Meet Angela Lese

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Lese.

Hi Angela, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Angela Lese, and I’m a professional drummer residing in Nashville, TN. My story is quite unique…

I studied Meteorology as a young Indiana girl, and have a Master’s Degree in Atmospheric Science from Purdue University. I spent 15 years in the National Weather Service, while at the same time developing my drumming skills. I always wanted to play, and I naturally could just sit down and do it. Drumming quickly became a passion of mine, and when I had an opportunity to move to Nashville, TN as the science trainer at their NWS office, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pursue music on the side in Music City.

For those four years at the Nashville NWS office, I grew increasingly busy in music and it became so much of my life that I decided to resign from my government job and pursue drumming full-time. That was in 2016, and I’m happy to report that I’m still a full-time, professional drummer.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I believe any music career is the opposite of a smooth road – we’re all hanging onto the wheel white-knuckled as we navigate the dirt roads and bumps along the way. Finding the right band is like finding the right life partner – sometimes it can take a lot of trying different ones out until everything feels right, and even then it’s not guaranteed.

That difficulty finding the right home, on top of a pandemic, a crooked industry, and other common issues (misogyny, etc), it’s the most difficult career path for one to keep the faith. So, it’s never smooth, but the thrill of being on stage and hearing a crowd scream and sing back at you is worth every single struggle.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a professional drummer, and technically a hired gun. That means that I’ll drum with whoever has the work for me to stay busy until I find the perfect “home” band/artist. I would say that I specialize in any kind of rock drumming (hard rock, punk, metal, indie, and pop).

And because it’s my life’s passion, my signature or what I’m known for is my huge grin when I’m drumming. I think that enthusiasm, my electric/bombastic playing style exudes joy and that contagious feeling sets me apart.

I believe I haven’t had that moment of feeling most proud yet, but so far in my career, I think playing aboard Motörhead’s Motorboat before Lemmy passed on was a big highlight for me, as well as playing any Pride festival (always a huge crowd and huge mission).

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My best advice for any musician wanting to network is to be your genuine self. Anyone can smell BS, so if you’re wanting to network, do so with the intent of meeting people that you connect with.

There are tens of thousands of people in the music industry here, you will not connect with all of them. And in this town, you never know who you’ll be eating next to, or standing in line with waiting for coffee, or in the pit at a show with. Strike up a conversation if it feels right, and you never know where those connections may lead.

Be genuine, be friendly and nice, and just be a fun hang. Everyone here is talented, a good personality will get you further… and don’t expect anything.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: Angelalese.com
• Instagram: @tamachick
• Facebook: Facebook.com/tamachick
• Twitter: @tamachick
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC291Wt6xe7x73p64F-9doLQ
• Other: Tamachick.com

Image Credits
Jen Silver, Eric Anderson, and Austin Dellamano