We were lucky enough to be graced with the cyber presence of Elie, who grabbed our attention on YouTube not only for her wild drumming, but her obvious, strong presence as a rare female drummer.

Have a read:

1. Why drumming?

My story about that is pretty random and inglorious, one of my uncle was keeping his friend’s kit while he was moving. My uncle decided to set it up to play and I tried it, loved it and my parents saw the potential so they got me a cheap kit and I’ve been in love ever since.

2. What is your favorite kind of drums?

I play Pearl drums and totally love them. My main kit is a 6 pieces black sparkle Pearl Reference kit. It’s an amazing kit. The sound is huge and powerful.

3. What do you feel when you play?

I feel amazing. I forget about time, about the world… It’s like if I entered a parallel world. You know like when you played with your Barbies or trucks when you were a kid and it’s life if you were part of this world. It’s a really comfy bubble.

4. Do you play other instruments?

I use to play a bit of piano, of bass and I did 4 years of flute, I was also part of a choir at some point, but now I really only focus on drums. One day though, I would love to pick piano again and guitar.

5. What are some of the benefits of being a drummer that you wouldn’t have playing another instrument?

I’m under the impression that drummers like to hang out together and share about drums more than other musicians. There are all sorts of drum fests, drum clinics, drum camps, drum offs all year long. I don’t see as many events like those for other instruments. There are some but not as many.

6. What do you do for fun?

I love to hang out with friends to party, to jam, to walk around the city, to go to an art gallery, to see shows or just to have a great conversation around a good bottle of wine. I enjoy cooking and baking for friends and family. I really like watching TV and movies which I don’t get to do really often, so when I do it’s an event. Ha!

7. Who are your heroes?

People that dedicate their lives to help people and to make this world a peaceful place to stay, people like doctors, researches, fire fighters, teachers, farmers, the real honest politicians, etc. I don’t think we realize how important some of those people are.

8. What are some of your favorite bands?

I love so many kind of music so it’s kind of an eclectic list but Lamb Of God, Meshuggah, Three Days Grace, Dave Matthews Band, Mute Math, James Taylor, Led Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, Black Eye Peas and I could on and on… I love a lot of stuff. Ha!

9. What are some of your favorite drummers?

Chris Adler definitively influences me a lot, he’s extremely talented, he has amazing techniques and a lot of musicality. Daniel Adair because he’s really musical, tight and just awesome. Darren King for his completely different approach and for his musicality. Dennis Chambers because he’s like the god of drumming.

10. What do you hate about music?

I hate when people write music to become rich and famous. It’s so inartistic and against the concept of creating. If it’s good, people will like it and then you’ll make your fortune. That’s how I think it should be.

11. How long have you played an instrument?

I picked up drums at the age of 5. In a couple of weeks it will be 15 years. UN-BE-LI-VA-BLE. Time flies!

12. What are things you like that aren’t related to music?

I love visual art like pictures, painting, sculpting, and dancing. I can’t do any of this but I really appreciate it. I love red wine, coffee, good food, conversation that make me question and rethink things. I love life in general, there are such amazing things and people to discover.

13. What is your favorite time of year?

Definitively summer. I love the heat, the sun, the green grass and all the flowers. I wish I lived somewhere there was no snow.

14. If you could change one thing about music, what would it be?

I would want to change the way the “industry” behind the music is. I would make it more about the music and the artist rather than about the sales, the billboard charts and Grammy nominations. All of that should come after, as a result of good music not at as a goal.

15. If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

I would give everyone the chance to really express themselves fully and the freedom to do what they really want without having to lie or hide behind closed doors.

Many thanks to Elie, for doing the interview with Seraphina and myself!

Tashia