​Name
Sophia Ang
 
Where are you from and/or where do you live now?
I grew up in Melbourne and now live in Sydney
 
How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
I started playing the drums in year 7 at high school. I chose the drums and percussion only because my older sister was already learning and so we had a snare drum, sticks and a practice pad at home.
 
Do you play any other instruments?
I also play the Shinobue – the Japanese, side blown bamboo flute.
 
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
I am a member of the group Taikoz and have been for the past 7 years. We are a group that draws our influence from the Japanese drums and Japanese style of drumming called Wadaiko. We play a combination of traditional music and also new Australian compositions.
 
At the moment I am also doing some casual work with the AOBO in their current season of La Boheme.
 
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?
Before joining Taikoz, I was working as a freelance percussionist in Melbourne. I mainly played in the pits for various local opera groups and musicals.
 
Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about?
I have just started composing different pieces for taiko ensemble. I’m new to this and so still figuring out my process.
 
What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run?
I think collaboration in music and performance is a fantastic way to create exciting and unique art. By working with others you can discover and make music that you otherwise might not have on your own.
 
Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
At the moment I’m inspired by working with the Aussie Opera, so I’m currently listening to a lot of Puccini’s music.
 
Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why?
The biggest influence on me and my drumming career was my high school percussion teacher, Amy Valent Curlis. She made drumming as a career for a woman seem normal and achievable. I went to an all girls school and then also with a female teacher I wasn’t aware of the concept of ‘boys instruments and girls instruments’ until after I left school.    
 
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 projects I mostly do at the moment are ensemble performances. I really enjoy working and creating music in a big group as we all need to create a unified sound world, but also maintain our individual style and personality within the music. It can be challenging but also very rewarding when we get the balance right.
 
Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
Taiko is one of the most physically demanding styles of drumming so I need to stay very fit. The best way to do this is just by playing the instruments, but I also run quite a bit as extra training. I still do warms up on my practice pad and will generally start playing through the table of time and also some of the basic rudiments.
 
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 don’t use social media to personally promote myself, but Taikoz has a facebook page and instagram account that I contribute to, to help promote the ensemble. I’m not very savvy on social media so I am very grateful to have the support of fellow Taikoz members to take the lead!
 
Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise?
I am lucky enough to be able to make a living from music. On top of performing I also teach and have admin roles within the group. I am the Taikoz education coordinator and also deal with any corporate or school performance bookings.
 
Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you?
The coolest place music has taken me is India. A couple of years ago I went on a tour of India with the Taikoz production Chi Udaka. This was a collaboration between Taikoz and a group of South Indian dancers which took us around the country for two weeks. It was an amazing experience that was only possible through music.
 
If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
Keep practicing and ignore anyone who says you need a back up in case the music thing doesn’t work out.
 
 
 Website
www.taikoz.com

Name

Melinda Traves
 
 
Where are you from and/or where do you live now? 



I’m from Melbourne, the music capital of the world, and have stayed in Melbourne, because… it’s the music capital of the world!!!!!

 
 
How long have you been playing drums? 
And what initially drew you to the instrument?
 
I’ve been mucking around with drums, jamming with my friends for around 13 years on and off. Getting serious about drums has only happened in the last 3 years.


 
The reason I started playing was because I dated a drummer who had turned his talents to guitar and bass. I asked him if I could muck around on his kit and really enjoyed playing it. I NEVER EVER thought I’d be playing drums on a stage in a band. I’m still waiting to feel like a REAL Drummer... I know so many great ones!
 
 
Do you play any other instruments? 



The vocal chords.... I sing.
 
 
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?

I’m involved in two projects.
‘The Ruby Rogers Experience’ is an original 6 piece jazz/funk band. That band requires a drummer with many more stripes than me. A drummer with years of experience and killer skills. I let Dean Constable hold down the fort there while I sing.

The band is supremely talented. We have Adam Rudegeair on Keys, Sammy Ploutos on Guitar, Anthony Pell on Bass, Phil Hayter on Sax and as mentioned Dean Constable on kit.

The  Second band is called ‘The Great Unknown’.
In this band I drum, sing and write original songs. We have just released our first album called ‘Cemetery Road’ we are SUPER happy with the result. It has a unique sound and people are digging it. If I had to label it, I’d say it’s blues/country/jazz.... roots music.

The Great Unknown has two amazing guitarists, Mark Lowrie and Charlie Bedford, David Taylor on Double Bass and me on kit. Both Mark and I sing, sometimes lead, sometimes harmony, this adds to the unique sound of the band.
 
At present we are working towards the album launch on March 15 at The Lomond followed by a Victorian Goldfields tour.
 
 
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?

Prior to being in this band I spent years as a vocalist jamming, meeting like-minded musicians and experiencing what it was like to play with a range of different people and styles. As a vocalist I was ALWAYS fussy about my drummer, preferring a solid groove to overcomplicated chops and endless enthusiastic fills. I like a drummer to provide a smooth ride.
 

Do you write music or develop your own shows?
What are they about/how have they come about?

I write originals tunes collaboratively in both bands. The interesting thing in ‘The Great Unknown’ is the natural way I have discovered simple but appropriate feels and accents based on the needs of the song and the vocal. Sure it’s uncomplicated drumming BUT it works and I have surprised myself with what I can deliver.... especially when I realised I was going to be drumming to a click track!!!! EEEEKKKK... not as easy as it sounds.


What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run?

I LOVE collaboration. I have had the good fortune to work with musicians who, given my limited knowledge of theory and short-lived experience, really trust my judgment and choices. Respect is the greatest compliment, it gives me the courage to grow and become the musician I want to be. It’s a gift.


 Who are you listening to to/whose music are you enjoying right now?

I’ve listened to A LOT of music over the years, a huge range of styles and been to a stack of gigs (I’m 55).
 
The difficult position I find myself in these days is I need to Fast Track ‘ME’ and so I seem to only listen to the songs I need to perform either in the studio or onstage. Sometimes I feel a little trapped in an ever expanding song list and a constant need to improve (especially when playing drums).

The good news is I actually love all the songs we have created so I never get sick of practicing and/or playing them. Hand crafted, with love, by us.


Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why?

I’m in awe of all my fellow musicians and their desire to create. It takes a certain kind of drive to keep going, to stay enthusiastic and focused.

 
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 seem to drive projects that encourage original musical collaboration, the result so far has been extremely rewarding and sometimes surprising as a song evolves. When you find the right writing partners magic happens.
 
 
Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
 
My practice mostly involves playing set list songs and identifying weak spots – this applies to both singing and drumming. I don’t necessarily recommend that approach it’s just seems to be the way I operate.
 
 
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?

A typical promotion is a Facebook poster, a promoted Facebook event, physical posters for the venue and gig dates loaded to the website. I’m sure there is more I could be doing, as it never feels like quite enough. It’s always tough getting people to gigs because there are always so many great options in Melbourne.

I like to think....
“the size of the audience does not reflect the quality of the performance’
 
 
Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise?
 
Music costs me time, money and a huge amount of emotional energy. Music has made me VERY appreciative for my permeant part time job. I get paid fairly, I get sick days, holidays, superannuation, the work is there, I don’t need to look for it and I am respected for my skills, you get the picture.

And yet.... music has rewarded me in ways that can’t be measured.
 
 
Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you?
 
If music styles were continents I feel like I’ve been a tourist -  I’ve been to Blues, I’ve visited Jazz, I’ve meandered through Latin, I’ve  sauntered through Soul. Each journey has taught me about music, and more importantly, the journey has helped me understand myself.
 
Music has given me a greater sense of self, both, inside music, and outside of it.
 
 
If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
 
Truth is I’m still a young drummer in and old skin.
So my advice to myself is ‘it’s never too late’ and I’m living proof :)