Drum Nation is a community-led samba drumming collective that started six years ago with a handful of people, and now runs four bands with over 150 members across Cumbria.
The organisation – a Community Interest Company – now has bands in Kendal, Penrith, Ulverston and Cockermouth, which all perform around the county, nationally and internationally.
Members like Alice Pattinson are encouraged to engage and interact through rhythm, choreography and costume. “I struggle with my mental health, and it gets me out two, three times a week. Once I've got my glitter on, I've got my drum on, I forget about everyone else. Seeing the audience reaction to the group is just the most exhilarating feeling I've ever had!”
That desire to use drumming to combat mental health problems is shared by another member, Karen Treadwell. “I think the main thing for me is that the feeling of belonging to something where other people are sharing the same thing as you that you can then share with someone else. And no matter how tricky and horrible your day might have been, you have to put on a smile and just entertain and just give that to an audience. And that makes me feel better too.”
Co-founder Jen Wroe knows the profound and positive impact performing with a samba band has had on the members. “A samba band is a human machine with all the different parts working together, so you get that feedback from achieving something together and being together. Also, it's a big physical release, it's almost like creative violence. You get to bang around and be really loud, which is really good for your central nervous system. You get to connect with people and play together and do something really beautiful. So it's just the perfect storm.”
Jeanette Morris is another member who now feels a deep attachment to Drum Nation. “I joined about a year ago and now they're all friends, so you find your tribe. The motto is "to belong", and we do, we just all belong to one big organisation now. When it comes together, the magic just happens.”
Being in the bands provides lots of opportunities to play, from grassroots festivals around Cumbria to performing nationally as well. Drum Nation also offers players the opportunity to play at Conclave de Samba in Spain, with a trip being run every year. Jen Wroe adds: “the creative process is really important to us. And although the community aspect is really important, we treat the music very seriously as well.”
There is a video of the Penrith Drum Nation band on the Westmorland and Furness Council YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/JcSK5CQOq8k