Hey Kate ! How are you these days ?
Doing Great Omar! Vainglory is picking up momentum worldwide. We are now in all Europe, Italy, England Spain, South America and we just had our CD released in Japan.
We have also started work on our new CD with the working title "Manifesting Destiny". We are really excited as this will be our first CD to do exactly what WE want as we
have switched US labels to one that is not a guitar based label. Were going for PURE FEEL on this one.......kind of Pantera meets BLS or Sabbath.
Thanks for agreeing to the Interview. What was the turning point that made you decide to be a Metal Vocalist ?
Well, I always had a stronger voice then most people I knew. Even singing in chior when I was young, I was heard over everyone. I have always loved to sing, and I have
always been a feminine tomboy of sorts. I have always loved harder female voices. I think it started with Pat Benetar early on then Lita Ford and finally when I was eighteen
Leather Leone, and Carl Albert from Vicious Rumors. It's Ironic that I replaced Leather as the vocalist for Chastain and I married the Drummer from Carls band Vicious
Rumors several years later.
You have a totally awesome and unique vocal style. Very powerful. Would you compare your Vocal talent to anyone in particular, male or female ?
Hmmmm.........Well, my influences mentioned in the last question, and then anything I listen to that moves me. I have been doing this for SO long now though that my style
is comming mostly from things I learn listening to playback of my own voice. I have done the Geoff Tate thing, the Oprea girl thing, the cookie monster thing but I like the
True Metal vocal style the best. It is the most challenging and most difficult. When something is to easy or monotonous or mello I just get bored!
Do you have a particular regimen to keep your voice in shape for the shows and your body in shape for the rigors of the road ?
Yes, I reherse DAILY by myself to a full set of our songs, headbanging and ALL! (;!. I walk an hour everyday too.
You've got Songwriting skills for sure Kate. Tell us about what got you involved in Songwriting ?
I started YOUNG at around seven when my next door neighbor brought a song over that she had written, I though that was so cool! I then got into poetry in school and my
Mom read alot of poetry to me as a young child. I was thrown into it though when I was sixteen and a band saw me sing and HAD to have me as their vocalist. They had
several songs and wanted me to write to them. I was forced to come up with something NOW or I wasnt going to sing for them.........they where a GREAT band. So I was
forced to, and that is how it started. I get better at it the more I do it. Writing is like therapy, it helps you get everything OUT. I love it!
After listening to the Limited Edition CD, I've got to say, EACH and EVERY song is a favorite. Your vocals and Corbin's guitar work are a killer combination. How did you two meet ?
We met through David Chastain actually. Corbin wanted a new vocalist for this CD. He had auditioned SEVERAL and spent three years in his search. I was given a couple
songs 2003 and put my voice and melodies over the music. Corbin loved it. He said he wanted a Hetfield/Halford type sound......gritty with a higher range. I fit perfectly!
Do you do your own Studio work as far as mixing and engineering ?
I have in the past, but now I am SUPER SPOILED in letting Corbin take over. I co produce with him as far as mix, editing and mastering, but he does the bulk of the final
product......we have learned ALOT in doing this ourselves and he is REALLY smart as far as getting into the SUPER tecnical stuff like harmonic balancing and EQ spetrum
matching........there is SO much to learn. We continue to learn more everyday.
Having established yourself with Chastain, and now with Vainglory, how would you compare and contrast the two ?
David is a veteran and Corbin is new metal. They are both amazing talented people and both bands are equally wonderfull. Vainglory is OUR band though, I have more input
and Chastain is Davids band he has the last word there. I would say Vainglory has been more musically technical and produced then Chastain. I love them both, but
Vainglory is my band and it's like family.......a real live band. Chastain isnt.
Tell us a bit about the latest CD ?
It is designed to instill power and agression........to turn people into fighters.......to help them with situations in their lives. It it relatable to many situations, everyone will have
somethig that relates to them in their lives when they listen. It's dynamic, and has diffrent rythms through out. It's a guitar vertuosos CD....If you play guitar, you need to hear
it. It's unique with my voice being a woman and having the power of a mans voice. It's personal, it's my life put to music and Corbins agression too. It's the best thing ive
Define VainGlory in one word : SUPERBADASS (;!
Any plans for a Solo Project ?
Not right now........Im allways strummin on the guitar though and I have MANY songs........so it will happen at some point. Were so focused on VAINGLORY because we are
getting SO much attention and overwealming response.........gotta keep it going!
Of all the songs you've done with different Bands, which is the one you prefer to sing live the most ? Which ONE song stands out to you personally as a musician ?
My favorite song to sing and musically is Blackened Soul. It is a song Corbin wrote for a project he was going to do on his own and at the last minute we recorded it. It is not
characteristically me, and that is why I like it so much.......I get to TEAR IT UP!!! I love singing aggressive, and the lyrics let me do that. It has a killer grove, my favorite
songs are songs you can MOVE to. You cant STOP moving to this one.........it's a head bobber, and you cant NOT move to it.
What does performing live do for you ?
Lets me empower people........it's like the ultamite high five with complete strangers. I do just what I do when im in the audience.....I ROCK OUT!! I LOVE music. It also lets
me expose my soul and share myself with others in a positive way. I have alot of fun on stage!
You've been on the scene and played in many places with many Bands, do you see Bands you play with as competition for the Fans attention or as Metal Comrades so to speak ?
No, everyone is just trying to make it, and I understand. There is that element, but we all have our dreams and oppinions. All we can do is enjoy the ride hopefully make
some people happy along the way. For the most part, people that are musicians can relate to each other. The younger EGO sometimes gets in the way, but the longer you
do this the more that goes away.
You've got a very popular MySpace Profile. I imagine you get TONS of messages. Is MySpace fun or work for you ?
I am a LOVER of people, really. I love my friends on Myspace! I love Myspace It lets me reach out to people I otherwise would not have known and I am so honored to know
them.Yes, its a blast! and YES it's alot of work, but I love it.
Tell us something about Kate French that no one else outside of Kate's circle knows. We're looking for that extra special exclusive info here.
No one knows this. Im thinking seriously about writing childrens books.........that is super exclusive!!
What's the best concert experience you've had thus far, and why ?
Nine Inch Nails because they take you to the highest manic high, to the lowest depression and back up again..........the evoke SUPER emotion in their shows. Really
What's the worst Concert experience you've had ? Why ?
Pearl Jam because I was in the front and I looked back to see the crowd and everyone looked like their dog had just died.
What is the craziest thing a Fan has done to get your attention ?
Two fans whiped their wieners out and stuck them through the slats in a pallet fence wall and waved them at me at a show with one of my first bands..........that got my
attention.........(not in a good way, but true story)
List a few favorites so we know you better :
Favorite Music : REAL METAL........where you can hear the vocalists words and they arent singing like a fairy princess.
Favorite Food : Chocolate
Favorite Movie : So many......The Fifth Element
Favorite Color(s): Blue
Favorite Clothing : Sexy (;!
Favorite Hobby : Singing
What's the Kate French philosophy of life ?
The golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I also belive that we are ALL on a level playing field........no one is better then anyone else, we are all
born into this world and die the same. To always treat others with kindness and respect, to not judge anyone and realize that THEY live their life and to let them live it. We
live and die WITH OURSELVES. And just to do the best you can, that is all we can do!
You've been super cool Kate. We appreciate it. Here's a chance to let
the Fans know what you think of them :
I love you guys!! Look me up, I'd love to meet you!
Any other shout outs to anyone else out there ?
Just Thank You for the interview and thanks to everyone who takes time out of their lives to check out Vainglory. We are greatfull!!
Thank you for your valuable time Kate. I'm honored to know you and proud to
be a friend. Your music rules supreme.
Thanks Omar, love you too.
Kate French on MySpace
