What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now? Currently, I’m focusing on playing with various original artists and bands, such as Husky, Quivers, Fraser A. Gorman, Coda Chroma and James Kenyon. What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)? I’ve stirred a lot of different pots I guess! In the past I’ve performed in professional, touring musicals such as ‘Ghost – The Musical’ and ‘Dusty – The Musical’. I’ve worked in Cabaret, performing with artists such as Courtney Act, Bob Downe, etc and played in orchestras backing the likes of Tkay Maidza, Eddie Perfect and Leo Sayer. Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about? I’m forever working up to... one day... hopefully… releasing my own music… but it’s a long-term goal/dream! What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run? Working with other musicians is one of my favorite parts of being a musician. I love seeing what other bring to the table and learning from them and their experiences. Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now? I would say I’m currently in an indie vortex! I love listening to artists/bands such as Aldous Harding, Molly Burch, Michael Kiwanuka ,Methyl Ethel, Holy Holy, Middle Kids, #1 Dads, too many to name! I also love cranking vinyl’s of Roy Ayres, Chaka Chan, Renee Gayer, etc, where the musicians were absolute badasses. Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why? I’ve never been really fixated on a particular drummer, but loved many for their unique qualities. I’m a fan of the “session drummers” who have unique feels and musicality that aren’t as clinical some of the monster drummers out there. I’ve always been a huge fan of Australian drummers, Terepai Richmond and Andy Fisenden - they have amazing pockets! I also admire the likes of Steve Jordan, Ash Soan, Matt Chamberlain, and of course, Steve Gadd. How would you describe the kind of music or projects you’re mostly involved in? And what kind of unique perspective/sound do you bring to these gigs? I guess currently I’m involved in a lot of indie projects, from folk/alt country, to rock and psychedelia and I think I finally feel that I do have some unique qualities and personality that I can bring to these projects. My background in jazz has provided me with a sensitivity and touch, yet I feel I have a solid grounding and instinct in contemporary music, sound and groove that makes me quite versatile and perhaps a tad unique. Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises? Hmm, I used to be ohhhh so strict in the practice room, but these days I just love putting on groovy things to play along with, to warm up. In terms of getting my hands working, I have always been quite a fan of the Tommy Igoe book “Great Hands For A Lifetime.” There is a 10 minute warm up in it and it’s verrrry good and slightly brutal! Highly recommend. Does social media play a big part in how you promote yourself as an artist and your various projects? Do you promote your work in other ways? Not really, I could probably be a lot more active on social media - I tend to pop up cheeky stories on instagram, but that’s about it. Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise? I’ve always made a living from music in various ways. It seems to be an evolving landscape and continually changing for me with various music-related income streams. Striking a balance between paying the bills and playing the kind of music I love is a delicate balance, but I feel I’m working towards that. Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you? I’d have to say that travelling through the Australian Outback for a month with Darren Hanlon took me to some of the most amazing and unique places. It was the most incredibly life-changing experience and I’m forever grateful. Money could never buy that kind of experience. If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be? Just bloody go for it and have fun!!! Other thoughts/info I feel so privileged to create and play music. I know we aren’t curing cancer, etc, but music is an integral part to life and connection with our fellow humans and that’s pretty darn pretty cool. |
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