Harriet Castillo

Harriet Elizabeth Castillo (born 23 August 1985, in Surrey Quays, London) is a drummer and occasional backing vocalist for funk-rock band Strange Chocolate alongside older brother Daryl Castillo.

Biography
Born to Filipino parents, Harriet has always been inquisitive, fidgety and musical in nature, something they and their parents would discover from a young age. At eight years old, old Harriet (along with their brother) would learn music together at the behest of their parents, studying classical piano. After learning for two years, Harriet would then matriculate to the Lewisham Academy of Music. There, they not only learned piano, but bass, guitar and drums as well. Harriet in particular was quick to learn. A year after joining, they would attend their first band workshop where Harriet began playing guitar. Later on, they would move to drums which has been their principle instrument ever since. While at the Academy, Harriet was tutored by Charles Hayward: former drummer of This Heat, Camberwell Now, and respected avant-garde touring musician. Under his tutelege, as well as numerous live performances in many hosted shows on behalf of the Academy, Harriet became a proficient drummer in short time. By the time the Lewisham Academy of Music closed in 2000, it left them with no access to a drum kit, except for rehearsal rooms which neither they or Daryl could afford over a regular basis.

It would be until 2002 that they would get their first drum kit, a welcome if not audible additon to their home. In 2005, when Jason Fernandes was recruited into the band after joining rehearsals, the band would then have access to a regular rehearsal space in the form of the local church hall and keep all musical equipment there. The band would then be known as Strange Chocolate, and performed as a trio for a certain stretch of time. Harriet remains a vital player in the band to this day often writing new music and advocating for a funk/soul sound.

Equipment
As of summer 2010, Harriet uses a Pearl Vision fusion birch kit in Concord Fade to accommodate their height and sound. Cymbals: All Zildjian sheet bronze Harriet mainly uses Vic Firth sticks (like 7A nylon, 8D, Steve Gadd signature) and also uses Light-up green Glowsticks, mallets, jazz rakes and Hot Rods.
 * 20x18 bass drum
 * 10x8 and 12x9 rack toms
 * 14x14 floor tom
 * 14x5.5 SensiTone Steel snare drum
 * Pearl hardware and pedals
 * ZXT 16" medium thin crash, 20" medium ride, 10" flash splash, 14" solid hi-hats
 * ZHT 16" china, old ZBT 14" crash

Trivia

 * Harriet is known for their quick and acerbic sense of humour, and "baby faced" appearance
 * Can solve different types of Rubik's Cubes, and because of that, is an avid Rubik's Cube collector
 * Harriet has a great knowledge of music in particular 80s, 90s and 00s R&B
 * Harriet goes by they/them pronouns and identifies as non-binary