Being out on the road and being a woman and being in a all-female band,

like experiencing the massive amounts of sexism all the time,

and thinking like, wow, I wish there were, I find a new community

or other women who were playing music or could guide me or mentor me.

So when I went to Portland, I was so moved by this really incredible space they'd created to just have females

collaborating.

This is Joe Wong. Welcome to the Trap Set, where each week we explore the lives of drummers.

I want to play something for you. You're hearing Browntown by Raining Jane, featuring my guest Mona Tavacoli on percussion.

Mona began playing at age 11, eventually becoming a star tenor drummer in high school.

She co-founded Raining Jane in 1999 and her stunningly versatile and inventive

work with the still active band brought her to the attention of a host of collaborators including

Jason Maraz, Pat Benatar, and international superstar Ebby. Aside from her work as a performer,

Mona co-founded the LA-based nonprofit Rock and Roll Camp for Girls.

She also recently developed her signature Cajon, MT Box, with LP, and was featured on the cover of Drum Magazine.

I spoke to her in downtown Los Angeles.

And now my conversation with Mona Tabicoli.

My mom was a nurse, and she became a nursing supervisor.

And then my dad was like a banker.

He worked at Bank of America.

I always get excited when people's parents are nurses because my mother's a nurse. Oh!

And I think it takes a special person to be a nurse.

You nailed it.

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