Drummer Mamas

After reaching heights with a band that most drummers can only dream of, Rick Jupp left Elbow 10 years ago. With a decade of sobriety and a well-respected teaching career in that time, Rick has developed drum workshop methods that focus on being present in your body, with the aim of easing the effects of PTSD, addiction and the stressors of busy life and a busy mind. Listen on for a humour-filled...

This week on Drummer Mamas, we're joined by the brilliant (and hilarious!) Emma Taylor from Love to Learn Drums! You've probably seen Emma's videos all over social media, but have you ever wondered how it all started and what goes on behind the scenes? We chat about her time at ACM, how she built such a huge online following, the team behind Love to Learn Drums and her relationship...

Tom runs Tom Collins Drums near Solihull, offering bespoke drum tuition and a shop for students. His story is an inspiring one; after starting to teach from a spare room, he now works from purpose-built teaching rooms with his own team.  Talking about the importance of community, and the results that come from doing everything to the best of your ability, Tom tells us how learning an instrument ca...

This week we're chatting all things UK Drum Show 2026! From Gemma's exciting new role to Ciara's session in the Evans Sound Advice Room. We also talk community, representation, supporting each other and a special motherhood milestone. 🥁❤️ Enjoy! send us a message <3  Follow us here:  Instagram.com/drummermamas  Instagram.com/Ciaradrums  Instagram.com/gemmadrums Instagram.com/swi...

Jessie May Smart is a violinist who has experience in playing globally and on the biggest stages, but on the flipside, she has also dealt with anxiety, depression, ill health and concerns about performing. Drawing on her own experiences, she has trained to coach musicians to reach their maximum potential; we talk about the use of breathwork, tapping, calming the nervous system and much, much more...

Send us Fan Mail Camille Phillips is the drummer for The Subways, and this week we chat about touring, teaching, confidence and overcoming performance anxiety. We talk about joining an established band, the realities of life on the road and finding your confidence behind the kit. Plus tattoos, gyms, coffee, rehearsal rooms… and somehow creating our dream drummer commune. 😂🥁 https://www.instagram...

Send us Fan Mail Vicky is heading out on the road with Anastascia, and this time she’s taking her baby with her! We find out how she’s making it happen, if and how motherhood has changed the way she views her career, and how her experience of the music industry is as a new mum.  We cover everything from working until the last possible week of her pregnancy in the studio to planning a baby-tour wit...

Send us Fan Mail Drummer Mamas are BACK for Season 5!!  We're kicking things off with a good old catch-up! From our summer adventures to what's coming up next, there's plenty to chat about. Come and join us! ❤️  Follow us here:  Instagram.com/drummermamas  Instagram.com/Ciaradrums  Instagram.com/gemmadrums Instagram.com/swiftiedrums

Send us Fan Mail This week we're reflecting on our trip to Germany for an amazing drum event, chatting about the juggle of the summer holidays, and, as always, sharing plenty of laughs along the way. 🥁☀️ We'll be taking a little break over the summer, but we'll be back before you know it for Season 5! In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you... who would you like us to have...

Send us Fan Mail AJ wears a lot of different hats that all related to drumming: session and touring drummer, teacher and drum camp organizer, composer and author. With so many facets to his character and abilities, what does he identify with the most?   AJ takes us through the struggles of overthinking, over-analyzing, and how we can be healthier and happier with ourselves as musicians in general....

Send us Fan Mail This week's guest has performed live or on record with a wide array of artists including David Bowie, Elton John, A-ha, Asia, Wishbone Ash, Joss Stone, Tom Jones... and many more. But to us? He was our drum teacher. Mike Sturgis taught both of us at ACM, so getting to sit down with him all these years later felt like a real full-circle moment. We chatted about what it really...

Send us Fan Mail We’re still buzzing from recording this episode, which ending up being more like a masterclass! This is a unique interview with Stanton, where he covers a wide range of topics with absolute honesty and passion: the realities of co-owning a music venue, taking control of his own publishing and royalties, maintaining a close relationship with his daughter while building his career,...

Send us Fan Mail Buckle up... because this week we're asking: Why should anyone mess with women over 40? We're diving into the unexpected gifts of midlife—from rage and people-pleasing to finding your voice, unlearning old beliefs, resting without guilt, and caring a little less about what everyone else thinks. If you're over 40 and nodding along already, this one's for you. Te...

Send us Fan Mail Stu Fagan tells us how he built a drum teaching business and turned it into a music school with multiple teachers. He talks candidly about his experiences with the highs and lows of viral posts on social media, looking after yourself for your children, and protecting your mental health in the long run.  Stu Fagan: Instagram.com/stufagan    Follow us here:  Instagram.com/drummermam...

Send us Fan Mail Today we’re joined by the hilarious Sharon Ransom. Amongst the laughter we talk about going viral, Drumeo, and growing her drum school. We also cover online trolls, empowering students, gigs, and future plans. We talk about what really matters most and  reclaiming the joy of drums.    Follow Sharon: https://www.instagram.com/ransomdrumlab/  Follow us here:  Instagram.com/drummerma...

Send us Fan Mail Claus Hessler is renowned to be THE drum educator of our time! With his direct heritage of knowledge from Jim Chapin, the numerous books that he has written, and his general warmth and patient approach to teaching and learning, we are so pleased to welcome Claus to the podcast this week. We talk about Claus’ fear of reading drum notation and how he dealt with it, writing ‘Collapse...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode is all about rollercoasters and retreats — and what happens when you step outside your comfort zone. From hosting a drum retreat in Barcelona to making bold, slightly scary life decisions and new ventures, we’re talking about what it really feels like to say yes to things that stretch you. The fear, the excitement, the doubt… and the unexpected confidence that...

Send us Fan Mail Anna Mylee describes how an injury gave her a unique focus for teaching technique, the way that she handles being in three bands, her journey back to her roots of prog rock, and how she navigates changing time signatures within music. With a background in philosophy, Anna has interesting thoughts on the effects of AI on the arts, which she shares with us here… Anna Mylee: Instagra...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is drummer and educator Matt Lacey. After years climbing the corporate ladder and chasing targets, Matt made the brave decision to completely change direction and build a life around music. In this episode, we talk about perfectionism, self-doubt, mental health, his podcast and what it really means to redefine success — as well as the importance of empathy, growth, a...

Send us Fan Mail Pat Garvey is the head of drums and percussion at BIMM in Brighton – we asked him about the advantages of studying drums in further education and what the admission numbers are like for female and transgender drummers, plus how BIMM is supportive and encourages those applicants. Pat spoke to us frankly and honestly about the added scrutiny that female drummers should be prepared f...

Send us Fan Mail Do we have high standards or are we restricting ourselves by trying to do things perfectly? We ask ourselves where we draw the line and how we stop interruptive negative thoughts that interfere with growth and the creative process.  Has it got easier as we’ve got older? Have we found ways to deal with it? Find out as we share our experiences and battles with the feeling that we ne...

Send us Fan Mail Gavin Harrison’s technical ability and musicality within bands such as Porcupine Tree, King Crimson and The Pinapple Thief have set him apart and gained him international respect as a drum clinician. But what happens when drum events make you feel isolated and stressed? Gavin tells us why he took a break from drum shows, how he was able to re-gain confidence, and what his ideal dr...

Send us Fan Mail Get the tissues ready! In this emotional episode, we take a trip back to our very first episode of Drummer Mamas . So much has changed… and yet, in many ways, so much hasn’t. We reflect on where we were 6 years ago, what was on our hearts then, and what’s still showing up for us now. It’s honest, nostalgic, and full of those “wow, we’ve come a long way” moments. Hope you enjoy lis...

Send us Fan Mail Trigger warning: we talk about the topic of suicide in this episode Dylan Redman is a drum teacher, counsellor, cheerleader of people, and good Samaritan all rolled into one as the CEO of the Red Cymbal company.  Motivated by kindness, and with a strong desire to offer support for mental health, Dylan started Red just before the pandemic hit. Discover how he is able to combine man...

Send us Fan Mail Today we’re talking about image — how we present ourselves online, the pressure to look youthful, and the limiting beliefs many of us carry about beauty and ageing… and how all of that shapes the way we show up.  Follow us here:  Instagram.com/drummermamas  Instagram.com/Ciaradrums  Instagram.com/gemmadrums Instagram.com/swiftiedrums