Louise Bartle, Bloc Party, Novacub | Drums | ICMP London

Louise Bartle is a drummer who graduated from our BMus Popular Music Performance degree course in 2014.  She has already performed as a session drummer with a range of prestigious artists such as Selena Gomez and Eliza Doolittle, as well as appearing on tv shows such as 'Skins' on E4 in 2012, and 'Toast of London' on Channel 4 in 2015. 

In 2015, Louise joined award-winning and internationally renowned indie band Bloc Party as their new drummer. Playing alongside original members Kele Okereke and Russell Lissack, she made her live debut with the band at two intimate shows in Los Angeles, followed by a performance at BBC 6 Music's Live at Maida Vale session. The band is currently on tour and will be playing some of the biggest UK and European summer festival.

Louise also recorded drum tracks for Bloc Party's first album since 2012, entitled 'Hymns' and set to be released in early 2016. Radio 1's Annie Mac named a track from the record, 'The Love Within', as her 'Hottest Record in the World' hours after the Maida Vale show. 

Louise's drumming continues to go from strength to strength, in November 2017 she was named in Music Radar's  'The 10 best new drummers in the world right now' list. Music Radar heaped praise on her role in Bloc Party: 

Following Matt Tong is no mean feat, but Louise has handled the indie band’s taught, frantic beats with aplomb ever since she took residence behind the Bloc Party kit in 2015."

In 2017, Louise started her own band, Novacub, an indie rock four piece with whom she released the single 'I Still Need It' in January 2019. The band supported Kaiser Chiefs during their winter tour.

Louise has also returned to ICMP, as a panelist at one of our Careers Day, to pass on her music industry and drumming knowledge to current ICMP students. ​

Drums make the world move

Drumming requires incredible coordination, a solid sense of time, and plenty of precision and finesse. Here at ICMP, we’ll pass on all the technical skills and performance, theory, business, production, marketing, and additional know-how you’ll need to fly ahead of the pack. Throughout your ICMP Drums course, you’ll also gain access to everything from rehearsal rooms, top-brand gear, and recording studios to industry events, masterclasses, and a one-of-a-kind community of contacts and collaborators.

Call our friendly Admissions Team on 020 7328 0222 or email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk and get your music career started today.

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