METAL MAIDEN OF THE MONTH
FEBRUARY 2010
ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ
The Metal Pit's "MAIDEN" of the month for February 2010 :
Alissa White - Glutz, vocalist for the band The Agonist
Name : Alissa White - Gluz
Age: 24
Home : Montreal, QC, Canada
Band Myspace: www.myspace.com/theagonist
Alissa White - Glutz, vocalist for the band The Agonist
Name : Alissa White - Gluz
Age: 24
Home : Montreal, QC, Canada
Band Myspace: www.myspace.com/theagonist
Metal Pit : Greetings Alissa,and welcome to the Metal Pit.
Metal Pit : First of all let me congratulate you and the band on the
success of the new cd "Lullabies for the Dormant mind"
which I think is just an Amazing cd and a great example of the range and talent of this band collectively.Where
did the title of the cd come from and where did the band draw inspiration for the songs and concept of the cd?
Alissa White - Gluz: This album was created through a very difficult and strange process, not at all what I was expecting to do for a recording. The way a lullaby is intended to lull an active mind to sleep, we intend our songs to awaken a dormant mind. The concept was pretty much based out of a collective consciousness; I asked fans to write in to me about things that bothered or empowered them, and I drew inspiration to write about certain things from that, so the whole album was a very
interactive process, and it's nice to think that people from all over the world have contributed to it's success in many ways. The visuals were a fusion of my own ideas and those of artist Natalie Shau. Otherwise, we pretty much just did what any band does and created music together.
Metal Pit : I personally would have thought it
difficult to produce a better cd than you first one "Once only Imagined" (
which I thought was a Metal classic ), but the new cd is a step above and I
feel takes this band to the next level,would you agree?
Thank you! Yes, I would, and I think that the third album will be yet another step forward!
Metal Pit : I know you are a huge animal rights activist and some of the band's songs definitley reflect that,what are
some other issues that inspire you when writing new music?
A lot of social and humanitarian issues also affect my way of thinking and therefore my writing, but I also like to simply explore words as tools of creation and write songs that evoke moods and images without directly stating an opinion.
Metal Pit : Are you the main lyricist for the band?
Yes I write all the lyrics.
Metal Pit : Some of my favorite tunes on the new cd are "Birds elope with the Sun" , "Globus Hystericus" and "Chlorpromazine",
can you tell us a little about these tunes and maybe which song on the cd holds a special meaning for you?
All the songs hold their own special meanings. They are all my babies! Birds Elope with the Sun was a very fun song to write and is fun to perform. It's more of an abstract, verbose poem compared to some of my other songs. Globus Hystericus was also interesting and introspective to write, I toyed with the lyrics a lot before solidifying them. Chlorpromazine was based on a subject suggested by a fan and then brought closer to home with the injection of my own personal relationship with the subject matter - also one of my favorites. Then again, I could say that about Martyr Art and many other songs too.
Metal Pit : The Agonist has been a unique band for alot of reasons but the main one for me is the fact that you are not
an easy band to catagorize with elements of Death Metal, Thrash, Symphonic and even some classical and jazz music thrown into the mix, is that something that you and the band have strived for, not wanting to fit into any kind of preconceived mold?
It wasn't so much the desire to break the mold as it is the dislike of restricting the creative process.
Metal Pit : Video seems to play a very big part in what this band is all about and unlike alot of bands who just throw anything
together at the last moment,you guys really take the time to make some quality vids, is this something you personally enjoy doing because you seem like a complete natural behind the camera?
I guess that varies for each band member - as a visual artist I really concern myself with and appreciate the imagery associated with music and therefore place a lot of importance on the music videos. David Brodsky is the man behind all 3 singles' videos thus far, and we hope to explore and get more and more creative with our visuals with time.
Metal Pit : Do you like the costume changes and the whole dressing up thing?
Well, I honestly don't really have costume changes - I wear the exact same stage outfit all tour! But, yes I do like to get expressive with my wardrobe.
Metal Pit : I thought "Business suits and Combat boots" from your first cd was an amazing video and it really got the band quite a bit of exposure, how did the concept for the new vid "Thank you Pain" come about?
That concept was the result of really wanting to stay true to the lyrics of the song while visually representing the epic feel of the
song.... lots of contemplating went into that one!
Metal Pit : I love the idea of you playing all the parts in the courtroom, very cool idea..., who came up with that?
That was mine and the band's idea... thanks!
Metal Pit : There seem to be more and more females coming onto the Metal scene that are using both clean vocals and the growling technique, in your opinion which technique is harder to do?
Hmm... they are both pretty easy on a healthy throat, but if I'm sick, the growling is more difficult. Because live sound is always so terrible, it's probably harder to do the clean singing - because things like pitch and key become important and it's almost impossible to hear anything but white noise on stage.
Metal Pit : At what age did you decide singing was something you wanted to do as a profession?
Age 17.. when I joined my first band.
Metal Pit : What kinds of things do you personally do to take care of your voice?
I maintain a healthy, vegan, straight-edge lifestyle and exercise regularly. A healthy body is a healthy throat.
Metal Pit : What band or artist influenced you to get into Heavy Metal?
I'm not really sure... I only really started discovering all the great metal bands I now admire after I had already formed my first band.
Metal Pit : Who are some of the current bands today you would love to share the stage with?
Oh man, there are so many! To name a few, Arch Enemy, Strapping Young Lad, In Flames, Opeth, etc.
Metal Pit : Women in Metal are more popular than ever and seem to finally be getting some of the respect they deserve as musicians, would you agree with that or do you still think there are some stereotypes that we have to overcome?
I think there will always be stereotypes hindering progress, really in any field for anyone. The scene is definitely evolving and changing though, and it's nice to come across a bit more equality in the arts.
Metal Pit : What advice would you offer to young women who may want to follow in your footsteps and are you comfortable
with being a role model for them?
Honestly, I am flattered and proud to inspire young women. I would much rather them have me as a role model than a lot of the other women they see (if I can say that without coming across as totally ridiculous). Seeing a young girl gain the confidence to start a band is one of the greatest rewards I get in this business.
Metal Pit : The band is about to embark on a tour of Japan, is this your first time there and are you excited about playing for
your Japanese fans?
It is our first time, and we are ECSTATIC! We have heard that Japan is an amazing place to play and we feel so honored to be invited to share our music with a country so far away.
Metal Pit : Where does your tour take you from there?
Only time will tell!
Metal Pit : Where can potential fans
buy music and merch from "The Agonist"?
On our myspace page there are links to online stores for merch and music (please write to us if the links dont work for some reason!)... but, of course, the best place is at one of our shows where you can buy it directly from us!
Metal Pit : Is there anythng about your self or the band you would like to share with us today that maybe we did not cover?
Hmm... well, there are a lot of things, but this has been a pretty thorough interview.
Metal Pit : What does it mean to you to be chosen as the Metal Pit's Metal Maiden of the month?
It's great! Thanks so much!
Metal Pit : Alissa,on behalf of my self and the Metal Pit we want to thank you for taking time for us today.The new cd is great and we wish you and the band the best of luck in 2010 and beyond.
Horns up brothers and sisters....
Nick Rohm.
which I think is just an Amazing cd and a great example of the range and talent of this band collectively.Where
did the title of the cd come from and where did the band draw inspiration for the songs and concept of the cd?
Alissa White - Gluz: This album was created through a very difficult and strange process, not at all what I was expecting to do for a recording. The way a lullaby is intended to lull an active mind to sleep, we intend our songs to awaken a dormant mind. The concept was pretty much based out of a collective consciousness; I asked fans to write in to me about things that bothered or empowered them, and I drew inspiration to write about certain things from that, so the whole album was a very
interactive process, and it's nice to think that people from all over the world have contributed to it's success in many ways. The visuals were a fusion of my own ideas and those of artist Natalie Shau. Otherwise, we pretty much just did what any band does and created music together.
Metal Pit : I personally would have thought it
difficult to produce a better cd than you first one "Once only Imagined" (
which I thought was a Metal classic ), but the new cd is a step above and I
feel takes this band to the next level,would you agree?Thank you! Yes, I would, and I think that the third album will be yet another step forward!
Metal Pit : I know you are a huge animal rights activist and some of the band's songs definitley reflect that,what are
some other issues that inspire you when writing new music?
A lot of social and humanitarian issues also affect my way of thinking and therefore my writing, but I also like to simply explore words as tools of creation and write songs that evoke moods and images without directly stating an opinion.
Metal Pit : Are you the main lyricist for the band?
Yes I write all the lyrics.
Metal Pit : Some of my favorite tunes on the new cd are "Birds elope with the Sun" , "Globus Hystericus" and "Chlorpromazine",
can you tell us a little about these tunes and maybe which song on the cd holds a special meaning for you?
All the songs hold their own special meanings. They are all my babies! Birds Elope with the Sun was a very fun song to write and is fun to perform. It's more of an abstract, verbose poem compared to some of my other songs. Globus Hystericus was also interesting and introspective to write, I toyed with the lyrics a lot before solidifying them. Chlorpromazine was based on a subject suggested by a fan and then brought closer to home with the injection of my own personal relationship with the subject matter - also one of my favorites. Then again, I could say that about Martyr Art and many other songs too.
Metal Pit : The Agonist has been a unique band for alot of reasons but the main one for me is the fact that you are not
an easy band to catagorize with elements of Death Metal, Thrash, Symphonic and even some classical and jazz music thrown into the mix, is that something that you and the band have strived for, not wanting to fit into any kind of preconceived mold?
It wasn't so much the desire to break the mold as it is the dislike of restricting the creative process.
Metal Pit : Video seems to play a very big part in what this band is all about and unlike alot of bands who just throw anything
together at the last moment,you guys really take the time to make some quality vids, is this something you personally enjoy doing because you seem like a complete natural behind the camera?
I guess that varies for each band member - as a visual artist I really concern myself with and appreciate the imagery associated with music and therefore place a lot of importance on the music videos. David Brodsky is the man behind all 3 singles' videos thus far, and we hope to explore and get more and more creative with our visuals with time.
Metal Pit : Do you like the costume changes and the whole dressing up thing?
Well, I honestly don't really have costume changes - I wear the exact same stage outfit all tour! But, yes I do like to get expressive with my wardrobe.
Metal Pit : I thought "Business suits and Combat boots" from your first cd was an amazing video and it really got the band quite a bit of exposure, how did the concept for the new vid "Thank you Pain" come about?
That concept was the result of really wanting to stay true to the lyrics of the song while visually representing the epic feel of the
song.... lots of contemplating went into that one!
Metal Pit : I love the idea of you playing all the parts in the courtroom, very cool idea..., who came up with that?
That was mine and the band's idea... thanks!
Metal Pit : There seem to be more and more females coming onto the Metal scene that are using both clean vocals and the growling technique, in your opinion which technique is harder to do?
Hmm... they are both pretty easy on a healthy throat, but if I'm sick, the growling is more difficult. Because live sound is always so terrible, it's probably harder to do the clean singing - because things like pitch and key become important and it's almost impossible to hear anything but white noise on stage.
Metal Pit : At what age did you decide singing was something you wanted to do as a profession?
Age 17.. when I joined my first band.
Metal Pit : What kinds of things do you personally do to take care of your voice?
I maintain a healthy, vegan, straight-edge lifestyle and exercise regularly. A healthy body is a healthy throat.
Metal Pit : What band or artist influenced you to get into Heavy Metal?
I'm not really sure... I only really started discovering all the great metal bands I now admire after I had already formed my first band.
Metal Pit : Who are some of the current bands today you would love to share the stage with?
Oh man, there are so many! To name a few, Arch Enemy, Strapping Young Lad, In Flames, Opeth, etc.
Metal Pit : Women in Metal are more popular than ever and seem to finally be getting some of the respect they deserve as musicians, would you agree with that or do you still think there are some stereotypes that we have to overcome?
I think there will always be stereotypes hindering progress, really in any field for anyone. The scene is definitely evolving and changing though, and it's nice to come across a bit more equality in the arts.
Metal Pit : What advice would you offer to young women who may want to follow in your footsteps and are you comfortable
with being a role model for them?
Honestly, I am flattered and proud to inspire young women. I would much rather them have me as a role model than a lot of the other women they see (if I can say that without coming across as totally ridiculous). Seeing a young girl gain the confidence to start a band is one of the greatest rewards I get in this business.
Metal Pit : The band is about to embark on a tour of Japan, is this your first time there and are you excited about playing for
your Japanese fans?
It is our first time, and we are ECSTATIC! We have heard that Japan is an amazing place to play and we feel so honored to be invited to share our music with a country so far away.
Metal Pit : Where does your tour take you from there?
Only time will tell!
Metal Pit : Where can potential fans
buy music and merch from "The Agonist"?On our myspace page there are links to online stores for merch and music (please write to us if the links dont work for some reason!)... but, of course, the best place is at one of our shows where you can buy it directly from us!
Metal Pit : Is there anythng about your self or the band you would like to share with us today that maybe we did not cover?
Hmm... well, there are a lot of things, but this has been a pretty thorough interview.
Metal Pit : What does it mean to you to be chosen as the Metal Pit's Metal Maiden of the month?
It's great! Thanks so much!
Metal Pit : Alissa,on behalf of my self and the Metal Pit we want to thank you for taking time for us today.The new cd is great and we wish you and the band the best of luck in 2010 and beyond.
Horns up brothers and sisters....
Nick Rohm.
Check out Previous METAL MAIDENS OF THE MONTH
