A Drummer’s Guide To...

Do you only get one chance to network with someone… or is that just something we’ve told ourselves? In this episode, I answer a brilliant question from Anonymous about networking on Instagram, sending DMs, and how to actually build real connections — especially when it feels like you’re “using up your one shot” every time you reach out. We talk about: Why cold DMs often fall flatHow relationships are actually built onlineThe shift from “one message” to “ongoing presence”Why being seen matters more than being perfectAnd how to approach networking in person — especially if you don’t get a second chance to recognise someone This episode is a big mindset shift if you’ve ever:👉 Overthought a DM👉 Worried about saying the wrong thing👉 Felt like conversations always dry up👉 Or assumed networking is about getting it right first time It’s not about one shot. It’s about familiarity. 🎧 Listen now and rethink how you connect. ❓ Ask a question for a future episode:https://emilydrums.com/ama 💬 Book a free 30-minute Coaching Taster Session:https://emilydrums.com

You’re a professional.It’s just four minutes.So why does this song feel like a punch in the chest? In Episode 219 – A Drummer’s Guide To… Heartbreak on the Setlist (Q from Anonymous), I answer a listener’s question about performing a song that’s deeply tied to a painful past relationship. Should you just “be professional” and play it?Or are you allowed to have boundaries in a band? We explore:🥁 The difference between suppression and emotional regulation🥁 When pushing through builds resilience — and when it’s just self-punishment🥁 How music hardwires itself to memory🥁 Whether raising it with your band is weakness… or maturity🥁 How to reclaim a song that hurts (if you choose to) This isn’t just about one sad tune.It’s about emotional labour in performance — and what professionalism actually means. If you’ve ever had to show up on stage while something personal was going on… this one’s for you. 💬 Want your question answered on a future episode?Submit it here: EmilyDrums.com/ama 🎯 Want a free 30-minute coaching taster session?Head to: EmilyDrums.com

Grateful. Successful. Still restless? You’re not alone. In Episode 217 of A Drummer’s Guide To… Grateful, Successful… Still Wanting More (Q from Dom Ritchie), Emily answers a powerful question from Dom — a young professional drummer making a full-time living in music who still feels the pull of “what’s next”. This episode explores: Why satisfaction doesn’t automatically follow success Whether moving to London actually creates opportunity How to build a recording and remote session career gradually Why restlessness doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or failing 🎧 Listen now to Episode 217💬 Ask your own question: EmilyDrums.com/ama🎓 Free 30-minute coaching taster: EmilyDrums.com

🩸 You’re not “too sensitive” - your body is giving you information 😌🎧 Episode 215 - A Drummer’s Guide To… Women’s Health on Tour (Q from Suzy) 🥁😅 Some weeks you feel unstoppable behind the kit… and other weeks you feel like you’ve forgotten how to play 🥁🧠 In this episode, I talk honestly about cycle changes, energy dips, confidence spirals, and how they affect performance 🎭🚐 We get into touring self-care that actually works: nourishment, hydration, sleep, anxiety management, and pacing yourself 💪🛠️ Plus the practical stuff most people ignore - like kit setup tweaks that protect your body and prevent injury ✅👗 And stage clothing comfort + hygiene tips, because drumming is physical and this matters more than people realise 😅🙃 We also talk about the mental load of being underestimated as a female musician (yep… those comments) 🎤 👀 Watch Episode 215 to the end for the mindset shift that stops you panicking when you’re not at 100% 🔥✨ It’s not about pushing harder - it’s about planning smarter so you stay consistent without burning out 🧠 ❓ Ask a question for a future episode 👉 EmilyDrums.com/ama 💬🌱 Book a free 30-min coaching taster session 👉 EmilyDrums.com 💛

In music, talent might get you noticed — but trust is what keeps you working.This episode was sparked by a question from Rob Quinn about the role of trust in a music career, and it opens up one of the most quietly important topics in professional musicianship.Inside, I talk about trust on every level of the job:• Trusting bandmates to show up prepared• Being trusted by artists, MDs, and management• What happens when that trust breaks down• How trust is built during pressure, not perfection• Why reliability often matters more than brilliance• Learning to trust yourself when things go wrong on stageFrom tempo disputes and difficult leadership dynamics to real-world gig crises where systems fail and people have to step up — this episode explores how careers are shaped by who people feel safe relying on.If you’ve ever wondered why some musicians stay booked while others quietly disappear… this episode explains a big part of it.🎧 Episode 213 is live now. And if you want to talk through your own career situations, you can book a FREE 30-minute Coaching Taster Session via https://www.emilydrums.com or the link in my bio.

You know that feeling when you’re good — genuinely good — yet you’re still playing the same pubs, the same tiny rooms, and wondering why you can’t break into the gigs you know you’re ready for? This week’s episode dives into Pete’s brilliant question:How do you break out of the pub circuit and start playing the gigs that actually move your career forward? If you’ve ever felt stuck… under-seen… or like your playing deserves better rooms, this one’s for you. Inside we cover:• Why talent alone isn’t enough (and what actually is)• How to get seen by the right musicians, MDs, and gig-getters• The psychological shift that gets you OUT of “pub loops”• How to find higher-level players who help you level up• Why comfort zones kill careers (and how to step out of yours)• The big mistake seasoned musicians make when trying to “get noticed”If you’ve been nodding along because this is exactly where you’re stuck… you don’t have to figure it out alone. 🎧 Listen now — it might be the perspective shift you needed. 🔗 And if you want personalised guidance, book a free 30-minute Coaching Taster Session via https://www.emilydrums.com

Today’s question comes from Joe Threlfall (@joe_threlfall_guitar) - a brilliant guitarist working in theatre pits who wants to break into touring productions.Joe asked:“What should I be posting to Stories vs pinned posts on Instagram… and is it okay to film practice clips off my phone? Also, what would actually help me get my next step into working on theatre tours?”In this episode, I break down: ⭐ What fixers really look for ⭐ The difference between Stories vs your public shop window (your grid + pinned posts) ⭐ What to film, what not to film, and why ⭐ How to build proof of experience when you’re not on a tour yet ⭐ Smart networking that doesn’t feel gross ⭐ The single biggest mistake musicians make on Instagram when trying to get bookedIf you’re trying to build a career in theatre, touring, or any pro gigging world — this one will help you clean up your online presence and make it so much easier for fixers to trust you.💬 Got a question for a future episode? Submit yours (with as much detail as possible!) at emilydrums.com/AMA — I’d love to help.

💥 In Episode 207 of A Drummer’s Guide To... Confidence No One Can Give You, I’m diving into the kind of confidence that doesn’t depend on anyone else’s approval, praise, or permission. 🎯 We all crave validation — but what happens when you stop chasing it and start building confidence from within?In this episode, we’ll unpack:• 🧠 The psychology behind self-confidence and why external validation is never enough• 🥁 How musicians can develop inner trust through practice, play, and self-reflection• 💪 Practical ways to notice your progress and actually believe in it• 🌱 How being your own biggest cheerleader builds resilience, motivation, and long-term success Whether you’re on stage, in the studio, or just figuring things out — this is about claiming your confidence as yours, not something to be given or taken away. 👇 Watch A Drummer’s Guide To... Confidence No One Can Give You now, and let’s start redefining what real self-belief feels like. 🎧 Listen on Spotify / Apple / YouTube📩 DM me “coaching” on Instagram if you’d like to work together on building your creative confidence.#ADrummersGuideTo #ConfidenceNoOneCanGiveYou #SelfBelief #MusicianMindset #DrummingJourney #CreativeConfidence #SelfWorth

What happens when the music stops? When the noise, the hustle, the scrolling… all fade — and you’re left with yourself?In this episode, Emily Dolan Davies opens up about her lifelong discomfort with silence — how she used drumming and constant productivity to drown out difficult emotions, and what she’s learned over the last two years about sitting still, listening inward, and finding peace in the quiet.She explores: 🎧 Why silence feels so uncomfortable — psychologically and emotionally 🥁 How busyness and distraction keep us from processing feelings 💭 The link between silence, self-worth, and creativity ❤️ How learning to sit with discomfort can build emotional resilienceIf you’ve ever filled every spare moment with sound, work, or social media — this one’s for you.✨ Try this: Practice sitting in silence for 10 minutes today. No distractions, no goals, just awareness. Notice what surfaces.🎙️ Listen, reflect, and reclaim your calm.➡️ Book your free discovery call: emilydrums.com ➡️ Ask a question anonymously: emilydrums.com/AMA ➡️ Follow on Instagram: @HeyEmilyDrums

Talking about money in music is awkward enough. But shame? That’s the hidden weight nearly every musician carries. In this episode, I open up about my own journey with money — the free gigs, the low fees, the times I felt like asking to be paid made me “less of an artist.” I share how shame shaped my early career, how I’ve learned to push past it, and why charging what you’re worth is not only okay — it’s essential. We’ll dig into:• Why so many musicians secretly feel shame about charging 💸• The hidden costs of playing for free (and when it actually makes sense)• How to reframe “breadhead” stigma into professionalism• Negotiation strategies that don’t feel icky• Why your self-worth and your rates are more connected than you think If you’ve ever felt guilty, awkward, or ashamed about money in your music career — this one’s for you. 👉 Book a free discovery call with me here: emilydrums.com 👉 Support the podcast on Patreon: patreon.com/emilydrums

We’ve all heard it: “If you just put yourself out there, people will find you.” Here’s the truth: posting alone doesn’t build a career.In this episode I dig into: 👉 Why “build it and wait” leaves musicians stuck 👉 The missing ingredient between a polished feed and real gigs 👉 How to connect with the right people online without being spammy 👉 Daily outreach habits that actually lead to opportunitiesIf you’re tired of posting and getting crickets, this episode will show you how to flip your socials into a tool that actually gets you work.🎧 Listen to Episode 201 now and find out how to turn invisible into in demand.

Welcome to Episode 199 of A Drummer’s Guide To… Getting Called Out!This week, I’m sharing a raw and uncomfortable part of my journey — when I was publicly called out for not being authentic online. At first, it felt humiliating…but it became one of the most powerful lessons in vulnerability and accountability I’ve ever learned.Inside this episode, I’ll cover: 😳 What happened when I was exposed for fake followers and automated comments 💡 Why accountability creates deeper trust than perfection ever could 🎶 How mistakes on stage (yes, I’ve made plenty!) actually brought me closer to bandmates 🤝 Why vulnerability is the bridge to stronger relationships in music and beyondIf you’ve ever struggled with self-esteem, feared making mistakes, or worried about being “found out,” this episode is for you.👉 Listen now and let’s reframe rejection, mistakes, and shame into growth. 🎧 Plus: if you’re ready to get personal guidance on your music career, book a free discovery call with me at emilydrums.com.

🔥 Think posting on Instagram is enough to grow your music career? Think again. In episode #197 — A Drummer’s Guide To... Posting Isn’t Enough, I’m breaking down the real reason musicians get stuck at “likes” and never land the gigs. You’ll learn: 🎯 The biggest Instagram mistakes that quietly cost you opportunities 🤝 How to turn followers into paying clients without feeling salesy 📲 My exact networking strategy that got me gigs straight from my phone 💡 How to make your profile a magnet for the RIGHT people If you’ve been posting and praying, this episode will show you how to actually get noticed, booked, and paid. 🎧 Listen to episode #197 — Posting Isn’t Enough now and turn your IG from a time-waster into your most powerful gig-getting tool.