​Name
Danielle Hakim aka Dani Damage
 
Where are you based?
Melbourne
 
How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
Sometime around 2016. I wasn't really intending to play drums just messing around with friends. I kind of just fell into it!
 
Do you play any other instruments?
I play drums/percussion, keyboard, bass guitar and occasionally do some backing vocals in A+ we swap a lot but in my other projects I just play bass.
 
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
A+ and School Damage. I also did some recording last year for a new project with David Nichols (who has played in The Cannanes and various other projects) but we don't have a name yet and haven't played live!
 
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?
I had a brief stint in the Waterfall Person tribute band and also performed as a backup dancer! haha
 
Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about?
I don't write songs as such. I find it hard to start from 0 and work much better collaboratively having someone to throw ideas around with. I write my own parts and am lucky enough to have band mates who put up with my whacky ideas. Have helped organise a few shows but generally they come about through word of mouth.
 
What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run?
It’s interesting having played in a few projects now how collaboration differs in each one. People have really different ideas about what collaboration is. I think everything I do is better when I'm working with other people. I find the energy  really inspiring. 
 
Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
I'm obsessed with Cate Le Bon and was completely blown away by her and her band when they played the Croxton recently. I've really been enjoying Tyler the Creator's latest album Igor. I also have been listening to a lot of Marine Girls, The Chills and Michael Hurley. I go to a lot of local shows and some standouts are  The Opals, Ripple Effect Band, Sleeper and Snake, J.Mcfarlanes Reality Guest and Exek.
 
Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why?  
I can't say specifically that I have a favourite drummer. There are so many musicians that inspire me I guess that the question above kind of covers that. They all are inspiring for different reasons though and it would be way too long if I went into detail lol
 
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 they come from a diy/punk ethos. I think because I'm willing to try instruments I'm not necessarily proficient in and have been taught 'properly' that  maybe brings something unique. Either because I'm playing in a more minimal way, my technique is different (I still don't really use the kick drum for example), or that it's a bit more free because I just play based on what I hear and feel. People often say I play unconventionally.
 
Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
I practice at home using books  if I'm practicing drums  because I don't have a kit to use unless we set up a band practice. Often before a show I put the songs on to run through on my laptop and play along lol
 
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?
Yeah. I'm not very good at it but social media is the only way the bands I play in promote ourselves. We only really post upcoming shows. I guess this is promo too though lol
 
Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise?
Nah. I have two jobs! I work 4 days though so makes fitting in creative stuff a lot easier.
 
Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you?
Have toured a little across some of Australia and had some great adventures. Going for a swim in Beechworth Gorge after playing the Beechworth Music Festival was pretty amazing!
 
If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
I don't know if I have any? Im still sticking to my own advice to not learn how to play properly because I don't want to get stuck in a regimented way of playing!
 
Other thoughts/info
In A+ I share drumming with Chad Chan
 
Website
 
A+ facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ayeplusmusic/
 
A+ instagram
https://instagram.com/ayeplusmusic
 
A+ soundcloud
https://soundcloud.com/a_plus_music
 
School Damage facebook
https://www.facebook.com/SchoolDamageRockers/
 
School Damage instagram
https://instagram.com/schooldamage69official
 
School Damage bandcamp
https://schooldamagerockers.bandcamp.com/music
 

 Name
Anders Pfeiffer (pronouns they/them)

Where are you based?
​Mparntwe/Alice Springs, NT

How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the
instrument?
I started playing hand percussion (djembes and congas) in 1996 at Earthhaven Festival. I was mesmerised by the sound of the ‘hippy drumming circles’ around the chai tent and asked if I could have a go… the rhythms felt so natural… by the end of the festival I was asked to run workshops for women wanting to learn how to drum.

Do you play any other instruments?
Yes, I sing and play guitar, banjo, bass and have been mucking around with kalimba and cimbalom/hammered dulcimer. I’ve played drumkit in a few projects, mostly theatrical, and am practising my chops to play kit with more band projects. Basically, if it has strings or is percussive I’ll give it a go!

What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
Right now I compose and perform with Kirra Voller, an epic First Nations artist and activist. I have a cruisey cafe covers band called Malarkey and a loose punk outfit called DK & A Peeling Ceiling. I’ve recently started jamming with a beautiful bunch of locals under the umbrella of The Eclectic Desert Orchestra - the perfect setting to pull out my more obscure instruments from a seriously growing collection!

What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?
Bands:
Patterson’s Curse - punk-funk-jazz-metal - guitar/vox
The Homewreckers - all girl Melbourne punx - guitar/vox
Mark Eden Band - roots-rock - guitar/congas/djembe/vox
Crashscene - psychobilly - guitar/vox
Earthquake In Osaka - post-punk - guitar/vox
On The Prowl - punk-metal - guitar/vox
The Barons Of Tang - Gypsy Deathcore - congas/roto toms/darabuka/The Rack Of
Doom (multiple cowbells, woodblocks, cymbals and tambourine)/banjo/vox
The Family Farm Band - Alt country - cajon/banjo/vox
Didgeridoomerang - Central Desert doom - guitar/bass
Wiggle Of Judas - gypsy jazz cabaret - cajon/double bass/air horn/vox
Edi Donald & The Transients - electro-folk-opera - drumkit/guitar/vox
…….. and a bunch of session recordings, solo, duos etc
Theatre Productions ( live musician/composer)
Rubeville - The Black Lung Theatre, kit with world percussion additions
Dante’s Inferno - Sample Theatre - world percussion
Post Mortem - Post Mortem Puppetry - dulcimer/percussion/live sound production
The Package - Packed Theatre - kick drum/banjo/glockenspiel/shakahachi/kalimba
Open! - Katelnd Griffin - drumkit/guitar/banjo

Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have
they come about?
I used to write a lot on my own, solo singer songwriter stuff, and for a couple of the punk/fusion/rock bands I’ve had I was the main music and lyrics writer. Nearly all the projects I’ve been involved in are original music and I’ve had a really active role in writing and developing the shows - I find that collaborating is the most enjoyable and successful music experience for me. The Barons Of Tang was for me the epitomy of what co-operative, democratic collaboration in music creation and bands can do - 7 players/composers creating, editing, sharing and owning all of the music and the energy that a band gives and takes.

What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re
involved in or the projects you run?
It’s the best of everyone involved, if you can come to the table with energy and ideas and flexibility, be ready to let go of things and embrace other people’s input then you can make magic happen.

Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
Sampa The Great, Tank & The Bangas, Agatha(206), Taraf De Haidouks, Shovels & Rope, Fela
Kuti, Tinariwen, Electric Fields

Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why?
So many bands and artists inspire me, but I’ve never gotten really obsessed or fanatical about particular artists - music is in everything I do, I’ve played with some insanely good musicians and I try to learn from experience and other artist’s stories to keep happy and healthy and be open to learning and developing my skills all the time.

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’m often involved in projects that are mixing up styles and sound, pushing perceived boundaries and are collaborations of ideas. This suits my varied taste and instruments. I think I bring a melodic percussive perspective to most projects and I have a knack for hearing arrangements that make the most of the ideas floating around.
​
Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
Not really, I stretch my hands and arms a bit… I usually rehearse and perform at least 4 days a week so that keeps me in shape pretty well.

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 the worst with social media - I don’t have any accounts!! I’m fortunate to live in a really small and tight-knit community so word of mouth is easier for local gigs and opportunities. I
recently made an old-school business card to hand out and put around town! Projects I work with usually have facebook presence or I leave it to festivals and venues to promote shows.

Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise?
From around 2011 - 2014, The Barons Of Tang was my only job… we would say “we don’t make a living, we make a lifestyle”. It was nearly sustainable, in a very punk way. These days I perform live, facilitate music and industry skills workshops, teach West African percussion in schools and remote communities, give private instrument lessons, tour/production/site/event/stage manage other people’s events and performances, provide audio description of live performance and do a bit of recording and sound engineering/editing.

Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you?
So many places!! From a viking village in regional Quebec to a crumbling cemetery in Tijuana, Roskilde Festival and Fusion Festival and 5 different Womad sites around the world….. harmonising in caves with baby seals at Golden Bay, NZ and
hanging out in the dirty greenroom of Festival Hall to support The Pogues. The
travel and touring has been more than a dream come true :) So many great people,
places and sounds!

If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
Don’t be scared of getting on a drumkit! Some of the boys will support you. Keep breaking
the ‘rules’ of music and mashing up your ideas, it’s gonna take you places. NEVER
stop being a musician, it’s not healthy for you to stop.

Name
Mia Toole.             
                                                                     
Where are you based?
Gosford, Central Coast NSW.
 
How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
I first started playing the drums when I was 7 years old. My parents were forming a school band called the ‘Frangipanis‘ for my older sister and her friends, and they needed a drummer which I volunteered to do. I also didn’t know any girls who played the drums, so I was intruiged. Another inspiration was my Dad - who taught me how to play, is such an incredible drummer and I‘ve always loved watching him perform.
 
Do you play any other instruments?
I have dabbled with piano, ukulele, guitar and bass but I’ve always loved the drums the most!
 
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
I am the drummer/ backing vocalist for the Central Coast band, ‘Little Quirks‘ with my sister and cousins. We have been together for about six years, starting when I was 10 years old, busking with just a snare drum and brushes. We have just released our third EP - ‘Cover my Eyes‘ and are lucky enough to be performing at music festivals around Australia... which has been so awesome!
 
Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about?
I have written a few songs for my band, ‘Little Quirks‘ and enjoy creating the drumming parts to our songs. I also love being involved in creating the harmonies and vocal parts for the songs too!
 
What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run?
My band have found that writing the basis of a song individually, then presenting it to the rest of the band to add other creative input, has been quite an effective process in producing a product of ‘our sound‘. Sharing and crafting these diverse ideas can sometimes create something unexpected which is so special.
 
Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
At the moment I have been listening to a lot of The Beatles who I‘ve always loved, but my other favourites are also Mumford and Sons, The Lumineers, Queen and James Bay.
 
Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why?
I am a big Lumineers fan and have always loved the way they build up a song. Their drummer, Jeremiah Fraites is so clever with his simplistic rhythms that perfectly capture every song, always creating an emotion of some sort. His beats are never too much for the song yet are so powerful to the ear.
 
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 play in an indie folk rock band where I mainly provide a simple and energetic driving beat when appropriate, creating contrast within our music. I try to build up the songs with layering – mainly utilising toms which has become a big part of our sound.
 
Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
Before every gig I like to make sure I stretch out my wrists and arms. I also like to grab my sticks and tap wherever I can - the ground or drum seat etc. Usually trying to play Wipe Out! I also do a few OCD things!
 
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?
Social Media is so important in promoting music nowadays. With Little Quirks I have found that being active in posting music videos of cover (and original) songs really does make a difference in building your audience and advertising yourself. People seem to like watching your live gigs and behind the scenes footage.
 
Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise?
At the moment I’m still at school but most of the money that my band and I make is put into the band account which is used for marketing, merch, touring etc. But we occasionally pay ourselves too.
 
Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you?  
The opportunities that have come from playing music is truly amazing! I have been given the chance to travel around Australia doing music festivals which are my favourite gigs to do - especially the Nannup Festival in WA which has definitely been a great highlight. We are also going on a tour to the UK very soon which I am so excited about, as it’s always been a dream to perform internationally!
 
If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
As I’m only 16, and started performing when I was quite young, I would often feel intimidated by other talented acts playing before us and would begin to doubt my own ability. As I began to play more frequently and gained more experience I realised that every band has something unique to offer no matter your ability, and that those things should be emphasized especially while on stage. I also would tell my younger self that playing the beat is almost as equal as putting on a great show for the audience – express how much you love what you’re doing while on stage and entertain the crowd with your enjoyment. Make them smile and dance!

Name
​Niki Johnson
 
Where are you based?
Sydney, NSW
 
How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
I have been playing percussion since around year 4 when my piano teacher told me I had good rhythm and thought I might like it!
 
Do you play any other instruments?
I used to sing in a funk band until end of last year, currently I am only really playing percussion, but I love playing found sounds and objects that aren’t classified as conventional percussion instruments! My personal favourite instrument set at the moment is a series of glass kitchen bowls.
 
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
Currently I am in an improvisation ensemble called Sydney Improvisors and Composers Kollective Orchestra or SICKO, an experimental theatre duo called Throat Pleats, a contemporary chamber ensemble called Ensemble Muse, and a collaboration with two dancers called Circles and Edges. I work casually with Synergy Percussion, Ensemble Offspring, and Hourglass Ensemble, and am a member of the NOWnow experimental music festival committee.
 
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?
I have just returned from Singapore where I was performing with the DrummerQueens at a Chinese New Year show at Resort World in Sentosa. We performed a choreographed drum line with flag bearers and breakdancers. Last year I was one of six female drummers in Lauren Brincat’s work Other Tempo for the Carriagworks Liveworks festival. We played on drum sculputes with the likes of Lindy Morrison, doing a structured improvised show over a week of the festival. Until the end of 2019 I was a member of the Taikoz advanced ensemble class where I would rehearse and perform the traditional Japanese drumming style of taiko. Other exciting projects I worked on in 2019 include being a festival artist for the Canberra International Music Festival where I played in the contemporary opera ‘The Children’s Bach’, playing percussion in  ‘Maninyas Concerto on Fire’ with an acrobatics troupe, being an Ensemble Offspring Hatched Academy recipient and performer, and various performances with my regular ensembles.
 
Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about?
I love curating events, alongside my collaboraton with Throat Pleats, Ensemble Muse and being on the NOWnow committee I have organized my own personal projects.
In 2019 I curated a show for the Backstage Music event opening for William Barton and Veronique Seret where I chose to make a work with two dancers, Sarah King and Amy Pham. We wrote a work together where I made the music and they provided the dance. I performed on a set of glass bowls, pistachios and pasta shells. The work is titled Circles and Edges and is about flow and interruption of flow. We were also given the opportunity to film this work at the Dangrove space.
 
In January 2020 I worked on a collaboration with two ceramic instrument builders Roxanne Nesbitt from Canada and Chayla Ueckert-Smith from Canberra. We put on a workshop and concert series at the Pottery Shed in Surry Hills where we performed on their instruments and they gave workshop presentations about their instruments. Roxanne and I also wrote works and performed on her instruments for Nights at Tempe: Summer Edition.
 
What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run?
I love collaboration in music, and am in various different types of collaborations. I find it really rewarding being in a curatorial role, or a role where I have a say in the artistic direction. I don’t love it when the bulk of decisions or organisations falls on me though, I love when all members are equally invested and on the same page. That being said, I also love facilitating other peoples dreams. I think I need to have a healthy balance of both those types of projects in order to be a happy artist!
 
Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
Aldous Harding, Janelle Monae, and Frank Ocean!