FPMN Will Be Back And Better Than Ever In February!

Hi Everyone!

After dealing with some technical difficulties, I've decided to give Front Paige Metal News a complete makeover! We will be back with new interviews in February. I'll be sure to keep you posted! Thanks for your patience.

~Paige

FPMN is back!

Hey everyone!

Front Paige Metal News is officially back up and running, and I can't wait to start interviewing again! I'll have some cool articles for you guys to check out within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

Bands and artists, don't forget to send me your music at FPMNbands@gmail.com

Is there a band or artist that you'd like me to interview? Email me at FPMNfan@gmail.com

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @FrontPaigeMetal and @PaigeRnR  Also, "Like" FPMN on Facebook here and add my personal account here!

~Paige
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Important Front Paige Metal News Update

Hi everyone,

Due to 2 very sudden and tragic deaths in my family over the last several weeks, I will be taking a short break from FPMN. I need some time to work through things, as well as support my family during this difficult time. I will be resuming posts on October 1st.

To all of the bands looking to send their press kits to me, you may still do so. I will be in touch sometime after October 1st. You may send your press kits to FPMNbands@gmail.com

Thank you everyone for understanding!

~Paige

Emily's Army Releases New Album, Lost At Seventeen!

     Two years after the release of their debut album Don't Be A Dick, Emily's Army releases their sophomore album, Lost At Seventeen, today. The punk band from the Bay Area recently signed with Rise Records to release the new album. Emily's Army (Cole Becker - Vocals and Guitar, Max Becker - Bass, Travis Neumann - Guitar, Joey Armstrong - Drums) will be on Warped Tour this summer from 6/15 - 7/11 and will be touring the UK from 7/15 - 7/25. I recently spoke with Joey about the new album, Warped Tour, and what band he would most like to open for. Check out his interview below!

"Avenue"

     Be sure to download the album here! You can find tour dates and connect with the band on Facebook and Twitter. What do you think of Emily's Army's new album? Comment below!

~Paige

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BTW: Bands To Watch ~ A Sound Of Thunder

     Meet female-fronted heavy metal band, A Sound Of Thunder featuring Nina Osegueda on vocals, Josh Schwartz on guitar, Chris Haren on drums, and Jesse Keen on bass. They recently released a new single entitled "I Will Not Break" which is a song off their upcoming album, Time's Arrow. I recently spoke with Nina and Josh about their sound and their goals for the band!

Front Paige Metal News: How do you describe A Sound Of Thunder's music?

Nina Osegueda: I'd call us "traditional heavy metal", though there are times when we like writing songs in other styles. We've done everything from power metal, to hard rock, to our own take on death metal. I like being versatile.

Josh Schwartz: I'd agree "traditional heavy metal" fits the bill best, but as guitarist I'm also constantly trying to shoehorn in little nods to classic rock, to keep things organic, a little bit loose, and not too mechanical.


FPMN: What inspires you as a performer and a musician? When did you first realize that music was a passion for you?

Nina: I've been performing my entire life, so that has always been a big part of me. I am inspired by stories I hear and read about, both real and fiction. Sometimes I find that reality is much stranger than anything anyone could invent.


FPMN: What mark do you hope to leave on the music industry?

Nina: I hope that people remember us as a band that never took any shortcuts or tried to make it on anything other than who and what we are, both as musicians and as people.

Josh: I want to leave behind a large catalog of memorable, quality original music, and I want people to remember us as an honest band that came together, did our own thing, and never bowed to trends.


FPMN: What is coming up for A Sound Of Thunder?

Nina: Another album, of course! Plus some special additional releases, because we just can't seem to stop writing music.

Josh: We also have a few top secret projects, not all strictly musical, that we can't talk about quite yet.  Let's just say we'll be branching out.  Our drummer, Chris Haren, has written a short story elaborating on the title track of our next album, and that should show people that all creative doors are open to this band.  Music will always be the focus, but there's a lot more that we want to do.


FPMN: Are there any interesting or funny stories that you can tell about you or one of your band mates? Maybe a story from the studio or being on the road?

Nina: One of my favorite moments happened when we were recording "Hello Nurse". I knew that  I wanted this song to be funny, and I had always envisioned the chorus ending with a creepy man's voice saying "Hello... nurse", but we couldn't think of anyone to do the voice of the doctor. One day, as my husband came to pick me up, he spoke the line. It sounded interesting, so we put him in the studio for a test. Both Josh and Chris were having doubts but I told them, "trust me", and they did. We played chorus and suddenly Willy spoke the lines in this low creepy voice. Both Chris and Josh immediately burst into solid grins and I had a big "I told you so" moment!

Josh: Jesse and Chris both snore a lot on the road, and they tend to get into an alternating rhythm with each other, where they actually sound like one person snoring really loud at double speed!  It's simultaneously hilarious and annoying as hell because it's impossible to get to sleep!


FPMN: What is something that you would like my readers to know about your music?

Nina: There's a little bit of all of us in every single song we write. There is no song on any of our recordings that doesn't illustrate some part of our personality. From the stories, to the goofiness, to the heartfelt ballads, every song tells you something about this band.

Josh: Just know that we write and play what we like and what feels good. We sound exactly the way we want to sound!  That's why we love our fans so much. They've decided to come along on our ride, not vice versa.  No pandering to radio or trends here!

"I Will Not Break"

     Be sure to connect with A Sound Of Thunder on Facebook! Also, make sure you pre-order their new album, Time's Arrow here!


~Paige
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Interview with Vestibule

     New Jersey rock band, Vestibule is definitely not a band that is afraid to embrace all of their diverse influences and create their own sound. The band (Hector Gundlach- Vocals and Guitar / Greg Harvilla - Drums / Cody McCory - Bass / Adam DeRose - Lead Guitar) is currently working on their sophmore album. I recently spoke with Vestibule's drummer, Greg Harvilla. Check out our interview below!



Front Paige Metal News: How do you describe Vestibule's music? 

Greg Havilla:  It's a mix of alternative rock, prog, punk, metal, jazz, classical, electronica, and Latin.



FPMN: What inspires you as a performer and a musician? When did you first realize that music was a passion for you?

Greg:  I started playing music at a young age, but my first real inspiration was hearing the drumming of my high school music teacher, Alan Abraham.  When he sat down at the drum set, he didn't really play beats but just kind of flowed around the set in a way that sounded amazing, yet seemed effortless.  I'd never seen anyone play drums like that before. It was definitely a blessing to be able to learn the art of percussion from him. I'm inspired by artists who continually push the boundaries of their medium, anyone who innovates and strives to break away from the paradigm of normality.


FPMN: When can we expect to hear new music from you guys?

Greg:  Right now we're in the midst of the songwriting process for our second record. Expect a new album by the end of 2013.


FPMN: What else is coming up for Vestibule?

Greg:  We have a few local shows coming up and are planning a Summer 2013 tour of the northeast U.S.


FPMN: What mark do you hope to leave on the music industry?

Greg:  Making records that stand up to the test of time and putting on a live show that captivates fans around the globe.  Our lyrics are infused with positivity and optimism, and we always try to convey a message of goodness with our music.


FPMN: What is something that you would like my readers to know about your music?

Greg:  We have a lot of fun making music, and we hope you enjoy our art!


     Vestibule's debut album through_the_surface is currently available for free download here. Be sure to connect with them on Facebook!


~Paige
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Breaking Down The Barricades

L-R/Top To Bottom : Set It Off, Crashing Broadway, 

Kobra and The Lotus, Snowdonnya

   
     People's views on music and its boundaries are no doubt changing. Whether it's a mainstream act or a lesser known artist, musicians are pushing the envelope more than ever and reaching out to other genres for inspiration. With people's minds being more open, I decided to get several artists' opinions on the topic.
    Kobra Paige (Lead Vocalist of Kobra and the Lotus), Dan Clermont (Guitarist for Set It Off), Teejay Timms (Guitarist for Crashing Broadway), and vocalist Snowdonnya spoke to me about their feelings on labeling their music, artists' musical expansion, and what they hope fans take away from their own music.

Front Paige Metal News: As a fan of many genres of music, I know that I love hearing musicians who experiment with style and don't conform to a certain subgenre.  As an artist, how do you feel about people trying to put labels on your music?

Snowdonnya: If you are a free spirit, there are no labels. I'd like to think that there are some of us still out there. Labels actually are part of the music business machinery. It gives the paper pushers (lawyers, music execs, managers) a guideline on how and where to put you. That's all!  Frankly, I believe a real talent can do and does it all. Hard to put a label on conqueror!

Dan Clermont: I'm personally okay with people putting their own labels on our music, simply because our music affects people in all different ways and some favor certain nuances as opposed to others when hearing the complete product.

Teejay Timms: The first impression I get when someone labels our music in one specific genre is that he or she has not listened to the album in its entirety.  We put forth a commanding effort in making sure that "The Words Crossed Out" covered a multitude of genres. We wanted to make sure there was something for everyone on the record, and I believe that we achieved that goal.  Nobody in the band prefers just one genre of music, so we just write what comes to us and leave walls of genres out of the equation. It dissolves many limits of the writing process, and I recommend this for all bands!

Kobra: I'm actually not bothered by it because I think that music is so subjective and people should take from it what they want. If they hear something that is working for them and they title it a certain way, I feel it's not really a right to tell them it doesn't sound like that. I have a perception of what I think I'm creating, but as far as the taste of someone else goes, I don't know what they're hearing and what it sounds like to them. I actually don't care.


FPMN: It seems as though there are some current artists who are pushing the boundaries and reaching out to other genres for inspiration. How do you feel it's affecting the music industry?

Snowdonnya: I am insecure for the so called industry. Talent is always the leader.

Dan Clermont: I feel that it is the best thing happening to music right now. It's a huge challenge these days to be completely original and reaching out and incorporating genres outside your own is the best way to do that.

Kobra Paige: I think it's great. I think it's brilliant. I would go as far as saying it's necessary to evolve, to open your box and look to other genres. You don't even have to like it, but there is something to offer in every genre that you can learn from. I think it's necessary for evolution.

Teejay Timms: I believe the effect is a positive one. With the way the economy and music industry is today, having an artist who spans further than one genre lessens the risk that a record label has to take on them financially. With the cautious pretenses that are becoming of the industry of late, I believe that multi-genre artists will be more of a requirement than a privilege.


FPMN: Do you feel like people's minds are being opened to a more creative, artistic side of music?

Snowdonnya: When you play live, that is where artistry always lives. You command the attention of others; therefore they must be open. The focus is on you as a performer to create that doorway.

Dan Clermont: Absolutely! People are going to get bored hearing the same thing over and over, so keeping it fresh and mixing it up is completely necessary.

Kobra Paige: Yeah, I do. When I have conversations with people that are listening to a bunch of different things and are trying new things, I find it way easier to have a conversation with them because they don't have a wall up about the way something should be or a template for a song and thinking that that's the correct way for that to be. That's the definition of this genre. I don't really appreciate it when people block each other because who's to say what's right when it comes to art.

Teejay Timms: Absolutely! Take, for instance, bands such as Foster the People, Gotye, and Arcade Fire, just to name a few. The style of music they create is heavily on the indie side. It's my opinion that these bands would not have been successful 10 years ago with this same style. I believe people in general have gained a better understanding about what music is and, therefore, are able to appreciate the artistic value of the songs rather than the traditional "nod your head and sing along" type of song structure and point.


FPMN: What is the most important thing that you want your fans to know about your music?

Snowdonnya: That it takes you to a dimension beyond.  Most importantly that it can set you free!

Dan Clermont: For us, the most important thing is that with every lyric, riff, and song, we are trying to tell a story and that it is completely honest and true for every single bit you hear. We want to make sure that listeners can relate to us, whether it be a struggle or a triumphant moment in our lives.

Kobra Paige: I want them to know that our music comes with great messages. If they pay attention to the lyrics, they'll find that, to me anyway, it's not very shallow. There are messages in the music.

Teejay Timms: The main thing our fans need to know about our music is that we will keep it coming.  Sadly, a becoming trend in today's music business is bands who are here today and gone tomorrow. So many bands who seem prominent tend to fizzle out rather quickly. It's our main goal to never be that band. I hope and will try our absolute hardest to keep this going for at least the next 30 years!

Connect:

Set It Off

Kobra and The Lotus

Crashing Broadway

Snowdonnya

What are your thoughts on this topic? Comment below!

~Paige

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