We are so happy to be celebrating our fifth anniversary. We know this year has been tough, so we want to end it on a high note. During these five years, we met a lot of people, made many friends, and shared a lot of stories. Some of these stories ending up in karaoke bars!

Darkside started as a luxury eyewear brand but became much more than that. We are always growing and evolving with the people around us that inspire us. It is a space to share what is done in Portugal in various areas. This month is particularly special. To celebrate the fifth anniversary we gathered 5 women, strong personalities, with distinct but equally fantastic careers.

Sharing our anniversary is Anna Prior. So happy birthday to her too! The super cool drummer from Metronomy is Sagittarius like us (not Aquarius). The sign of celebration and joy. We couldn't be in better company. Anna has inspired girls all over the world to start playing drums, including me! She has been my inspiration since the first time I saw her in “The Bay“ in 2011, which is also one of her favorite songs. It has one sick beat! She recently chose Lisbon to live in and has already chosen a soccer team, but we won’t talk about that!

So tell me, when did you start drumming, and what first attracted you to it?

I started drumming when I was 14 and it was kind of by accident. I just tried to play one afternoon at school and it came very easily and naturally to me, so I wanted to explore them more deeply. I started having lessons, first at school, and then with a teacher at the local music shop.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?

You have to practice, practice, practice. Also, I found it helpful to start a band and play with other people - as a drummer, it's important to know how to play with others.

Who do you admire?

I admire Sheila E, mainly. She is my queen. There are so many incredible female drummers out there these days.

With whom would you love to collaborate?

I would like to have a drum battle with Dave Grohl.

What was the most challenging music/project for you?

I've recently started writing music for myself and it's a huge challenge for me - navigating the music software and my own anxieties about whether what I make is good, or not.

When did you feel that it all changed in your career?

In 2008 when I started playing with Dev Hynes - I hadn't really toured outside of the UK before then. So it was a real turning point for me - I went to Japan, America, Australia, and all over Europe. It was a very exciting time.

Can you tell me of any funny situation while you were on tour?

In February, we were in Montreal in Canada and it was snowing A LOT. When the time came for our tour bus to leave for the next city, the snow was so deep we had to find spades to dig the wheels out of the snow. It was funny because we were drunk, which actually helped keep us warm.