Spotlight on one of Karaoke Version's own: Noémie

For Noémie, our Customer Care Advocate, music is life. Growing up in a musical environment, her life has always centered around music. As a drummer and guitarist, she tours with her group Black Luna, organizes concerts for up and coming bands passing through Europe and in the spare time she has left she practices alongside other passionate musicians.

What is your role at Karaoke Version?

I take care of our clients' questions and provide technical support. I do my best to make our clients happy!

What instrument(s) do you play?

Drums and guitar.

When and why did you start playing?

I started the drums when I was young, around 8 or 9. The guitar is a bit more recent, it's just within the past year that I play regularly.
I started drumming to become closer to my dad who is also a musician. He would spend hours on end playing the saxophone and I missed him. We ended up playing together as a little group of musicians.
I started the guitar because I wanted to play melody. I had lots of ideas for songs, but I could never do much with them because I was more rhythmic. I practiced and practiced and started to write my own compositions.

What are your favorite songs to play?

• Where is My Mind? - Pixies It is one of the first songs that I played on the drums.
• I Want It All - Queen It was one of the first songs that I played live with my very first band back in middle school. I LOVE Queen!
• Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses I am a big fan of Slash’s solos and he made me want to learn guitar.

Any major influences that got you started playing?

I have quite a few and it’s a big mix! On top of those that I already mentioned, I think about the Ramones, because of their simple melodies but the girl rock bands also come to mind (Joan Jett, Courtney Love, Suzi Quatro). And of course, I absolutely love anything with beautiful French lyrics like Serge Gainsbourg, Jacques Brel….

What’s a typical mistake that you see being made amongst drummers and guitarists?

An error that drummers often make is that they don't make the link between the force of the beat and the quality of sounds that comes from it. They don't make the drum sound resonate like it could.

Any advice for a beginner?

It’s never too late to get in the game!

How often and for how long do you practice?

I practice drums as much as I can, but truthfully at the moment, I’m working on my guitar skills which is a bit more technical.
I try to play almost everyday but unfortunately I don’t always have the time. Between personal practice and practice for the bands, I would say between 5 and 15 hours per week.

Any practicing tips?

When I can’t quite seem to get something right, I stop and I try again the next day. It may seem crazy but this really works for me! The minute I wake up after a session like this, I jump on my guitar and for some reason, I am able to play better and with much more ease. It helps to not get discouraged!

How do you balance your passion for music with other obligations?

I try to make my life revolve around music, I definitely make this a priority. My life revolves around music. I work in music, I organize concerts and I’m also a drummer for some bands.

Do you perform in public? Tips?

Yes, and I love it! It can be stressful at times, but it is a good kind of stress.

Anything else?

Have fun!

Next month: Michel, our Celtic music expert, flutist and guitarist.

veröffentlich am: 23. Mai 2016