Name
Miranda
 
Where are you based?
Melbourne
 
How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
It was by accident that I ever started playing. I had been learning piano for several years when a friend asked me to play drums for her in year 12… ‘If you can play keys- you can play drums!’. Have been playing ever since.
 
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
I currently play in Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice and with Al Matcott.
 
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?
There have been countless bands over the years; I am the stereotypical drummer in too many bands on the edge of a nervous breakdown. I think over Covid I had a good opportunity to sit back and see what life was like without rehearsals or a show every night of the week... At its peak, I was playing in 6 gigging bands at once. Outlandish.
 
Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about?
Within the bands we write our own music, each band varies of course; some bring in a just- about-complete song, other’s just an idea... There’s a lot of bouncing ideas off each other early on in the process- and I suppose at the fine-tuning stages too. I'll usually sit on a few drum ideas and let them mix and mash in my head for a while before I bring it to the band or feel like I’ve put something ‘together’ for a song.
 
Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
I usually froth over 1 or 2 bands until I exhaust myself with them, currently it‘s Clamm on high rotation. Baxter Dury and Michael Beach have been getting some solid pays too.
 
Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why?
I am pretty lucky to know a lot of people who play music around Melbourne. They all inspire me and I am endlessly in admiration of their talent. Maybe a handful of years ago I was a little more focused on drummers specifically, and I’m sure I would have rolled off several drummers who I thought were the very best. If a musician can use minimal means for unrelenting intensity that’s inspiring enough for me.
 
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?
Dr Sure’s and Al Matcott are both very different musically, but both sort of… rock? I think being relatively untrained drum-wise, I keep a pretty open mind when it comes to what drums can do in a space. I like to give things space, keep things ethereal amongst chaos. Or sometimes it’s just chaos. Raw sounds and interplay between everyone makes every gig very different from the next.
 
Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
Fireball gets you pretty toasty. 
 
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 have never been a fan of promo photos or pushing big PR campaigns and would rather save the dollars (and the stress), so I’m pretty lucky that I’m not in charge of this area with the bands! Social media existence is fairly important though, need to get the shows out there somehow, all that hot content. Facebook is alright for events- do people use Facebook for anything else? Word of mouth will always be the most rewarding way in which you will be promoted.
 
Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise?
That will be the day! I’m a full-timer working in the disability/forensic space.
 
Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you?
Would have to be Berlin, back in the wholesome days of Strangers From Now On. We had a lot of wonderful shows which I will always remember.
 
If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
Shop online.  
 
 
Website:
Dr Sures Unusual Practise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeD2zz1_ACk
https://drsuresunusualpractice.bandcamp.com/music
 
Al Mattcott
https://www.facebook.com/almatcott4ever/
 
gramz: _mirandagrace

Name 
Brooke Custerson AKA BrookeCDrums
Where are you based?
Melbourne, Australia
How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
​I’ve been playing drums since I was a baby (probably 3yo). I’m a third generation drummer, following in the footsteps of my grandfather and dad (and older brother). Dad used to teach us basic things and it was really fun! I guess the rest is history…
 
Do you play any other instruments?
When I was younger I (badly) dabbled on keys and guitar at home but I haven’t played them since life became busy with playing drums.
 
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
As a session player I’m kept busy playing for a bunch of different projects/artists, the main one being Xani Kolac. Xani is an incredible violinist/vocalist/songwriter who utilises a looping station to perform her songs live. She’s absolutely epic and I highly recommend checking her out! @xani.k
 
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?
If I were to pick some highlights:
I recently played at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl for comedian Em Rusciano which was a huge thrill; Bring It On The Musical at the Athaneum Theatre in 2018 & 2019 (I LOVE playing musical theatre); Like A Version for Leikeli47 (American rapper); and my final gig before covid hit which was with D2Drumline at the MCG for the 2020 Women’s Cricket World Cup Final (Katy Perry also played so I’d like to say I played on the same bill as her haha!).
 
Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about?
Sometimes I develop my own drum parts for the projects I’m involved in but that’s as creative as I get. I’m very happy playing on other people’s projects.
 
What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run?
As I don’t run any of my own projects my entire workload revolves around collaborating with other artists. The level of collaboration depends on the project. Sometimes I’ll be required to create my own drum parts, sometimes there’ll be sheet music, other times I’ll receive verbal cues and other times we’ll just improvise. My favourite aspects of being a musician are the learnings from meeting new people and the camaraderie that forms after creating music together. It’s so fulfilling!
 
Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
I’m unashamedly a pop lover so at the moment I’m spinning Justin Bieber’s new album ‘Justice’. I’m also loving Vulfpeck and Lawrence. Most of the time I’m just listening to the material I need to learn, though. I like to switch off from music in my free time.
 
Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why?
Honestly I’m inspired by any musician that plays with great groove and feeling, whether it’s at a local or international level. If I had to pick a few drummers: Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd, Ash Soan and The Pocket Queen. My favourites in Australia are Andy Fisenden, Darryn Farrugia and Gerry Pantazis (I was fortunate enough to learn from Darryn and Gerry at university).
In terms of non-drummers, I’m hugely inspired by guitarist Steve Lukather (Toto and session musician KING), but mostly violinist Xani Kolac (who I mentioned earlier and can’t speak highly enough of) and some of my best friends in Royal Drue and Sean Donehue who are incredibly dedicated vocalists.
It would be remiss of me to not mention that P!nk has been my idol since 2009. What a badass.
 
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 music I play varies from pop, soul and R&B to alternative/folk and musical theatre. I see myself as a groove player. I love providing the foundation layer for other musicians to shine over the top of.
 
Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
My practice routine is dictated by how busy life gets. Sometimes I’ll be practicing 2 hours a day and other times I won’t get to practice for 2 weeks. On gigs my warm up routine is usually the classic singles/doubles/paradiddles to loosen up, but in the practice room I love warming up with an improvisation to get my body flowing.
 
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?
As a session player I don’t really need to promote myself online as all of my work comes by word of mouth, however I do use the socials to promote certain gigs that I’m excited about. I’m endeavouring to use social media as an accountability tool for my own progress.
 
Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise? 
I make a living from music through gigs and teaching drums.
 
Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you?
I haven’t travelled much with music yet (hopefully soon), though going to Sydney to record a Like A Version was pretty awesome. The coolest venue I’ve played is undoubtedly the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
 
If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
I would tell myself to embrace being a female who plays drums (I used to get embarrassed). It rocks! I would also encourage young Brooke to continue having fun and believing she was a rockstar while jamming to her favourite songs at home. It was more fun back then! The naivety…
 
Other thoughts/info
Thanks for reading this far!
 
Website
Feel free to connect with me via Instagram @brookecdrums
​

Name
Jemma Jives
 
Where are you based?
Melbourne
 
How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
I’ve been playing for about 5 years and I started playing to let off some steam. The share house I was living in back then had a drumkit in the garage, and I just started hitting! A friend taught me a basic rock beat and I’m still learning, mainly through playing in a band.
 
Do you play any other instruments?
I’ve played bass for about 9 years or so - and I have been a regular hummer for my entire life!
 
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
I play drums in Party Pest, a post-punk 4-piece, and pre-pandemic times I also played bass in a band called The Jinks, but we haven’t played together for quite a while, so I’ll get back to you on that one.
 
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?  
I used to play bass in a 60s style garage band called The Reprobettes with four fabulous women, that was my first ever band, we all met online, most of us with limited experience, and somehow it all just worked out! We had an amazing time and formed a bond that’s for life. I’ve also been involved in Girls Rock! Melbourne as a volunteer band mentor, which I highly recommend.
 
Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about?
All the bands I’ve played in have written music in some kind of collaborative fashion, and I love writing songs with other people.  
 
What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run?
I pretty much only do collaboration – I don’t often make music by myself, for me the magic of music is sharing it and doing it with other people, that’s when you feel the spark.
 
Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
I’m really enjoying Shopping, Sweeping Promises, and the Lijadu Sisters.
 
Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? Why?
​The people I’m inspired by the most are the people I get to see up close. All of my favourite drummers are people I see playing live around Melbourne, and going to gigs is the best inspiration. People like Kat Byrne (Mere Women), Raquel Solier (Mod Con), Carla Ori (Empat Lima), Julia Watt (Moody Beaches), Nicola Bell (Plaster of Paris). And many more. And also those I work with, my fellow Party Pests Sally Balhorn (who is a never-ending source of excellent song ideas), Julia Watt (the absolute queen of rhythm), and Kate Alexander (multi-talented creative and extreme musician). If your bandmates don’t inspire you, there’s probably no point being in a band!​

 

​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? DIY! I think as a mainly self-taught musician, I bring something a little unconventional. As well as plenty of enthusiasm.

Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
I should really do that! I usually do one stretch with the sticks and that’s about it.

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 kind of a necessary evil in the music industry that I try to avoid, for me it’s probably the least exciting part.

Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise?
I most definitely do not! Music for me has always been a hobby, and I think that keeps it feeling like play time instead of work. Having said that, there is a quite a bit of work involved. In my other life I’m a freelance Spanish interpreter.

Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you?
Hmmm… we stayed at a nice motel in Hamilton once?! I played a show in Lima, Peru with a band-for-one-night-only consisting of people I had just met the week before, that was probably a career highlight. Probably the perfect band is one that lasts for one night only…

If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
Start drumming earlier.


Website: partypest.bandcamp.com/releases