 Photo by Bohdan Warchomij Name
Louise Devenish Where are you from and/or where do you live now? Perth How long have you been playing drums/percussion? And what initially drew you to the instrument? Like most percussionists, I started playing in high school. We were asked to list in order from 1 – 5 which instrument we’d like to play. In addition to piano, I had been learning cello with a rather unfriendly teacher which made me want to try something else. My dad played drums and suggest I write down percussion (drums wasn’t an option!) so I did, without really knowing what percussion was at the time… What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now? Decibel New Music (electroacoustic sextet) Speak Percussion (percussive arts organisation) The Sound Collectors (percussion duo with interest in percussion theatre) Intercurrent (contemporary classical trio of bass clarinet, piano and percussion) I also do some solo percussion projects as well – but I feel happiest in an ensemble! Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about? In the last 5 or so years, almost every collaboration has stemmed from a musical friendship or a shared musical interest, and they have developed slowly. It’s a lovely way to develop projects, and taking time definitely results in stronger work. It often starts with a broad concept, then over time just a conversation with a composer or another performer or presenter, then it’s left for a while to marinate before we get going on the project. All of my projects are centered around exploring sound through percussive instruments, or percussive approaches to instruments. What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run? Collaboration is what makes great music. I am so inspired by the people I work with – whether they’re performers, composers, presenters, producers, researchers, students etc. I know that without great collaboration, we can’t make great music and it’s wonderful that the percussion, drumming and the new music communities are full of generous, supportive and inspiring collaborative artists. Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why? As above, almost everyone I work with is inspiring to me in one way or another, but two constant sources of inspiration are Cat Hope and Vanessa Tomlinson. They’re inspiring artistically of course, but also because of their abilities to create strong, inclusive, creative communities. 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’m involved in at the moment range from the contemporary classical end of the new music spectrum right through to far end of experimental practice – I love being able to move between projects that approach percussion from different angles. Last week I was touring my solo show music for percussion and electronics that used a range of metal percussion instruments and electronics in different ways, accompanied by a video projection design that also used metal as a point of departure. Next week I am working with Intercurrent on a contemporary chamber music concert with lots of marimba and vibraphone parts. The link between them is percussion of course, but also newly commissioned music from Australian composers. Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises? OK shall I say what I recommend to my students or what I actually do .... oh no! Confession: warming up is something I’ve only started to do in the past couple of years – and in all honesty that is linked to that fact I’m not 25 any more! My warm-ups revolve around snare drum technique, including certain exercises developed for orchestral excerpts that seem to help with any instrument, even though I rarely perform with an orchestra these days. 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 seems to know what is going on, yes. I do have a website – that I recently updated so I don’t have to update it because I like making percussion work for myself more than I like making admin for myself. I got a great T-Shirt at a small, not-for-profit art gallery last year that says ‘Make Art, Not Admin’, and fortunately there are people around me who are great at online promotion etc.! Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise? Yes – I think working successfully in music is about exploring music in lots of different ways. I like working with a range of artists, researchers and teachers and I’m very fortunate to do that from The University of Western Australia, where I am Head of Percussion. When averaged out over a year my time is split fairly equally between teaching, research and performing – but I’m not always able to do all everything 100% every week. As projects come and go the focus shifts from one thing to another and I really like that change and diversity. Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you? Sydney Myer Music Bowl, in July with Speak Percussion. Bloody freezing. Had to wear a puffy jacket under my performance clothes. Ha! Living on the coast, I’ve done a few dawn gigs on the ocean that have been pretty cool both the way you mean it and the way I do, and one performance halfway up a mountain in South Korea … one of the joys of freelancing is that you end up all over the world, in all kinds of unexpected, magical situations. What makes each event so cool is the people that you are playing with and the people you meet (whether or not you need a puffy jacket). If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be? Relax and have a great time! Website www.louisedevenish.com.au
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 Photo by Aimee Slates Name
Laura Saba Where are you from and/or where do you live now? I grew up in Blackburn South, out in the eastern suburbs. I moved out north as quickly as I could to be closer to the live music scene. Been in the Brunswick/Coburg area for a few years now. How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument? I started playing drums when I was around 14. I honestly can’t recall what exactly drew me to the drums, but I remember my first lesson and thinking “this is the best fun ever!!!” Do you play any other instruments? I play the guitar and bass as well. Shortly after I started playing the drums I decided I really wanted to learn how to play all the parts of my favourite songs so got a few bass lessons when I was 15 and started teaching myself guitar shortly after that. What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now? I’m a band called Tragic Carpet. I guess you’d call us garage/pop punk. I’m playing drums and Oscar from Nun of the Tongue/Eat-Man is on vocals/guitar and Andy from Kaku on bass. I’ve also just recently joined Melbourne legends The Tropes on guitar. What else where you previously involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)? I was playing guitar in a two piece called Miss Miss. Femmo garage/punk feels. We’ve been inactive for about a year now but we managed to get an EP out before calling it quits. Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now? I’m listening to a lot of garage/punk/alt rock stuff right now. Bands like Bully, Royal Headache, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, The Mint Chicks. But I’m all about spinning the femmo bands Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, Le Tigre etc. I also LOVE Peaches. Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why? When I first started playing drums I was very into the Red Hot Chili Peppers so Chad Smith was probably my first inspiration. I played a lot of funk style drumming in high school and I definitely got those skills from listening to him. I’ve always looked up to Meg White as well, she's so badass and has proved that drumming doesn't always have to be super complicated to be great. Janet Weisse from Sleater-Kinney is basically who I wanna be when I grow up, she brings so much character and personality when she performs and I really admire her work. Merrill Garbus (Tune-Yards) does amazing things with percussion as well, she uses loop pedals in a way I've never seen before to make amazing sounds. And Sheila E of course. 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? Absolutely. Facebook and Instagram are the main ways I promoted our gigs. It’s really the only reason I use social media, so I can up to date on what gigs are going on. Facebook really helped when Miss Miss first started out finding bands similar to us and new bands to play with. I don’t think we would have made our way into the scene without it! If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be? Don’t get so lazy after high school. Keep practicing, it’s way more productive than playing playstation. Website http://www.facebook.com/tragiccarpetmusic/ https://www.facebook.com/LauraSaba1337  Photo by Barry Douglas Name
Clare Moore Where are you from and/or where do you live now? I was born and grew up in Adelaide and moved to Melbourne in the late ‘70’s How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument? I started playing drums when I was 14 at school. I had done 6 years of piano and hated the exams etc ,so when our music teacher, Sr Janet Mead (who had a worldwide hit single at the time with The Lord’s Prayer” ) bought in young local musicians to teach us to play rock music I jumped at it. ..AND it got me out of having to do sport!! I became fascinated by drums from hearing the bands play in my parents pub. Do you play any other instruments? I play Piano, keys and Vibraphone as well. What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now? I am playing in Dave Graney and the MistLY, as well as playing some Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes shows. I play drums with Harry Howard and the NDE and The Routines. I play vibes and percussion with The Hungry Ghosts. I’m working on a show with Jane Clifton and Rosie Westbrook featuring the songs of Linda Ronstadt. I’m also working with Alyce Platt on her new show. Dave and I have recently written the soundtrack for “Lost Gully Road” a film by Donna McRae What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)? I’ve actually lost count of the number of albums I have played on, by that I mean playing drums on the whole record as opposed to guesting on a track or 2.. I think its about 40 albums by now.. Im trying to catch up with Slim Dusty’s record of 100. I think I might have played about 3000 shows too, having started at 14 at the Cathedral in Adelaide with Rock Mass!!! Dave Graney and I started touring Europe and US in 1983 when we moved to London with our band The Moodists. We formed Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes over in UK and continued to tour with that group, returning to Australia around 1988 when our visas ran out. We did make it back over there a few more times and have been going back to Europe every year for the past 3 to play ATP and venues around France Spain and UK mainly. We tour around Australia a lot. Every year we go to each state at least once and play many regional shows, mostly in our little van, which is up to 600.000 kms at the moment I’ve done recent work with Kim Salmon , Blackeyed Susans,The Pink Tiles and MDed a show called Southern Belles with Rosie Westbrook. I have put out 2 solo albums and also formed a band called The Dames with Kaye Louise Patterson and we released an album. Soundtrackwise. Dave Graney and I have made several soundtracks for the ABC arts shows and for the Tony Martin film “Bad Eggs”. Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about? In 2010 the Arts Centre asked myself and Rosie Westbrook to organise a concert to coincide with the opening of their “Rock Chicks” exhibition, which featured careers of female Australian musicians. We had a great time getting that together as we were working with women like Margret Roadknight, Jeannie Lewis, Carol Lloyd, Adalita, Jodi Phillis and many others. We have kept in touch with some of them and hope to work with them in the future. Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now? Catherine McQuades new album Perfect Storm Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why? I really love John Bonham and I think he had a huge influence on me. I prefer the simple and loud approach mostly. Jim Elliot from the Cruel Sea is a master and along with Ken Gormley they form a rhythm section like no other. Kate Wilson from The Holy Soul is another favourite drummer, she hits hard and dreams up great beats..I do like that. 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 like to keep the drumming fairly simple and I also like singing bvs ,and really that involves a whole nuther bloody learning curve !! Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises? Push ups…. .. no really just 1 beer 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 do use social media to promote our gigs and recordings, but also carts on 3RRR and 3PBs really help to get the word out. Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise? Dave Graney and I are full time musicians. We are self managed, so do most of the work apart from the actual booking, as we work with Premier Artists. If I have to learn another software program, I think I’ll go nuts… Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you? We were flown to the Cocos Islands for a gig once.The entire islands population turned up ..all 140 of them. It is a very beautiful place. If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be? I had decided to become a rock musician by the time I turned about 14, so I didn’t really need encouragement.! Other thoughts/info I feel most fortunate to have come through in the post punk era when there were many fabulous Female drummers on the scene like Leanne Cowie, Lindy Morrison, Cathy Green, Helen Smart. At that time, in that scene , in this country, it was commonplace for there to be women instrumentalists in bands and it was even the norm. I didn’t feel out of place until we went overseas !!!  Photo by JayWar Name
Julia Bebenek Where are you from and/or where do you live now? Melbourne born and still living here. How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument? I started at the age of 16 and chose drumming mainly because I love all genres of music. Do you play any other instruments? I sing, play guitar, and am currently learning a South Indian Instrument called the Mridangam. What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now? Lijuka (Contemporary Jazz) FierceMild (Cinematic Art Rock) AK3 Bone Patrol (Jazz Sextet) West Of Progress (Ambient Post-Rock) Rhythms of Grace (South Indian Ensemble) White Goat Band (Australian Rock) What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)? Nothing really too serious, I played in a few grunge rock bands when I was younger. Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about? In the project with Lijuka, we as a trio contribute equally to the writing process. We develop our shows around the context in which we will be performing. At times we use projections to symbolise the stories that our compositions tell. What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run? I absolutely love collaboration, especially with artists that are motivated, humble, hard working, inspiring and committed to their passions. The result being new friendships, lessons and teachings learnt which I am always so grateful for. Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now? Currently I’m listening to Tom Fryer’s album Dirty Math, incredible. Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why? My Drum Teacher: Adam King Incredible drummers/musicians such as Simon Barker, Tony Floyd, Mark Guiliana, Sam Evans (Tabla) and Ysk Lightspeed Chamber. All music lectures at Melbourne Polytechnic who have made a great impact on me as a musician. 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 have always aimed to be an open-minded musician; the most important thing for me when I collaborate and dedicate myself to a project is if I can sense that the music that I am playing has a purpose. Then I ask myself the question, can I connect with that purpose to bring it to life? Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises? There are so many! Lately I have enjoyed warming up with double strokes rolls - voicing them in various different ways whilst grooving along with different foot patterns. Lots of fun ☺ 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 plays an incredibly big role; I use it all the time. You can reach so many people at the touch of your fingertips. I am also very conscious that it is important to network and make friends without the use of social media. I feel it brings a different level of authenticity to what you’re trying to do with music. Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise? I do. I teach, and gig regularly. Somehow all ends meet. It never feels like work, what a gift! Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you? Playing at the International Women’s Jazz Festival last year with my trio Lijuka. We won a recording prize. This has been a moment for me that I believe has been a turning point. If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be? Don’t wait until you’re 26 to take drums seriously! Haha Website http://www.lijuka.com |
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