The SABIAN Podcast: Season 1 Episode 4 Jess Bowen on Fear, Visibility & Taking Up Space

SABIAN artist Jess Bowen (The Summer Set) joins us for an International Women’s Day conversation about drumming, visibility, and what it takes to build a career in rock when you’re done asking for permission.

Guest host Stacey Montgomery-Clark (Senior VP of Marketing & Sales at SABIAN) sits down with Jess to trace the path from a ten-year-old who believed, “girls didn’t play drums,” to a globally touring musician, Warped Tour staple, and one of the most recognizable female drummers in modern rock.

Jess talks candidly about confidence, and where it actually comes from, the role of failure in growth, and what it really takes to build a lasting career in an industry where women are redefining the stage.

From festival sets to Netflix’s Count Me In and viral drum moments, this episode is a reminder that “taking up space” matters.

If you have ever doubted yourself or hesitated before taking a leap, this conversation is for you.

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👇 In this episode, we cover:
00:00 - Life on the Road – Touring & the New Album Cycle
01:21 - How Jess Bowen Started Drumming at Age 10
03:00 - Why Drumming Became Her “Happy Place”
04:45 - From School Jazz Band to Warped Tour – The Summer Set Journey
09:30 - The Reality of Band Life – Hiatus, Burnout & Career Transitions
11:00 - The Hiatus That Made Her a Better Drummer
13:10 - Female Drummers & Representation in Rock
14:59 - Why Diversity Makes Bands Stronger
16:30 - Overcoming Fear & Imposter Syndrome
23:22 - Count Me In – Playing Drums with Her Idols
29:30 - Jess Bowen’s Current Setup
31:40 - Why Jess Bowen Chooses SABIAN Cymbals
33:27 - Finding Her Voice – Authenticity, Confidence & Taking Up Space

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