METAL PIT INTERVIEW
Interview with Julie Westlake of HYDROGYN. Interview by BLAKE. June 2009.
Former Metal Maiden of the Month Julie Westlake of HYDROGYN does her 2nd interview with THE METAL PIT talking more about the band, herself and the bands appearance at Flight of the Valkyries Festival (June 2009)
THE METAL PIT: What do you think about playing a festival that is featuring all bands with female vocalists?
Julie Westlake: I think that it is awesome. I am glad to see these type of festivals happen for the girls but I am not opposed to kicking some guys butts either. We were part of the Powerbox 2 years ago and myself and the band thing it is great
THE METAL PIT: You used to sing country. Why the change to Metal/rock?
Julie: I just thought it would be fun and it has proven to be just that. I still however do the country thing from time to time and I have a new solo project in the works that visits that side of me as well.
THE METAL PIT: Your band has did a few cover songs. Do you feel any pressure of doing those songs knowing the die hard fans of the bands you cover are going to be so judgemental of your version?
Julie: Does not bother me at all. We are doing our version of it and I know there are going to be die hard fans out there that do not want to hear it but I dont care. We do it because we want to because it is a great song and if people dig it then great ; if they dont thats great to. Go check out our medly of Still of the night and Rainbow in the Dark on our myspace. We do that type of stuff all the time nd we mostly do it because we enjoy it.
THE METAL PIT: Do you have songs on your mind your hoping to cover in the future?
Julie: Not really. Had no intentions of ever doing any of the ones we have done to this point. THey were always brought up at the last minute and we worked them up and bam there ya have it . ahahahahahahaha . Jeff Westlake and the guys are excellent musicians so it takes them literally just minutes to work up a cover tune so ya never know what might happen and who may suggest something next.
THE METAL PIT: Your recording a solo album. Can you give any insight on that?
Julie: It is a Julie Westlake solo record all the way. THere are different types of music out there that I love to sing no matter if it is country, blues, jazz, easy listening what ever it may be. We have 3 songs finished at this point and alot of stuff done for demos so it is just a matter of finishing up right now. In some cases the guys in the band are playing on the songs and in others it will be specialty guys for others that fit better. I hope to have it out this year.
THE METAL PIT: Where do you get your inspiration or ideas for your lyrics?
Julie: Most often from real life events. People and situations that go in my life with people i know are the most common inspirations. THe new CD Deadly Passions is one Cd full of everything that has happened in my life of late made possible by people around me. None of the songs have anything to do with the band members it is all people outside the band, friends old relationships that type of stuff. I generally have to be good and mad at someone to write a song. Love songs are not my strong point ahahahahaha. Most of my lyrics are deep and a bit dark because I am so ticked at someone with the exception of a song like Silent ANimation or Shadow that are a bit different from that.
THE METAL PIT: If Hydrogyn could tour with any band what band would you choose?
Julie: There are a couple. Any Version of a DIO based band of course. Ted Nugent or Aerosmith also Whitesnake. Those are faves of mine and the guys. We would also love to do a string of dates With Benedictum as well if we can ever get that put together. WHat a great bill that would be.
THE METAL PIT: Has work begun on the next Hydrogyn release?
Julie: Oh yes. CD title in place some of the material has been demo'd and we head off to Michael Wageners to record the first track for that release on MAy 21st. We will be shooting the CD cover this summer and the CD should be released in Feb or so of next year.
THE METAL PIT: Back to the festival which has all female vocalists but different types of metal/rock bands. Do you feel like your competing with the other bands to win over new fans? (Flight of the Valykries--June. 2009)
Julie: Not at all. This is not a competition at all to me. We go out every night and put on a great energetic show and if others want to compete with us then let them but we are there for the fans and to support the event. I am just as anxious to see and hear these bands as the fans so lets just have a great time enjoy each other and kick some butt.
THE METAL PIT: Thanks Julie for doing this interview.
Julie: No problem Blake and see you soon.
Julie Westlake Website http://www.juliewestlake.com
Hydrogyn Website http://www.hyrdogyn.com
Former Metal Maiden of the Month Julie Westlake of HYDROGYN does her 2nd interview with THE METAL PIT talking more about the band, herself and the bands appearance at Flight of the Valkyries Festival (June 2009)
THE METAL PIT: What do you think about playing a festival that is featuring all bands with female vocalists?
Julie Westlake: I think that it is awesome. I am glad to see these type of festivals happen for the girls but I am not opposed to kicking some guys butts either. We were part of the Powerbox 2 years ago and myself and the band thing it is great
THE METAL PIT: You used to sing country. Why the change to Metal/rock?
Julie: I just thought it would be fun and it has proven to be just that. I still however do the country thing from time to time and I have a new solo project in the works that visits that side of me as well.
THE METAL PIT: Your band has did a few cover songs. Do you feel any pressure of doing those songs knowing the die hard fans of the bands you cover are going to be so judgemental of your version?
Julie: Does not bother me at all. We are doing our version of it and I know there are going to be die hard fans out there that do not want to hear it but I dont care. We do it because we want to because it is a great song and if people dig it then great ; if they dont thats great to. Go check out our medly of Still of the night and Rainbow in the Dark on our myspace. We do that type of stuff all the time nd we mostly do it because we enjoy it.
THE METAL PIT: Do you have songs on your mind your hoping to cover in the future?
Julie: Not really. Had no intentions of ever doing any of the ones we have done to this point. THey were always brought up at the last minute and we worked them up and bam there ya have it . ahahahahahahaha . Jeff Westlake and the guys are excellent musicians so it takes them literally just minutes to work up a cover tune so ya never know what might happen and who may suggest something next.
THE METAL PIT: Your recording a solo album. Can you give any insight on that?
Julie: It is a Julie Westlake solo record all the way. THere are different types of music out there that I love to sing no matter if it is country, blues, jazz, easy listening what ever it may be. We have 3 songs finished at this point and alot of stuff done for demos so it is just a matter of finishing up right now. In some cases the guys in the band are playing on the songs and in others it will be specialty guys for others that fit better. I hope to have it out this year.
THE METAL PIT: Where do you get your inspiration or ideas for your lyrics?
Julie: Most often from real life events. People and situations that go in my life with people i know are the most common inspirations. THe new CD Deadly Passions is one Cd full of everything that has happened in my life of late made possible by people around me. None of the songs have anything to do with the band members it is all people outside the band, friends old relationships that type of stuff. I generally have to be good and mad at someone to write a song. Love songs are not my strong point ahahahahaha. Most of my lyrics are deep and a bit dark because I am so ticked at someone with the exception of a song like Silent ANimation or Shadow that are a bit different from that.
THE METAL PIT: If Hydrogyn could tour with any band what band would you choose?
Julie: There are a couple. Any Version of a DIO based band of course. Ted Nugent or Aerosmith also Whitesnake. Those are faves of mine and the guys. We would also love to do a string of dates With Benedictum as well if we can ever get that put together. WHat a great bill that would be.
THE METAL PIT: Has work begun on the next Hydrogyn release?
Julie: Oh yes. CD title in place some of the material has been demo'd and we head off to Michael Wageners to record the first track for that release on MAy 21st. We will be shooting the CD cover this summer and the CD should be released in Feb or so of next year.
THE METAL PIT: Back to the festival which has all female vocalists but different types of metal/rock bands. Do you feel like your competing with the other bands to win over new fans? (Flight of the Valykries--June. 2009)
Julie: Not at all. This is not a competition at all to me. We go out every night and put on a great energetic show and if others want to compete with us then let them but we are there for the fans and to support the event. I am just as anxious to see and hear these bands as the fans so lets just have a great time enjoy each other and kick some butt.
THE METAL PIT: Thanks Julie for doing this interview.
Julie: No problem Blake and see you soon.
Julie Westlake Website http://www.juliewestlake.com
Hydrogyn Website http://www.hyrdogyn.com
