Exclusive Interview With OTEP's Lesbian Lead Vocalist, Otep Shamaya
01.18.05 (8:55 am) posted by Genia
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ST: Have you always been a fan of heavy metal? How did you decide that heavy metal would be the genre you would pursue?
OTEP: I come from the working class, raised in an environment of poverty and violence. As a child, I found sanctuary in art. In fact, I was a visual artist first, then found my hunger for poetry. My first understanding of music came from the most unlikely of sources: East Coast Hip Hop (Rakim, Mobb Deep, Biggie Smalls), the Grunge Movement of the late 90s (Nirvana, Soundgarden), and Hippy Metal from the Acid Culture (The Doors, Jefferson Airplane). Once I discovered the power of art in music, I decided that I wanted to fuse the images and symbols from my visual and literary endeavors into a sonic hybrid. This fusion needed to be volatile, and convey all levels of aggression, power, vulnerability, and to celebrate survival against any obstacle. Metal was the perfect landscape, but we have many influences that distinguish our music from the herd. From jazz fusion to industrial and goth rock, to performance art, hip hop, and death metal, we never refuse inspiration, no matter the source.
ST: I've read you can be somewhat difficult to work with. Is that true? And to what do you contribute that?
OTEP: It seems most women in positions of authority are deemed difficult to work with, while men enjoy a status of being considered driven or passionate. But nevertheless, I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to live my life as an artist and writer. I consider it an honor to have earned this level of achievement and will never forget how hard we worked to get here or where we come from. If that makes me difficult, then so be it. But at least I have my integrity and have always tried my best, against all odds.
ST: Which of the OTEP albums is your favorite?
OTEP: House of Secrets is our latest release and would be my favorite. For now.
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ST: Have you always been a fan of heavy metal? How did you decide that heavy metal would be the genre you would pursue?