Inspired by the latest “10 Drummers Not to Miss in Seattle,” I decided to search for L.A.’s very own ten radical female drummers who have developed a unique style from their stage presence, fashion, intricate beat making and relationship with their fans. This list was challenging to make because even though L.A. is a big area geographically (and that there are hundreds of bands here), there is still a lack of representation of womxn in drums. But even so, I was able to find 10 drummers who are making a mark on our scene through innovation, charm and an incredible ability to connect and represent their particular target audience. Meet them!
Clare Taylor Wilkes
Age: 23
Bands: No Girlfriends/The Knitts
Drum kit setup: Truth Custom Drum kit with Zildjian cymbals
Sticks: Vater Power 5A
I have seen No Girlfriends several times around Los Angeles and each time I see them, it feels like a different roller coaster. As their drummer Clare shares with us, this all-girl rock band, plays hard and is constantly pushing to innovate through their stage presence and songwriting. With an ever growing community of fans, this band’s reminiscing pop-rock sounds resonate loud through L.A.’s most frequented venues.
What made you pick up the drums?
-I started playing drums when I was 11 or 12 years old. I remember watching videos of Blink 182 play live. and wanting t be like Travis Barker. That year, my mom got me a drum set for Christmas. It all started there, but nowadays I am also into Anika Nilles, Mike Johnston, Hannah Welton, Luke Holland and Tony Royster Jr.
How do you go about songwriting and beat making? What makes the sound of your band?
-When I’m writing a new beats with either of my bands, I rely mostly on the feel of the song and lyrics. For me there’s no exact formula when I am creating my drum parts, it’s more about dynamics and telling a story through my instrument.
Do your influences come through in your playing?
-Yes, I think my influences show sometimes when I play, but I also think it’s important to embrace your own style of drumming; to be able to come up with your own sound.
What consumes your life? Any guilty pleasures?
-I watch countless drum videos and cat videos on Instagram or watch New Girl on Netflix. I also started to play guitar more. That takes up a lot of my free time.
What are some things you can’t live without in the studio?
-I definitely need lots of water, snacks and chocolate. I also like to wear really comfortable shoes.
What advice can you give to a new aspiring female drummer?
-My advice would be to play your hardest and explore all genres, and playing different styles even if it’s not the kind of music you like. It’s good to know a little bit of everything.
No Girlfriends’ music video for their new single “Sheets” is now live on Youtube. Clare’s second project The Knitts will be releasing their first full length album very very soon.
Aixa Vilar
Age: 36
Bands you are in: Go Betty Go / Screaching Sheasel
Drum kit set up: PDP/ Paiste rudes/ Remo Heads
Sticks: Vater
As Aixa herself describes it, Go Betty Go delivers hard driven melodic rock and roll with a Latin twist. Made in L.A., this band has been bringing South American realness to their fans for many years locally and on tour. Their energy and dynamism has establish them as a Latina pop punk household name and has paved the way for other grrrl fueled bands in this ever growing music scene.
When did you start drumming and what make you decide you wanted to play drums?
-I was 12 years old and in a junior high music exploratory class. They said we could pick an instrument to learn. Drums seemed like the most fun instrument to play so I picked them! Haven’t stopped playing since.
How do you go about songwriting and beat making?
-I play guitar and do a lot of the band’s songwriting as well. I jam out riffs that I can really get into and then sing the drum parts in my head as I play the guitar. When I show my ideas to the band, I already have the drum parts written in my head.
Do you have a drum hero/shero? Who and what influences your drumming?
-Absolutely!, I’m a huge Stewart Copeland fan and have always been influenced by his playing and different styles he brought to his band. I sometimes find myself channeling him; it comes through my playing.
You are in a band with your sibling and your close friends! What is that like? And also, how does your south American heritage play a part in your musicianship?
-Being in a band with my sister and my best friends is probably the best thing in the world. These days I get so busy with other things in life. Coming together with my sister and friends to work on a project only gives us more time to be together and bond on something we all love to do. Being from Argentina has exposed us to some great Latin Rock bands. When you hear Go Betty Go, you can definitely hear the Latin influences, not just in the Spanish lyrics, but in the music as well.
Have you ever faced challenges because you are a female musician?
–As a female drummer, I sometimes feel that perhaps my mistakes are overlooked and forgiven and inner comments are spoken like “oh she’s just a girl” and it’s like they almost expect me to fail or not be good. I feel if my sex was reversed the same comments would be “Oh this guy sucks”! But I’m forgiven just for being female and I don’t like that feeling. Maybe that’s something I put on myself, but I always strive to be as good as I can be, first for myself and 2nd for my band and 3rd to put on the best damn show I can for those watching!I just live my life with ambition and always do my very best to work hard and reach my goals. I don’t take No as an answer, I just keep trying!
What advice can you give a new aspiring female drummer?
-If you love drumming, then go for it. Be passionate about what you do and don’t let anyone ever put you down. If you want to get better, keep practicing and again just love what you do.
Go Betty Go’s latest EP called “Reboot” is out now! Look out for them on September 10th at The Troubadour with Eve 6. You can also catch Aixa as part of newly formed all female Screeching Weasel tribute band called “Screeching SHEsel”.
Tianna Nicole
Bands: Bokonon / Restlust
Age: 27
Drum Kit: Pearl Vision Kit – Minimal Setup with a Sabian Hi-hat and a Zildjian A custom Ping 20”
Sticks – Promark natural 5A
I found out about Bokonon through my habit of searching the rabbit hole of music being tossed around on my Facebook. Bokonon, a band from the San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Valley whose name is inspired by Kurt Vonnegut Jr’s Cat’s Cradle, came along tickling my nerdy ears with their new wavy synth melodies, chill psychedelic dream pop vibes, and snazzy drum parts. This music made me count and recount the beats per measure as their almost poly-rhythmic drum arrangements made me curious to find out more about them and their awesome drummer, Tianna Nicole.
What made you pick up the drums?
-I’ve always had an affinity for a good beat in a song. One day I decided that I wanted to play an instrument so that I could be in a band; I felt the drums were more appropriate for me so I gave them a try, fell in love, and never stopped.
Do you have a drum hero/shero? Who influences your drumming?
-Carla Azar for sure. She captures a beautiful blend of technique and feeling in her beats. I also really love Jaki Liebezeit of Can…thanks to Carla.
How do you go about songwriting and beat making? What makes the sound of your band?
– Lately when I write songs I’ve been creating a loop first, I feel it out, then I add layers to it. With beat making specifically, I try to catch the energy of a song because beats can dictate so much of the overall vibe, and then I try to fit in some nuances. As far as my band’s sound, everyone writes and records their own music so sometimes we bring ideas to the band and elaborate on each other’s tracks, and sometimes we just have jams that stem from the simplest song idea.
You also have a solo experimental electronic project [called Restlust]. Do you find songwriting to be a lot more about rhythm and beat?
-Absolutely. I started writing music because I had bought my drum pad (Roland SPD-30), and I needed music to make beats to so I started playing a little Casio keyboard that I had and the songs started to evolve more and more.
What’s your Favorite band to watch?
–Bastidas! I have mad love for this band, they play with as much heart and soul as the first time I saw them, and the songwriting is truly great.
Have you ever encountered any challenges because you are a female musician?
-It has not seemed challenging because I have been fortunate enough to play with many supportive musicians, but there have definitely been situations where I knew that expectations of my performance were lower because of my gender, that has served as motivation though. I am confident in what I do and what I create; someone’s ignorance could never take that away.
What advice can you give a new aspiring female drummer?
-Don’t give up on trying, because you may stumble a lot, but that stumbling will eventually turn into a solid beat. And also, you are bad ass, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, play whatever you want to play, however you want, do YOU!
Bokonon‘s debut full length album Prism Cinema is available now on all platforms. You can check out Tianna’s solo project – Restlust – Streaming now on Soundcloud.
Jerico Campbell
Age: 28
Band: Bombón
Drum Kit Setup: Gretsch Catalina Club 4 piece Jazz kit ~ Ride, Crash, No hi hats!
Sticks: Vic Firth 2B’s
Bombón is just one of those bands that have made a remarkable impression on their audiences with their retro chic style and surf feels with a Mexican American twist. Straight out of San Pedro, this band brings the beach to the stage with nostalgic guitar and bass riffs and driven surf beats to put everyone on their feet.
When did you start drumming and what make you decide you wanted to play drums?
– I had a band back in the day with my boyfriend Anthony called Sleepover. I played guitar and he played drums. There was one particular song that I couldn’t sing and play at the same time, so he taught me the drums for that one and we’d switch it up. I really liked playing and when I was hit up to play drums in a new band with my gal pals, I was more than stoked.
Do you have a drum hero/shero? Who and what influences your drumming?
-One of the bands I became obsessed with in high school was husband and wife duo, Mates of State. The drummer, Jason Hammel, has some of the best, most interesting beats I’ve ever heard and manages killer harmonies at the same time. They are so amazing live.
Can you describe the sound of your band?
-Bombón is low-fi, gritty, yet peppy, surf-garage….think 5.6.7.8’s and The Trashwomen. Our music is inspired by everything from classic surf, to Latin and Spanish music, to 60’s girl groups and spaghetti westerns. I think we definitely rep all our influences.
What’s the San Pedro (South West L.A.) music scene like?
-San Pedro is a community rich with artists of all kinds, but our music community is pretty special. Pedro has a long standing DIY tradition and we’re honored to be a part of it. I feel, as one of the few all-lady bands in town, we bring something fun and unique to the table, especially playing surf music. Surf seems like it has the ability to kinda transcend genres and fit in well in most scenes. It’s taken us to a lot of fun places.
Are there any bands or artists you dream to tour with or play for?
-I would love to be part of anything Jenny Lewis is doing. Rilo Kiley, solo, with the Watson Twins, Jenny & Johnny, or her new project Nice As Fuck. I have always admired her as a musician and songwriter. You can tell she puts her heart and soul in everything she does. I would love to bro down with Jenny.
What consumes your life? Any guilty pleasures?
-Cats and dentistry. Anyone who knows me, knows that my cats are my life. Don’t try to compete with them, you will not win. I’m also currently in dental hygiene school. It’s a full time gig and it’s tiring and overwhelming, but I absolutely love it. I love all things teeth!
What advice can you give a new aspiring female drummer?
-Put on your favorite album and just start playing along! Don’t be afraid to make up your own style and always have fun when you play.
The band’s most recent release, “A Date with Bombón” is out now on cassette via Burger Records. They are set to re-release it through Japanese label I Hate Smoke Records with a brand new bonus track called “Xicanista”, followed by a tour in Tokyo with,The 5.6.7.8’s. Check out their brand new vid here!
Bianca Richardson
Age:24
Bands: Nick Walker Five, James David and the Cottonwood Church Band
Drum kit Setup: two snares, 2 rack toms and 2 floor toms and an Spd-SX pad.
Sticks: Vic firth 5A
Drum Hero/Shero : Chris Coleman and Cora Dunham.
Walking the hallways of a college music department is sometimes an overwhelming sonic experience. As my ears navigated through the many overlapping lines of practice, there always was a particular sound that stood out and drove my curiosity to find out who was the player behind it. Bianca’s contagious Gospel inspired beats have spilled out of the practice room into huge church gigs, studio sessions and scholarship winning contests.
What made you pick up the drums?
-I started in middle school, I wanted to be in the drum line really bad. I didn’t start playing drum set until high school, at like 15. Drum line and drum set are different to me. I had the chops, but it took me a while to learn how to apply it around the drum set.
How would you describe your drumming style?
-LOUD! I like to play in a way people can feel the groove! My style is definitely fusion. I love many genres and it not just one particular style!
How do you go about beat making?
– I don’t think about drums at all when I am coming up with a groove! First I listen to bass for the kick and for everything else (guitar, keys, chimes, or whatever) I try to imitate the lines with my snare and cymbals.
You were recently awarded with prestigious Stanley Clarke Scholarship at MI for musicianship excellency. Tell us about it!
-This is one of the biggest accomplishments in my life . When I saw the bulletin about the competition I said to myself, “this is my year and I’m going to win!” Within 5 minutes of practicing I decided that “What About Me?” by Snarky Puppy would be the winning song, it’s so fun and exciting! Out of 100 students that submitted a video, I was on the top 5 that got chosen to perform! Creating a solo has always been a huge challenge for me, but I needed to push myself so I did it! On performance day I avoided focusing on the competition, I wanted to be comfortable, happy and just play from my heart! We really enjoyed ourselves playing, we did our best! At the end, Stanley Clarke announced my name as 1st place of the competition along with another drummer. I will never forget this moment. I pushed myself to do something out of my comfort zone. You need those uncomfortable moments in order to grow as a player and as a person.
Are there any bands or artists you dream to tour with or play for?
-BEYONCÉ!! definitely Beyoncé! Whenever I have free time, I learn [her songs] little by little, I want to be prepared for when the opportunity comes! If you can vision yourself actually doing, by God’s will it will happen, through prayer and just believing in faith!
Have you ever faced challenges because you are a female musician?
-Like I mentioned before, I started drumming in middle school, but it wasn’t easy to join drum line. My teacher didn’t want me being part of the drum line, so he put me on trombone. I told my parents, and after fighting the school for it, they finally let me in.
What advice can you give a new aspiring female drummer?
-Female musicians are always awesome to see, but don’t let that be your ticket to getting gigs. You want people to chose you because you are a great player and not because of your gender…let that be the plus not the reason.
Bianca is a freelance live and studio musician, and is currently pursuing a degree at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood. You can see her winning performance of The Stanley Clarke Scholarship on here!
Joana Rubio
Age: 27
Band: Stars at Night
Drum Kit/percussion set up: Ludwig Vistalite 5-Piece, Paiste 2002 cymbals
Sticks: Vater 5BN
Drum hero: Animal
Stars At Night is a Latina powered band that catches its audience’s attention through hypnotizing energetic performances. This band is LOUD literally and figuratively; They have come to redefine the Latina voice and presence in L.A with strong hard rock vocals, and wall of sound arrangements. I had a chance to catch up with their drummer Joana about the band, drumming and keeping female power alive in the L.A. music scene.
What made you pick up the drums?
-Growing up I admired singers and front man/woman of bands, but I noticed a shortage in female drummers, and the lack of attention they were given. I made it my mission to bring more attention to the drummer. I’m self taught and was fueled by people thinking I couldn’t be a drummer because I was a girl.
Who influences your drumming?
-Le Butcherettes & The Yeah Yeah Yeahs! Teri Gender Bender AND Karen O are both a huge inspirations to my for my drumming their energetic raw performance always inspires my drumming energy. I want to be like them but behind my kit; leave people in awe. I would be flattered to share the stage with them.
How do you go about songwriting and beat making? What makes the sound of your band?
-We like to work as a collective when making music. I get inspired by the guitar; my drum beats are kinda everywhere on the map. I try to steer away from basics and push myself to learn more from every song we create. I would say I’m very much inspired by my band.
Have you faced challenges because you are a female musician?
– I’ve faced numerous challenges for being a female. I constantly get the ”girls don’t belong on stage” or “you play like you have balls” – correction “toco con ovarios!” – [I play with my ovaries]. Despite all the nonsense, I’m proud of who I am. Challenges arise everywhere, from the color of our skin to our physical appearance/presentation. People will always have something to say we just gotta make the best of it. Out of all things you could imagine, my band was recently discriminated because we’re American. We were working with a booking company from Europe to set up a 3 week tour. We were pulled from the tour because in our music video “Your Destiny” we appear playing in front of the American flag. They tagged us as “too patriotic” even though the song has nothing to do with that. We are all Latinas born and raised in the US, we are just a bunch of girls trying to play some good ol’ rock n roll.
What advice can you give to a new aspiring female drummer?
-Don’t let anyone stop you. Teach yourself, inspire yourself to be a unique individual.Remember to adapt, apply what you’ve learned and add your own spices to the mix. Xo
Stars At Night just released their self titled second album available now online via Spotify, Itunes, Amazon and Google Play.
Melena
Band: Melena and the Ladies of Salsa
Percussion set up: Congas, Timbales, Bongos, Batas, Shekere and more miscellaneous hand percussion items.
Sticks: Vic Firth
It is impossible not to wonder where Melena gets her contagious energy. Aside from her incredible chops on the congas, she manages to sing, dance and hype the crowd to original arrangements of beloved Cuban Sones solo or with her All female band – Ladies of Salsa. Putting Angelenos to dance since 2009, Melena is here to keep you on your feet and instill her latin ‘sabor’ in your ears.
When did you start drumming and what make you decide you wanted to play drums?
-I was born in Havana, Cuba in a modest neighborhood Marianao Coco Solo, known for its richness in Rumba (festivals) and Afro Cuban folklore. My mom believes I brought these memories with me when we left Cuba, because they are still alive in my spirit when I play the drums, the language of my soul. I have loved drums all of my life and it was always my favorite instrument growing up. I started on drum set during high school and soon after took formal lessons with Luis Conte. I later visited Cuba to study with the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba.
How do you go about songwriting and beat making?
-I get my influences from the roots of Cuban music which is the Afro Cuban folklore elements. I think about the groove/feel and how to make it dance able, I think about the lyrics and how the song tells a story.
Do you have a drum hero/shero? Who and what influences your drumming?
-Drum Shero: Terry Lynn Carrington! You can definitely hear my influences in my playing. Some of them are: Tata Guines, Anga, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Los Papines.
Are there any bands or artists you dream to tour with or play for?
– It would be an honor to tour with an artist such as Marc Anthony. As a female musician, representing traditional latin music and being able to expose it on a high level as Marc Anthony has would help to keep this style of music alive and giving a great example to the next generation of musicians.
Why is it important for you to carry Latin traditions and legacy, to furthermore inspire women to pick up instruments that are socially considered masculine?
-Cuban music has a rich cultural heritage and history. We need to study what the masters did and how we can keep their legacy alive, with our contributions to the drum. More and more women are playing Latin Percussion, which I believe will only inspire even more generations of female percussionists. to come. As women, we can be a part of that history and pave new ways for the younger girls coming up.
Have you ever faced challenges because you are a female musician?
-The most challenging aspect of being a female drummer for me has been the business side of music. Sometimes, I have been talked to in a demeaning way and many times I was not hired because they preferred a male over a woman. I’m not threatened by having other females on stage with me. I like it. I think it shows power and we need to support each other. That’s why I have an all female Salsa band now called, Ladies of Salsa. We have performed at special events and concerts already throughout the Los Angeles community and have experienced much support. People are ready for female instrumentalists to represent.
What advice can you give a new aspiring female drummer?
-Have confidence and believe in yourself. Practice and learn as much as you can from everybody. Always be open to learning and most important go back to the roots!
Melena is the first female instrumentalist to record at the famous EGREM studio in Havana with the legendary Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Pineiro since their founding in 1927. Check out the Ladies of Salsa gig schedule and more of Melena’s music collaborations at www.melena.com.
Nakeiltha “Nikki” Campbell
Bands: The Rebirth, Adaawe, Las Chikas of Estrella T.V Noches con Platanito.
Percussion setup: Tycoon Percussion: Congas, Bongos, Djembe & Toys
Sticks: Tycoon Djun Djun drum sticks for Djun Djun drums
Drum Hero/Shero: Sheila E
Adaawe is a female powered ensemble that fuses African traditional rhythms, popular modern music styles and beautifully arranged vocal harmonies. The entire group oozes with charisma and unbelievable talent. All members play at some point a form of percussion building a wall of sound that resonates loud on every stage they set foot on. We took a minute to talk to Nikki, one of the lead percussionists of these incredible band.
When did you start drumming and what made you decide you wanted to play drums?
-At a young age I began tapping on my school desk and kitchen cabinets but didn’t know what was happening until I sat on a drum kit at a party at age 23. The rest is history. I never stopped and fell in love with percussion. That led me to learn more of the history of the African Diaspora and the rhythms.
How do you go about songwriting and beat making?
-Adaawe’s process is inspiring because there is something special in creating music with women. We all have great ideas! We usually pick one from there. The creativity just flows naturally. I don’t think too much [about how to make beats] I trust my instincts.
What is your dream drum setup?
-I dream of Istanbul Agop cymbals, LP Light conga stands, Mamady Keita Djembe signature series all to include in my setup.
Do you have a favorite song to drum to?
-“Vivir Mi Vida” by Marc Anthony. Love the lyrics and arrangement!
Have you ever faced challenges because you are a female musician?
-Real Story: Walk in a room full of man and I am the only woman listening while everyone else’s ego is going sky high. Male tells me to play a shaker. Part played. Males fumble with drums parts, they start to argue. Then after many attempts, all of sudden they ask if I can play a drum part. Part played. They look around smile then ask what my name is.
What advice can you give a new aspiring female drummer?
-Don’t ever give up. Work hard. Play Hard and be yourself.
You can see videos and follow Nikki and Adaawe’s next shows on their website! Also, look out for Nikki on a brand new Documentary about Women drummers and cultural exchange!
Marlhy Murphy
Age: 14
Band: Independent Drummer/Super Secret band!
Drum kit setup: Pearl Export maple kit , Paiste cymbals.
Sticks: Mike Mangini’s Vater sticks (model discontinued so taking care of her few last pairs!)
Ever since I saw Marlhy play 4 years ago at the Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls in Orange county, I knew she was going to go places. She is on a journey to redefine what it means to “hit like a girl” through loudness, fearlessness and an urge to not be judged by her age. At 14, Marlhy is eager to see, hear, live and breathe drums. With her already advanced skills and her positive attitude she is on her way to the very tippy top.
When did you start drumming and what made you decide to play drums?
– I started playing the Wii game Rock Band when I was 5. My family would play and I always wanted to go to the drums because none of the other instruments were as fun. From then on, I started to go to School of Rock and playing seasons and shows. I started my first all girl band “We are not Dudes” when I was 7 and haven’t stopped since.
Do you have a drum her/shero? Who influences your drumming?
-John Bonham is my idol, I have an obsession. I am also a huge fan of Matt Tong from Block Party, his drumming is so intricate and amazing. I also love Alicia Warrington and Kiran Gandhi.
How do you describe your style?
-In the past my main genre has generally been garage rock. My main influences are Indie, like The Strokes and Modest Mouse. Mixing genres is a lot of fun. It’s been hard to label my music lately especially since everyone is mixing genres.
Do you have a Favorite song to drum to?
– I love playing to “Like Eating Glass” by Bloc Party or any Zeppelin song is always a lot of fun. Anything that’s new and out of my comfort zone. I am currently trying to get the Shuffle thing on the double kick with Van Halen songs.
What would be your dream gig?
– I’ve been lucky to have played SXSW, Lollapalooza, opened up for Kate Nash and other exciting gigs, but would love to play Coachella, or anywhere new. Maybe play in Tokyo! I’ll reach my dream gigs when I get to travel the world and play music everywhere.
Have you faced any challenges being a young female musician?
-I did this one gig with my Led Zeppelin cover band for charity in which we were playing with another band (made of 4 adults) . As my band tried to set up, the “grown up” band didn’t let us be on the stage. Because we were kids, they moved us to the floor. We set up all our stuff on the ground next to the gigantic stage, and we played our set. We played our butts off. We wanted to show the audience that we were not a novelty act, we were more than that. While playing I broke one of my sticks, and the drummer from the other band rushed and got me a new stick and said he was sorry. After our set, the other band came up to us and apologized for misjudging us. If you are gonna tell me that I am a novelty act because I am a kid, then I am gonna show you that I am not that.
What advice can you give to a new aspiring young female drummer?
-Keep going! No matter how hard!
Marlhy’s *Secret Band* is signed to a major record Label. More information about her future releases to come out soon! In the meantime you can find Marlhy’s news on her official facebook page.
Kiwi
Band: Generación Suicida
Drum kit Setup: Pork Pie drum set, Paiste cymbals, and DW 3000.
Sticks: Promark 7A
I caught Generación Suicida as the opening band for the legendary Alice Bag at the Echo last month. Kiwi’s incredible energy on the drumset carried on the busy spanish lyrics that transported us to the early chicano punk days. Her accuracy and speed surely gives this band a spotlight that has crossed borders taking the L.A. punk sounds to Japan, Europe and beyond.
When did you start drumming and what make you decide you wanted to play drums?
-I started drumming in 2010. I decided to drum when Tony (vocalist of Generacion Suicida) asked me to make a band with him, even though I had no experience drumming. We wanted to make Something different from what was being played in South Central LA.
How do you go about songwriting and beat making?
-Generacion Suicida’s songwriting process is a collaborative. Each member knows their instrument very well and have different influences. My beat making is very influenced by our Demo (released in 2010). I want to maintain the same beat with various speeds. I think that writing is incredibly fun and challenging. Mostly due to that I’m always learning new beats.
Can you share something that you are really passionate about besides music?
-I am currently working at a non-profit agency where I am privileged to work with at-risk children in South Central LA. These children are the most resilient, smart, and independent individuals. There’s no doubt that they will continue to overcome barriers that are being placed on them by society.
Have you ever faced challenges because you are a female musician?
-ALL THE TIME! Too many to list, but I’ll tell you about the time Generacion Suicida went on tour for the first time. I was denied entry to our show because they believed I was lying about being the drummer for GS. The doorman kept insisting that I was merely someone from the band’s girlfriend, not an actual member of the band. After the rest of the members confirmed that I was in the band, this individual threatened to kick me out of the show if he didn’t see me on stage behind the drumset. The entire show this individual was keeping an eye on me. It was so uncomfortable! Once he realized that I was in the band he apologized and gave me free beer all night. Being that it was my first tour I felt very helpless to stand up to this person.
Why do you think is important for girls to see more womxn musicians in the South East Los Angeles Punk Scene?
-I think it’s important because I feel music is one of those areas that leave the biggest impression in children’s lives. Music has definitely influenced me and punk has made such a huge impact in my life. I don’t know who I would be without music. I volunteered at Chicas Rockeras of SELA last year and enjoyed seeing all the eager children who were just hungry to learn. I am grateful that I was able to contribute a little bit to their musicianship.
What advice can you give a new aspiring female drummer?
-To never compare herself to anyone. Always be self-determined and give everyone more than what they expect. Something I have learned from being a female drummer is that everyone has low expectations, so you always have to prove everyone wrong.
Generacion Suicida just released a new album called “Sombras” available now via bandcamp. Keep up with their music ventures and shows on their official facebook page.