Drumming is a tough business, even if everyone secretly knows you’re the most important member in your band. One percussionist steaming her way through local circles is Lozz Benson, having performed with the likes of Urthboy, Rackett and more, as well as her own projects for a number of years.
With her band That Red Head spreading its wings across local scenes and her performance at the Sydney Drum and Percussion show fast encroaching, we caught up with Benson for the latest.
Shredding her way through Australia armed only by a pair of sticks, Lozz Benson is attacking the realms of percussion from every possible angle.
HAPPY: How did you get started with drumming? Was there an idol or mentor in your life who sparked the interest?
LOZZ: I started out learning piano and moved onto drums and percussion in year 3. I continued to play all throughout high school and had a great drum teacher who really inspired and encouraged me to keep focused and keep practicing. My mum and dad took me and my sisters to concerts and always had the radio playing. In school I was listening and jamming to punk, metal and rock from the 70s, 80s and 90s.
I discovered jazz in year 12 and began to focus on more individual drummers and became influenced by them. Players such as Elvin Jones, Cindy Blackman, Gene Krupa, John Desmore and Mitch Mitchell. When I was studying at university I was inspired by my drum teachers Andrew Dickeson, Simon Barker and Dave Goodman. Humble humans and always willing to share knowledge.
HAPPY: Are there any emerging drummers you’re really loving at the moment? In Australia or otherwise.
LOZZ: There are a couple. I was in Melbourne last year performing with a circus show called Scotch & Soda and saw a great local drummer called Ziggy Zeitgeist. Blew my mind. Cat Hunter and Skarlett Saramore from Sydney. I am also a big fan of Jay Watson and Kevin Parker’s drumming style and the music they both create.
Daniel Glass is probably my favourite drummer overseas and I enjoy watching him perform and learning about the history of drums. He knows a lot about shuffles! And I’ve recently been able to watch Rufus Taylor (The Darkness) side of stage when Rackett supported them at their Sydney and Melbourne shows – he is fantastic as well. Everyone has their own unique style and I love trying to pick their influences by watching and hearing them play.
HAPPY: And do you have any advice in particular for women who want to get into drumming?
LOZZ: Start now. Start with simple short term goals and take it slow. Learn to read music. Get inspired! Transcribe. Play along to songs. Practice with a metronome. Practice your rudiments. Set up a daily practice routine. Find what music you enjoy playing then find other people that like the same and play with them. Be a professional musician and treat other musicians with respect and kindness. Find out who the drummers are that play on your favourite tracks, research them and their style and influences. And most important of all LISTEN to music!
HAPPY: Percussion at the moment is becoming really interesting, given the amount of new technology that’s changing up the game. What kind of experience do you have with electronic drums/triggers and do you ever see yourself including this kind of gear in your performances in a major way?
LOZZ: When I toured with Urthboy I used an SPDX pad which I loved, and in one of the side projects I am in at the moment called Drummer Queens, we use triggers as that’s the sound we are going for. For the music I mainly play these days which is rockabilly/blues I don’t use any electronics. With my songwriting I am pretty traditional when it comes to melodies and sounds, so I stick to the roots. With influences such as Johnny Cash and Elvis, using the type of sounds you can create with electronics drums is not on my scope. I think when used in a musical way, triggers are fantastic. There is a lot of new music being programmed and created with electronic drums.
HAPPY: You’ve played as a touring drummer for a couple of great Australian acts, but when did you decide you wanted to start your own project That Red Head?
LOZZ: About three years ago I started a psych duo with one of my best friends on guitar. It was heavily influenced by artists such as Muddy Waters and Jack White. I have always enjoyed singing and wanted to combine the two – like Karen Carpenter. Over time That Red Head has become a rockabilly trio and I am still exploring our original sound with the songwriting.
A lot of people question my decision to be a front person behind the drums, to which I say, why not? But that being said, I think if you’re going to make that decision it’s important for my side kicks on double bass and guitar to also have great stage presence. Go and see a Brian Setzer show, it’s a compete performance and that’s what I draw from. I want to keep leading the way for Australian female musicians. At the end of the day I hope that people see that I am creating music I love and that makes me happy. Hopefully it will inspire them to do the same.
HAPPY: Is the band going to be your main focus going forward? What can we expect from That Red Head throughout the rest of 2017?
LOZZ: At the moment I am playing in a couple of projects as I enjoy playing different genres of music. I love being able to play heavier rock music and world music. However, I would love to focus on my own original material as that’s where my heart is. I would love to travel and play with my band and make a living out of it. I am currently writing an album for That Red Head and hope to release it later in the year. You can expect some more interesting tracks as I push and explore my song writing skills and vocal boundaries!
HAPPY: Do you have anything special teed up for your performance at the Sydney Drum and Percussion Show?
LOZZ: YES! My band will enter stage right riding on skateboards, holding kittens and I will make my entrance from stage left after the smoke machines and fireworks have been set off. As well as all that, we will perform original material as a trio and I’ll chuck in a drum solo or two. Also lots of triplets.
HAPPY: Are there any other performers you’re really looking forward to seeing there?
LOZZ: Yes – one of the main things I love about drum shows and expos is seeing the other players and being inspired by them. You can find me watching Slim Jim Phantom that’s for sure.
The Sydney Drum and Percussion Show will take place on May 27 and 28 in Rosehill Gardens Grand Pavillion. Grab all the details, and tickets, on their website.
