Drummer Jamie Scoles

Jamie was born in Newport Beach on September 22, 1992. As a little girl she would bang pots and pans on the floor of the kitchen. She took a great interest in Travis Barker, the drummer from the band Blink 182. She was so greatly influenced by the music of the band that the following year she picked up a bass guitar and a drum set.

Her sophomore year of high school was spent on drum line as bass drum. The following year she formed a band called Freedom to fall. They were booked in a range of cities and even countries such as China and Canada. Freedom to Fall began playing in Huntington Beach and ended up landing the front page of the local newspaper titled, “A Hit on Main Street.” Jamie is now back on her feet playing, recording, and performing once again in an all female Asian band called Nylon Pink.

Asiance: A pleasure to meet you, Jamie. Tell us about your early days. Were there other musicians in your family?

Jamie: I have always been surrounded by music growing up. My sister plays the guitar, many of my cousins play instruments, and my dad is a dj. My mom has videos somewhere of my sister and I dancing around and pretending to be rockstars. It’s embarrassing to watch.

Asiance: What was it that first attracted you to drummer Travis Barker of Blink 182?

Jamie: I was in 5th grade when Blink 182 became popular and they were my all time favorite band at that time and to this day. The whole band is a huge inspiration to me but Travis has always been my favorite. He has always inspired me the most because he is so unique and amazing. There is just no one else like him.

Asiance: There are not many “self-taught” drummers or, for that matter, women drummers. In addition, you are very young. You have accomplished a lot. How does that make you feel?

Jamie: It makes me feel good. I think that everyone can relate to the feeling when you set a goal for yourself and you work hard to finally achieve it. There is nothing better than following your dreams and fulfilling them.

Asiance: Who were your musical idols growing up and who do you listen to now?

Jamie: My musical idols growing up were Blink 182 and Taking Back Sunday, and they still are top of my list of musical idols. Now, I have a wide range of genres that I listen to like indie, rap, dubstep, rock, it’s really all over the map.

Asiance: How did you come to be in the band Nylon Pink?

Jamie: Funny story, I was playing solo shows at the time and Nylon Pink was looking for a new drummer. They thought it was going to be impossible to find an Asian female drummer. Kiki’s boyfriend’s band happened to be playing the same place as I was performing so when she saw the flyer, she stalked me on facebook. She called up the members and they came to check me out haha. After I performed, they came to talk to me and gave me an opportunity to join the band. I auditioned and became the new drummer of Nylon Pink. Becoming a part of the band was probably the best thing that has ever happened to me. They are amazing and talented girls who have become my family.

Asiance: How would you describe your sound?

Jamie: My sound is hard to describe because there is no set genre that I play. I love to play anything and everything. Just as long as I am playing, I am happy.

Jamie’s drum solo

Asiance: How do you feel about electronic drum kits or do you prefer the sound of real drums?

Jamie: Electronic drums for me is more of just fun to play and mess around with. I love and prefer the sound of real drums. Not only do they sound beautiful but the feeling of playing them compared to playing electronic drums is much better in my opinion.

Asiance: Nylon Pink is also a very “visual” band. There is a lot of, for lack of a better word, theatrics involved. How do you like that side of it?

Jamie: When I first joined the band, I was surprised and maybe even a little scared cause it’s unlike me to be in short shirts, skirts, dresses, and heels but I really don’t mind it. Playing music is all that truly matters to me. I also trust Katt with anything fashion because she is an amazing fashion designer and I am proud to wear anything she creates.

Asiance: There is the public Jamie and the private Jamie. How would you describe the private Jamie?

Jamie: In public, I am very shy but in private when I am around my friends and family, I am the complete opposite. I’m the silly one in my group of friends who cracks all the jokes. I’m the one who would put on a hotdog costume and sing and dance along to the spice girls. Most people who meet me probably would never expect that.

Asiance: As an Asian American woman you are a great role model and an inspiration for many. What would you say to other women out there who might want to follow in your footsteps?

Jamie: Follow your dreams and never give up. There will be many obstacles in your way but just knock them down and keep on going.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jamiescolesmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jamiescoles