This week, I’m joined by Thomas Waltrich — a drummer, Twitch streamer, educator, and content creator based in Naarm/Melbourne. With a background in jazz and contemporary music from Monash University, Thomas has played across a wide range of genres, from folk and post-rock to punk hardcore and free improvisation. His passion for drumming and creativity is at the heart of everything he does, whether it’s performing, recording, or sharing his journey online.

But Thomas’s story isn’t just about music—he’s also a full-time school teacher and has spent time living overseas, immersing himself in different cultures, learning languages, and taking part in skill exchanges that have shaped his perspective on music and life. We talk about how those experiences influenced his creative approach, as well as the challenges of moving to a new city and rebuilding connections from scratch.

We also dive into leading a music project, navigating social media as a musician (including his work in Instagram drumming and Twitch streaming), and balancing a full-time job with the pursuit of a music career. Thomas shares how his relationship with music has evolved over time—including stepping away and coming back—and what it means to create for passion rather than expectation.

There’s a lot of trying and a lot of challenges, but also plenty of insight, creativity, and inspiration in this conversation. If you're a musician figuring out how to balance multiple pursuits, this one is for you!