Live on KEXP Ragana (Live on KEXP)
Feb 16, 2026
Noel Gilson, guitarist/drummer/vocalist in Ragana who co-writes and performs, and Maria Stocke, drummer/guitarist/vocalist and songwriter, swap instruments and talk craft. They discuss inventive drum-forward songwriting, early attic recordings versus studio work, collaborations including a Roadburn commission, and plans for new recordings and upcoming three-piece shows.
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Drummers Who Swap Instruments
- Maria and Noel explain they both started primarily as drummers and swapped instruments when writing songs.
- They still alternate guitar and drums live, which shaped their songwriting and performance style.
Rhythm First Shapes Songwriting
- Their drummers-first approach gives drumming a central creative role, making rhythms a songwriting focus.
- Alternating instruments keeps arrangements dynamic and highlights percussion complexity.
Recording Evolved With Experience
- Recording quality and experience evolved from an attic analog-to-digital setup to professional sessions over several albums.
- This growth made studio work more comfortable and exciting for the band.