Ellis: Drumming, Band Life, and Finding Balance in Music

This week, I’m joined by Ellis — a drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator who has carved out a dynamic career in the Australian music scene. Best known as the drummer for GUSH (formerly Paper Tapir), Ellis has been playing alongside Louis Smith and Luci Floyd for the past decade, with Domenic Evans recently joining the band.In this episode, we explore their journey through music—from growing up in a musical household to learning piano and drums, studying at VCASS, and being mentored by jazz legend Graeme Morgan. We also talk about their experiences in both jazz and pop-rock, forming GUSH, and working with other artists, including Garage Sale and Grace Robinson.Beyond performing and recording, Ellis shares insights into their teaching philosophy, thoughts on the music industry, and how they approach finding balance between creativity, work, and life. And for those looking for some drumming inspiration, Ellis recommends checking out Steve Reich’s 1987 album Drumming.This was an insightful and engaging conversation—don’t miss it!