We recently connected with Lucyr Ritter and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lucyr thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

My name is Lucy Ritter. I am 23 years old and have been drumming professionally for three years. I am living the dream, of course; I play drums for a living! That said, this lifestyle comes at a cost. There’s no perfect life, even when you’re a rockstar. When I was 15, I was told I could have a career playing drums, but I didn’t think I would actually pursue it. I had no idea what my life would be like if I drummed professionally. I didn’t have friends or mentors who were full time musicians, and the idea of being an actual rockstar seemed impossible.

Now, I’m living the dream, but it is far from easy. The touring lifestyle takes its toll. I’m never home, and when I am, it isn’t for much time. Certainly not enough time to start anything serious. My personal life and relationships struggle because of this. It is hard for me to have consistency or routine, to feel grounded in things other than my performance. The high highs and low lows are real. My ability to play my drums whenever I want is taken away from me when I tour, which is most of the year. Then again, I’m living the dream. I’m 23 and have been to almost every US state, Europe, Australia, and beyond. I have played clubs, theatres, and even arenas. I’ve performed at some of the biggest music festivals and late night shows. Do I wonder what it would be like to have a regular job? Of course. All the time. On the nights where I’m too tired to get up there in front of thousands of people and perform like I have the energy of an animal. When I’m lonely on the road and my relationships suffer. When I miss my privacy because ‘m sleeping on a tour bus night after night. Of course I think what it would be like to be normal – but I can’t be. It’s not in me. What I do is all I know to do, all I can do to stay alive. It is my lifeline, so I compromise with the sacrifices.

Lucyr, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Lucy Ritter and I’m a drummer from New Jersey currently based in Los Angeles. I play drums for Chappell Roan. I have been playing since I was nine years old and was fortunate enough to live close to NYC where I was exposed to amazing music and performance art. I fell in love with jazz music in high school as well as the art of drumming. I attended IU Jacobs School of Music for three years, studying drums and music education, before leaving my senior year for my first professional tour. My career began touring Broadway shows and I was fortunate enough to be the drummer for the first national tour of Jagged Little Pill. After a year there, I moved to Los Angeles and joined the Chappell Roan team. I love what I do. Performing is my happy place and seeing the way music makes people feel is what I live for. This year has been amazing: I played arenas opening for Olivia Rodrigo and I just played Coachella. I am very grateful for everything I get to experience as a professional drummer.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I play the drums and perform to feel connected to a larger body of people than I ever could on my own. My high is seeing people dance and move and smile and cry because of our performance. I feel most alive when I am on stage. It’s a catch twenty two, since I can’t perform all the time and every day of my life, but I really feel my best when I am performing. I hope to inspire people and allow them to feel something from my performance.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Go to shows. Buy music, clothes, merch, tickets, anything you can to support creatives. Buy a ticket even when you can’t go. if you love the artist. Be active in your community that inspires you.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lucyrittterdrums.com
• Instagram: @lucyritter

Image Credits

Photos by Lucienne Nghiem