By Marcus Uhe
Pakenham resident Dylan Redman is opening the doors to his music equipment retail store ‘Red Cymbals’ and studio on Saturday.
Redman, a former music coordinator and teacher at Noble Park Secondary College, has been playing the drums since he was 12 and will be selling his range of drum kits, apparel and accessories from his Trinity Way warehouse.
His collection includes cymbals produced in Turkey and ‘Red Rock Drums’ manufactured in Warragul.
The facility will also act as a creative space for people to participate in his ‘Drum Shed’ program, where individuals of all abilities are invited to jam, share ideas and connect in a team-friendly, positive environment.
“It’s a real simple thing, where you don’t have to know lots of music theory, you don’t have to know chords, it’s not very technical, initially,” Redman said.
“I think it’s just simple and it’s about venting your feelings, frustrations, anger, negative feelings, and getting them out.
“I think the word is ‘cathartic’. It brings drummers together whether they have a kit or not.
“It’s open to people of all levels, anyone from beginner to professional.”
The free sessions typically run for three-to-four hours and all the equipment is provided by Redman.
The Drum Shed concept holds particular significance for Redman, who strives to ensure that the gatherings cover more than just music.
Dylan’s older brother, Owen, was reported as missing in February 1991, and has not been seen since.
Owen was also a musician, playing guitar and getting behind the microphone as a singer/songwriter, and the brothers would often play together before Owen’s disappearance.
Dylan draws on his background in counselling, teaching experience and his work as a chaplain to cultivate a community for those who might be struggling.
“My brother disappearing, just related for me to the fact that he didn’t have anyone to talk to.
“I think that if he stopped and talked about what was going on, with me or with anyone, and really had a space where he could say, whatever, I don’t think he would have disappeared, I think he may have been able to sort out what was going on.
“I could see that musicians need to hang out, and just need to talk about stuff.
“I didn’t want to just put together a cymbal company for money, I wanted to do it for a more intrinsic benefit for other people.”
Having experienced such a difficult period due to the pandemic, the demand is higher than ever for the sessions to return.
“People are like, ‘when are you holding the next drum shed?’ begging me to hold one, so that’s when I thought, we’ll open the store, but we’ll do a drum shed at the same time.
“We did some online stuff during Covid but we couldn’t have drum lessons at the warehouse.”
To learn more from Redman and his wealth of experience on the drums, or to attend a Drum Shed session, head to redcymbals.com.au/pages/red-drum-bass-sheds, or head to his Warehouse at 9 Trinity Way, Pakenham.
