Tash Keary is a multi-genre drummer based in London. She has a unique approach to drumming by adding rhythmic textures throughout her playing. Tash has been in bands such as the all female disco band All Day Breakfast Cafe, Forever Presence, Loucin, and O. We spoke about musical influences, the London music scene and more.
Your drumming style looks effortless despite incorporating complex techniques throughout your playing. How and when did you start playing the drums (or music)?
Hey, thanks! I started drums when I was about 10 – and spent the first two years playing on tissue boxes and pillows. When I got to high school, I sat behind a real kit for the first time. I could barely see over the top of the toms then, but it’s pretty much been my favorite place to be since.
As a drummer there is a need to be able to adapt to all kinds of music genres. You have crafted your art of jazz style playing to disco and soul. Who has inspired your drumming style? What would you describe your drumming style as?
I grew up listening to a lot of hip-hop, rock, and electronic music. A lot of my favourite tracks had electronic/programmed drums on, so I spent a lot of time trying to replicate those beats on an acoustic kit. I got into jazz and soul later on. I love drummers who are minimal or groove-based so Karriem Riggins and Philip Selway are some of my favorites. I also went through a big Art Blakey phase. One of my friends once described my drumming style as what would happen if a really happy but angry mouse got behind the kit and honestly I’ll take that.
I first found out about you when O. opened up for Black Midi last year in November. I was impressed within the first few seconds of listening to O. It blew my mind. What was O’s tour with Black Midi like? What was the crowd’s reception to the music?
Yeah, it was the best, I feel super lucky for the whole thing. O. had only done 3 or 4 gigs ever before we got on the tour, and the majority of those had been limited capacity, socially distanced gigs. We genuinely didn’t know how our weird music would go down. So those first few tour shows at 1500 cap venues were pretty much as nervous as I’ve ever been, ever. But the crowd was really amazing for us and across the tour I got to meet loads of really great people at the merch stand. Also, the black midi crew are complete legends and a dream to tour with.
How did O. the band form?
Me and Joe (on sax) had lots of time on our hands in lockdown! We grew up listening to a lot of the same rock bands and have similar approaches to music. Playing and writing loud music during lockdown was pretty therapeutic for us. I think my neighbors still haven’t forgiven me though.
The band used to be named Toe, did you change your band name because of the Japanese post-rock band Toe? How did you come up with the name O.?
Haha, yep! Toe kind of stuck accidentally. Then we had some Toe fans coming to our gigs expecting the Japanese post-rock band and it was pretty awkward. They still enjoyed the gig luckily. We came up with O. after deciding we really hated coming up with band names. Turns out a lot of people have quite strong opinions about O….
There are short video clips on social media of O. practicing. Is O. going to release music anytime soon?
Yes.
As a frequent performer at Windmill Brixton and the London jazz music scene, there must be a lot of creativity flowing around you. How has being a part of an innovative community shaped you as a musician?
Before I moved to London, I think I’d met maybe one other female drummer in about 10 years of playing. The community I’m in here, I get to hang out with loads of really, really killer women musicians who support and inspire each other all the time. They’re the best and I feel super lucky to have a community like that.
Is there a certain musical philosophy people have who are in that music scene?
There’s a lot of openness and sharing, and supportiveness. I think we all love mashing lots of genres together and experimenting. There’s also this weird obsession with garlic bread…
Are there times when you get asked to collaborate? What musical projects have you been a part of, whether it be session drummer, studio drummer or just a music collaborator?
Drums are the best instrument because you get to collab with people all the time. A couple of my favourite projects are neo-soul singer Loucin, space jazz group Forever Presence, disco band All Day Breakfast Cafe, and legendary rapper Shunaji.
Are you working on any new music?
Yes!
Who is your favorite local musician at the moment?
Nala Sinephro – I’m listening to her album at least 5 times a day at the moment.
What is a record that you can listen to all the time?
Anything Thom Yorke’s on.
Finally, Where can people check out your music?
Instagram page @o.the.band and my own page @tashdrums when I remember to post there!
https://www.instagram.com/tashdrums/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/o.the.band/?hl=en
I look forward to listening to new music Tash is a part of! If you enjoy discovering new music go check out the spotify playlist of bands Tash Keary drummed on.