Past the Boys’ Membership: Kobra Paige of Kobra and the Lotus

Past the Boys’ Membership is a month-to-month column from journalist and radio host Anne Erickson, specializing in ladies within the heavy music genres, as they provide their views on the music business and talk about their private experiences. This month’s piece options an interview with singer Kobra Paige of Kobra and the Lotus.

Kobra and the Lotus have developed musically through the years, and the Canadian hard-rock band’s newest chapter is captured on their new album, appropriately titled Evolution.

“It’s actually the which means of evolution of our songs, in addition to my life and well being improvement alongside this journey as an individual,” singer Kobra Paige tells Heavy Consequence. “It’s additionally an evolution of the band enjoying our new music and setting our bar somewhat bit larger.”

Evolution was launched this previous Friday (September 20th), and was produced by Michael Baskette, identified for his work with Slash, Alter Bridge, Chevelle, and different outstanding rock acts. In help of the brand new LP, Kobra and the Lotus are at the moment opening for Sebastian Bach on his tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of the primary Skid Row album.

Paige spoke with Heavy Consequence for the most recent “Past the Boys’ Membership” column, discussing the change in Kobra and the Lotus on Evolution, her inspirations, her path as a lady within the heavy music scene, and extra. Learn the complete interview under.

On her early days with Kobra and the Lotus as a lady within the heavy metallic and arduous rock scene

I really feel like all the ladies had been so underground. We’d meet one another, however we had been all within the underground scene and attempting arduous to push ahead with the bands developing. Then, the digital age took over, and it was difficult. After we began enjoying, we had been a part of road teaming. Individuals would exit and put posters across the metropolis. That’s not a part of life anymore, which is so loopy. It has actually began to shift as my era — and the era somewhat bit older than me — of girls have persevered and stored going with their bands, and now we’re beginning to bubble to the floor. It’s a robust motion. It’s widespread to see extra ladies. It’s an incredible time for music, typically. I feel there are such a lot of good bands on the market and good music, and ladies are an enormous a part of that.

On how being a lady in heavy metallic and arduous rock nonetheless surprises individuals

I used to be simply at a venue, and the proprietor of the venue was very good to me and really pretty however thought I used to be a groupie of the band. She caught a wristband on me, and the tour supervisor noticed that occur, and he’s like, what did you get a wrist band for? I advised him that she thought I used to be simply hanging out with the blokes on tour. There are such a lot of bands, and she or he was so candy, so it didn’t hassle me in any respect, and after our efficiency, she got here up and was hugging me and apologizing. It didn’t really feel degrading. However it reveals that it’s nonetheless takes individuals unexpectedly to see a lady doing this.

On the feminine artists who impressed her to make music

I’ve by no means idolized anyone. For me, that mentality isn’t wholesome in my thoughts. It’s extra about what I can do as a person to convey to the desk in my very own option to match this sense. I do actually love quite a lot of feminine artists, although. I really like Coronary heart and traditional rock, and I actually take pleasure in seeing among the ladies which are doing their factor now, like [In This Moment’s] Maria Brink, as a result of I feel she’s being genuine. [Halestorm’s] Lzzy Hale can also be on the market being herself and inspiring different to be themselves. I relate to that form of real perspective.

I’m impressed by any girl I’ve met who’s on the market, working arduous, and grinding this out, as a result of I do know what the trail is like, and I’m honored to be on tour with any of the girl who I’ve toured with. I respect what they’re doing, they usually’re so nice at their craft. There may be a lot extra room, musically, and it’s nice to be a part of that.

On whether or not she’s seen a distinction within the music business because the #MeToo motion emerged

I haven’t seen very a lot in our little bubble. All I’ve seen is the tales and listening to how individuals we all know or mates of individuals have been impacted. I haven’t really seen something change, however now that I give it some thought, I’ve been way more revered after I’ve taken images with individuals on this tour than I’ve prior to now. It’d occur by chance — individuals get excited and pull you in aggressively not understanding. However, now that I give it some thought, there was much less of that on this newest tour.

On her general expertise being a lady within the heavy music scene

I’ve discovered a lot and have develop into very sturdy. Each time I’ve needed to cross a difficult bridge, it’s made me stronger. I’m very lucky that I didn’t expertise something traumatic in a bodily method, however I’ve had completely different obstacles that I’ve needed to climb over that haven’t been straightforward. However, I’m grateful for them, as a result of they made me who I’m right this moment, and I’ve a robust sense of who I’m and what I stand for.

On why Evolution is the right title for Kobra and the Lotus’ new album

We thought this new album was one other evolution of the band, each in our songwriting and sonically. We targeted actually arduous on incorporating textural components into this document to assist us develop into extra identifiable as Kobra and the Lotus. I actually introduced quite a lot of the soulfulness in my voice to the desk this time round, and we took one step nearer to hopefully be actually identifiable because the band that we’re.

On the track “Thundersmith” from Evolution

I actually take pleasure in enjoying “Thundersmith” with the blokes stay. It’s my story. It’s an perspective that has taken my entire 20s to lastly step into and be like, I don’t care what individuals suppose or the tales persons are going to make up or how arduous this business goes to check me. I’m going to do that as a result of I like it and am happy with what I’m manufactured from, and that’s sufficient. However, it’s speculated to be empowering for individuals, and that’s undoubtedly an empowering observe. To this point, the response has been actually good to the brand new music, and we’ve been getting quite a lot of feedback, particularly from ladies, saying, “That made me actually empowered,” and that’s superior, as a result of music ought to make you are feeling good.

On her current engagement to Tommy Karevik of Kamelot

I by no means imagined in one million years that the person I’d wish to spend the remainder of my life with can be within the music business! I’ve solely been uncovered to this demographic of individuals for a very long time — I by no means go to bars, and I’m all the time simply with musicians. I’ve had very typical relationships with completely different musicians, and people weren’t excellent. I assumed that after the final relationship I had, there was no method in 100 years I’d be in one other relationship with one other musician. I assumed that I wouldn’t discover an individual with the identical values I’ve, as a result of I stroll a fairly identified tightrope after I involves my values and code of ethics. So, I received blindsided after I met Tommy. My band was supporting Kamelot in Europe in 2015, and Tommy wanted a singer to fill in for the feminine components for Kamelot’s subsequent U.S. run, so he invited me. That’s how we met — actually on that European tour. It unfolded from there.

On the recommendation she would give to younger individuals seeking to get into music

If you happen to’re passionate and that is your dream, now’s the time if you find yourself younger to go for this and pursue it. Search for mentors that may give you any items of recommendation on how the business works, and begin getting music on the market. Actually take pleasure in what you’re doing, and don’t let worry maintain you again. Know that everybody you see who’s profitable has been by means of tons of trials and tribulations and has failed time and time once more and received again up. It’s going to occur, however they’re going to want to get again up and hold pushing. Don’t let criticism get to you, too. It’s artwork and subjective, and also you’re placing your coronary heart in your sleeve for everybody to guage, so take the great and unhealthy, however don’t take the unhealthy to coronary heart. Know the right way to separate constructive criticism from non-constructive criticism and hold going.

Our because of Kobra Paige for taking the time to talk with us. The brand new Kobra and the Lotus album, Evolution, is offered now, and the band can at the moment be seen on tour with Sebastian Bach.