When did you start drumming and why?

Around 15, I was writing songs and playing guitar in a band. We rehearsed in the basement of my parents’ house. Luckily for me, the drummer had left his drums in the rehearsal room.

Seeing this gigantic instrument with all its shiny cymbals every day made me want to try my hand at it.

At first, I didn’t know how to approach the drums until my nephew, also a drum teacher, came to me and taught me some interesting basics.
I’d say that moment changed my life, because it made me want to become a drummer.

What’s your favorite style of drumming?

In my band VVYNN, I try to mix grunge, progressive and odd rhythms in my drumming.

As a teacher and educator, I’m really interested in learning to play many different kinds of music, which is why I like to play different musical styles.

But if I had to choose one style that I particularly appreciate, it would be the Afro-Cuban styles (bembé, cascara, baião).

Who is your favorite band/artist and why?

That’s a really tough question!

On the rock front, I love the drumming of Chris Guanlao of Silversun Pickups. His style is incredibly energetic and original.

In contemporary jazz, I love Anton Eger’s playing (Phronesis – Morten Schantz – Marius Neset). His way of alternating rhythms is phenomenal!

In contemporary jazz, Rob Turner (GoGo Penguin). He’s a machine! It’s as if he’s playing programmed drum parts like Aphex Twin and Squarepusher, but organically in a jazz trio.

Why choose Viktory?

The main reason for your choice is the freshness of this brand!

When I saw the campaign on Indiegogo, I immediately fell in love with the models and wanted to get my hands on a pair as soon as possible.

Any special stories about you as a drummer?

A memory that still makes me smile: when I was 15/16 years old, I used to play music for hours on end.

One day, I think it was a bit too loud for my father. He ran down the stairs, rushed to the drum kit and hit the bass drum like a footballer taking a penalty kick.

He then left the room without a word…

So now, when I explain drums to a new student, I tell them to “hit the bass drum like a footballer”.

What’s your favourite Vikory model and why?

My favorite Vikory model is the Kukulkan.

I’m a big fan of mythology, so the story behind the name and colors (Kukulkan is the Mayan name for Quetzalcoatl: the feathered Aztec serpent god) intrigued me so much that I knew these chopsticks would be my new favorites.

Thank you Jonathan and welcome to the Vikory family!