Drummer Queens, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and Girls Rock Canberra on Australia’s changing music industry
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Ever wondered what the prospect of a musical career might feel like to young female and non-male artists in Australia?
“One of my first experiences seeing drums live was with my Dad, at a drum workshop that came to Canberra in 2012. There were about four or five professional drummers in the lineup and I was so inspired at the end of the show. But I remember noticing that none of the drummers had been female, and that I was heavily outnumbered in the crowd by burly, intimidating men,” says Neve van Boxsel, Drummer and performer in the all-female band originally from Canberra, Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers.
“I definitely think this impacted my confidence as a drummer, and created a sense of alienation, which I know a lot of young girls feel when starting out with an instrument, especially with drums.”
And Neve appears to be correct. The gender gap in the Australian music industry has been described as ‘pervasive and chronic’, (Sydney University, 2017) with non-male artists significantly under-represented in all facets of the music industry. It’s no wonder that performers like Neve have wondered about their place in it.
Phoebe O’Leary, Coordinator of Girls Rock Canberra which holds an annual and empowering music camp for young non-male Canberrans agrees.
“Just yesterday I read an article about the fifty most important drummers ever, and they were all male. With influences like that, it can be hard to see a place for yourself in music if you’re not a man.”
However, according to a 2019 report by Triple J’s HACK, things are slowly improving. For the first time, in 2019 two of the four major music awards exceeded gender parity and the Australian Music Prize and the J Award had more than half of their nominations go to female acts.
Additionally, the diversity of acts represented on major Australian festival line-ups has improved significantly and in 2019, Kasey Chambers became the twelfth woman to be inducted into the ARIA hall of fame; Laneway festival introduced its Girls Rock! stages and the inaugural Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMAs) were held in Brisbane.
So finally, our young non-male artists can start looking up to see themselves on Australian stages and in positions of influence within the industry. Enter–Drummer Queens.
Drummer Queens is a completely new, Australian-produced show featuring an all-female cast of eight highly accomplished drummers, percussionists and even tap dancers presented within a breathtaking lighting and stage show.
Created by well-known Australian musician and performer Joe Accaria and brought to us by Neil Gooding Productions, the show has earned itself rave reviews across the country.
Described, by City Hub as “A non-conventional, loud, high energy and stimulating night out at the theatre” Drummer Queens will be landing in Canberra next week for four shows only at The Canberra Theatre Centre.
With all the ‘bang’ that our marginalised young performers need, to feel that they too can claim their place in musical history.
One of these multi-talented performers also happens to be Canberra Girls Grammar School alumni, Niki Johnson who is delighted to be coming home to share the magic of Drummer Queens with her family and home town.
Niki describes the Drummer Queens show as “very entertaining, high energy and a lot of fun with something for everyone,” adding that it is wonderful to be part of a company which is so talented, supportive and committed to producing such high quality and challenging Australian work which shines the light on female performers.”
Drummer Queens’ Niki Johnson.
Fellow drummer and cast member Stef Furnari agrees, and adds that like the rest of Australia, Canberra audiences will be “..blown away to say the least.”
Girls Rock!’s Phoebe O’Leary believes it is “so important to see something like Drummer Queens touring around Australia, as it shows professional female drummers being celebrated and respected”.
Anna Ryan, lead singer and rhythm guitarist in TJJT agrees.
“It can be hard to find your feet and that’s why it’s so important that women support women and we celebrate all women and non-male presenting artists in the industry,” she says.
Peta Anderson, Drummer Queens’ choreographer and performer, says the impact it has on audiences has to be seen to be believed.
“I’ve had older female musicians and performers cry during the show, saying later that they never thought they would see all females on stage drumming in my lifetime.” (This author is not ashamed to say that she is also a tad weepy at this sentiment).
Although there is still a way to go, the times are definitely ‘a changing’, thanks to the example being set by advocates, producers and creatives across Australia and organisations such as Girls Rock! and artists like the Drummer Queens, and Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers.
Musicians of any gender or background aspiring to be part of the music industry are now more likely to feel, that they too, belong in it.
“Now is the best time ever to be a female working in the arts. Go for things. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. And if it’s not a good work environment you can leave! Because there are other opportunities which are positive. Don’t be afraid to be ambitious and have big dreams!” says Niki Johnson.
And from the once 11-year-old alienated Neve van Boxsel from TJJT?
“We are so happy to be part of this movement of bringing girls to the front, and we will always support and celebrate women and non-male presenting artists, because we are all in this together”
So, if you too want to applaud, celebrate and empower all-female musicians, or simply want to enjoy the unforgettable experience that Drummer Queens has been delivering to audiences across Australia, book your tickets now here via the Canberra Theatre Centre. Or, download the new and free StageCenta App for cast bios, reviews, links and tickets. Here for Apple and here for Android phones.
You can also catch Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers on their next Australian tour supporting Dear Seattle here.
Feature image: Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers. Photo: Claire Warren
