Meet Eva Friedman | Session Drummer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eva Friedman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eva, what do you want your legacy to be?
I spend a significant amount of time thinking about what I want to leave behind. More than anything, I hope I’m remembered as someone who always lead with kindness. Professionally, I hope I’m remembered as a hard worker and someone who never stopped learning and growing within the craft.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It took a lot of hard work, patience, and persistence to get to where I am today. Since I first started drumming when I was 10, I’ve always looked for new opportunities and styles to incorporate into my own playing to craft my own unique sound. In middle and high school I was in concert band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, marching band, as well as an extra curricular fusion ensemble and some local bands around town. I think one of the biggest obstacles was that for so long people insisted that girls couldn’t (and shouldn’t) be drummers. For a long time it felt impossible to be taken seriously. I’m so grateful that the tides are starting to change and people are becoming more open minded. There’s nothing inherently masculine about drumming and young girls should be just as encouraged to pick up a pair of sticks as young boys are. At this point, I’m most proud of the diversity of my career. I play with multiple bands and no two sound alike. I’ve always had the mind set of not wanting to have to say no to anything because I couldn’t play it. Being able to bounce between so many different genres is a dream come true.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles is such an embarrassment of riches. My favorite coffee spot is Priscilla’s in Toluca Lake. I never shut up about their blueberry iced coffee. I’ve recently fallen in love with Hank’s… a deli of sorts. Being from New Jersey originally, I’m a total bagel snob and Hank’s has easily the best bagel in LA. The carnitas tacos and plantains at Cerveteca in Culver City are definitely must haves as well. And I’ve recently fallen in love with Hades Hot Chicken in Burbank which just opened a few weeks ago. I also can’t say enough about how much I love Pro Drum Shop in Hollywood. They’ve been around for 60 years and are the best of the best. Jerry and Stan are great guys and super knowledgeable. You never know who you’ll see hanging around the shop when you pop in. It’s drum nerd paradise.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Fred Dinkins has been such a crucial person in my life and career. I started studying with him 5 years ago. He’s gone above and beyond what I hoped to find in a mentor. Fred consistently challenges and champions me as both a musician and a person. I would not be where I am as a drummer without his presence in my life and I’m eternally grateful for all he’s done for me.

Website: evaplaysthedrums.com
Instagram: instagram.com/evaplaysthedrums
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Eva_Friedman
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPzjkKTwjeQ8GhYrlOFfZKw
Other: https://jammcard.com/evaplaysthedrums

Image Credits
David Gavrishov Lisa Haagen Morgan Lieberman