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Lacey Sturm Faces Real Realities in Real Life Scenarios
Co-founder and former vocalist of Flyleaf, Lacey Sturm, decided to leave the band, and would later launch a solo career, releasing a book, writing new music, and going on to play shows, tour, with so much more in the works. So much so that she would go on to release her solo debut album "Life Screams" with further plans underway for other projects and activities to keep herself busy nowadays. Lacey Sturm herself, took some time to discuss her past, present, and future plans.
1. Can you introduce yourself to those who may not know who you are and what you do?
Lacey: I am Lacey Strum, and I sung for Flyleaf for 10 years, then they got another singer, as I left the band. Then here we are 4 years later, as my solo project, starting a tour at the end of this month, just put our album out and it's called "Life Screams".
2. In 2014, you released your autobiography "The Reason: How I Discovered a Life Worth Living", will there be another book in the making, or is that all we are getting in the book department?
Lacey: Yeah I actually just finished writing for my second book. The first book, was really about how I was growing up, talked about my struggles with depression and suicide, self hatred, showing an angry hateful person. How my perspective changed with God as an Atheist, that I tried to commit suicide that turning to God saved my life. I talk about that experience and my perspective of before and after. Then I talked about the band Flyleaf, which I talked about as well. In this next book that I wrote, it turned out to be about romance. I meant to write about romance because it's the first real thing to enter your life, after coming through something like depression, could be something like romance. So that's how it was for me. So I wanted to write about that, in case something I had written could help someone else, with not having to go through that. It talks about how I came to a healthier place in the end. Me being married to my husband for the past 7 years, makes the relationship healthier, than the previous relationships.
3. In that same year, you announced that you would be flying solo as yourself Lacey, why did you think that then would be the right time to do the solo thing?
Lacey: Well we have always done music, since I was little, music has always been a creative outlet for us as a family and as a lifestyle, it's our response to life itself. But putting it out for the public, putting a record out and going on tour, that was a little scary to me because, I really felt like I had gotten out of, being owned by the music industry. I needed to find an identity as a mother, about 4 years ago after having my first boy, my first baby, that moment and time was so important, that my husband and I, took some time off from music. I actually had opportunities to speak and talk about my story, about the suicide, then went on a mini tour, speaking about all of that. During that tour, I didn't have a house to clean or meals to fix, there was catering, I got so much more time to spend with my kid, even when I was home. So I remember talking to my husband one night, realizing that as long as do things on a smaller scale, as a solo project, you don't have to take as many dates, to pay as many people. We can just do it for fun. As it fits in for our family and what we do. If we do that, we realized that we can do this and realized that after that tour. So just decided to go for it, just making sure we had our things worked out, and the dates that fit in best, and knew what our goals were out of it.
Lacey: They had reached out to me, to see if I wanted to collaborate with writing a song. I was really excited because they were going to let me write the lyrics, vocal melody, actually Geno had a melody. He had one he wanted to use and had wanted me to write the lyrics. I tried really hard to find out about the movie and I really wanted to see the movie, but they wouldn't let me see it because it wasn't out yet. So I looked everywhere so I could write something, that would go along with the story, I actually found a site, where something had wrote about it and was so thankful. Because I had loved the concept so much, because of this person who doesn't know who they are. A lot of who they are, is tied to who their parents are and who her mother was. So coming from the perspective of someone that knows your powerful, telling your child that you don't know who you are. But I mean you are someone who is so powerful, you are so much more than you think you are. I just think that, that is the message for the kids who listen to our music, or anyone that listens to our music. They don't know how valuable they are, how much they are worth. So it was so cool, to have that content and to write music for it. Then I got to do the video, which was so fun, and I did it right after I had my son. It was so cool to be flying first class to California, having my baby there, doing the video, I didn't think I would do much of that. They called me and it worked out and I was so thankful. And I was nursing in between shots.
5. You played a show at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, was this a one off show? What are your current show and tour plans, if any?
Lacey: Well we did that with our friends the Whosoevers, an organization that reaches out to at risk use. They put on events, going to schools to talk about, drug addictions etc. We had a member of POD and Brian Head Welch of Korn, telling stories about their lifestyles. So when putting on this event, they were just excited about the album coming out, and wanted to throw me a CD Release Party, so this show was put on, kind of like a family party. So I was happy to be there and be there with the people I love. It was such a fun night, I loved hearing each of them singing at the top of their lungs. Making it all possible made it more awesome.6. During that show's setlist you threw in some Flyleaf songs, will those be rotating at future events or just a once in a while type of thing?
Lacey: There are a couple that we do. there's "Chasm", that we do as a full song, that my husband I wrote. We also do "All Around Me", because a lot of people always want to hear that song and it means a lot to a lot of people, so we of course do that song. Then we have a melody of Flyleaf songs, that are just a bunch of songs pushed together. We will probably do those it depends on how much time we have in the setting we are playing and what we feel the audience wants to hear. So we might sometimes. It is important to us if Flyleaf is out touring or playing shows that we aren't competing with one another. We want to be sure that if you want to hear Flyleaf's songs then you have to go to one of their shows.
7. Will we ever see you return to Flyleaf or is that time dead and gone?
Lacey: There is not talking about that. Ummm I am a very present person. I don't like to predict the future unless I am really sure about it. Don't have any plans of that in the future. I don't know what it holds but definitely not in my brain.
Lacey: Well the new album is filled with very real content. It is very real. It's very raw, personal, and has heavy moments. There's uplifting moments, peaceful moments and then there's some physical abuse moments in relationships, being trapped in them. There's songs about someone passing away, just a lot of heavy hitting material. But there is always hope in a message. That's the main deal, we want people and want to be real with them. We want to say that there is hope in all of this.
9. Did you get the album that you wanted or were there things that were just impossible to pull off?
Lacey: No, like this was us having fun really and truly. Having fun with people with the people we love family and friends. When the album finally came out, I remember holding it, looking over it and realizing that this was a labor of love, and this is was so much fun to do. There was no pressure associated with it, there was no trying to become something, to make a name for ourselves, pressuring ourselves on the record, it was all about doing something that we love. If the people love it that's great, if you don't love it, at least you still love it. That's the thing there was no specific intention, except to do what we love and that goal is met.
10. Do you have any last comments for our readers?Lacey: We will definitely be touring, I have my second book that's coming out this Fall in October. We are also thinking of launching a merchandise line, based around messages from people that we love. You can find out about all of this on our website http://laceysturm.com/ and social media.
INCITE Announces U.S. Tour Dates with DevilDriver, Holy Grail and Hemlock
Incite will be doing a full U.S. tour in support of headliners DevilDriver, also featuring Holy Grail and Hemlock. Beginning on April 27th in Las Vegas, NV, the tour will hit 17 cities before coming to an end in San Diego, CA on June 18th. Check out the list of dates below.
TOUR DATES:
4/27 Las Vegas, NV @ Vinyl
4/29 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
4/30 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
5/1 Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
5/3 Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theatre
5/5 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
5/6 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
5/7 Detroit, MI @ Harpos
5/8 Flint, MI @ Machine Shop
5/9 Cincinnati, OH @ Bogarts
5/10 Nashville, TN @ Exit/IN
5/11 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Stache
6/13 Columbus, OH @ Park Street Saloon
6/14 St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
6/16 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
6/17 Window Rock, AZ @ Window Rock Sports Center
6/18 San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
Hellyeah Announces the We're All In This Together Tour
Eleven Seven Music Group (ESMG) announces the launch of the “WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER TOUR 2016,” headlined by rock super-group HELLYEAH (ESMG) and featuring special guests Escape The Fate (ESMG), New Years Day (Another Century Records) and From Ashes To New (Better Noise Records). The 18-date tour across the U.S. will kick off on May 2nd in Baltimore, MD and end June 5th in Las Vegas, NV.
The tour will offer fans free music and exclusive content (tailored to individual platforms), alongside traditional ticket sales. With each ticket purchased, fans will receive a code redeemable for a free WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER TOUR 2016 sampler on iTunes. The sampler will include recent hits, as well as unreleased music, from each of the four artists on the tour.
We’re All In This Together Tour Sample TRACKLISTING:
HELLYEAH - "Human"
HELLYEAH - "Demons in the Dirt"
Escape the Fate - "Remember Every Scar"
Escape the Fate - "One for the Money"
New Years Day - "Kill Or Be Killed"
New Years Day - "I'm About to Break You"
From Ashes to New - "Through It All"
From Ashes to New - "Who's Laughing Now"
We’re All In This Together TOUR DATES:
HELLYEAH Solo/Festival DATES *
New Years Day will not appear **
New Years Day & From Ashes To New will not appear ***
April 30th – Jacksonville, FL @ Welcome To Rockville *
May 2nd - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
May 3rd – Clifton Park , NY @ Upstate Concert Hall
May 4th - Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
May 6th - Concord, NC @ Carolina Rebellion *
May 7th – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
May 9th – Nashville, TN @ Cannery Ballroom
May 10th – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
May 11th – Traverse City, MI @ Ground Zero Nightclub
May 13th – Council Bluffs, IA @ KIWR Rock Fest *
May 14th – Kansas City, MO @ KQRC Rockfest *
May 15th – Somerset, WI @ Northern Invasion *
May 17th - Flint , MI @ The Machine Shop
May 20th - Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s
May 21st - Columbus, OH @ Rock on The Range *
May 22nd –Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse at the International
May 24th - Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom
May 25th – Arlington Heights, IL @ H.O.M.E.
May 27th - Columbia, MO @ The Blue Note
May 28th – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma *
May 29th - San Antonio, TX @ River City Rockfest *
May 31st – Denver, CO @ The Summit Music Hall **
June 1st – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex- Rockwell ***
June 3rd - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues - San Diego ***
June 4th - Riverside, CA @ Riverside Municipal Auditorium ***
June 5th Las Vegas, NV @ The Foundry at SLS ***
Otep Announces "Generation Doom" North American Tour
OTEP has announced The "GENERATION DOOM" Tour. The tour features support from Lacey Sturm (Ex-Flyleaf), September Mourning, Through Fire and Doll Skin. The tour kicks off April in 8th in Las Vegas, NV and runs through May 28th in Los Angeles, CA. A complete list of dates can be found below.
OTEP on the upcoming tour: "This will be spiritually lawless celebration of art & freedom."
TOUR DATES:
4/8: Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock**
4/10: Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix Theater**
4/11: San Francisco, CA @ Slim's
4/12: Orangevale, CA @ Boardwalk**
4/14: Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater**
4/15: Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
4/16: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater
4/17: Spokane, WA @ The Pin
4/18: Walla Walla, WA @ Main Street Studios**
4/19: Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
4/20: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater**
4/21: Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground
4/22: Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze
4/23: Ringle, WI @ Q&Z Expo Center
4/24: Arlington Heights, IL @ HOME Bar**
4/26: Crest Hill, IL @ Bada Brew**
4/27: Rock Falls, IL @ Longshots**
4/28: Indianapolis, IN @ 5th Quarter**
4/29: Detroit, MI @ Harpos
4/30: Battle Creek, MI @ The Music Factory
5/1: Cleveland, OH @ Agora Ballroom
5/3: Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar**
5/4: Rochester, NY @ Water Street Music Hall
5/5: Clifton Park, NY @ Upstate Concert Hall
5/6: Reading, PA @ Reverb
5/7: Worcester, MA @ Palladium
5/9: New York, NY @ Webster Hall
5/10: Hartford, CT @ Webster Underground
5/11: Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage
5/12: Knoxville, TN @ The International
5/13: Fayetteville, NC @ Rock Shop
5/14: St. Petersburg, FL @ State Theater
5/15: Jacksonville, FL @ Harmonious Monks
5/17: Clarksville, TN @ Warehouse
5/18: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
5/19: New Orleans, LA @ Southport Music Hall
5/20: Austin, TX @ Dirty Dog
5/21: Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey
5/23: Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
5/24: Antonio, TX @ Rock Box
5/27: Phoenix, AZ @ Joe's Grotto
5/28: Los Angeles, CA @ Whisky A Go Go
Lacey Sturm on select dates only**
Violence In Ascension's Patrick Talks Past, Present, and Future
Heavy metallers, Violence In Ascension out of Delaware, have
got a lot going on for them, having just gotten signed to a new label, Unable
Records, along with studio time, writing and recording for their new
full-length album "Deadlocked", due this summer, there is no stopping
them! That said, drummer/vocalist Patrick Liberatone discusses the band's past, present, and future activity.
1. Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Violence In Ascension, and how long the band has been together?
Patrick Liberatore, Drums/Vocals
Anthony Mlynarczyk, Guitar/Vocals
Paul Wolff, Bass
Jimmy Degirolano aka: Jimmy Dean, Guitar
John Haggerty, Vocals
The band was formed in January 2012 by Patrick Liberatore.
2. You guys are a newer band so many people might know about your history. Would you be able to delve into it a little?
Patrick: As we said, the band formed in 2012. It was not initially supposed to be a Metal band, but that of a Rock Band, yet our roots were metal. Patrick (I) met Anthony through another person and at the time we had a different lead singer and bass player. We cut a 4 track EP to give the fans something to hear, but knew we were leaning towards metal tracks.. Then we were offered a chance to play Main Stage Rockapalooza, Cleveland, Oh. and from there it was metal all the way. Like many bands, we went through line up changes and at one point, it was only Anthony and I. We continued writing music which later becomes the first Full length CD “From the Ashes”. In fact most of that CD was written in my homes spare bedroom. In time we selected Paul during the initial phase of that project, followed by Jimmy . Although I was the drummer, I also had the vocal parts and moved to the front man role. We brought in two different drummers to handle those responsibilities. In Nov 2014, following the release of the “From the Ashes” CD and our music video release “Hell’s Gate”, we learned our current drummer at the time was not going on tour with us. Instead of canceling the tour, I went back behind the kit and sung all the tracks. Once we returned, it was clear some changes were needed and the dedication had to be turned up a notch . Unfortunately it was in the bands best interest to part ways with the drummer, put me back behind the kit and that’s where John comes in. Then over the course of time, John was able to learn all the parts along with myself and Anthony and from there we knew the line up was set.
3. Where does the name Violence In Ascension come from?
Patrick: It’s quite simple. “Fighting our way to the Top” We live in an area that does not have much of a scene. Therefore, we needed to and continue to go into a much richer music environment such as Philadelphia, Baltimore to name a couple. Not having any following there initially, we knew we needed to fight to compete and that’s exactly what we are doing.
4. Unable Records is now where you call home, how does this label, compare to your previous label Dark Harvest Records?
Patrick: Instead of comparing, let us just say if it wasn’t for how the logistics were laid out by Dark Harvest Records and our manager asking for a release,, we would have never had an opportunity to know about Unable Records. Unable is second to none for us. Mike Ransome and Jason Ruch saw something in us and continues to help us define who we are in the industry. Business meeting after business meeting, marketing strategies , promo opportunities, confidence boosting are a few of the many things. But most importantly communication. Mike and Jason makes sure we know and understand what the next move is. Unable Records in Unbelievable.
5. How does the upcoming album vary from past work?Patrick: Our first EP was a good mix but it did not depict who we were as solid musicians. It was based and laid out as a Rock mix. “From the Ashes” is a solid metal album that has placed the foundation as to who we are. However the new album “Deadlocked” will still harvest the unique VIA (Violence In Ascension) style with melodic tones and heavy breakdown riffs, yet will be seen as a much heavier album as a whole. We have many things in store for the listener and hope to keep them on the edge wanting to hear what is next.
6. What can fans expect from the new album?
Patrick: Again something much heavier, rich in metal, intricate, yet melodic. Meaning you will know it’s (VIA) Violence In Ascension with it’s musical signatures, but certainly eye popping.
7. When will the new album to be released?
Patrick: Summer 2016. Unable Records will decide on the actual release date.
8. What would you say separates you from other bands in the scene?
Patrick: One of the things we pride ourselves on is that we feel we are not like another band, but a blend of many, which creates our own sound. We have never wanted to sound like others and although we here “You sound like_____. Or you sound like _____. In the next section of a song, we do our best to turn that corner so that we stay true to who we are and produce what we feel metal should sound like. Listen, it is never a bad thing to be compared to other National Acts. Our goal is for someone to say “Damn, they sound like “Violence In Ascension”.
9. Tell us about your thoughts on your local music scene? Are there any new and
upcoming bands that you are into?
Patrick: In a previous answer we said that we had to play in a bigger market to be heard. Now that doesn’t mean we don’t have a scene. The best answer is that it’s a very limited scene. We have seen several live music venues shut down for various reasons, so its hurt us locally. Now with Unable, we hope to expand to a local scene in New Jersey. Geographically, we have the benefit of 1.5 hours from Baltimore, 1 hour from Philadelphia. Two big markets but flooded with local bands. Honestly, we have been so busy and being an upcoming band, our focus has been on us. There is certainly a bunch of upcoming bands on the local scene but we don’t know who is ready for that next step like us. Each bands logistics are different. Meaning work, school etc.
10. Describe your live performance for those who have never seen you live?
Patrick: Interacts with the crowd. Its not unusual to see John, Paul or Anthony go into the crowd while playing since they use wireless systems. Jimmy is working on getting his and will do the same in time. Pat entertains from behind the kit, getting people to jump, mosh or whatever he can. We are not a stand still band. There is nothing better for a fan than one who can be a part of the show instead of just watching a show. We want our fan to be the 6th member.
11. What are your current tour plans and plans in general?
Patrick: No tour plans to date. We are in studio writing and tracking the new album but we are doing shows in Maryland, Pa., NJ, Delaware as well as surrounding areas. We are working on new merch ideas, marketing strategies and setting up for a Summer 2016 Album release that will certainly come with touring to get the new tracks out.
12. How has Social Networking (Facebook,Twitter, etc.) impacted your band?
Patrick: Social Media is today. We have Facebook, you tube, Twitter, Instagram, Reverbnation and a website. Without it, things would be tough.
www.facebook.com/violenceinascension
www.youtube.com/violenceinascension
www.twitter.com/violenceinascension
www.reverbnation.com/violenceinascension
www.instagram.com/violencemetal
Website: www.violenceinascension.com
Devilish Impressions Releases Live Video for "Adventus Regis" and Gives Input on New Album
Poland’s black / death metal rebels DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS launch the official live video for the song Adventvs Regis taken from their MLP Adventvs, released last year by Hammerheart Records.
Meanwhile the band’s putting final touches to their new, 4th studio record. We're now listening and implementing small changes to the last of the songs and, believe me, we're as excited as if it was our first studio-experience ever! Sounds huuuge !!! What's left? Well, several things, including sth to put it all into one monolithic monster... Beware! - comments the band’s composer, guitarist and vocalist, Quazarre. The title, tracklist and cover art for DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS new album are yet to be revealed while the record itself is said to be their most intriguing, darkest and heaviest offering to date.
Check out the live video HERE.
The Relapse Symphony Announces Spring Tour
The Relapse Symphony will be heading out on a Spring headlining tour titled "The Rock N' Roll Warriors Tour" with support coming from Phantoms. Check out the list of dates below.
TOUR DATES:
3/15 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club
3/16 – Baltimore, MD – Sidebar
3/17 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
3/18 – Allentown, PA – Planet Trog
3/19 – Staten Island, NY – Hashtag Bar
3/20 – Watertown, NY – Flashback Lounge
3/21 – Long Island, NY – Amityville Music Hall
3/22 – Kent, OH – The Outpost
3/23 – Chicago, IL – The Wire
3/24 – Detroit, MI – Pike Room
3/25 – Newport, KY – Thompson House
3/26 – Nashville, TN – Rocketown
3/27 – Fayetteville, NC – The Drunk Horse Pub