Kobra and the Lotus is a female-fronted heavy metal band from Alberta, Canada. Formed in late 2008, the band has experienced overwhelming success in a very short space of time, including the release of their debut album, appearances at festivals such as Rock of Ages Fest and features in Metal Hammer Magazine. Kobra and the Lotus embarked on a UK tour in November 2010; I met vocalist Brittany Paige before their penultimate show in Swansea to find out more.
R13: Can you describe in your own words what Kobra and The Lotus is all about.
BP: Well, we are a new band, we are I guess mostly about reviving that old feel of showmanship that comes along with the rock and metal bands of the 70s and 80s, not necessarily the sound but the performance along with the music, everything that comes with it, and in amongst that we are trying to create our own sound which is hard to do because so much has been done in metal already.
R13: What's going on with Kobra and The Lotus right now?
BP: We're just finishing our first UK tour; that's been awesome, so much fun! The tour finishes this Sunday; we're playing Hard Rock Hell tomorrow, which is very exciting. When we get back we'll be going into the studio in Toronto for the next 3 months making our 2nd album, so it's gonna be awesome! We'd been writing new tunes right up until we left for the UK; when we get back we just have a few weeks to get all our songs in order and hopefully write some new stuff.
R13: Will that be the same kind of stuff that you're playing now? I read that you completely re-recorded your first album..?
BP: The first album was interesting. We were a very new band, we're still new, we're only 2 years old, but there were some songs that me and the rhythm guitarist had written quite a few years ago, so when we first recorded the album we hadn't played many shows, we didn't know who we were as musicians or how we wanted to represent ourselves so it was pretty interesting. When we played shows afterwards we found that we had changed quite a bit, my voice had changed, it had evolved into an entirely different thing than what I was trying to make for myself. We really realised that a lot had changed in order to represent ourselves properly so we remixed and I laid down new vocals start to finish in 10 days...yeah... (laughs)! We had a different producer too which was interesting as that's not usually done, but we needed a new perspective for the new sound. It won't happen on the second album in quite that way!
R13: You have performed at massive festivals such as Rock of Ages Fest and are due to play Hard Rock Hell this weekend, but what has been your biggest achievement to date?
BP: Oh boy... (laughs)... our biggest achievement I'd say has been first of all putting an album out, I think that's an achievement for any band. To put your first product out really establishes you as a band that's trying to do something; you need a product to start anything, so it's the first big step. Otherwise I'd say coming over to the UK was really cool, being in a different country, so yeah that was wicked.
R13: What inspires you when you are writing songs?
BP: Oh boy, it's always real things that are happening around me that I notice or feel. We have a lot of things that are written about cynicism and negativity that's happening in the world and trying to find your good intention at the end of it all. There is so much chaos happening today when it doesn't need to be like that. It's really complicated so it's easier said than done, but I feel that it's important to write lyrics that have a meaning to them and say something about what's going on and real events.
R13: Have you always wanted a career in music or have you ever considered any other career paths?
BP: Oh man, yeah, actually I always wanted to be a musician. I was not ever thinking about metal though when I was younger, I was training in classical music, I wanted to do opera. That completely changed, I love the edginess of metal and it's alternative, but I still bring a bit of what I learn into it, but yeah, I can really do what I want to do, which isn't opera, I'm not into that anymore (laughs).
R13: You wouldn't go back to it?
BP: I don't think so (laughs).
R13: You featured in the 2010 Maidens of Metal calendar from Metal Hammer...
BP: Oh man... (laughs)... yeah!
R13: What was your first reaction when you received the offer?
BP: I was so excited at first, I was very excited. It was a shock because we didn't know how they found us, but the fact they wanted me in there with women like Lacuna Coil, that was so rad! All you can say is yes to exposure like that. It was phenomenal to have an opportunity like that, but I have to say it was a little weird; I'm not used to that.
R13: Did you enjoy it though..?
BP: Oh, it was really fun. I was awkward at first because I've never done photo shoots or anything like that before, but yeah, it was definitely lots of fun.
R13: What advice would you give to young musicians who dream of achieving the kind of success that you guys are enjoying?
BP: Oh man I would have to say when you're young that's the best time to try, you have one season in your lifetime that, when you're passed it you're not desirable anymore. That's not by looks, but because they see the growing potential in the industry and also you're young so you have chance to spend your time that way. Also, have no fear; you have to try or you'll regret it. Go for it fully; you can't get 100% back if you don't put 100% in. If you put 50% in you'll get 50% back max. Go full speed ahead and don't forget it's a business; you need that perspective to make sure you make the right decisions. We're learning that all along the way how important it is to really treat it like a business.
R13: Do you have any advice specifically for female musicians? Metal in particular is such a male-dominated genre...
BP: Oh I know! (laughs)
R13: ...do you think this is seen as a barrier to success to some women?
BP: I'd say nothing should stop you from doing what you wanna do. Go full speed ahead. They all have a strength inside them, just put it out there.
R13: Can you tell me something random about yourself or your band members
BP: Oh boy... um... well something random about myself is that one of my favourite hobbies is skateboarding, not street skating but walls and half pipes and stuff... I love skateboarding! Also I'm a super big nerd; I was in school for 4 years to go on to veterinary school, there's a secret! So yeah, I guess the biggest thing is I'm a nerd (laughs).
R13: Thank you so much for chatting with me Brittany, that's me done...
BP: Awesome, thank you.
R13: Do you have any comments you want to make to finish?
BP: Um... nope... I guess, if anything, just that you have to try what you wanna do and go for it. Do what you love; if you don't, you really can't be happy and you can't help anyone else be happy. Do that... oh, and kill people with kindness!
R13: (laughs) That is my quote of the day! Thanks Brittany!
BP: (laughs) Thanks, awesome!
I remain utterly in awe of Brittany Paige and what she and the lads have achieved as Kobra and The Lotus; they certainly have the drive and determination they need to reach their goals; the sky is the limit. I predict we'll be hearing big things about these guys in the not-too-distant future.