We are chatting today with Heather Thomas. You have a great story of how you launched into music. Can you share with us more about your story?
I started playing the drums in 5th grade band, fell in love with the instrument and playing music, and have never stopped! I had great teachers along the way and studied Percussion Performance at Central Washington University and then moved to Seattle to play in bands. I joined Mary Lambert’s band while she was signed to Capitol Records, so I got to do some touring and live television on the pop circuit, and then started writing and performing my own music. In my band, the Heather Thomas Band, I sing and play drums performing all original songs. I live in Nashville now; it’s a great place to play music!
We are so excited for your new music! Tell us about your new single.
The song is called If I Die, I wrote it in the car one day as I was thinking about how if someone were to get into an accident, the song playing on the radio would be the last song they ever heard, and how I hoped that if that ever happened to me there was a really good song playing when I crossed over. Kind of morbid, but that’s what was in my head when I first started singing. The lyrics don’t really represent that idea, they more tap into the desire we have to be remembered after we’re gone, how we hope to be kept alive in people’s memory. I recorded the song in Silver Lake, Los Angeles with producer Sheldon Gomberg and engineer Kevin Smith and the track features Fred Tackett on guitar, Sebastian Steinberg on bass, Will Gramling on keys, and Mike Bolger on trumpet. I sing and play drums, percussion, and an instrument called the marxophone.
What is your favorite part of pursuing music? Writing, recording, touring?
My favorite part is playing music with other people and performing in front of an audience who is engaged in the music. It’s such a fulfilling career, you really get to see your actions impact people in real time. There’s so much love being generated around music and it’s really magic to get to create with other people. I love writing my own songs, I love being in the studio, I love touring, it’s all such an adventure and I feel so fortunate to have chosen this path.
What do you do for fun outside of music?
I like to hang out with my friends, I especially love those dinner hangs where you get a bunch of people together at someone’s house and share food and music and have good conversations. I like reading and watching shows or movies when I’m by myself, and I love any excuse to get together and have fun with other people, like camping, hiking, riding bikes, playing frisbee or board games or going to events or theme parks or museums. I used to really enjoy rock climbing and skateboarding, although I decided the fun wasn’t worth the risk of potentially injuring myself, which could compromise my ability to make music.
Tell us where we can find your latest music and keep up with you on social media.
My new song If I Die will be out on all streaming platforms on July 7th, you can follow me on Instagram and TikTok at @heatherondrums or search for Heather Thomas wherever you stream music.
My website is www.heatherthomasmusic.com
YouTube is www.youtube.com/@heatherondrums
Thanks for taking the time to get to know me, I appreciate what you are doing to help musicians get the word out about their new music!
End of Interview