SHEAR, from Finland with their energetic, overwhelming and sometimes melancholy Metal, have conquered the heart of many people getting approvals everywhere. And today we offer a brief interview with Alexa Leroux, frontwoman of the group. Angelic face but aggressive and powerful voice.
1. Hi Alexa, I’m Sylvi. When and how did you understand that you wanted to become a singer?
Hello Sylvi! Since a very young age I was a very much into singing. I loved bands like Queen and Aerosmith. In Fact, I was specialized in singing guitar solos! And this was when I was about six years old. Then again, I loved classical music, because we listened to a lot of it at home. I loved singing along to operas and at nine years old I asked my parents to pay for lessons and that’s when I started my journey in classical music.
2. Tell me, how did you get in touch with the band, and how did you join it?
I had been looking for a band for quite a while but it seemed impossible to find a band with good players and a great sense of humor. Then suddenly I saw an add for this band called Crystal Blaze(CB) looking for a vocalist. I looked at their myspace and saw that we had some mutual friends who I had played with before, then I saw CB had played at Wacken and after listening to some demos I contacted them. We had one training session together, laughed a lot, were really in sync and that was it. I was in the band.
3. Have you ever thought to make a “solo album”?
My whole life I’ve thought of making several types of albums, solo or with a band. Probably at some point it would be cool to make a solo album if I feel that there’s a side of me that I’d like to show more and it is impossible to integrate into Shear’s music. But as of now, I’ve co-written pretty much all the songs, so I’m not limited in Shear.
4. In addition to Metal, what kind of music gender do you listen to?
I listen to a lot of different genres. I think that as a musician it is not healthy to listen only to one type of music. I admit I listen mainly to metal, but I love classic rock ‘n roll, Thin Lizzy being one of my all-time favorites. I also am very much into country rock, hip hop and pop. Apart from that I listen to a lot of classical music because of my musical background and the fact that I still practice it. Some personal favorites are Benjamin Britten, Tchaikovsky and Léo Delibes.
5. If one day you will get tired to be a Metal singer, to what kind of music gender would you approach?
Hahah, I don’t know, I don’t see that day coming very soon! Maybe I should start by making a Christmas album with a big band or something. That would be fun.
6. How do you prepare yourself psychologically before the shows?
After warming up vocally and physically I sit alone quiet for about 15 min. I go through things in my mind and just focus on the moment.
7. What inspires you to carry on with your career?
What inspires me is the fact that music is my first love and the one thing that’s always been the biggest part of my life. That’s pretty much it.
8. How has your life changed since you became SHEAR’s singer?
It hasn’t really changed that much. One of the biggest changes is probably that I just feel better about myself because I’m actually accomplishing what I want in life right now.
9. What is the most good thing and the most bad thing in your career?
The best part is when people tell you they love your songs, or when you see someone singing along at gigs, that’s probably the best. The worst thing has to be that a lot of people seem to think that life is a big music competition and I just don’t appreciate a lot of the comparisons people make. I don’t see why anyone would want to rank singers, for example. I believe there is plenty of room in this world for more singers than just one.
10. How do you take criticism?
Well, it depends. If someone tells you you’re bad, they have to be able to say specifically what in their opinion was wrong. You don’t always have to agree, but it is good to listen. Of course not all criticism is bad, but you have to take the good criticism with a pinch of salt, too. You can’t just believe anything and everything.
11. During your free time, do you meet with the other members of the band?
All the time. We are a very tight unit.
12. Thinking about your career, what is the thing that most scares you?
As a musician, probably losing my hearing is the worst nightmare. If I would for some reason lose my voice I’d still be able to make music, but not being able to hear, that would be the saddest situation.
13. How is your relationship with the fans?
I’ve mostly only spoken to people who like our music in a Finland. It’s been fun to hear what they like and how it makes them feel. It helps you look at your music from a different point of view.
14. With which artist you’d like to make a duet?
Maybe Devin Townsend. But it would also be a dream to work with Dimmu Borgir.
15. When you are at home, you listen to your band or do you prefer to listen to something else?
Mainly other stuff. Lately Dream Theater’s ‘A Dramatic Turn Of Events’.
16. Thanks Alexa for this interview. Now the last word is yours…
Thank you. I hope people like our upcoming album and make sure to get it! 🙂
Interview by Sylvi Taürie
For more information, please visit: http://www.shearofficial.com
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