Name: Healani Combier-Kapel
Age: 25
Hometown: Manhattan, New York
Lives in: Brooklyn, New York
Current bands: ADVAETA
Past Bands: Warcries
Drums: Yamaha Stage Custom
Favorite Food: Pancakes, pickles, huevos rancheros, rainbow cookies, muenster cheese
What are your current music projects?
I’m in two bands right now, ADVAETA and Warcries. I’d love to start a solo act sometime soon though..
How would you describe your drumming style?
All over the place. Tribal rhythm mixed with surf pop rock & roll. I’m all over the kit and rarely use the hi hat,and my kick drum beats nonstop. I love how it feels in your body when you hear the low thump.
What are the big influences in your drumming?
When I first started playing drums in high school, I was influenced a lot by The Pixies drummer David Lovering and Jesse Sandoval, ex The Shins. “Here Comes Your Man” is the first song I learned to play. A few years later, my style became more tom-heavy, though I still use the crash a lot. It’s very rare that I use the hi-hat, and actually in Warcries I’ve been omitting it altogether. I’m also heavily influenced by Joy Division’s Stephen Morris, and Moe Tucker from the Velvet Underground. Ron Albertson from Liars and Kid Millions from Oneida are also favorites that are important right now. I enjoy playing repetitive meditative drums – allowing my body to take over so I can sing at the same time.
What’s your day job?
I currently work at the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council. I teach a radio broadcasting after school program to 6th graders. I also teach preschool music classes at the same place.
You’ve been heavily involved with the Silent Barn. Can you talk about your involvement and any exciting projects you’re cooking up?
I am currently living at Silent Barn. I also help with volunteer organizing and many other things. We’re also starting a zine & sound library called “Noun Rot”. It’s been great so far, except since we moved in, we’ve had a lot of construction and “start up” things to deal with. I have yet to reap the true benefits of living here. So far, it’s super fun. Things are pretty haywire and we haven’t fully figured everything out yet, being so new.
Right now there are shows in the main space, called Manhattan Room, and we host a few show parties in the Champagne Room upstairs. Other apartments will have more regular events soon, but right now those are the two spaces that are really active. Our living room has the [zine] library, one downstairs has the Hawkitori Dinner Club, and another one has Party Lab and other media projects. They have a green screen too.
With all the projects you’re currently involved in, it seems community plays a big role whether its teaching children how to host their own radio show, the silent barn, playing in an all girl band, etc. Is this an important aspect of music for you or an important part of your practice and lifestyle?
Absolutely. I’m very community driven, and it plays a big part of my personality. I love hosting events, workshops, and getting out of my comfort zone to put together something truly exciting and awe inspiring. It’s important that we as humans spread knowledge and love to others. Once we have community and trust in one another, we can create change in the world. My mother is a whistle-blower journalist and I’ve learned to push the boundaries of what we know in order to find the real truth. Truth in the end will prevail.