Age: 28
From: I was born in the Philippines, left when I was 8, and was raised in Jersey City, NJ where I live now.
Current Band/s: I am currently playing with my fiancé Mike Bowser, the former guitarist of Slapshot from Boston, and the Quick Fix Kills.
Previous Bands: Blacksonny, D. Lee (of Rye Coalition), The Nines (with members of Skavoovie and the Epitones), Steady Roosevelt (ex-Supertouch).
Websites and/or Email address: http://www.aubreyarago.com
Discography: Blacksonny "S/T", Blacksonny "Crimes of the Venomous Queen" EP,
Blacksonny "No Pills" EP, The Nines "S/T", Steady Roosevelt "get on get on" CD-Single
Sticks: Vic Firth wood tip 5As

Listening to Aubrey Arago’s work with Blacksonny is listening to a musician in command of her instrument. The drumming is tight, driving. And though she sees it as something of a downside, Aubrey displays a unique use of cymbals that’s refreshing to hear. Aubrey’s cymbals aren’t just for an accent here and there. They are vital, living parts of her kit. I asked Aubrey how her use of cymbals came about: “I think it was natural and I see it more as a downside to my playing. I tend to overplay crash cymbals and sometimes it takes away from the core beat. It is definitely a unique style I have and I'm glad you noticed!”

Aubrey’s tenure with Blacksonny recently ended – an experience many musicians can relate to: “I felt I was ready to move on and pursue other styles of music and different projects. I had devoted 5 years to playing in Blacksonny and practicing and gigs started feeling like chores to me. Once that happened I knew it was time to move on.”

DG: So, what's happening for you musically at the moment and what's on the horizon?
AA: I just joined a new band called the Quick Fix Kills. I also play with my fiancé when we get the chance.

DG: What inspired you to play drums, and how old were you when you started?
AA: I was inspired to play drums when I was 8 years old. I saw Sheila E. in her video for "The Glamorous Life" and was immediately intrigued by her. I wasn't a huge fan of her music, but I had never seen a sexy female play like that before. However, I didn’t actually start playing drums until I was 15 when my parents finally gave in and bought me a used drum set.

DG: How did you learn to play?
AA: I learned to play in my friend Justin Morey's garage. All my friends in early high school were very musically talented and being in their company compelled me to pursue similar interests. I learned a very simple 1-4 beat and then I taught myself the rest. I practiced every day for 2 hours and played along to bands like Superchunk, Circus Lupus, All, Fugazi and Cringer.

DG: What was your first kit?
AA: My first kit was a black Pearl Maxin. It sucked and all my cymbals were the Sabian beginner cymbals. They did the trick though.

DG: What kind of kit do you play on now?
AA: Now I play a red Tama Artstar Custom 3 piece with Zildjan A Custom crash cymbals and Sabian hand hammered ride and high hats.

DG: Have you ever taken lessons? If so, where? Would you recommend lessons to others?
AA: I was always self-taught when it came to rock drums but I ended up taking classical lessons in college and was taught by a man named Rick Barbour who worked for the Metropolitan Opera House. I learned paradiddles and took rudiments and actually found my technique improved tremendously. I would highly recommend taking lessons, but I also recommend just listening to the beat and figuring it out yourself.

DG: How long were you playing before you played a gig?
AA: I was playing for less than a year when I played my first gig at ABC NO RIO substituting in a punk/hardcore band called Regress.

DG: How do you carry all your equipment?
AA: Carrying equipment is probably the worst part of being a drummer because you have the most pieces to move. I made my life a lot easier by buying a vintage trap case on wheels and plastic XL cases for my drums.

DG: When a man asks you if you need help carrying your drums, what do you say?
AA: I say "hell yes" and “thank you.” I'll take all the help I can get.

DG: Name your favorite drummer and describe his/her best qualities.
AA: My favorite drummer is David Grohl. His best qualities would have to be his ability to play simplistically and still add complex accents. Plus his drumming is really fun if you play along to it. He is a versatile drummer and an amazing songwriter I think. My other favorite drummer is Ringo.

DG: What do you believe the drummer's role is in a band?
AA: The drummer is the skeleton of the band. The drummer provides structure and order and guides the listener to whatever phase the band wants to bring the listener to. If a drummer can’t hold the tempo, there is no song... This of course only applies to most kinds of music, not all. I do believe percussion to be the root of every tune. I don’t think this percussion even has to be audible. Every musician should have a little drummer within them: a sense of pace and rhythm is essential to any band.

DG: Do you think being a woman in a male-dominated profession has been a help, a hindrance, or neither? Why?
AA: I think it has really been neither. It’s all how you network with others and maintain relationships with peers. I have not been good at this since I have focused more on my career as a designer rather than as a touring drummer.

DG: Was there ever anything that kept you from playing?
AA: School is always what keeps me from touring and playing as much as I can. If I'm not in school, I usually plan on going to school so commitment is difficult. I have never been really injured before either, so not much has kept me away from just playing.

DG: Do you have any drum tuning tips?
AA: My old instructor had taught me to remove both heads first and tune all around as tight as possible, then loosen and listen. I find just tapping the drum near the pegs and tuning it that way works best. I usually leave this task to the engineer though, I am ashamed to say.

DG: Do you have a day job? If so, what is it?
AA: I am a graphic designer at LimeWire, a filesharing application. The company is based in NYC.

DG: How do you fit your musical life into your 9-5 life? Is there a positive side to working for a living and drumming out of hours?
AA: There is definitely a plus side to working for a living and playing drums only part time. I have an income. Most drummers really don’t get [money] until they get signed to a major deal. I have never wanted to sacrifice my career as a designer or my financial stability for the sake of touring. Perhaps I've never been presented with a lifetime opportunity to join a successful band, drop everything and tour. I would really only do that if it was worth it ... but how many musicians do we know who get that lucky?

DG: What is the greatest compliment you've been given about your drumming?
AA: I was told I was the best girl drummer by my friend Gregg, then my friend Dave interjected and said, "Best any drummer!" and that made me feel good. Also, a drummer I know named Noah Leger (now in Milemarker) told me a long time ago after he saw me play that I had a sense of rhythm unlike any he had seen in any male funk drummer. It was the best critique I had heard of my playing. And it helped too because Noah Leger is a stupendous drummer.

DG: What are your aspirations as a drummer?
AA: I would like to play drums for a Jeff Tweedy-type singer songwriter who has integrity - a musician who takes the lead and deserves the respect most lead musicians demand. I would also like to one day be in a band that has a cult following and can sell thousands of records. I'd love to be in a famous band, but I know this takes 100% dedication to drumming.

DG: What's your involvement with other musical/band aspects - writing, arranging, the business side? Besides your role as drummer, is there another role you enjoy within a band setting?
AA: Naturally as a graphic designer, I enjoy creating the brand and the identity of the band. This can be through merchandise, the website, the album covers ...

DG: Any possibility you'll pursue this other role along with continued drumming?
AA: Well one day I would like to start a business in graphic design and open up the service to other musicians.

DG: Share one positive and one negative drumming experience you've had.
AA: Positive - I once played to 3000 people at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. I dropped a stick during the performance but was able to continue the beat seamlessly.
Negative - I had a show once and everything was going wrong. I had forgotten to bring a rug and the bass drum kept moving 2 feet away from me... then my pedal broke. My seat was too low and everything was unplayable. Now I make sure I have everything in working order before any gig and I don’t leave home without my rug.

DG: What would you be doing if you weren't a drummer?
AA: I would be playing guitar and kicking up my leg at the end of every measure.

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About the Interviewer:
Jeff Hagan lives and works near Baltimore, MD. He sings and plays guitar for a local cover band. Unfortunately, he has yet to kick his leg up at all during a performance … but he might give it a try now that the idea is in his head.

© March, 2004 Happy Mazza Media, LLC.
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