Meet Drummer Samantha Landa

Meet Samantha Landa, a 21-year old heavy hitter from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada who loves nothing more than to play the drums. Samantha graciously completed an interview with Girls Can’t WHAT? where she explains how she got started as a drummer and offers tips to help young percussionists stick with their musical dreams.

GCW: Samanatha, tell us how you became a drummer.

Samantha: I’ve been drumming for almost nine years. My introduction to drumming happened in the fifth grade, when I was asked which instrument I would like to play when I enrolled in the Grade 6 Band. I thought about it before asking the music teacher “which instrument would be the hardest to learn?”, to which she responded “I suppose drums or french horn.” A french horn would cost hundreds of dollars to rent, whereas there were already drums at school and all I needed was a practice pad, sticks and a songbook, so needless to say my parents wholeheartedly supported my decision to learn the drums! Funny how I was allowed to play, based on the agreement that I would never ask for my own set of drums… ;) Sorry Mom and Dad!

GCW: Have you ever been injured or encountered any setbacks while pursuing your dream?

Samantha: As big of a klutz as I consider myself to be, I’ve never encountered any real physical setbacks. There have been a few minor scares–such as spraining my ankle in high school and having a wire go all the way through my left foot this year–that make me worried that I’ll lose some of the strength or control in one of my limbs. It’s so important that my hands and feet are in good condition for drumming, so when I get little injuries, I’m pretty afraid! But so far things have always turned out fine.

GCW: What is your favorite piece of equipment?

Samantha: I listen to a lot of heavier music, and I’m addicted to the sound of double bass. When I was presented with Iron Cobra Power Glide double kick pedals for my 18th birthday, I cried with happiness. I recall sleeping beside it that night.

My 16″ HHX Stage Crash is my other favorite piece. Whenever you hit it, it’s like cutting through butter. I’m currently in the process of upgrading the rest of my cymbals to either the HHX line or Sabian Hand Hammered cymbals, of which I’m currently a huge fun.

GCW: As a drummer myself, I am sooo jealous of your Iron Cobra. Do you have a favorite event or memory?

Samantha: I would have to say that two events stand out in my mind, and they both happened while I was in my last band (www.myspace.com/lifewithoutwater). After one show, this one young, talented drummer from the Vancouver scene came up to talk to me. He had been in one of the first local bands I had followed, played a variety of genres and was one of my local drum idols. He told me how impressed he was with the show, and how I’d been whipping out licks and rhythms that even he’d be afraid to try. It was pretty rewarding, hearing someone you’ve looked up to compliment you like that. It really gave me incentive to keep plugging and keep playing.

The other memory that keeps waving a flag at me would be the first time I heard fans singing the lyrics to my band’s songs. I thought, wow, we’re sharing our music with you, and you’re remembering it. I remember smiling for the rest of the show, and giving out some sweaty hugs afterwards.

GCW: What are some of the highlights of your career?

Samantha: Every day is a highlight. Every time I join a new band, it’s like being in a new city, or a new relationship. All I want to do is play music, write music, and be in front of a crowd. Playing gigs is really the greatest highlight. The more people in the audience, and the more people enjoying themselves, the more adrenaline I get and the louder I play!

GCW: What challenges have you faced as a female in this area and how did you handle them?

Samantha: Many times I’ve been in the process of moving my drums into or out of a venue, and I’m approached by complete strangers offering to move my equipment, telling me that “I look too small to be carrying that” (although I’m 5’7″). I was asked if I was ‘the roadie’ once. When I tell them “no, this is my gear, and thank you but I’m used to carrying it,” there’s sometimes a laugh of surprise or disbelief.

I feel like I’m less challenged now as I was as a teenager, but I’m still met with skepticism. It’s not so much that people don’t believe I drum anymore, but it’s more that I get sarcastic comments like “um, are you actually good?” I’m also met with stereotypes when I inform new acquaintances that I’m in a band: everyone asks if I sing, and sometimes I’m asked if I play guitar. I’m so glad to see that female guitarists are becoming more prevalent in the music scene, but female drummers still seem to be a rarity.

More recently, I’ve been met with more positive, legitimate comments, like “hey, nice kit!” or “that was awesome!” If you face negative comments with your chin up, those positive comments will seem all the better.

GCW: Have you ever been told you “can’t” because you are a girl? What did you do about it?

Samantha: I’ve never been told I “can’t.” I’ve been told I “don’t.” I’ve been told that girls don’t drum. Girls shouldn’t. Girls shouldn’t play loud music. Girl drummers are light hitters. Girls don’t break drumsticks. Girls play like Meg White. Girl drummers don’t ever measure up to guy drummers. Nowadays I tell these people to look up Sheila E, look up Yael, look up all these female drummers who can play a multitude of genres with ease and strength. And they look beautiful doing it, too. The fact that females are now being endorsed by drum manufacturers shows that the industry is really becoming more accepting of the gender.

There’s a local drummer, Kim Urhahn, who’s been in a great variety of bands. She’s incredibly nice, talented, one of my role models, and is sponsored by Pearl, Sabian and Vater. Check out her drumming at www.sugarblade.com.

GCW: What do you think is your greatest accomplishment?

Samantha: I’ve never taken a private lesson, and I would consider that a great accomplishment. Lessons are fantastic for getting you started, helping you improve very quickly and giving you a solid foundation for the instrument, but I feel like I really have my own distinct style that may not exist in its current form had I taken constant lessons.

My drum education begins with concert band throughout elementary and high school, topped off with a year of drumming in the jazz band and the local youth concert band. I played drums and percussion in two high school musicals (The Wiz and Oliver) and have played a variety of genres in about six bands since grade nine. I have recorded demos with three bands as well. When I’m not in a band, I’m looking for other musicians to jam with, and it helps to keep me playing and writing music.

I would consider the purchase of my five-piece Tama Starclassic Birch drums last summer to be my second greatest accomplishment. ;)

GCW: Very cool. I just bought a new kit myself and I know how that feels! So how would you encourage other girls who are interested in your field?

Samantha: I tell them “join the club, and never leave!” I’ve seen many drummers pick up the instrument, decide it’s ‘too difficult’, and never touch the drums again. I would suggest giving drums a really good chance before you decide they aren’t for you. I was an awful drummer for years, but stuck with it and practiced until I could feel myself genuinely improving. Take criticism with a grain of salt. If people say your playing could use some work, then thank them, and work on your playing. Don’t give up, no matter what, especially if it’s something you love.

Get to know other drummers and teach each other. Play to a metronome. Play to recorded music.

But most importantly, play with other musicians. In my opinion, one of the best ways to improve your playing is to join a group. It’s a great way to receive constant feedback and suggestions, as well as learn to understand other musicians and improvise. Did I mention it’s a blast?

I also recommend learning basic music theory if you aren’t already familiar with it. It’ll help you understand how rhythms are composed, and is an important source of communication when you play with other people.

And there’s more to just the drums. Percussion is FUN. Guitarists play guitar, saxophonists play saxophone, but percussionists play vibraphone, chimes, marimba, timpani, tambourine, bass drum, timbales, congas…talk about a well-rounded musician!

GCW: What interests do you have outside of drumming?

Samantha: I’m an avid creative writer (poetry, plays, short stories), I sketch, I love acting, and I’m addicted to volunteering. I just learned to snowboard this year, and I recently got into rock climbing. I’m currently a University student as well, studying Psychology and Physical Geography. I hope to pursue public relations. And, of course, drumming. :)

GCW: Samantha, thanks again for your time. How can we keep in touch with you and your music?

Samantha: Any girls interested in drumming can look me up on myspace (www.myspace.com/drumobsessed) or check out my current band (www.myspace.com/thefridayknightsvancouver)! I’d be more than happy to chat.