CONQUER DIVIDE
Journalist: Melaine Schweighardt
Published: June 27, 2014
Published: June 27, 2014
Conquer Divide is a unique group of young women who formed the band a little over 2 years ago with members coming together from all over the United States and England.
They are young, but have a dynamic sound not typical of your usual “All Girl Metal Group”. They are melodic but striking, and they have an inimitable style. Conquer Divide have a sound that when you start listening it leaves you wanting more. The band has been working with acclaimed producer Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, Of Mice and Men, Blessthefall) on their debut album (which still in the works). You can listen to their first single “Eyes Wide Shut” on ITunes and YouTube. Our email interview was sent to Sarah – Bass, Kristen – Guitar, and Suzie - Vocals (screaming). This young and dedicated powerhouse of metal chicks have graced the famed publication AP Magazine and have had countless articles published about them worldwide. Keep your eyes and ears open as I have a feeling they will be blowing up the seen soon enough!
View the video for "Eyes Wide Shut" below the interview!
They are young, but have a dynamic sound not typical of your usual “All Girl Metal Group”. They are melodic but striking, and they have an inimitable style. Conquer Divide have a sound that when you start listening it leaves you wanting more. The band has been working with acclaimed producer Joey Sturgis (Asking Alexandria, Of Mice and Men, Blessthefall) on their debut album (which still in the works). You can listen to their first single “Eyes Wide Shut” on ITunes and YouTube. Our email interview was sent to Sarah – Bass, Kristen – Guitar, and Suzie - Vocals (screaming). This young and dedicated powerhouse of metal chicks have graced the famed publication AP Magazine and have had countless articles published about them worldwide. Keep your eyes and ears open as I have a feeling they will be blowing up the seen soon enough!
View the video for "Eyes Wide Shut" below the interview!
How did you all get together?
Kristen - We all met online actually, we spent over three years auditioning girls from around the world, and we even tried out a singer from the Netherlands at one point. I feel really lucky to have our current lineup; everyone in the band is talented in their own right. Tamara is an amazing drummer; Izzy is an amazing guitarist, not to mention our vocalists. There were times when we wanted to throw in the towel in our long search for members but we are glad we never gave up.
Suzie - Kristen and I met online a few years ago. We knew right away that we shared the same vision for what we wanted to do musically. Kristen knew Sarah, and then we met the other girls online a few years later.
When did you start playing / singing /writing music?
Kristen- I picked up guitar when I was thirteen, and I am pretty sure the same is true for everyone in our band, in that they all started learning an instrument somewhere around that age. I came from a musical family so I learned basic guitar chords from my mom and even a few drum beats from my dad (I'm no Tamara though, ha-ha). I grew up playing in church youth groups and learning covers and then I started writing my own material when I was about nineteen for my first metal band. I am a lifelong student and I am always trying to strive for better and learn as much as I can.
Suzie - I started playing guitar when I was 8. I started screaming about 7-8 years ago. I started playing/writing in metal bands when I was 17.
Describe your sound and your style.
Kristen - We fall somewhere in the realm of metalcore and post-hardcore with roots in rock; But we also have some orchestral, indie and electronic elements so it really depends on the song and section. We all have a vast range of influences so there is a mixture of everything in there. It's really hard to label the sound or choose a genre because I think our sound will always been evolving and maturing.
Suzie - Conquer Divide is a melodic metalcore, post-hardcore band. We are influenced by rock, death metal and different styles of metal.
Do you have any other interests besides music?
Kristen - I love to travel, to draw and paint. And I'm actually a registered ICU Nurse. I am a huge science nerd and one day I would love to get a degree in evolutionary biology. That stuff fascinates me.
Sarah - I bartend and I also am a makeup artist. I love special effects makeup and or anything that can transform a person, it's really fun.
Suzie - Yes. I have a sleep disorder called Narcolepsy, and I really want to help advocate awareness and research for this disease someday. I also love to cook and garden and I make my own lotion, soap, and lip balm. I also have a bad online shopping addiction. Ha-ha.
Who is the responsible one in the group (the “mom”?)
Sarah- Kristen and myself; she's the mom and I'm the step mom.
Kristen - Ha-ha….I think we all have our moments but yeah probably me, not gonna lie. But this band is my baby! So it makes sense. I was a pseudo manager basically until we finally got a real manager. I was the one always harping on the girls to get stuff done.
Suzie - I definitely think Kristen plays the mom role in the group. Sometimes I think I'm the grandma, ha-ha, since I'm the oldest. Kia, Tamara, and Izzy are the youngest, and Sarah is like big sis. ha-ha
What are your fans like?
Sarah - I love our fans I mean they are so excited and nice. I can't even imagine what it will be like to play shows for them and meet them.
Kristen - Our fans are awesome and so supportive! It's amazing and overwhelming at times.
Suzie - We have a lot of younger fans. They have been very sweet and supportive. They get really excited about the band and that is like the most awesome feeling.
Have you been touring? What has been the best and the worst thing about touring?
Sarah - We haven't yet, but I can imagine the worst will be us not being able to shower.
Kristen - I second that, lack of access to showers whilst playing outdoor festival shows in 110 degree desert heat is going to suck ha-ha.
Suzie - We haven't toured yet, but we have been thinking ahead about some of the worst things. I can imagine that if we weren't able to shower or shave daily, that would be difficult. Probably just things like that.
If you could play anywhere, any venue, where would that be?
Sarah - Detroit. Maybe the Fillmore or Magic Stick. Those are the venues I went/go to so playing at my home is going to be most exciting for me.
Kristen - The House of Blues or Casino's; they treat you like royalty.
Suzie - I am really looking forward to playing Europe. As far as the states, it would be cool to play L.A. and NYC
What will be the moment that you feel like “I have finally made it” and or do you feel like that now?
Sarah - We are far away from feeling like that I think but each and every day we feel good about our accomplishments with all egos aside.
Kristen - I guess it begs the question, how do you define "making it"? I think the number one thing a musician has to do in the beginning is define their expectations. A general expectation like I just want to 'make it' is so broad that it is essentially undefinable and therefore unreachable. If you only recognize 'making it' as getting a record deal, selling a million copies and getting a big fat check at the end of it all, then you will probably become an epic failure. But if you define making it as playing warped, selling ten thousand copies, going out for dinner afterwards with your bandmates to celebrate and saying 'yeah that record was a success', then this is a much more attainable goal. This is the difference between people who walk the earth content in life and people who walk the earth constantly unfulfilled - because they've never defined that finish line. I think our goal is to do what we love and be 'listenable' without compromising ourselves as artists, as well as playing our music for as many people as possible. When you are listenable, there is no race to first place. I know artists who have sold 500,000 copies, but they are still unhappy in their careers because they never defined what 'making it' was going to be.
Suzie - I kind of feel that way now, only because I know what the future holds for us. I also know there will be more moments when I will feel that way. I know Conquer Divide is setting out to conquer the world. We are a group of very determined girls
What has been your best “Rock Star” moment so far?
Kristen- I think we all have our diva moments but nothing too exciting yet because we've yet to tour.
Suzie- I haven't had any real rock star moments yet, most of anything that would give me that feeling is what we have been experiencing through social media.
You’re putting together a tour. Which 5 bands are playing with you?
Kristen - August Burns Red, Parkway Drive, Asking Alexandria, We Came as Romans and Attila would be a fun tour :)
What is your favorite song to play live?
Kristen - Eyes Wide Shut is always fun to play, especially the ending. But we have others we haven't released yet that are fun as well.
Suzie - Can't say yet, I can imagine it will be a song with a faster tempo that has a lot of energy.
Who do you consider the most influential band / person that inspired you to become musicians?
Sarah - we each have our own individual musical background which makes us who we are and combines us into what we create. For me it's a wide variety of artists. I mean I listen to a lot of different music that isn't actually in the same genre as us. Whatever makes is feel is what we vibe off.
Kristen - Metallica had a big influence in my early years, but definitely Tool and A Perfect Circle. Life in general is probably the biggest inspiration. Music is my way of coping with everything life can throw at you.
Suzie - When I was younger; I was really inspired by Jimmy Page for some reason. I've never written anything that remotely sounds like him. I don't know. I always loved Led Zeppelin and I think I just looked up to him. One thing I loved about him as a guitar player was that what he wrote on guitar had a way of transcending emotion. He made his guitar almost come alive. That is something to admire for sure. I started playing guitar when I was young, and I think it really set in when I became a teenager. I was always into music and I dated a lot of guys in high school who played music. Even though I don't play guitar for conquer, playing guitar early on in bands is what helped mold me as a musician. I know it helps me with writing, not just guitar, but vocals as well. I think at some point I just realized it was something I really wanted to pursue.
As far as vocals, I’d have to say that I was inspired by Angela Gossow. Since I didn't start screaming til after I played guitar, there were a lot of bands in the early-mid 2000's that inspired me; Lamb of God, Killswitch Engage, and Danny Filth from Cradle of Filth also.
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"We
had to audition girls from all over for this project. We are from
four states and two countries!
Michigan
(Kristen and Sarah)
Ohio (Suzie) New York (Kiarely lived in NY when she joined, but recently moved to Michigan) California (Tamara) England (Izzy). Despite the distance, we are working towards getting together in a central location this summer to get ready for touring. :)" |
iTunes - tinyurl.com/eyeswideshutsingle
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