Laura Fares Photo by Adrian Gilliland. Make up by Michelle Diaz. Hair by Eric Gonzalez.
Hello! I’m writing to you from my humble recording studio in North London and I’m very excited to contribute to Tom Tom Magazine with this monthly column “London Calling” about… FEMALE DRUMMERS!
My name is Laura Fares and I’ll be keeping you up to date with what’s going on in the female drumming scene in London Town and beyond (or at least I’ll try!).
I had a killer gig last night with Johnny Lazer in Hoxton, packed with industry people and die hard fans. Small but sweet! And our amazing genius friend designed some lights for us to wear on stage. Very cool.
Johnny Lazer gig in Hoxton. Photography: Andrew Harvey, Lighting Design: Jeffrey Michael Baker
Moving on to a different subject, a great female drummer that has been on my mind for a while now, is Sarah Jones (New Young Pony Club, Bat For Lashes). I saw her play at Scala in London a few years back with New Young Pony Club, and loved how tight she was with her playing. Simple but effective, exactly the kind of drummer you want for a good pop/electronic experience. Her drum kit has expanded quite a bit since those early days, and apart from a timpani and lots of percussion, she now also uses the Roland SPD-S Sampling pad (same as me!). Very impressive.
Check her out here playing with Bat For Lashes on Jools Holland on UK TV:
Until next time.
Laura Fares is a Drummer, songwriter, producer and DJ. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to the UK in 1999. Graduated from the London College of Music & Media in 2005. Professional session drummer/percussionist since 2004. Co-founder of Disco Damage in 2007. Professional DJ since 2008. Represented by Jump DJ’s Agency since 2009. Fully sponsored by Zildjian, Pro-Mark and Pearl. Work includes performances, writing and recording sessions with the following bands:
Disco Damage, Ricky Martin, Eros Ramazzotti, Sam Sparro, Love Grenades, Guy Chambers, Natasha Bedingfield, Vula and Brendan Reilly (Basement Jaxx), Nate James, Ryan Molloy (Jersey Boys), Roxy Wilde (Kylie Minogue), Danyl Johnson (X Factor), Tawiah (Mark Ronson), Tense, Jont, Pete Bennett (Winner Big Brother 7), NY Loose, The Future Shape of Sound, Gary Phelan (Fame Academy), Johnny Lazer, Cecilia Stalin, Maighread, David Lowe’s Dreamcatcher, Lena K, Zerostar, The New Devices, Sidefields, Rhoby, Kitsch and Hadar.