Are Drummers Musicians?

23/07/2025

🎙️ 65. Danny Fischer: Jazz Drumming in New York, Yoga, and a Personalised Approach to Teaching

This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Danny Fischer—one of the most in-demand jazz drummers and educators in Australia. Danny spent a decade living and working in New York, playing with some of the world’s best musicians and building an incredible wealth of experience. He shared some brutally honest and often hilarious stories about what it was really like to be a jazz drummer in the world’s most competitive scene.
We also talked about his yoga practice and how it’s influenced both his drumming and the very practical challenge of carrying drums around New York. He opened up about the struggles and successes of his time overseas, what led him to move back to Melbourne, and how he brings a highly personalised approach to teaching—something I can personally vouch for, as he’s the best drum teacher I’ve ever had (and I’ve had some of the best!).
This chat was full of wisdom, humour, and insight into the reality of being a jazz musician. Don’t miss it!

The full conversation is now available on all podcast streaming platforms, YouTube and our website aredrummersmusicians.com

22/07/2025

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/dannyfischer

Jazz Drumming in New York, Yoga, and a Personalised Approach to Teaching

21/07/2025

🎙️ Coming up this week on Are Drummers Musicians?
�Danny Fischer joins the podcast for an insightful chat. ✨�Coming out Wednesday!

16/07/2025

🎙️ 64. Jack Foy: Multi-Instrumentalism, Jazz Drumming, and the Story Behind Lafferty Daniel

This week, I’m joined by Jack Foy — a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and music teacher based in Melbourne/Naarm. Jack currently plays, writes, and records with Hobsons Bay Coast Guard, Great Falls, Sun Bazel, Smooth Brains, and his own project, Lafferty Daniel.
We chat about his journey through music—learning guitar, studying jazz drumming at Monash, and how he’s juggled different instruments and projects over the years. Jack has also worked with various artists, including Hallie, Eileen Grace, Seamus McCorry, Suzi, and Marigolden, bringing his versatility to a range of musical settings.

Along the way, we talk about his paddle-pop socks, what it’s like being a left-handed drummer, playing bass with Great Falls, and the story behind the name Lafferty Daniel. This was a great conversation with an artist who’s explored so many sides of music—don’t miss it!

The full conversation is now available on all podcast streaming platforms, YouTube and our website aredrummersmusicians.com

15/07/2025

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/jackfoy

Multi-Instrumentalism, Jazz Drumming, and the Story Behind Lafferty Daniel

09/07/2025

🎙️ 63. Stilla: Independent Pop, STILLAVERSE, and the Art of Making Hits

This week, I had a fun and insightful chat with Stilla—a rising pop artist from Naarm/Melbourne, known for her funky, relatable anthems and razor-sharp pop instincts. With influences like Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, and Dua Lipa, Stilla blends pop, funk, R&B, and dance to create a fresh and unapologetically fun sound.
We talked about what it takes to build a career as an independent artist—her drive, mindset, and approach to content creation. Stilla also shared her thoughts on balancing creativity with the business side of music, staying authentic in an ever-changing industry, and how she pushes herself to level up with each new release.
Since recording this episode, Stilla has released her debut EP STILLAVERSE and put on a massive launch show at Northcote Social Club, marking a huge milestone in her career. Her rise in the pop world is only just beginning, and I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation!

The conversation is now available on all podcast platforms, YouTube and our website

08/07/2025

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/stilla

Independent Pop, STILLAVERSE, and the Art of Making Hits

02/07/2025

🎙️ 62. Raleigh Williams: Vocal Mastery, Music as a Trade, and Overcoming Challenges

This week, I’m joined by the incredible Raleigh Williams—a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and artistic producer with a deep and versatile career across jazz, soul, pop, world music, and more. Raleigh has led her own French jazz project La Nuit Blanche, headlined her own shows, performed with the ARIA Award-winning Cookin’ on 3 Burners, and was a vocalist with the rock-Americana-blues supergroup FOOLS. She’s also an in-demand session singer and artistic producer, curating and shaping Melbourne’s live music scene.
In this episode, we talk about the realities of being a working musician—the struggles, the passion, and the craft of music as a trade. We also dive into the technical side of singing, treating the voice as an instrument, and Raleigh’s personal experience with voice surgery. Her insights into the industry, artistic resilience, and musical adaptability make this a fascinating and inspiring conversation.
This one is packed with wisdom, honesty, and of course, plenty of laughs—don’t miss it!

Listen now on all podcast streaming platforms, YouTube and our website.

Raleigh Williams

01/07/2025

https://www.aredrummersmusicians.com/conversations/raleighwilliams

Vocal Mastery, Music as a Trade, and Overcoming Challenges

30/06/2025

🎙️Coming up this week on the podcast, Raleigh Williams stops by for an insightful chat

Coming out Wednesday!





Raleigh Williams

25/06/2025

🎙️ 61. Kylie Auldist: Soul, Songwriting, Music Rights, and Laughs

This week, I’m joined by the legendary Kylie Auldist—singer, songwriter, and one of Australia’s most respected voices in funk, soul, and disco. You might know her as the powerhouse vocalist of The Bamboos, Cookin’ on 3 Burners, or from her incredible solo work. And of course, her voice took This Girl (Kungs vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners) to global chart domination, with over a billion streams and international acclaim.
This chat was an absolute blast—Kylie made me laugh so much! We dive into her journey through the music industry, her time playing in bars and bands, the realities of music rights and royalties, and what it means to be a headliner. We also talk about writing partnerships, longevity in the music scene, and how it feels to be considered ‘old’ in an industry that often prioritises youth.

Kylie is as down-to-earth as she is talented, and this conversation is packed with insight, honesty, and plenty of fun. Don’t miss it!

Checkout also and

Listen now on all podcast streaming platforms, YouTube and our website.


Kylie Auldist

25/06/2025

🎙️ Coming up this week on Are Drummers Musicians?
�Kylie Auldist joins the podcast for an insightful chat. ✨�Coming out Wednesday!