Metal Maiden of the Month

METAL MAIDEN OF THE MONTH

APRIL

JULIE WESTLAKE

Interview done by NICK

The Metal Pit's "MAIDEN" of the month for April 2009 :

Julie Westlake vocalist for the band Hydrogyn

Names : Julie Westlake
Age: 29
Home : Ashland, Kentucky (U.S.A)
Myspace page: www.myspace.com/juliewestlake

Band Website: www.hydrogyn.com

Metal Pit : Hello Julie,thanks so much for taking time to talk with us today. Your band Hydrogyn has really made some major waves on the Metal scene in just a few years,
how do you explain the band's popularity?

Julie Westlake : I would have to say the internet has a lot to do with it. Not to brag, but I think the band has a good sound, which is important too. But we have gained so many fans through the internet. We have reached places we would have never been able to without it. Bands need to take advantage of sites like Myspace and Facebook. Anyway to get your name out there, DO IT.

Metal Pit : You guys seemed to catch the eyes and ears of some industry heavywieghts in the early days, was that something you planned or did it just kind of fall into place?

Julie: In this industry, I dont think you ever really know whats gonna happen from one day to the next. So I think things just fell into place for us. Being able to record with legend Michael Wagoner was huge for us, and was something that we hadn't been planning on. We were given his number from a friend, and contacted him and it all worked out.

Metal Pit: How did you hook up with Hydrogyn?

Julie: It all really started back in 2003 when I was still doing country music. Couple the guys in the band played for me. And then one day they needed a vocalist and asked me to try it, and I did. I really enjoyed the challenge as its very different then what I was used to, but it worked and here we are.

Metal Pit: You have proven to be a multi-talented singer capable of an amazing range,how long have you
been singing and when did you decide you wanted to do this professionally?

Julie: Thank you. I've been singing ever since I can remember, but I think I always knew I wanted to have a career in music. I didnt know exactly what it would be, but from a young age I knew I wanted to perform.

Metal Pit: Have you ever been inclined to try the "growling" vocal technique?

Julie: Uh...no...lol. I leave that up to Chris our bass player. I dont think its quite my style, but can be very cool when used in the proper place in a song. We actually have some new stuff we are working on, and we feature Chris doing some growling so to speak.

Metal Pit: As a strong woman in a Heavy Metal band yourself,what is your opinion on women in the scene today?

Julie: I think we need more of them lol. There are many male fronted metal bands, and I think people wanna see something different.

Metal Pit: Have you had to deal with alot of negativity when it comes to what you do for a living?

Julie: Not really. My friends and family are very supportive.We are very fortunate to be able to do what we love to do and travel the world.

Metal Pit: What advice would you give to young women starting out in this business who want to follow in your footsteps?

Julie: Its not all its cracked up to be. Not all fame and fortune. Its hard work, and you have to give 100% for it to succeed. You do have to be a strong individual to deal with the media and everything that comes with it.

Metal Pit: The band recently released it's second studio cd called "Deadly Passions" which to me is obviously alot heavier than your first cd "Bombshell",do you agree?

Julie: Absolutely. Im glad you said that, cause that was the direction we wanted to go with it. I think we got the album we really wanted to truly represent the band.

Metal Pit: There are some killer tunes on this cd,some of my favorites are "Deadly Passions" and "Candles light your Face". Do you have a personal favorite on the cd?

Julie: Those two are some of my favorites as well as Its your Life and On and On.

Metal Pit: The video for "Candles light your face" is amazing and has some pretty potent and powerful imagery,can you tell us what that video is about?

Julie: Pretty much its about seeing people for who they really are. So many people in the world live behind a mask, and would'nt it be cool if we could see these people for who they really are?

Metal Pit: Who writes most of the lyrics for the band?

Julie: I do. I like writing the lyrics cause its more personal to me and makes singing it more enjoyable.

Metal Pit: What is the "Bomb Squad"?

Julie: Bomb Squad is being a special member of the Hydrogyn fan club. You get updates before anyone else. You also can get a chance to get backstage passes and cool stuff from the band.

Metal Pit: What I love most about this band is your diversity.You can bring it with the best of them when it comes to classic Metal songs but are not afraid to show your softer side by doing acoustic versions as well, do you agree this is a very unique aspect of Hydrogyn?

Julie: I do. I think its cool to be able to go see a band in concert and then later be able to see them in a more intimate setting accoustic. We really enjoy being able to do accoustic shows. They are a lot of fun and a change of pace for the band.

Metal Pit: You are also not afraid to tackle a remake now and then such as Skidrow and AC-DC which a lot of bands would shy away from,has the band always done cover tunes in it's live show?

Julie: We actually started out as a cover band back in 2003, so we are used to doing covers. Even though a majority of the songs are original, we like to throw in a few covers here and there just to mix it up a bit and do things people would expect to hear from us.

Metal Pit: Speaking of your live show,can you tell us about the "Strip em live" concept and who came up with that idea?

Julie: I actually came up with the idea after shooting the video for Blind. We shot in a strip club in Barboursville Wv. It was a neat setting, and I thought it would be cool to do some shows there. So basically Strip'em Live shows are done in Gentlemen's clubs and consist of the band and some half dressed woman.

Metal Pit: You actually tour with a dancer's pole onstage as a prop,are you the only one in the band who uses it or
do the guys get in on it as well, haha?

Julie: You wont see the pole on stage everywhere we go. Only if its a strip'em show. And normally you wont see me on the pole either. We hire professionals for that lol.

Metal Pit: As the only woman in the band I imagine you might have a few crazy stories from the road,any you can share with us?

Julie: Its not as crazy as people may think being the only chick in the band. Im just as bad as the guys most of the time. Sometimes..ok more than sometimes...ok often, they tend to smell suspicious after a few hours on the road, so I carry a travel size bottle of Febreeze for those smelly days, haha

Metal Pit: What are some of your other interests,other than music?

Julie: Modeling and acting.

Metal Pit: Is there anything about yourself that maybe your fans do not know?

Julie: I dont know. I am a really simple gal. Doesnt take much to excite me. I love the simple things in life. I am very cheap. Major bargain shopper, haha

Metal Pit: Where can fans get your music?

Julie: There are a bunch of places, Our website www.hydrogyn.com
FYE, itunes, amazon, etc.

Metal Pit: What does it mean to you to be the Metal Maiden of the month?

Julie: I think its awesome. I really appreciate you taking the time for this interview. It truly means a lot to me. Thank you.

Metal Pit: Julie, on behalf of the Metal Pit we want to thank you for your time . We wish you luck with the band and hope to see you out on the road in 2009.

Julie: Thank you Metal Pit

Horns up Brothers and Sisters............NICK

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