Fear Me December Interview

We caught up with Victoria from Fear Me December

1. Who or what inspired you and your band to play the genre that you play?

I think that 2000´s nu metal music was the most biggest influence for us, you know when we used to dress with big black cargo pants, studs bracelets, carrying around a Discman everywhere listening to Meteora...classic 2000`s rock teenager.
Having the constant influence of that music in our lives created a breaking point where you go: this is the music I love, I want to play that riff on the guitar (and you think about ´Last Resort')

2. Do you think there's enough female fronted bands being given an opportunity to perform at festivals?

I think that if we are talking about big festivals the answer is yes, it could be definitely more female fronted bands playing at big festivals right now, I can think of at least ten big bands with female fronted bands on the top of my head.

Years ago you barely saw FFB (female fronted band to make it easier) playing on big festivals, but they pushed and made their way trough, and now is getting more and more common to see females playing and being part of big bills.

It might look like a slow process, but I think is only a matter of time until the day when you look at the bill of a big festival and you see as many women leading bands as guys. And it wont take too long.

But, by the other hand, if you take a look to underground festivals, or festivals that have more undergrounds band in the bill you can definitely notice a massive change with lots of FFB. There are even more festivals with only FFB now days, and there are more and more women taking part of heavy and rock music scene without a doubt.

It's growing up so fast that is amazing and you can't deny and top the fact that soon enough lots of this women will be part of big festivals in a future.

3. Do you feel female fronted bands have any challenges male fronted band's don't have?

Yes and no. 

I think that now days, with all this boom of FFB (at least from what I see), promoters, managers, people want to work with FF and support them as well. Sometimes, as I said before, you have festivals that are only looking for FFB and that's amazing. We have to take this chance, when is more and more accessible for women to step into the music scene. Of course you will come across with people who think that women aren't good enough for rock music, but I think is becoming a minatory.

The challenge that I see, or at least I feel the most is to reach people and fans for what I do instead for my appearance, don't have to worry for the way I look (if I look good, if I have make up or not, be sexy, what am I wearing) for people to like my band.
I don't want to be a model, I don't want to have to look sexy for people to follow us. I just want to play music and be acknowledged for that.

If I would be given the chance to make people to listen to our music, and see us after that, I would take it every time.

4. Who do you think the most influential female fronted bands were and are?

Oh well, I could be completely wrong, but I would say (in a time line order) that bands that defiantly created a before and after in rock music would be: Garbage, Black Hearts, Arch Enemy, Night Wish, Evanescence, Epica, Lacuna Coil and Within Temptation. Lacuna Coil was even the first FFB playing Ozzfest, all of those bands step into a new level, created new styles and opened doors for women in rock music.

And today, bands that I follow closely and they kicking arses right now, I'd say: In this Moment, Halestorm, New Year's Day, Jinjer, Tonight Alive, PVRIS and Stiched up Hearts.

5. What's the best part of touring?

Playing live of course! Hahaha, now being serious, what I enjoy the most apart from playing music, is connect with people. After the show when people come for a chat and they approach you to let you know how much they love your music....is the best for me. To be able to connect with people, build a friendship, not being just fans.

And lately seeing people singing back our songs is the best feeling ever. The energy when you are on stage, the energy of the crowd, is something else.

And takeaways, let's not forget take away food is the best (the most unhealthy, but no one cares)

6. You took a massive decision to re locate to the UK, how much of a wrench was that?

It was hard when you think about leaving your family, your friends and everyone you love behind. But to be honest with you we were super exited, it was a major goal since we were teenagers, the idea of leaving somewhere else was like a adventure we want it to take And so yeah, it was hard leaving everyone behind but it was a comfort to feel we were taking the right decision, and having each other to support us it was the last piece of the puzzle to take this step We miss everyone every day so so much, but we made the right decision and we wouldn’t change it.

We have a second home and family here, and we doing what we love, can’t ask for anything else we were truly blessed by coming here

7. Do you think your band is getting more fans and that your music is getting more out there now that you've moved to the UK?

Yes, 100%. There's a massive difference and we can see it. Argentina is a beautiful place with the most lovely people, but they wont listen to rock bands singing in English unless they come from outside the country, and is a shame but I guess is how things work.

Being able to play here constantly help a lot when it comes to building a fan base, people want to see you play live, wants to connect with you in person and that's why you have to BE THERE.

8. What's been the highlight of your band career so far?

Becoming a full four piece, and most important have stable members. On the past we struggled a lot finding a permanent drummer (I think that is a major struggle for every band, they are just a dying precious breed), and when you get one you make them sign a blood pact that they will never leave you (just a joke, but we wish). So yeah, when Tony joined me and Valentin, everything started to work out, it wasn't a duo anymore, we became a proper band.

And the fact that we decided to incorporate another guitar to the group, it makes it not only look complete as a band, but is a game changing when it comes to write songs and improve our sound. Stu (second guitar) was the smartest decision we ever had as a band. That's something that we want to show to people with our new coming songs.

9. What can we expect from Fear Me December in the future?

Exciting times only, we are stepping into studio the last week of May, and there's lots of plans and good things already working around this new release.
Unfortunately this is as much as I can say, but do stay tuned to our Facebook because we will get everyone updated, is about to get nasty.

10. If you could sum up your band in one word what would it be?

Fire