A Dirty Dozen with LEAH MARTIN-BROWN from EVOL WALKS – September 2022

According to a recent press release: “Queen of rock ‘n’ roll Leah Martin-Brown commands listeners with her full-throttle vocals and ruthless lyrics that wholeheartedly express the anguish and fervor that follows a breakup. New track “Back Where You Belong” and its ferocious, larger-than-life sound comes as no surprise since it was produced by Brian Howes (Airbourne, Nickelback, Halestorm, Simple Plan, Daughtry). Following the path paved by rock goddesses like Joan Jett, Lzzy Hale, and Amy Lee – Evol Walks possesses the merciless passion, musical craftsmanship, and fiery spirit (and hair) to continue pushing the way forward for the next predecessors of female powerhouses.” We get Leah to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through? Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

“Back Where You Belong” is a track I have been DYING for people to hear! It is definitely a darker, rawer, more aggressive sound that previous releases. There are some fun references in there to person struggles that people might not pick out at first it very obviously sounds like a typical ‘I hate my ex’ song… but I assure you its much deeper than that. This was one of the first tracks I wrote when I went sober and I was exploring some intensely repressed feelings! Haha My other little ‘nugget’ is the guitar solo. When working with Brian (co-writer) we were talking about how it should be weird and eerie. We talked about my love of films like 28 Days Later & World War Z… and if you listen to the solo you might hear some call outs to that soundtrack!

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

I’ve always loved the raw nature of music. I love the healing energy it brings when you’re sad, the fire it brings when you’re pissed and the calm it brings when you hear your happy song. I’ve always struggled with expressing my feelings when speaking to people, music allowed me to tap into thoughts and emotions and lay it bare for all to hear without them really realizing what I was doing.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

AC/DC, Bon Scott-era and Amy Lee from Evanescence started it all for me. From there I was down the hard rock rabbit-hole!

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would LOVE to collab with Davey Havok from AFI. His melodies, his lyrics… ethereally beautiful and they kick ass! Also, he seems like a really awesome person.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour? What do you like to do to unwind?

I love to read! Favourites include Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte, Brave New World – Aldous Huxley, The Name of the Wind – Patrick Rothfuss… fantasy novels are my jam! I also love going to the gym and chilling with my dog.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

That’s tough. I always liked to think we are like a female fronted AC/DC with Black Sabbath meets 90’s cool, Whether that’s accurate or not is a different story. There was a female punk band we were compared to. It made me cringe a little because, whilst they are KICK ASS, I absolutely did not aim to sound like them. I was trying to be darker and less pop-punk so it made me a little sad.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I am absolutely the one who cooks! Always making some kind of food! Drinks are scarce- unless you’re talking coffee, green tea or Bubble Tea! Which would also be me… haha. I’d say one of our guitarists BUT our drummer Jimmy LOVES an acoustic jam!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

When I met the guys in the Halo Effect in Stockholm the other week. Legendary musicians and I found myself a little tongue tied.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

Being able to perform and create constantly. Seeing new places and meeting incredible people. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t work in music… maybe own an esoteric bookstore/coffee shop that doubled as a venue?

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

What my favourite dinosaur is… its T-rex OBVIOUSLY! I am a little tired of answering the ‘how long have you been in the band’ question. I don’t really get tired of answering questions – its an honour to have people want to chat to me 🙂

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

There are so many moments that I feel were missteps or things that I could have done better. The key one revolves around my previous drinking habits. I WISH I had been mature enough to recognize I needed help. 3 years sober now and I have moments that I wonder where I’d be if I’d have stopped being a fucking idiot sooner haha.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Powerage by AC/DC FOR SURE! This record laid the groundwork for who I am as an Artist and performer now. It speaks to me on a very deep and spiritual level. “What’s Next to the Moon” (in particular) would be a song I’d have loved to see recorded.

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Category: Interviews