It's a proven fact that the hottest thing in rock 'n' roll is a woman on drums.
So Crossfade is superstoked that Tom Tom Magazine, the only print publication focused on female percussionists, will be bringing a notable showcase of lady drummers to Churchill's Pub for Art Basel Miami Beach.
Most of the bands set to perform are Miami favorites like Holly Hunt, The State Of and Snakehole. But there are also a couple from Gainesville, one from New York, and one from Austin.
Founder and editor-in-chief Mindy Abovitz has been a drummer and beatmaker herself for the past 11 years. The South Florida native worked as an engineer for East Village Radio. She plays in a variety of bands. She even has her own side-projects -- Chica Vas and More Teeth.
And Tom Tom is enjoying its second year in print. "Women drummers were really left out of the media, left out of all existing drum magazines," Abovitz reflects, "So, when I started Tom Tom as a blog, the response was overwhelming." The website continues to pump out new content daily.
Her band played Basel in 2007 at Locust Projects. "Me personally, I love art. I feel like art and music are connected in so many ways." And Basel, Abovitz says, "is a great opportunity to showcase women doing their thing."
The Tom Tom boss is a big fan of The State Of and The New's Nabedi Osorio. "Any ladies drumming, I'm usually impressed with, proud of in some way or another," she admits. "But Nabedi really blows my mind."
Beatriz Monteavaro of Holly Hunt is also one of her local favorites. She performed with her former band Beings at last year's Tom Tom showcase on South Beach during the Miami Music Festival. That event featured the Vivian Girls and Hard Nips from NYC, plus other SoFla peeps.
"I'm personally more interested in going to where the festivals are, like Art Basel, South by Southwest, CMJ, and then being able to pick from a large pool of bands from all over the world," Abovitz says. "That most reflects what we do in the magazine. Try to cover people all over."
Next year, Tom Tom will have national distribution and you'll be able to grab a copy of the mag anywhere in the country. Until then, keep reading about talented, ambitious, and superrad chicks at Lester's or Sweat Records.
Tom Tom Magazine's Art Basel Showcase with Holly Hunt, Snakehole, The State Of, The New, Bonnie Riot, Cave Rave, Mother Popcorn, Follow That Bird, and Miss Frankie Rose. Saturday, December 3. Churchill's Pub, 5501 NE Second Ave., Miami. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $5 presale at Sweat Records (5505 NE Second Ave., Miami) and $7 at the door. Visit tomtommag.com.
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