SEEKING
Band to Join, Vocalist.ABOUT
I’m a drummer, guitarist, percussionist, and not too bad on keyboard either-ist, with a BMus(hons) in composition and musicology from the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington. I teach music (TomJenningsMusic.net) recently arrived in Melbourne, getting settled in, trying to meet musicians, get life sorted in the new exciting city. I think there's some cool music opportunities here, plenty of live music around!
I gigged as a drummer in a bunch of bands in my twenties (https://nzmusician.co.nz/features/the-psychs-album-delay-syndrome/ ) then stopped and became reclusive in my music. I also travelled, did other things, late twenties musician realising it's probably not going to happen, but loving music none the less, you know, finding self and stuff.
I played mostly drums when I was younger, now I have a preference for other instruments, ones with notes and harmony, while still being strongest on drums, and loving the ease of smashing percussion. With drums you don’t have to get the left fingers moving, attempting to control those delicate 6 strings, but the possibilities are endless with 6 strings! I’m very much a rhythm player in all the instruments, you’re not going to get lead out of my guitar, I like groove and repetition, steady good tempo wins the race.
I’m looking for someone who might be a good songwriting match: a vocalist. The vocals are key to good music, if the band hasn’t got that then they won’t sound good. And my vocals don’t sound good, they sound drummer like, lots of boom chick bada boo, not much, ahh ahh ohhhhhh ehhhhhhhhhh yahaaaa.
I’ve uploaded some old compositions things I had on my computer, they’re me playing around on Logic, a bit rough and reverb-y but gives you an idea about some of the things I can do on the computer, mostly, it’s sample library instruments, Tal Synth, Logic loops, and Native Instrument bundle things. Most of it’s written in midi, but using notation, I like writing on staff lines, it’s a pain learning to read music but it’s handy once you do.
Please get in touch if you would like a songwriting session; or if you want to go out busking sometime, either or I would be keen. Any skill level is all good, happy to help out someone who is new to music. Or if you just want to talk music then that’s cool too, I love to talk music! And hey you never know we might end up starting a successful band, that would be cool.
Look forward to hearing from you!
- Screen name:
- TomJennings
- Member since:
- Jan 21 2025
- Active within 24 hours
- Level of commitment:
- Very Committed
- Years playing music:
- 20
- Gigs played:
- 50 to 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 6-7 nights a week
Influences
Rock, Funk, Reggae, Blues:
Beck, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Curtis Mayfield, David Bowie, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Fela Kuti, Kody Nielson, Kraftwerk, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Neil Finn, Parliament, Pixies, Prince, Radiohead, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, BB King, Jimi Hendrix, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Santana
Hip Hop:
2Pac, Dr Dre, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Baby, Tyler the Creator, the Roots, Future
Jazz:
Carlie Parker, Bud Powell, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong
Pop:
Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Charli xcx, Addison Rae
Film:
Hans Zimmer, Thomas Newman, Jóhann Jóhannsson, John Williams
Classical:
Stravinsky, Beethoven
Drummers:
Danny Carey, Dave Growl, Chad Smith, Brad Wilk, Jon Theodore, Thomas Pridgen, Tony Royster Jr, Elvin Jones, Max Roach, Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey, Ringo Star, Charlie Watts, John Bonham, Meg White
Instrument experience:
- Drums:
- Expert
- Rhythm Guitar:
- Advanced
- Other Percussion:
- Advanced
- Acoustic Guitar:
- Moderate
- Keyboard:
- Moderate
- Electronic Music:
- Moderate
EQUIPMENT
Drums, guitars, hand percussion, SPD SX sample pad, computer, microphones, Logic Pro, Sibelius, and I suppose various other musical things I have picked up along the way
