Drummer and composer Maria Bovin de Labbé swapped Stockholm’s rock clubs for a quiet Norwegian peninsula, where she explores rhythm as meditation rather than machismo.

Her ‘mindful drumming’ blends frame drums, clay darbuka and classic kit work into melodic soundscapes that invite listeners to breathe, slow down and feel every beat.

‘When I first sat behind a drum kit it felt like coming home’ – join Maria to hear how that moment sparked a lifelong journey into mindful rhythm.

Maria is a Swedish drummer, artist and teacher whose ‘mindful drumming’ prioritises presence, lightness and melody over volume and speed. Trained in styles ranging from hard rock to Middle-Eastern hand drums, she now performs solo, with her trio Sweet Like Time and at intimate events, using rhythm to create contemplative space.

In this interview she explains how drumming aided her recovery from anorexia, why silence is as important as sound and what she learned by drumming with pregnant women for a music-therapy research project.

Experience more of Maria’s music, videos and teaching at BovinDeLabbe.com, and follow her rhythmic experiments on Instagram or YouTube.

Hosted by creative coach and award-winning poet Mark McGuinness, The 21st Century Creative podcast helps you succeed as a creative professional amid the demands, distractions and opportunities of the 21st century.

Each episode features insights from Mark and interviews with outstanding creators – including artists, writers, performers, commercial creatives, directors, producers, entrepreneurs and other creative thought-leaders.

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The post Mindful Drumming with Maria Bovin de Labbé appeared first on Creative Coach | Mark McGuinness.