Lindsay Martin is an LA-based drummer originally from upstate NY. Martin began learning classical piano at age six. At ten, her dad introduced her to John Bonham, and her drum journey began. Influenced by Bonham’s bombastic style and Tommy Lee’s dramatic stage presence, Martin ties all this together in her performances. At 16, she made a name for herself by entering a Guitar Center Drum Off competition and “wowed the crowd,” scoring highest honors in multiple NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) competitions, and was touring Europe at 17 with American Music Abroad. In her high school marching band, Martin played a mix of snare and tenor drums as well. She was gigging throughout Albany, NY, in their bar scene with local bands, and by senior year was accepted into USC’s Popular Music Program. Currently, Martin drums with Juliet Simms, and she has also performed with WASI, a punk/electro/pop band, The Starbreakers, an all-female metal cover band, and DAYA.
Women are underrepresented in the percussion world. Our weekly series, Woman Crush Wednesday (#WCW), aims to recognize, celebrate, and inspire female percussionists of all stripes. Each Wednesday we’ll feature a profile of a drummer, who will share tips, advice, and videos. Want to be featured yourself? Send an email to anna.pulley@stringletter.com telling us more about you.
What is your city, country, and age?
I live in Los Angeles, CA, and I’m 25 years old.
What kind of gear do you use? What’s your setup?
I use: Pork Pie drums, Vater drumsticks, Remo drumheads, and TRX cymbals.
Do you have endorsements?
Pork Pie and Vater Drumsticks!
What bands/groups do you perform with, if any?
We just ended playing on the Rockstar Disrupt Festival Tour, but I’m the drummer for Juliet Simms! In the past I’ve played with DAYA, The Starbreakers, and WASI.
What led you to your instrument? What’s your origin story?
My dad! As soon as he introduced me to Led Zeppelin, I knew drums were it. No question. I grew up in a farm in upstate NY and moved to LA seven years ago when I got accepted into University of Southern California’s Popular Music Program.
I was also born with a rare genetic skin disorder called Epidermalousis Bullosa aka EB. In essence I get blisters, scars, and scabs extremely easily, which come from friction, bug bites, scratches, etc. It truly has made me who I am today.
Who is your favorite drummer, and why?
John Bonham and Tommy Lee. Both of them were the reasons why I started playing and we’re a huge influence when I first started.
How do you practice? Do you have a routine?
-When I’m in LA I generally like to have a four-hour practice day. I start with writing out what my practice schedule is gonna be for that day. Then warmups (snare solos and split rudiments between my hands and feet.) Afterwards I’ll either start learning new songs for gigs or drum covers, use drum books to learn different beats, styles, and techniques.
The more I can feed my brain with challenges and things I can’t play or don’t know, the better! I believe it makes me a better player and I also like a challenge.
Are there any specific playing tips or techniques, or advice, exercises, or discoveries you’d like to share with Drum readers?
Feed your brain with knowledge! Watch more drum videos (any type really). Have a teacher. Ask other drummers questions. Hang out with musicians who are better than you. Do it all! You will learn so much as a player and it’ll make you more well-rounded, knowledgeable, and a better player.
Also listen, study, and consume as many different types of music as possible. Practice every day. And, learning proper technique when you first start playing is super important.
As artists, the goal post for “success” is always moving. There’s not one “I made it!” point. How do you think about and define success?
I think success is different for everyone. It’s being able to live your best life; accomplishing all your aspirations, dreams, desires and everything you set out to do.
Do you have any quotes or sayings that you live by?
Discipline or regret.
How important is failure in making music/performing?
As weird as it might sound, I think it’s important. Failures happen for reasons we may or may not understand, but they help make you a stronger person, mold you, and make you strive harder for what you truly want.
Any advice for girls contemplating getting started and making it in this arena?
You got this! Go for it! Don’t ever give up and keep going! People will try to bring you down, be mean, rude, try to bring you down. Don’t let their negativity get to you. We need more female drummers! Show them that you’re a badass!
Where else to find Lindsay