Episode 10: Steele Turkington

Steele Turkington.

Drummer, and one of Australia's leading/groundbreaking drum restorers and instrument makers. Founder and owner of Kentville Drums. 

"I'm often asked... what’s the Kentville story Won't you tell us the tale?

Well, I started Kentville Drums with the simple aim of providing the Sydney community with a dedicated drum repair service, and in true Australian form, necessity really mothered invention. While I brought twenty years of experience as a drummer and my existing workshop skills with me to this job, I've never stopped learning or adding strings to my bow along the way. Over the years I’ve made my own tools to suit strange new tasks, honed my techniques and established my own style and school of approach to restoration. Today I’m fortunate to find my work and my products in demand across Australia and around the world.

As a lifelong annoying perfectionist, I devote myself to detail and quality. Whether I’m working for a studio or a symphony orchestra, The Rolling Stones or the local primary school, I’m always committed to providing every one of my clients my best work and the outcome they need.

Beyond restoration services, I’m dedicated to upholding the great traditions of rawhide drumhead lapping by continuing to produce my kangaroo hide drumheads, which are today being played by drummers and percussionists in a wide array of genres across five continents. Every drumhead is made entirely by hand, amongst the bell birds and red gums at my workshop in beautiful Kurrajong, just outside Sydney.

Steele Turkington"

Recorded in Kurrajong, NSW Australia 24/10/18