The Music Industry is full of creative people. From the musicians on stage playing music to the artists that make the posters that the promoters use to get people to the music venues. All the different people involved in making the music industry work have skill sets to be celebrated.
For the young Australian jazz drummer Alexander Flood, finding his way in the music industry seems to come naturally. Awarded Australia’s Best Up and Coming drummer two times before graduating college as well at the Helpmann Academy Jazz Award for Top Overall Graduate in 2018, Flood has found the spotlight at a young age. If you’re an aspiring drummer, you may want to check out our buying guide for best drum set, and best drum kit under $1000.
His notoriety has led Flood to touring the globe while sharing the stage with Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Marquis Hill, West Australian Symphony Orchestra and many others. Following Alexander on Instragram has been a fun pastime of ours as Flood released a steady stream of impressive drumming videos and collaborations.
We are grateful Alexander took the time to sit with us and discuss the music industry…
MM: SO WHAT WAS IT THAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A MUSICIAN?
AF: Initially when I was 8 years old, I just wanted to learn music to fit in with my friends who were also learning music. I wanted to be able to leave class with them to have drum lessons so I signed up for lessons, very quickly fell in love with the instrument and with music, and the rest is history.
MM: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A GREAT MUSICIAN?
AF: This is all super subjective, but for me, I always enjoy playing with people with great awareness, listening, strong rhythm / time / feel, and an expressive voice. Someone who can be completely present in the moment too
MM: WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST MUSICAL INSPIRATIONS OF ALL TIME AND WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST OF THEIR DISCOGRAPHIES FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE BEING INTRODUCED TO THEM?
AF: Some of my biggest influences off the top of my head and their albums that have had a big impact on me: Miles Davis (Four & More, Nefertiti, In A Silent Way, Bitches Brew), Tony Williams (Lifetime, and Miles recordings from the 60s), Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah (Ancestral Recall, Axiom), Fode Bangoura (Fakoly 1), Herbie Hancock (Thrust), Bill Laurance (Flint), Robert Glasper (Black Radio), A Tribe Called Quest (Low End Theory), Zeitgeist Freedom Energy Exchange (ZFEX Vol.II), 30/70 (Fluid Motion).
MM: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A GREAT SONG?
AF: Totally subjective & impossible to answer. But I like music that makes my body what to move.
MM: IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A GREAT ALBUM?
AF: Again totally subjective, but I like to feel continuity, connection, and authenticity. Sonic and stylistic continuity, as well as thematic or narrative continuity, and being able to connect with the concept / ark / story / intention behind the music.
MM: WHAT WAS THE FIRST ALBUM THAT REALLY GRABBED YOU? WHAT WERE THE SPECIFIC THINGS ABOUT THE ALBUM THAT MADE IT SPECIAL FOR YOU?
AF: ABBA’s greatest Hits and the Beegees Greatest Hits. Both of these albums were pretty much the first things I ever listened to. My parents would always have it playing in the car on road trips, holidays, etc and so not only do I really love the music, but it also has a really sentimental and nostalgic value to it. I still listen to these albums to this day.
MM: WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE THE PEAK EXPERIENCES OF YOUR CAREER? ANY FUN STORIES YOU CAN SHARE?!
AF: Touring with an Australian production company for 12 months overseas in 2019. Got to see like 20+ countries and had a blast all year! I’m really passionate about both music and traveling, so it was really special to be able to do both of them together. Also releasing my own music. That’s been a super special experience and I’ve grown and learned so much through the process.
MM: WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN THE 30 YEARS?
AF: The way things are going at the moment (COVID) and the way the Australian Government is totally neglecting the arts industries, it’s really hard to know what the future holds. It gets to a point where there’s only so much that we as artists can do to keep this industry on its feet. As for myself, I’d love to spend more time living and working overseas.
MM: FOR THE SERIOUS MUSICIANS OF THE WORLD, IS THERE A REAL PRO TIP YOU ARE WILLING TO SHARE, BE IT AN EXERCISE, A LICK, A PRACTICE HABIT, LIFE ADVICE, ETC.?
AF: I cannot stress how important these 3 things are as an artist: organization skills, communication skills, time-management skills. These are things that can be learned. If you possess these traits you will succeed and people will enjoy working with you which will ultimately land you more work.
MM: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG MUSICIAN THAT WANTS TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN?
AF: Be yourself, challenge yourself, get out of your comfort zone, be organized, listen to lots of different music, know your own value.
MM: WHAT GEAR ARE YOU USING THESE DAYS? FEEL FREE TO SHOUT OUT SPONSORS, DISCUSS NEW ADDITIONS OR FAVORITE OLD GEAR. CAN BE YOUR MAIN INSTRUMENT, ACCESSORIES ETC.
AF: Currently I’m endorsing Meinl Stick & Brush Company. Best model of 5A stick on the market. I also enjoy playing DW Drums, Meinl cymbals, Istanbul Agop cymbals.
MM: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE VENUES TO PLAY IN THE WORLD? FEEL FREE TO SHARE AN EXPERIENCE THAT MADE IT SPECIAL
AF: On the 12 month tour I was on in 2019, we played a bunch of big and small theaters and outdoor venues, and had some really special experiences in some of these places. One that is very memorable was performing in a giant old aviation fuel tank in China (the venue is called “TANK Shanghai”), right next to an old air base on the river.
MM: IN ALL YOUR TRAVELS, WHAT IS THE BEST MEAL YOU EVER HAD?
AF: I had REALLY good falafel in Norway (Tønsberg), amazing Jewish cuisine in Boston, and also plenty of great dishes in Germany. Hard to pin-point just 1 meal.
MM: HAVE YOU DISCOVERED AN AWESOME RESTAURANTS WHILE ON TOUR THAT YOU WANT TO SHOUT OUT! WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL?
AF: We don’t have IHOP here in Australia. Had some great IHOP burgers in the US.
MM: HAVE YOU DISCOVERED AN AWESOME HOTELS WHILE ON TOUR THAT YOU WANT TO SHOUT OUT! WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL?
AF: To be honest they’ve mostly all blurred together haha
MM: COFFEE, TEA OR JUICE?
AF: All 3! Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon, and juice whenever
Alexander Flood is one of Australia’s most creative and versatile young jazz drummers and percussionists, presenting a strong and progressive voice on his instrument. Developing and refining his own unique sound and style on the kit has been an important focus throughout his 17 years performing and studying music.
Alex has honed his unique sound, and passion for world music and creative improvisation to blend influences and sonic palettes from diverse cultures around the globe. Combined with his strong compositional style and interest in production, this experience has allowed him to deliver a unique, creative, and rich tapestry of sound and improvisation.
Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and graduating top of his year in 2017, he has been the recipient of many prestigious awards including Australia’s Best Up And Coming Drummer in both 2012 and 2016, The John ‘Slick’ Osborne Scholarship in 2017 and the Helpmann Academy Jazz Award for Top Overall Graduate in 2018, among many others.
Flood has performed with renowned artists including Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Marquis Hill, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, West Australian Symphony Orchestra, amongst many others. In 2019, Alexander joined the Australian performance company Gravity & Others Myths on a 12-month global tour, which saw him perform in 20+ countries.
In 2019 Flood signed with 6x GRAMMY® nominee Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah’s record label Stretch Music (via Ropeadope Records), to release his debut album “HEARTBEAT” in June 2020. The album was greatly received by both critics and the public, landing the front page of iTunes USA under New and Noteworthy in June 2019.
In January 2022 Flood released his sophomore album “The Space Between”, presenting a hard-hitting, genre-defying conglomerate of creative composition and collaboration. The music aims to expand and diversify our listening experiences, opening our ears to an immersive ecosystem of rhythms, instruments, and sounds spanning many different cultures across the globe.
Leaning on dance music, tranced rhythms, improvisation, urban textures, contemporary production and collaboration, The Space Between features an all-star lineup of international artists including 6x GRAMMY nominee Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Vivian Sessoms, Nelson Dialect, Zayn Mohammed and more.
New album “The Space Between” is out now on Ropeadope Records!
—-Read another interview with drum teacher, Dorothea Taylor.