METAL MAIDEN OF THE MONTH
June 2010
Brittany Paige........vocalist for KOBRA AND THE LOTUS
Name : Brittany Paige
Home : Calgary, AB, CANADA
Band Myspace: www.myspace.com/kobraandthelotus
Personal Myspace: www.myspace.com/39522054
Band Website: www.kobraandthelotus.com
THE METAL PIT: What vocalist(s) influenced you to be a singer?
I started with classical training so it was probably originally along the likes of Pavarotti haha. As I finished high school, I became intoxicated with voices from the 80’s like Halford, Blackie Lawless and Sebastian Bach. I also took a huge interest in Robert Plant. Hmm I can’t leave out Dave Mustaine.
You were a classical
trained singer. Why the switch to metal?
When I was in grade 9, a very traumatic event happened at the beginning of the year and I quit all singing and musical training with no intention of ever singing again. During high school I really started to embrace alot of the 80’s heavy metal riffage. I was snowboarding a lot, and I found it made my blood pump when I would rip down the hill. I decided it would be awesome to have some buddies to jam with so that is exactly what I did. I found Chris and Matt in an ad on the internet and worked my way into their jam space. It was a fantastic thing to be able to use my previous experience in music and transfer it over to something heavy but very melodic. I believe metal has a lot of classical roots, it can be very beautiful and have a lot of depth. It is a very natural transition.
The internet is a great way to get your
music out there but also a great way for people to give there opinions on
bands, some good and some bad. If you read a bad review or bad comment how does
it effect you or does it?
You know, in the beginning when we weren’t used to it, it definitely stung, but then you realize life’s not about rumors or one persons opinion, it’s about the music! There is also a fine line between realizing what is constructive criticism and what is not. It is a whole new world you are entering into when your band starts to play a role in the media. Now I realize, no matter what industry, there will always be some negative Nancy’s out there. As long as you stay true to yourself and know who you are, it doesn’t even matter what people say. All I can do is keep creating and putting the work out there.
And what about good reviews? Does that
have any bearing on how you feel about your music or do you just do it and hope
people like it?
We basically just do it and hope
people like it! Even if we get a good review, that does not mean we are great. You
can never stop challenging yourself because otherwise you would never know what
you are capable of.
Does your family/friends support you in this metal part of
your life?
I’m blessed to have such an understanding and supportive family. We are all a little quirky and artistic so my parents never tried to push my siblings and I in any direction we didn’t feel passionate with. As for my friends, they are wonderful and all on their own paths. It’s sometimes hard for us to keep complete tabs on each other but, nevertheless we are all proud of each other.
You mentioned influences above but is there any one vocalist that really made
you think that’s what I want to do?
Hmm, maybe Mick Jagger. I saw the Rolling Stones in grade 12 and was sold on the idea of being a Rockstar after that. I couldn’t believe how many people were there to rock out with them and though his moves were crazy, his presence was intensely captivating!
How did Kevin Shirley help you out with your vocals for OUT OF THE PIT?
He basically stripped me of all effects. He took the “production” down and brought the “reality” up. His working process usually included me only singing through a song 3 or 4 times then calling it a wrap. He also brought out the bigger chest tone, constantly reminding me to remember my classical “roots” to ensure my genuine vocal sound was being portrayed.
Even though there is a abundance of
female singers in metal now do you still feel you have to prove yourself to be
taken seriously in the metal world's eyes?
Yes. Though the world has changed quite a bit over the last few decades, I
absolutely still feel the pressure but it is a wonderful thing. It is challenge
and it pushes me to try even harder. I want to encourage woman to be strong and
do whatever they want in life and find that career or path that empowers them from
within.
How did you join Kobra and the Lotus?
Well, story has it, I found Chris and Matt on an internet ad; they were looking
for a drummer. I really wanted people to jam with so I insisted on singing with
them. We really clicked and within our first jam we wrote a song together. We
then proceeded to write almost a whole albums’ worth of songs before we even
started playing shows. After 3 years and many bass players and drummers, we
finally formed a solid line up last March that became Kobra and the Lotus. As
it turns out, I was the Lotus all along haha.
Do you have any favourite songs from the
OUT OF THE PIT cd that you really enjoy performing live over others?
Yes, hands down I love performing
The Ballad of Jane Doe.
If you could sing a Metal duet with any other metal
vocalist who would it be and why? (This interview was done before RJD passed away)
Hmm, probably Ronnie James DIO! We’d write a song with Apocalyptica ! Those Cellos make me melt. If I was lucky enough I would also have Chris Broderick, (formerly of Jag Panzer now Megadeath ) play along with us. I would be in sheer musical heaven.
What band do you wish you could open up
for?
I can’t hide from this one, hands down W.A.S.P.
How do you prepare for stepping out on
stage?
I set my intentions and try to envision my performance in my head. I will
usually watch the other bands and hum while watching them. 20 minutes before we
play, I step aside and do some warm up exercises as well as a small meditation.
I will also thank everyone in my heart, for coming out to see us and focus on
delivering 110% of myself for the fans and my band mates.
Your vocals on LEGEND would put people
in the mind of bands like NIGHTWISH. Did you have any thoughts of wanting to be
in a Metal band where you sang like that for every song?
No. I would never want to do that because it is not a true expression of
myself. I am classically trained but I have an imperfect sound. All of those characteristics express the real
me.
Where do you get inspiration for your lyrics?
I write about events or issues that I feel need to be address more... by
society. I also focus on writing about having good intentions with the way a
person moves forward with their life.
How does it feel to be the 2nd Canadian Metal Maiden of the Month in THE METAL
PIT? (only other one is Alissa White-Gluz from THE AGONIST)
It’s wonderful! Thank you so much for the opportunity! Alissa is one strong
lady doing her thing out there and I am very esteemed to be featured after such
a woman! Not to mention her hair is also kick-butt haha!
Thank you for being our METAL MAIDEN OF THE MONTH. Any
closing thoughts for your current new fans?
Yep. THANKYOUUUU!!!!!! We owe everything
to the fans. If they weren’t there to support us we wouldn’t exist!
Check out Previous METAL MAIDENS OF THE MONTH
