Are Drummers Musicians?

• 78. Lash 78: Singing, Sisterhood, Songwriting, and Navigating the Music Industry

  This week is a special one—our first-ever double guest episode! I’m joined by Lauren and Sheridan Harvey, the powerhouse pop-rock duo Lash 78. Known for their huge vocals, high-energy performances, and guitar-driven sound, these Melbourne-based sisters have built a loyal fan base through their electrifying live shows and infectious original music.Before we hit record, Lauren and Sheridan played me some new demo tracks, including “Heartbreak Lane”—a killer pop-rock track with driving beats, dynamic half-time shifts, and, of course, their amazing harmonies. We talk about their new music, the writing and recording process, and what it means to be an artist in today’s industry. They also share their excitement about gearing up to release new music and hit the stage again in the near future.Beyond the music, we get into what it’s like working with a sibling, the impact of viral moments and social media, and their journey from early musical influences to finding their sound and building their brand. We also chat about the creative process—singing, making videos, songwriting, and recording. Plus, they share the story behind Lash 78.This was an energetic, fun, and insightful chat with two incredibly talented artists—don’t miss it!

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• 77. Thomas Waltrich: Drumming, Streaming, and Balancing Music with Life

  This week, I’m joined by Thomas Waltrich — a drummer, Twitch streamer, educator, and content creator based in Naarm/Melbourne. With a background in jazz and contemporary music from Monash University, Thomas has played across a wide range of genres, from folk and post-rock to punk hardcore and free improvisation. His passion for drumming and creativity is at the heart of everything he does, whether it’s performing, recording, or sharing his journey online.But Thomas’s story isn’t just about music—he’s also a full-time school teacher and has spent time living overseas, immersing himself in different cultures, learning languages, and taking part in skill exchanges that have shaped his perspective on music and life. We talk about how those experiences influenced his creative approach, as well as the challenges of moving to a new city and rebuilding connections from scratch.We also dive into leading a music project, navigating social media as a musician (including his work in Instagram drumming and Twitch streaming), and balancing a full-time job with the pursuit of a music career. Thomas shares how his relationship with music has evolved over time—including stepping away and coming back—and what it means to create for passion rather than expectation.There’s a lot of trying and a lot of challenges, but also plenty of insight, creativity, and inspiration in this conversation. If you're a musician figuring out how to balance multiple pursuits, this one is for you!

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• 76. Nathan Liow: Jazz, Life Is Better Blonde, and Making Music for Yourself

  This week, I’m joined by Nathan Liow — an award-winning jazz pianist and composer who has been a key figure in Melbourne’s jazz scene, performing regularly at venues like Jazzlab, Paris Cat, Birds Basement, and Uptown. He’s studied with some of the world’s best, including Fred Hersch, Vijay Iyer, Geri Allen, Andrea Keller, and Tony Gould, and his compositions have been featured in film soundtracks, installation works, and gallery spaces.Beyond his jazz career, Nathan is also the artist behind Life Is Better Blonde, a solo project that quickly gained critical acclaim. In 2015, it had a rapid rise, earning a J Award nomination, Triple J rotation, and a spot in BBC 1Xtra’s Top 5 Future R&B. With millions of streams, it was an unexpected success—but we also reflect on how quickly the moment passed and what that taught him about the music industry, expectations, and making music for yourself.We also discuss keeping an audio journal, his creative process, and balancing live band energy vs. studio production. And fair warning—I was crazy tired from a uni exam when we recorded this, so the chat gets a little all over the shop at times, but it made for an authentic and fun conversation.This was an awesome chat—don’t miss it!Here's some of the links we mentioned - Mine (Directed by Natalie James) https://youtu.be/FhnYVKeUwfoFires (Directed by Natalie James) https://youtu.be/i8KyhFRQDpQFollow Me (Directed by Natalie James) https://youtu.be/l0J11zbknUM Jazz/Improv album with Paris Favilla Operasphere https://open.spotify.com/album/7kIJKo81xDcAGCd92mKP0F?si=6WyCTvHHQBOnFIaC5gvcBQWebsite www.nathanliow.com AND www.lifeisbetterblonde.comInstagram www.instagram.com/nathanliowpiano AND https://www.instagram.com/libblonde/

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• 75. Kat Greta: Songwriting, Production, and Building a Musical Identity

  This week, I’m joined by Kat Greta — a singer-songwriter, percussionist, and rising artist in the Pop and Indie scenes. Known for her catchy melodies, live looping, and dynamic percussion work, Kat blends retro influences with a fresh, modern energy, crafting music that is both deeply personal and widely resonant.We talk about her musical journey—from starting as a performer to stepping into the world of songwriting and production. A key part of that evolution has been her collaboration with acclaimed producer Lindsay Gravina (Adalita, Eskimo Joe, The Living End), who has been instrumental in helping her refine her sound. Kat shares how she developed a strong musical relationship with Lindsay, gaining insight into the production process, co-producing her own music, and receiving invaluable advice that has shaped her artistry.We also discuss the challenges of building an original music career at a stage where many artists have already been established—navigating the music scene as an independent artist, building confidence as a songwriter and producer, and pushing forward in an industry that often focuses on younger artists. On top of that, Kat shares her experience in the Soundhive competition, being chosen by industry veteran Tim Dalton, and how she’s making space for herself in the music world on her own terms.This was an insightful and inspiring chat with an artist who is embracing her creative path and making music that truly connects—don’t miss it!

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• 74. JIM ALXNDR: Music, Production, and a Journey Between Continents

  This week, I’m joined by the incredibly talented JIM ALXNDR—a producer, artist, and multi-instrumentalist whose journey through music has taken him across the world. From growing up in a small town in the UK to moving to Australia, studying jazz and contemporary music at VCA, and then heading to Berklee and LA to further develop his craft, Jim’s story is one of exploration, creativity, and constant evolution.We dive into his musical journey—starting with saxophone at school, being thrown into gigs at a young age, developing a passion for jazz, and transitioning into production and songwriting. Now based back in Australia, Jim continues to work across the US, UK, and Europe, collaborating with a range of artists. We talk about the differences in music education between the US and Melbourne, his approach to studio production vs. live performance, and the creative process behind his work.We also discuss his collaborations, including producing "Slave" with Angie McMahon, which has amassed over 600K streams on Spotify. And, of course, we chat about his latest project, The Light EP, and his EP launch at Northcote Social Club.This was an enjoyable, insightful, and sometimes deep conversation—filled with laughs about music school, reflections on purpose and creativity, and even some thoughts on tattoos and sun breaks. Jim’s passion for music is infectious—don’t miss this one!

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