Kindred Drums

Mike was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1943 and migrated to Tasmania in 1959.  He grew up surrounded by musical instruments of all kinds and studied the classical guitar for many years.

      As many of you might know, its hard to travel around Ireland without being greeted, either in a pub or on the streets, by local musicians.  They seem to appear from nowhere, entertaining not only themselves but any passers by who care to stop and listen.  Mike grew up in just such an environment, where rhythm and music were a way of life.  Many of his relatives were members of bands and there was always an assortment of instruments around the house which Mike could just pick up and strum or blow or hit.

      For most of his life Mike has worked with wood, either as a boat builder or, for the past sixteen years, as a wood turner.  He has really enjoyed the range of wonderful timbers that grow here in Tasmania.

      Mike's wife Cheryl uses a drum extensively in her work as a Shaman and it was about sixteen years ago when some of her clients began asking if he could make them a drum.  Soon Mike had a long list of people who wanted their own personal Shaman drum.

      The seed was sown.  Mike began to research methods of producing a high quality drum that would have wonderful resonance, be both light and very strong and be comfortable to hold for long periods of time.

                         Kindred Drums was born.

      Kindred Drums start their life in the forests of Tasmania and are all carefully hand made from timbers that have been salvaged during the construction of Tasmania's man made lakes.  Native timbers such as King Billy Pine, Blackwood, Huon Pine and Celery Top Pine are selected for their wonderful resonance, strength, and beauty.  Then, using methods passed down through generations of drum makers, the solid timber is formed into the hoop that will become your Kindred Drum.

      The selection of skin is vital for the life sounds of a Kindred Drum and only the finest hides are used.  They come from one supplier who understands exactly what qualities and features we require.

            Shamanic Drums
      The skin is laced on using a waxed natural fibre and then, one of Kindred Drums unique features, a Kindred Donut is attached to the centre of the lacing to make your drum easy to use and comfortable to hold.

            Native Drums
      The rawhide handhold has a cetral sheepskin grip to make the drum comfortable to hold.

            Rhythm Drums
      The flexible "pentacle" handhold makes the drum comfortable to hold.

      Kindred Drums are forty cm. (16 inches) in diameter and seven to twelve cm. (3 to 5 inches) deep and they are all hand made by Mike and Cheryl with love and attention to detail.  Each one has its own special sound and character.

      Mike also takes drum making workshops and gets enormous enjoyment from watching and helping as people assemble their own drum and see it come to life.

      Mike has extended the range of instruments he makes to include Irish Bodhráns,  Native American drums and other wooden percussion instruments to make use of his wood turning skills.

      Mike and Cheryl's Kindred Drum workshop and Shamanic Centre are situated beside their cottage overlooking Red Ochre Beach in the quiet seaside town of Dodges Ferry in Southern Tasmania where they offer their combined skills in workshops and body drumming.