BY LEAH BLANKENDAAL
Welcome to Con Fuoco – CutCommon’s interview series with emerging musicians across Australia.
Sydney drummer and percussionist Holly Conner is in her final year of Jazz Performance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Playing a range of styles from jazz and funk to orchestral percussion, she has completed workshops with the Australian Art Orchestra including special guests Guru Karaikudi Mani and B.V Balasai (India), Synergy Percussion, TaikOz, and a mentorship from the Berlin Philharmoniker. Recent career highlights include performances in New York through the Brooklyn School of Improvised Music, Edinburgh Jazz Festival as part of Sydney Improvised Music Association’s UK tour, and an Eastern European tour with the Performing Arts Unit.
Holly currently plays with several bands including Funk Engine and Microfiche, both of which have upcoming album releases in 2016.
Your all time favourite piece of music?
I definitely go through phases of what I listen to and what mood I’m in. Recently, I’ve been listening to Stu Hunter’s album The Migration and absolutely love the track ‘Twelve Stages of Freedom’ (guest vocals from Katie Noonan). The album as a whole is also really great.
Most memorable concert experience?
There are many musical experiences that I’ll never forget, along with the strong feelings of awe attached to them. I remember the awe I felt when experiencing the mind-blowing virtuosity of Jim Black (drummer) in New York and being so excited by the endless possibilities he seemed to be capable of. I remember the awe I felt listening to the effortless intricacy of Eric Harland’s Voyager, and the peace I felt listening to Julian Lage weave his captivating melodies. Most recently, I was visiting a temple in South Korea and heard a man singing; his deep and earthy voice accompanied by a soft but constant woodblock. Once again I was in awe, but this time of the supreme beauty of this minimalist pairing.
Biggest fear when performing?
Nowadays, there’s not much I fear about performing! This is probably due to being constantly thrown in the deep end in previous years. I do find, however, that recording can be quite stressful. When a band is investing so much time and money into a session, my biggest fear letting the team down with a glaring mistake…something that renders an amazing track forever scarred!
Best piece of musical advice you’ve received?
Several years ago, I completed a short composition course run by Damien Barbeler. During the course, he expressed the idea that long as you balance the familiar and unfamiliar, you should be able to intrigue, not alienate your audience. This idea can be applied in many ways and I have found it extremely helpful in structuring free improvisations or creating arrangements.
How do you psych yourself up for practice on a lazy day?
Seeing a live gig or listening to a particularly great album always inspires me to go and work! However, sometimes I think you do have to break up the monotony of ‘serious’ practice. Every now and again, I just put my iPod on shuffle and have fun rocking out to my favourite songs, or even just noodle on piano, guitar or sing. Music shouldn’t become a chore, so whatever gets your spark back, I say do it.
Most embarrassing thing to happen during a gig?
Ha! Oh dear. I hate to admit it but I once forgot my sticks for a gig. Unfortunately, it was also a gig in the country, in the middle of nowhere, on a public holiday. With no chance of buying a new pair, my band mate put his creativity to good use and broke the cross beams on his two wooden coat hangers. Voila! Two sticks! No one noticed the difference…I hope. Needless to say, I now have spare pair of sticks stashed all over the place and do a triple check before every gig.
Favourite post-gig activity?
Hang around with my bandmates and friends, see any other gigs that are on. If it’s been a long week and a late gig…sleep, probably!
What are you most proud of in your musical career so far?
Currently, I’m very proud of the Microfiche album we just recorded. Throughout 2015, we’d been working on new concepts, original pieces and the development of a strong and unique band sound. I think we’ve achieved our goals and the album will reflect the hard work we’ve put in.
What do you love most about making music?
This sounds so cliché and sappy, but it’s a way of sharing something with others. Be it sharing the feeling of synchronicity when the rhythm section is really locking in, helping someone realise their artistic vision, or playing a gig where you know the audience has loved something you helped create. That’s a pretty cool feeling. Teaching music can also be an amazing experience as the learning can definitely go both ways.
What’s your ultimate goal?
To keep developing as an artist and person and to stay positive.
Holly will perform at the Sydney Conservatorium as part of the Vivid Sydney festival on May 29.
Image supplied.
