“The
EP contains remixed versions from the original, very limited self
release and 7" DHU single, as well as new song "Bitter
Plea" recorded at the end of the Wicked Summer tour and
featuring additional rhythm guitar by guitarist Joe Fortunato
(Sparrowmilk/Venomin James/ex-Ancient VVisdom). The artwork that
will appear on both the CD & vinyl is by renown psychedelic
artist, Goatess Doomwych.”
I
was given the opportunity to interview Alexis Hollada aka Doomstress
Alexis (Bass/Vocals) from the band. Where we discussed things such as
the new EP, Project Armageddon (Alexis's other band) and touring
plans amongst other things.
Alexis
is widely respected within the Doom/Stoner Metal community and I've
been fan of her work for the last couple of years. So I was more than
happy to do this interview.
Hi
Alexis. Thanks for doing this interview. What can people expect with
your new EP.
A
mix of traditional doom laden with heavy grooves, lots of harmony
guitar work and classic & NWOBHM influences.
You've
included two cover versions on the new EP. Uriah Heep's – Rainbow
Demon and Coven's Wicked Woman. Why did you choose those two songs to
cover. Are they personal favourite songs of yours and the rest of the
band.
We
picked these covers to show a departure from what we'd been doing in
Project Armageddon. This isn't more of the same under my name but
drawing from some different influences and writing styles. Uriah Heep
we focus in on the harmony work we are utilizing now as a 4 piece
w/twin guitars and we get to lay down some heavy groove with our
rendition of the Coven song.
The
EP is being released by DHU Records. How did you become associated
with that cool label. Did you have any others from other labels to
release the EP.
The
vinyl is on DHU Records and the CD version is on NoSlip Records. I
really need to thank Joey & Sabine from Disenchanter for this.
After becoming friends with them and discovering the labels as well
as their rosters I was really impressed by what they had going on.
Once DOOMSTRESS became public we got a lot of interest and from there
conversations started up with DHU. We released the “Wicked Woman”
7 inch in fall of 2016 and had already discussed doing a split 12”
EP We had a lot of demand for a CD so I contacted NoSlip who has
been a big supporter of DOOMSTRESS and has had a good relationship
with DHU and both labels thought this was a great idea.
The
Second Rite is being released as a split vinyl with Sparrowmilk
(Doomstress drummer Tomasz other band, who are pretty damn good in
their own right). How did that idea come about. Was that something
you and Tomasz decided together.
When
I talked to DHU Records about releasing the EP as a split they didn't
have any bands currently releasing anything EP wise. Since I was
well connected to Sparrowmilk and knew they were well along in the
process of their own recording I pitched the idea to DHU who was
happy about the idea as well. As you mentioned, my brother Tomasz
does the drums for both bands on the EP but we also had Sparrowmilk's
guitarist Joe lay down a rhythm track for us on “Bitter Plea”
since they had both done tour duties back on our initial live debut
“Wicked Summer Tour”.
The
EP has been mastered by Texas Stoner Metal legend – Kent Stump.
What does Kent bring to the sound of Doomstress.
Kent's
such a great guy and I'm really pleased we could get his touch on
this. We were super happy with our mix and Kent has a really keen
ear and knew exactly what we were going for with this. He brought a
nice tempered aggressiveness to the overall sound. The proof is in
the pudding so to speak so you just gotta listen and let it soak into
your earholes.
You've
worked with Kent multiple times over the years. What has been your
favourite release that you've worked on together.
This
current EP “The Second Rite” by far!
Texas
has been hit by some nasty and dangerous weather with the floods
recently. Which I saw on the news and Facebook posts. How is Texas
coping with the damage the floods have caused. Were you affected by
this at all. I hope you and your family & friends weren't badly
affected.
Its
been a crazy time. We weren't affected directly but Brandon's
grandmother was flooded and had to be rescued by boat. She's living
with us now. So many good friends and music friends we know have
lost so much and its like that throughout the entire region. I don't
think there is anyone really who wasn't directly or indirectly
affected either via friend, family, job, etc.
How
do you cope when something like that hits you so close to home.
Its
difficult because you feel so helpless and overwhelmed. It'll take
years to fully recover from this so ya just gotta try to take it day
by day.
Returning
back to the music scene. Texas seems to have a thriving music scene
at the moment. With loads of awesome bands coming from Texas such as
the bands you're involved in, Wo-Fat and Mothership. What is the
scene currently like in Texas.
Its
definitely a thriving scene across the state with bands from all
genres making waves, not just in metal, doom or rock. Its really
amazing to see the explosion of talent coming up.
You
play a big part in promoting the local scene and you've promoted my
articles when I've featured bands from Texas which I thank you for
and I'm extremely grateful for. Where do you find the time to
participate with Doomstress, Project Armageddon and Houston Doom
Brigade.
Well
that's getting more & more difficult to be honest. I'm hoping to
bring some fresher blood to the Houston Doom Brigade family to kinda
take the reigns or at least some of the slack in covering what's
happening around the state and beyond. I also recently worked with
Billy Goate @ Doomed & Stoned to do the 'Doomed & Stoned in
Texas' compilation which will have all proceeds go to Hurricane
Harvey Relief Funds @ The Houston Food Bank. I have over 50 bands
from across the state on this which is something I've wanted to do
since I founded the Houston Doom Brigade 8 or 9 years ago. It was
truly a labor of love putting this together and it should be coming
out soon.
What
is currently happening with Project Armageddon. Any new releases
coming up. Or is that top-secret at the moment.
Project
Armageddon is currently on indefinite hiatus. We haven't disbanded
or called it quits as we all have a lot of ourselves invested in that
band over the years. For the foreseeable future with DOOMSTRESS
continuing to progress and tour so frequently its just not where
Brandon & I are focussed. Along with that I have also been
writing and recording a new record with 60s/70s heavy rockers Josefus
and will be performing live with them as well starting at End Hip End
It Fest in Houston 10/21-22.
Will
you be performing any tours for the release of the new EP. Or will
you be focusing on new shows only.
We
did a series of short jaunts over September leading up to Stoned
Meadow of Doom Fest in Sioux Falls, SD 9/29-30. October we will be
doing the same thing playing a couple shows supporting Savage Master
in Texas as well as Manilla Road, playing End Hip End It Fest 10/22
and then a short tour to play in Atlanta at the Georgia Metal
Alliance's Decade of Doom.
For
this interview I did some minor research on you and I never knew that
you have your own holiday named after you in Houston. How did that
come about. Were you shocked that they named a holiday after of you.
What did your family and friends think of that.
yah
that was definitely a shock even now to think about it. A big music
supporter & metal DJ Herman Garcia took a bunch of info on the
things we were doing with the band and what I was doing and
accomplishing as transgender woman in the metal scene, being
nominated for best female vocalist and best metal band in Houston,
some articles I had done, etc and presented it to the mayor's office.
I guess they thought it was impressive enough to give me a day in
Houston. Crazy right?!
Do
you have to do any official engagements for that holiday. Does the
holiday still happen to this very day.
Doomstress
Alexis Day officially falls on July 5th
and the 1st
few anniversaries I hosted benefit shows for homeless youth with
multiple bands of all genres performing and artists and artisans
donating good for auction. The past 2 years I've been so busy and
touring that its been too difficult to dedicate the time needed but I
still use the proclamation to bring awareness to the transgender
community and serve as a symbol of hope for those struggling.
You
do a lot of awesome work by raising Transgender awareness within
Texas and within the worldwide Doom/Stoner Metal community. Was that
a hard or easy decision to make to let people know you're a
Transgender Woman.
It
wasn't easy that's for sure and for a time I debated on leaving the
metal world. But nothing in life is easy and with the support of my
bandmates and friends I stepped out onto the public stage and haven't
looked back.
I
applaud you for being honest and open with that aspect of your life.
As you let people experience your life through your music that you've
been involved with over the years. Is that a rewarding and fulfilling
experience letting people know the journey you've gone through.
Its
been an amazing experience. Some of the best interactions have been
fans, kids and parents contacting me letting me know that my story
has helped them or being able to provide some insight into what they
are coping with themselves.
How
did you love affair or journey with music started. And how did you
become involved with Doom Metal/Heavy Metal. Was it a particular
album or artist that started it all.
My
parents and my older brother were always playing music. My folks
played rock, r&b, some pop stuff but my brother had the heavy
rock and metal. Sneaking into my brother's room I would flip through
his records and cassettes and the art is what really 1st
caught my attention. Iron Maiden , Judas Priest, Black Sabbath,
Kiss, etc. He would make me tapes to play in my little deck or I'd
listen at the school library with headphones.
I
didn't really get into discovering specific doom bands until I got in
a band with Brandon before Project Armageddon. Then it was a
whirlwind of doom. Meeting John Perez of Solitude Aeternus, touring
with the Gates of Slumber and Reverend Bizarre, I was really
inundated quickly.
What
have your been high points and low points being involved with your
musical career and looking back, would you change anything about it.
Things
just keep progressing for me and the music I write and I'm thankful
for every second of it.
I
guess the low point would be with our previous band writing me off a
record and discrediting my writing, playing and production work on
the record. Not sure I'd change anything though because the
experiences you have had help shape where you are now and I learned
quite a lot over the years. And I'm still learning.
Before
you go, do you have anything to say to your fans.
All
the love and thanx for all the support all of you have shown me and
the band! Hope you continue to dig our craft.
Thanks
for doing this interview Alexis. All the best with your new EP.
Thank
you.
Words
by Steve Howe and Doomstress Alexis
Links:
