Alissa White-Gluz was recently interviewed by Up On The Sun, as reported by Phoenix New Times, discussing what it was like joining Arch Enemy earlier this year, what preparations she made before jamming with the band the first time, and what White-Gluz thought was the most challenging thing about being a female in Metal.
Various artists have been speaking out about being a female in a male dominated genre, including with Elize Ryd of Amaranthe. When asked by Up On The Sun, ‘As a woman in heavy metal, what’s one of the most challenging things you’ve encountered?‘, White-Gluz replied;
‘You know, there’s things you face every day as a woman, even if you aren’t a singer or entertainer. Women in general have to think about certain things that men don’t — like being safe in the street at night or something. But I think particularly being a woman in metal… maybe there is a tendency to doubt our authenticity, you know? Like no one would really question the reason for a guy to be in a band, but I think, starting out anyways, there was always that usual question ‘why are you doing metal?’ and I’m like, ‘why are you asking that question?’ I think that is probably one of the tough ones.‘
In an interview with Metal Blast earlier this year, White-Gluz went into further detail on the topic of being a female in Metal. When asked by Metal Blast how she felt it is for women in heavy metal and if she thought the focusing on the fact that a musician was female or being attractive was still an issue, she replied;
‘I think it’s a problem and a solution, you know what I mean? I think it’s a problem because people should just be listening to the band, and appreciate the music and the musicians for their talent and abilities. It’s also a solution, in a way, because it’s like “Well look, girls can do it too, girls can do whatever the guys can do!” And we can “look hot” doing it, we don’t have to be like men, we don’t have to look like men, smell like men, or act like men to do it.
In a way, I think that it’s empowering for women to put their foot down and be like “I’m going to dress however I want, I’m going to look however I want. If I want to look sexy I’m going to do it, and you’re still going to listen to my music because it’s fucking good music!” On the other hand, it sort of gets tiring sometimes, and I just want to sort of be like “Okay, I’m just going to put on a big snow-suit, don’t look at me anymore, just listen to my fucking music, get over it, I’m a girl;” It’s a double-edged sword, but I think in the past 10-20 years, women have evolved a lot in the music industry, to the point now that I don’t think it’s such a novel thing to have a girl in your band.
In my new band that I just mentioned, for example, it’s all girls because they’re my friends, and they’re also the best musicians that I know so, of course, I’m going to have a band with them. I think it’s a little silly to be like “hey look, there’s a girl in this band!” So what?! Show me the music, and then I’ll tell you if I like the band.‘
When asked by Metal Blast if she felt labels sometimes exploited the fact a performer was female, White-Gluz replied;
‘I think it’s only exploitation if they’re doing something that the band doesn’t want to do. If any female, or male, does something in order to get “likes” on their video, or to get fans, they’re being exploited and they’re actually selling out to a certain extent. In my experiences with the “Hottest Chicks” magazines, or whatever, I always just gave them a photo that a friend of mine took of me, or something like that. I never really did anything that I didn’t want to do. As long as people realise what it is, and take it with a grain of salt, then it’s not really a problem.
Personally, I would never use sexuality or looks as a selling point. I do think image is important in a band, because when I go see a show, I want to see a SHOW, I don’t want to just listen to the music. I could just put on the cd at home, if I was going to do that. I want to see a grandiose, epic performance with great sounds, great lighting. I want to see my musicians up there like gods! I think image is important, but I don’t think it’s a selling point. I think it’s just something that comes along with being in a band.‘
Find the full interview with Up On The Sun over at Phoenix New Times here and the full interview with Metal Blast here.
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