Getting to Know . . . CHERYL PRASHKER
 by Kathy S-B  ·  22 October 2007

Cheryl Prashker is a fun, funky, and technically brilliant drummer. Seeing her perform with the Strangelings and Pat Wictor this past summer was a real highlight and the delight on her face as she pounds her drums is a sight to behold. Cheryl has had an amazing year; she got to accompany Pat Wictor on the Falcon Ridge Most Wanted tour and then was asked to join the Strangelings and play with them on the main stage at Falcon Ridge in the key Saturday night position! She continues to tour with Jonathan Edwards and works a day job with the NorthEast Folk Alliance. Learn more about Cheryl at her website and at her MySpace page.

The fact that you are a female percussionist certainly puts you in the minority in the music scene. . . . or are there more female drummers out there than I’m aware of?

I have always been in somewhat of a minority through the years, whether it be rock drumming or singer-songwriter oriented. There are some female jazz drummers out there, of course. Sheila E. is the most well known of the rock and roll world. In the acoustic scene, I would like to mention two women in particular. One is Cadence Carroll, who is part of Tribes Hill and works with Sloan Wainwright. The other is Laura Cerulli who works with Sonia & Disappear Fear. I know there are a few others whose names I am forgetting at this time.

What is it about drumming that turns you on?

What turns me on about drumming, is simply that it is a part of who I am and it is where and when I am my most comfortable. One of the aspects I love about it is how it makes the musicians I work with feel. When what I do works with their music, that turns me on the most!!

It’s fascinating to read about your transition from the classical music world to the folk and rock music world. Was there a pivotal moment that moved you more toward the less-than-classical or world music scene?

As far as my involvement in the singer-songwriter/acoustic scene, that came while I was living in NY City, where I was for ten years until 2003. I was going to the open mic at the famed Fast Folk Café. Actually trying to get my own songs out there, and to be completely honest with you, I was kind of shy about the whole guitar, microphone thing!! Anyways, I would also bring the dumbek that I was using in The Middle Eastern musical world with me. . . and more and more, people would ask me to accompany them. It was that moment that I realized how many singer-songwriters would love to have some accompaniment, but were frustrated by most of the drummers they would try out. Only because most of them could not transition from harder rock with a full drum set, to a quieter setting and smaller percussion set ups. It happened gradually, but I realized I had carved out a niche for myself that was very much in demand.

Tell us more about your experiences playing with the Yiddish Theatre of Montreal? I understand that you traveled to Russia. Was that experience everything that you expected and dreamed it would be?

I have to say, to this day, I credit my experience with The Yiddish Theatre of Montreal for giving me the tools I have to accompany the people I do today. That may not make much sense, but musically, they taught me to play quietly, while at the same time, I needed to be heard by the cast as well as the audience. . . it was a balancing act, let me tell you!

Also, I did not fully understand the language, so if any changes occurred in a performance, and they did, as this was an all-volunteer ensemble, I had to be on my toes!! I was so very lucky to be part of this wonderful company for approximately ten years and we did travel. My experience with them in Russia was like no other I have ever had. We went in 1990 or so. . . and it was an amazing time to be there. Changes were starting to occur. I did not know what to expect, but it was incredible. We played the most beautiful theatres. We did have time to sight-see and we were treated wonderfully. We had no idea what to expect. Some of the group including the director, Dora Wasserman, were from Russia originally, yet had not been back since the war. So it was emotional at times. Every night we would do our 1 and ½ hour show. . . and afterwards, we would sing and dance with the audience for two hours more!! That was a highlight for all of us. To bring the Yiddish Language and the Jewish music back to these people who might not have heard it since they were young. That was worth everything to all of us on that trip. A highlight for me was being able to travel with my cousin Sidney Zoltak and his wife Anne. I would also like to tell you about an experience I had on my own. While we were in Moscow, we played the same theatre for a few nights in a row. A young man came to see all the shows, he was studying classical percussion. He spoke English and we were introduced early in the week. He asked if I might come to his home and meet his parents and I did. It was a small apartment, and they were lovely. It meant so much to that young man. . . and I was only 19 myself and studying the very same thing he was, so it meant a lot to me to bring him such joy!

You have experience drumming along with all kinds of bands ranging from Celtic to rock to folk and back again. That begs the question about your drums. How many do you own? You must need different types of percussive instruments for different types of music.

As far as the instruments I use, you would be surprised to know, I don’t have rooms and rooms full of stuff!!

I do have a newer drum set, more for the rock and roll side of things. . . also for recording. And a smaller set for smaller rooms. I do have 3 djembes and a dumbek. I have only one snare drum. There are so many guys out there with many, many snare drums. I have had this one since my University days, and I love its sound live as well as in the studio.

I have various small percussion instruments such as tambourines, shakers, egg (shakers), triangle, etc..

But I guess I pride myself on trying to get as many sounds out of one drum as I can. When I accompany the singer-songwriters I tour with, we are all in agreement, that less is more. So I use a small set up of a bass drum, snare drum, hi-hat, crash cymbal, ride cymbal and my djembe. That is pretty much it!!

These days you’re playing a lot with Jonathan Edwards and Pat Wictor. Both quality acts. I bet that you’re having a terrific time touring around with them!

I am having the time of my life touring with both Pat Wictor and Jonathan Edwards. Yes, both of them are wonderful human beings and the best at what they do musically!!

With Jonathan, I am part of what he likes to call his power trio along with Stuart Schulman. I learn so much every time we play. He is a very talented musician and a great writer. He is also the most incredible performer!!

With Pat, it has turned into a wonderful duo thing. What I mean is, I am not simply a back-up drummer as it were, in the back, keeping a beat. Pat and I have worked out parts for his songs that make what I do be more part of the show. The audience seems to be enjoying it.

So how did your involvement with the Pete and Maura brainchild, The Strangelings come about? How would you best describe the music you all make?

I have just recently become a member of The Strangelings, the super group that Pete and Maura helped found. How I came to be their drummer is quite a fun story. My husband Charles Nolan and I are big Pete and Maura fans. Every time they would play in the Philly area, we would try to go and see them. About one year ago, at Steel City, we were sitting in the audience and they asked me if I had a drum in the car. . . . . what a question!!!

So I came up and played their last number with them, and it was a blast, it is actually a track I used for my compilations CD called “It’s All About The Drums.”

Afterwards they looked at each other and then looked at me and started to giggle. I was confused!! They explained that they were thinking about this new project with the Thompson Twins and how much fun it would be to work me in. Well with geography (I am in Philly and they in Northampton, MA) nothing much more came of that. About 6 months later, once again, they were in the area doing a house concert and once again. . . I had a drum. We had a blast playing the end of their show together. They asked me if they got to play at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, would I consider playing with them. I went to rehearse with them for a day. . . and everyone in the room fell in love with the sound. Falcon Ridge happened and the audience seemed to love it as well!!

The one thing I love the most about this band is that I do get to go back to my rock roots and play a full drum kit. This is the style of music I taught myself how to play with and I LOVE IT!! The music can best be described as such:

Fairport Convention meets a female Jethro Tull at Loreena McKennit’s Castle!