Audrey Tait (born 1987) is a Scottish musician and music producer from Rutherglen, Scotland. She is known for being the drummer in three Glaswegian bands, the experimental hip-hop group Hector Bizerk, Broken Chanter,[2] and the rock band Franz Ferdinand.[3] She replaced Paul Thomson in Franz Ferdinand, receiving a symbolic set of drumsticks from him in October 2021.[4]
Audrey Tait | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1987[1] Scotland |
| Genres | hip hop, indie rock |
| Instrument | Drums |
| Website | https://novasound.net |
She also performs in the synthpop duo The Girl Who Cried Wolf,[3] the folk rock duo The Miss's,[5] and in the scoring partnership Novasound, which scores and produces theater and film soundtracks in Glasgow.[6]
Hector Bizerk
editHector Bizerk started in 2011 as a two-piece band, featuring rapper Louie Boy and Tait on drums. As the band's sound and ambition got richer, it became a four-piece, adding a bassist and keyboardist. Tait produced and mixed all the band's releases.[7] Their second album, Nobody Seen Nothing, was nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year Award in 2014, and were named Best Hip Hop Act at that year's Scottish Alternative Music Awards. Their next album, The Waltz of Modern Psychiatry, was also nominated for album of the year.[8]
While in Hector Bizerk, Tait began producing other artists.[9] In 2014, she made it to the finals of Hit Like a Girl, an international contest for female drummers.[10]
Franz Ferdinand
editAfter Thomson told Franz Ferdinand that he was leaving the band in September 2021, the band's Julian Corrie offered Tait a chance to be Thomson's replacement.[11] Thomson came to the first rehearsals to help Tait acclimate herself to the drum parts. On 29 September 2021, the first concert they played together was a fashion show for Balmain, a gig she described as "a bit ridiculous for us all."[3] The first song the band released with Tait was "Billy Goodbye," from its greatest hits album Hits to the Head, which came out in March 2022.[12]
Franz Ferdinand announced Tait's arrival by saying, "After having played with Paul for so long, it’s obvious that not just anyone could sit behind the kit in FF, so we’re happy to say that one of the other best drummers in the world is joining us. Many of you in Glasgow will already know what an incredible musician Audrey Tait is and we’re thrilled to have her join us. It feels totally natural playing with her and she’s a great laugh."[4]
Personal life
editTait grew up in Rutherglen, Scotland, and attended Stonelaw High School.[10]
Tait is a fan of the football club Celtic F.C.[5]
References
edit- ^ Statutory registers - Births - Search results, ScotlandsPeople. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
- ^ Goggins, Joe. "Celtic Connections: David MacGregor on Broken Chanter". The Skinny. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ a b c Geddes, Jonathan (26 October 2021). "Lanarkshire musician delighted as she takes over as Franz Ferdinand's drummer". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ a b Graves, Wren (21 October 2021). "Franz Ferdinand Drummer Paul Thomson Leaves Band, Replaced by Audrey Tait". Consequence Sound. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ a b Macdonald, Jamie (8 May 2020). "In My Splendid Isolation - Audrey Tait". Netsounds. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ "About Audrey Tait". She Is the Music. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ Chrystall, Margaret (1 October 2014). "Audrey powers Hector Bizerk". What's On. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ Awhi, Anita (14 March 2014). "Hector Bizerk". PRS for Music. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ Geddes, Jonathan (6 June 2015). "Hector Bizerk drummer Audrey Tait on the band's new album". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
- ^ a b Geddes, Jonathan (14 March 2014). "Rutherglen drummer Audrey Tait into final of worldwide competition". Daily Record. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "[LIVE] A Chat With Franz Ferdinand's Audrey Tait!" (Interview). Interviewed by Drummers Only. 21 November 2021.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (2 November 2021). "Franz Ferdinand Tease Greatest-Hits Collection With New Song 'Billy Goodbye'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 12 January 2022.