A View From The Inside With AMY MCINTOSH From VILIFY
Interview by Kyra-Jade Coombs Newcastle band Vilify have recently released their newest single From the Inside and HEAVY took the chance to have a chat with frontwoman Amy McIntosh to see what’s been happening and what’s on the cards for the band.If you haven’t had a listen already, From the Inside addresses dealing with sexuality and how it’s dealt with on the inside-out.When I asked how the track has been received Amy said, “People have come back saying they don’t really relate to this one… and I think that’s probably why I had to write it”. Which is an interesting point to address in today’s day and age.We have found ourselves in a climate made up of generations trying to navigate a space where humans can express themselves and truly be who they are, and some people just don’t know how to act in such situations. Vilify released their EP Clarity in 2020, right in the shit storm that was Covid and really had everything thrown at them that would typically deter a band, but they managed to push through all cancelled shows, uncertainties, and adversities to make it to where they are today and honestly, that’s fucking hard. Opportunities that were once there for them didn’t come to fruition or come back again at all in some cases. It’s so cool to see a band withstand the bullshit and turn it into something amazing.One thing I’ve noticed about Amy is her openness and transparency with mental health and I wanted to shine a spotlight on that. I think it’s important to have people in our music community who will be the voice for people who aren’t necessarily strong enough at the time to speak and have that person say it’s okay, and we all have our struggles.Especially someone who has a platform to reach people and uses it as a tool to share their struggles, even at times when they aren’t 100% in the right headspace either. It’s always nice to know that you aren’t alone in your struggles, so I commend people who can do this. Furthermore, we touched on stepping away from playing bass in Vilify and being up the front of the band, allowing and trusting your bandmates to step up and grow together, showing up to gigs in a badass ‘uniforms’ and being a family unit together.There’s nothing set in stone, but if you ask me it sounds like these legends have an EP in the works that will hopefully be blessing our ear holes sooner than later! Keep an eye on this space. Don’t forget to check out From the Inside in the meantime.Enjoy folks!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
14 Aug 202321min
Werewolves Smash Us All Endlessly With Death Metal Until We Bleed
Sam Bean & Matt Wilcock from Werewolves take some time out of their Sunday evening to have fireside chat with Metal V talking about their absolute passion in being as brutal, upfront, honest and artistically violent as society allows.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
14 Aug 202356min
Bricks And Mortar With DONITA SPARKS From L7
Interview by Erin EddyYou can’t make a list of influential bands of 90s grunge without including L7.Formed in the late 80s, L7 were a crucial cog in the machine that was the grunge movement, pushing hair and glam metal aside to create a new branch on the tree of alternative music.The fact that they were an all-female band was only one of the things that made L7 stand out and be noticed. The energy and feistiness of their live shows was another. Their outspoken and unapologetic punk rock attitude, laced with sarcastic humour and wit, also caught people’s attention. And of course, some of their memorable incidents on stage will be cemented in rock and roll history forever.Probably the most notable of the L7 stunts was a tampon-throwing incident at Reading Festival in 1992.“I needed to make lemonade out of lemons,” frontwoman Donita explains, of the time she retaliated to being pelted with mud by punters during L7’s set. “That involved a live ammo tampon straight out of my body. That’s what I did.”HEAVY was conscious of the fact that this incident, which happened 30-odd years ago now, may be one Donita is sick of discussing, but in fact, it was quite the opposite. The musician conveyed the story freely with a laugh and said, “Those incidents remain pretty funny and shocking and rad, and people check us out because of that stuff.”L7’s relationship with the music industry was relatively turbulent, and labels lost interest with them when grunge ran its course. But L7 left a mark, and a devoted fan base was well and truly established, seeing the band remaining relevant throughout the years and continuing to produce music.Bricks Are Heavy was L7’s third album, and the one that exposed them to audiences outside the US.Heading to Australia and New Zealand this December, L7 will be performing this landmark album front to back, as well as diving into their catalogue of other fan favourites.“Aussie fans really love rock and roll, they’re really into good rock,” Donita states enthusiastically, “That (is what) we’re looking forward to.”To gauge what to expect when L7 return to Australia, listen to the interview in its enBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
13 Aug 202328min
Causing A Ruckus With PATRICK MIRANDA From MOVEMENTS
Interview by Erin EddyIf you’re some kind of sonic Marie Kondo and like tucking bands away into clearly labelled musical genre boxes, you’re going to have a hard time with Movements.The Californian four-piece glides between musical genres in a way that could potentially lead you to dismiss them on first listen, that is of course, if your first listen hits on a style that may not exactly be your glass of whiskey.“I do think that we are, in my opinion, a ‘live’ band,” Movements vocalist Patrick Miranda toldHEAVY, “and I think in many cases, maybe if you don’t like the band, once you see it live you’re like ‘ohhh, okay, I get it’, you know? I think Movements is definitely that sort of band for a lot of people.”Movements sway between indie rock, post-hardcore, emo, pop rock and their mission is to not box themselves in to any one style.“I love the fluidity that we have as a band, and I hope that continues to grow because I think there’s something on this album for everybody. If there’s one community of music listeners who enjoy even one song we make, then that’s a win for me,” Patrick states. “We just want the music to reach as many people as possible. All we don’t want is to be put into a box.”Movements are geared up for the release of their third studio album, Ruckus, which will be available on August 18.“The energy and overall feeling of this record is so fun and youthful and exciting, and it makes me so happy that I know that when it comes to playing these songs live it’s just going to feel even better,” Patrick gleams.HEAVY spent time talking with Patrick about being in Movements and the ins and outs of their new album, Ruckus, so check out the full interview now!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
13 Aug 202320min
Rocking The Riffs With LEON MONACO From ORPHEUS OMEGA
Interview by Kris PetersMelbourne melodic death metal outfit Orpheus Omega have built a solid name based on their energetic and frenetic live performances.Which is why not playing for long periods of time due to recent world events put a massive strain on the band. So much so that Orpheus Omega spent their time looking inwards and re-evaluating their growing footprint on the musical landscape.The band also used their downtime to good creative effect, laying the platform for what would become their latest EP Portraits.A freshly unique take on things whereby each of the five band members contributed one song each to the EP, Portraits is a deeply personal and liberating album for Orpheus Omega that has resonated with music lovers everywhere.After having played only one show earlier this year to celebrate the EP's release, Orpheus Omega are about to set off on the Riff N Tour with rockers Triple Kill, starting on August 25 and winding its way around the length and breadth of this country before finishing up in late September.Bass player Leon Monaco joined HEAVY to talk more about music and touring."Oh man, I am so excited," he gushed. "We have only played one show all year for 2023, but that's because we have been putting all of our eggs into this tour basket. We cannot wait to get out there and have this awesome month long adventure."We ask Monaco how he prepares himself mentally and physically for a tour of this magnitude."I guess step one is make sure you have enough work leave," he laughed. "Musically, I just did Dry July, so I have worked on myself and a couple of the other band members have been hitting up the gym and bulking up a little, just to try and get healthier and fitter so we can move around and jump around on stage without our old man backs complaining. As soon as the tour begins we always do our best to eat well during the days, even if we're having a couple of beers or whatever happens at night, during the day we realise we still need to be adults. We're not 12 any more (laughs), we're not 21 any more, we can't do this to ourselves so we look after each other and look after ourselves."The tour is spread out over more than a month, with Monaco having good justification for playing mainly on weekends."I find if we have an international band come in anyone will come out on a weeknight to see the international band," he mused, "because they're here, you have to see them. Whereas capitalising on those weekends is definitely an easier way to do it when you're an Australian band and you're up against all the other Australian bands. Weekends are definitely where it's at. We don't mind travelling mid week, we kinda like it. I think one of our shows in Gold Coast is on a Thursday and then there's a Sydney one on a Sunday. We're always happy to play the off Friday and Saturday night shows, we just need the punters to come out and meet us half way too."In the full interview, Leon talks more about the tour and what to expect, touring with Triple Kill and why they are the perfect touring partners, their latest EP Portraits and each member writing a song each, each of those songs analysed individually, what's next for Orpheus Omega and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
11 Aug 202316min
Doom & Gloom With EMILY HOPLEY And JASPER WEBB From UPSETTER
Interview by Kris PetersWhat happens when you get two seasoned audio engineers come together to form a band?In short, the answer is Brisbane duo Upsetter, but in reality you get a whole lot more.Upsetter today unleash their debut EP Doomgaze on the world, with Emily Hopley and Jasper Webb sitting down with HEAVY recently to delve into the intricacies of the project."We play guitar, sob rock music," Webb smiled. "It's all a little sad and emo, but it's all very sincere and shoegazey and all of the nice little crunchy tones that we like to hear in music.""We're definitely loving the bass duo vibe that we've got going on," Hopley added. "To back Jasper up on that one with the emo feels, it's been really fun."In the full interview, Emily and Jasper run us through the EP and what expect, the themes that run through the EP, what they discussed going into their first release, how their roles as audio engineers led to forming Upsetter, separating yourself from your work, future plans and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
11 Aug 202317min
Pairing Up For Clarity With KEVIN BORICH
Interview by Kris PetersKevin Borich - guitar wizard, singer-songwriter, founder of the Party Boys, The La De Das, and the Kevin Borich Express - has been entertaining audiences worldwide since 1969.His vocal prowess and extraordinary guitar playing skills have captivated generations of music followers, with countless albums bearing the trademark Borich musical timestamp still on high rotation today.After releasing his greatest hits album Legacy in 2022, Borich went off in search of another musical milestone, and one which had been gradually taking shape over a number of years.That record is the recently released Duets, which features artists of the caliber of Russell Morris, Leo Sayer, Suze DeMarchi (Baby Animals), Joe Walsh (Eagles), Ian Moss (Cold Chisel), Tim Rogers (You Am I), Ella Hooper (Killing Heidi), Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo), Joe Camilleri (Black Sorrows), Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool/Mondo Rock), Angela Fabian and John Swan (Swanee/Party Boys).It is a labour of love that saw Borich writing, demoing and recording everywhere from in the tour bus to hotel rooms, to green rooms to professional studios and also saw him collaborate with a widely eclectic assortment of fellow musicians that has come together beautifully for what could well be the defining moment of a long and illustrious career.Borich sat down with HEAVY earlier in the week to talk Duets and plenty more."It's been amazing," he stressed about the early reception for Duets. "It actually has charted too, which is something I haven't really had since 1979 (laughs). It got to #1 on the ARIA Blues and Jazz charts and the word is out so the reviews we are having and feedback is pretty amazing. There's so many diverse styles on the album. It's a smorgasboard of fuel for you to eat up and your brain to wonder how the hell that happened (laughs). There's a bit of jazz in there that I wrote about Amy Winehouse because I thought she was going off the rails and left us with blues. She took all her colours and died."In the full interview, Kevin talks about some of the songs on Duets and what they are about, the writing and recording process, the guest artists and how they were chosen, where the idea came from for the album, who dared to say no, his personal feelings on the album, if he would do it again in the future and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
11 Aug 202321min
Awakening The Warrior Within Thanks To FILIVA'A & OLIVER From SHEPHERD'S REIGN
Interview by Kris PetersPolynesian music warriors Shepherd's Reign have crafted their own sub genre of music, combining traditional Samoan and Polynesian music and culture with hard rock and heavy metal to create something truly their own.It is an aggressive, yet respectful pollination of styles and genres that is as infectious as it is brutally beautiful.With their new album Ala Mai scheduled for release on August 25, HEAVY sat down with vocalist Filiva’a and guitarist Oliver to delve deeper into their tribal lure of music."We're very excited," Filiva’a beamed. "It's probably one of the biggest steps we've taken with this band. We've had an album come out before but this second one is more of a deeper meaning than the first one. On the first one we just wrote songs and tracked them and released them but with this one we thought about every single song and tried to tie them all into one subject - Ala Mai - which is awakening in English. It is meant to help us on this new journey we are about to take. Every single one of us."We ask the boys to tell us more about the album musically."It was really... we made the songs together," Filiva’a continued. "One of us would come up with an idea and we would all come in and try to make it into a bigger idea. Every song was made with different members of the band with different emotions running through their head at the time, going through different stages of their life. So it was really a mixture. It wasn't one main musical idea we had to show the world, but I guess one of the most powerful things is we tried to do it as heavy as we can to show the Shepherd's Reign style. From the tone to the arrangement of our ideas."In the full interview Filiva’a and Oliver talk more about what to expect from Ala Mai, the connection between their history and music, the singles released and how they represent the album, the beautiful traditional Samoan song that opens the album and its meaning, the album cover and what significance it has, getting the balance right in their music, what playing with Shepherd's Reign has taught them about their culture, their upcoming tour and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/heavy-music-interviews--2687660/support.
10 Aug 202323min
