Name
Sarah Cretu
 
Where are you based?
I grew up in Tassie and am now living in Melbourne.
 
How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
I started taking an interest in music at a pretty young age. Whenever we went around to my grandparents house I’d run straight to their piano, so my parents eventually caved and got me some lessons.
 
Being a big punk-rock fan in high school, I wanted to be just like Travis Barker. So, I picked up some sticks and jumped on the school kit. I was self-taught through most of my teenage years, but stopped for a little while after school finished. A good mate of mine, James (drummer for High Finance and Vacant Image), encouraged me to pick up the sticks again so I started getting lessons with him.
 
For the last year and a half I’ve been studying under the legend Dan Kerby (Bliss n Esso, 28 Days, Behind Crimson Eyes) which has been amazing.
    
    
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
I’m currently playing with Melbourne based pop-punk band Analogue Hope.  We’ve recently finished recording some music which we will be releasing very soon. I’m super excited about it, so stay tuned.
 
I’ve got a couple of other projects in the works, and I’m hoping to pump out a few more drum covers in the near future!
    
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?
I’ve played in two bands prior to Analogue Hope. My first band was called Wasted Monday. That was the first time I’d ever been on stage and really helped me build up my confidence behind the kit.
 
A few months down the track I came across a pop-punk band called Hardwaters who were looking for a drummer. We played some really fun shows around Melbourne, and released an EP. This was a real turning point for me as a drummer; I was starting to see all the hard work I’d been putting in to developing my playing come through. Unfortunately our singer had to move interstate, so Lachlan (the guitarist) and I kept jamming and Analogue Hope was born.
 
What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run?
I love collaborating with other artists. It can be a really cool way of seeing your work from a new perspective. We (Analogue Hope) recently had our good friend Prairie (vocalist/bassist from Melbourne band ‘Since We Kissed’) feature on one of our songs we are releasing soon. It’s really something special to see the music you’ve worked so hard on be taken to the next level!
 
I’ve also previously been involved in some session work with mates as well, which was challenging but super fun!
    
Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
There are so many amazing artists and bands out there that I’ve been listening to lately! Currently I have While Sheep Sleeps, Northlane and Fever333 on repeat.
 
If I was to pick two albums though, it’d have to be Chemical Miracle - Trophy Eyes, and Holy Hell - Architects.
    
Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why?
Anika Nilles (independant), Craig Reynolds (Stray From The Path)  and Nic Pettersen (Northlane)  are probably my three favourite drummers at the moment. They each play very different styles of music and watching them just blows my mind. Nic’s style is so flowey, he’s like a giant spider behind the kit.
 
I’m also so inspired by my drum teacher, Dan Kerby. He’s one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met, and as humble as they come. I feel very lucky to be studying under him.
    
 
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. Almost everyone has a social media account these days, whether it’s Facebook, Instagram, or videos on YouTube. You can play an amazing show and people will go “wow that band was great, I’m gonna follow them on Instagram”. It’s definitely the easiest way to get yourself out there.
 
 
If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
Hard work pays off, so surround yourself with people as dedicated as you. Don’t listen to the people who tell you “you can’t”, because you can.
    
Other thoughts/info
I proudly endorse Soultone Cymbals and Big Sound Percussion.
    
Website
 
Me:
https://www.facebook.com/cretsdrums10/
https://www.instagram.com/crets_drums10/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxN6IUZn3-zEYDUte1sW6w
 
Analogue Hope:
https://www.instagram.com/analoguehope
https://www.facebook.com/analoguehope/

Name
Larni Pearce

Where are you based?
Melbourne

How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
I started learning properly in year 12. I’m not sure, I guess whenever I listened to music  I would notice the drums and if it was a good beat it would make me feel super happy, I would just start air drumming if no one was around.

Do you play any other instruments?
No, but I’m trying to learn.

What bands? projects/ collaborations are you in right now?
I’m currently playing with Creature Fear and Dada Ono. I also just finished helping a local duo to record some tracks for their upcoming EP.

What else have you previously been involved in?
I had a lil pop punk band in uni, and have just helped out friends for recitals mainly. I unfortunately have to start saying no to things, some bands and projects I would have loved to have been involved in but I don’t like spreading myself too thin.

Do you write music or develop your own shows?
No, drums are pretty useless when it comes to songwriting.

What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in?
It’s always fun to collaborate with other people! You learn so much and really improve as a musician. Dada Ono has been so good for my improvisational skills and creativity, Creature Fear has been a wonderful journey and my stage presence has come a long way with them.

Who are you listening to/ whose music are you enjoying right now?
I haven’t been to any gigs in a while but some bands I like are Shrimpwitch, Hideous Sun Demon, Froot Luips and Hexdebt.

​Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? Why?
I’m going to be super cliche’ and say Travis Barker, but he did inspire me to play. Some mad drummers I’ve seen are Brooke who plays for singer KODA’, and Jessica Bun who majored in drums at the same uni I went to. The ladies from Wet Lips really inspire me, I’ve always been too scared to talk to them at shows but everything they have advocated for and done in the Melbourne scene for female, transgender and non-binary musicians is truly amazing.

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?
Creature Fear is hard to describe, the songs are really diverse and don’t restrict to one genre. Our main writer Cameron is really into the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Buddy Holly, Elvis, but also the Smiths and Alt J so I think of us as a modern day 60’s alt rock/ pop band? Dada Ono is more psyche rock-pop/ improvisational music. I honestly don’t know what sound or style I bring sorry!

Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine?
Yikes, I haven’t really practiced for years, my practice is playing and rehearsing with bands. I finally started getting back into my rudiments last week, I just go through some drills to metronome and bump the tempo up after I feel comfortable enough.

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 promote myself through social media, I’m on my band profiles and meet other musicians at gigs.

Do you make a living from music? 
Hell no, I have my day job to make a living. Hopefully I’ll be able to find work in a music related field one day like teaching, marketing or business.

Where’s the coolest place music has taken you?
My band Creature Fear recently just went to Sydney on tour for our single which was cool! But honestly the coolest place music has taken me to is Melbourne. I moved here to do my performance degree and had no idea how alive the music scene is here.

If you could give your younger self some drumming advice what would it be?
Be patient. Relax. Have fun.

Name
Maddie Stephenson
 
Where are you based?
Naarm (Melbourne)
 
How long have you been playing drums? And what initially drew you to the instrument?
I started hitting when I was 10 or 11 … I’m 27 now. Minus a few quiet years in between.
I was pretty desperate to play in the school band because there were no other girls playing in my year..  I more or less trapped my teacher in the classroom and jumped on the kit to prove they should include me.
 
Do you play any other instruments?
I wouldn’t say I play the guitar … But I’m learning to get better at it. I can’t take a drum kit camping, y’know?
 
What bands/projects/collaborations are you involved in right now?
I play drums in Rat Child, occasionally stepping in with BLUME - an improvised jam group primarily made up of women and non-binary folk. I also manage 30/70.
 
What else have you previously been involved in (bands/shows/projects etc)?
Off the drum kit I manage 30/70.  Through that work I’m blessed enough to witness some pretty remarkable musicians, particularly drummers.
 
Before that I was working closely with Wondercore Island, a Melbourne based record label & epic party throwing organisation. I was assisting to the management of their roster and helping develop some really incredible parties, tours and record releases. It was through Wondercore Island I became immersed in the Melbourne music community.
 
Do you write music or develop your own shows? What are they about/how have they come about?
I don’t necessarily write music but I wrote poetry and words…
Through my work as an artist manager I’ve been involved in a lot of special events.
I think most memorable events over the years have been the 30/70 Collective Christmas Fundraisers at The Evelyn - the community raised money each year for charity groups ASRC and RISE as well as curating an entire day and night’s worth of live music. 
 
What are your thoughts on collaboration in music and in the projects you’re involved in or the projects you run?
Collaboration is expansion, and I think it’s crucial.
We can look around in our community - it thrives on collaboration.
 
Who are you listening to/whose music are you enjoying right now?
Mostly local acts…
30/70 Collective, Kuzich, Sampa The Great… & international acts like Aldous Harding, Noname, Georgia Anne Muldrow.
 
Do you have any favourite drummers? Or other musicians who inspire you? why?
Huge inspirations for me are Melbourne based drummers Myka Wallace & Maria Moles. I’ve been privileged to watch them play a lot over the years and there’s never a moment where my head doesn’t spin out of control … I love watching them play, they’re also both great humans, so it’s a double rainbow.
 
 
Do you have a particular warm up or practice routine? Or favourite exercises?
I guess having “a moment” … On my own to just breathe before immersing myself in the social clutter.
I love just being with my band before we play… Being in the same space and bringing our energy together so that everyone feels held always proves to be a positive practice.
Going in to a show or recording feeling calm and safe is key. And rudiments 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?
Personally no, I don’t really promote myself as a musician on my social media.
I’m often using Instagram etc for promoting the bands I work for and play in, and keep my personal accounts pretty private.
 
But yes social media plays a huge part in this weird vortex web of cyber interconnectedness… it’s totally crucial in advertising your shows and music releases because it’s a trend and everybody’s just trying to keep up.
I’m so curious to see what the next wave will look like once it all fades out. If it ever does in our lifetime.
 
I’m still a big advocate for artwork and posters - DIY stick ups around town … It’s such a nice vibe when shop fronts and small businesses are happy to put your gig poster up.
 
Community radio is also super important and right there supporting local music - get your music on programs and get in touch with presenters … They are always so down. PBSfm and RRR, they’re always open!
 
Do you make a living from music? What different types of work does this comprise? (no worries if this is a bit personal)
What is “a living”?
I’m alive and music breathes purpose and intention … So I must be.
But I also have to make like a thousand coffees a week to pay my rent …?
 
Where’s the coolest place that music has taken you?
Nothing beats what went down in my Northcote garage between 2015 and 2017 … However I’ve been able to see a lot Europe and glorious parts of Australia through playing and working in music.
 
If you could give your younger drumming self some advice what would it be?
Practicing is really really really cool.
 
Other thoughts/info
 
Website
Band : @ratchildmusic // private: @maddlepop_ 
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