Otep Shamaya - OTEP
Interview by Danny Robertson
LA-based metallers Otep have just released their latest album "Smash The Control Machine". Here we catch up with singer Otep Shamaya to get the lowdown.......
This album marks the return of Mark "Moke" Bistany on drums and Rob Patterson on guitar, which I'm sure will please many long-time fans! How did this come about?
We've all remained friends over the years and when the chance to write a new album came I reached out to Moke and Rob to see if they'd want to write a song with Evil J and I. They agreed. But one song led to the whole album. Once we were all back in the same room together it was if we were never a part. It was really magical.
How long did it take to write and record?
We wrote and recorded the entire thing in 2 months.
What were the main influences behind the tracks on the new album?
The fragile coil of existence, the cruelty of the human species and the struggled triumph of good over evil.
Violinist Emilie Autumn, and Koichi Fukuda of Static-X both appear as guests on the "Smash The Control Machine" track "UR A WMN NOW" - how did these collaborations come together?
Our amazing producer, Ulrich Wild, set this up. It was a perfect match. Witnessing Emilie and Koichi perform on this song is one of the highlights of my career.
That particular track, much like "Perfectly Flawed" on your previous album "the_Ascension", presents (musically at least) a lighter moment on the album. As a band normally known for having such ferocious delivery, do you ever find it difficult to reign it in and use a calmer approach/delivery? Or is this something we can expect to see more of in the future?
No, it's not difficult. Art is art. Besides, "UR A WMN NOW" belongs to a family of songs that begins with "EMTEE", to "Autopsy Song", to "Perfectly Flawed", to "UR A WMN NOW". The narrative is there ... in the music and the message.
This album marks the return of Mark "Moke" Bistany on drums and Rob Patterson on guitar, which I'm sure will please many long-time fans! How did this come about?
We've all remained friends over the years and when the chance to write a new album came I reached out to Moke and Rob to see if they'd want to write a song with Evil J and I. They agreed. But one song led to the whole album. Once we were all back in the same room together it was if we were never a part. It was really magical.
How long did it take to write and record?
We wrote and recorded the entire thing in 2 months.
What were the main influences behind the tracks on the new album?
The fragile coil of existence, the cruelty of the human species and the struggled triumph of good over evil.
Violinist Emilie Autumn, and Koichi Fukuda of Static-X both appear as guests on the "Smash The Control Machine" track "UR A WMN NOW" - how did these collaborations come together?
Our amazing producer, Ulrich Wild, set this up. It was a perfect match. Witnessing Emilie and Koichi perform on this song is one of the highlights of my career.
That particular track, much like "Perfectly Flawed" on your previous album "the_Ascension", presents (musically at least) a lighter moment on the album. As a band normally known for having such ferocious delivery, do you ever find it difficult to reign it in and use a calmer approach/delivery? Or is this something we can expect to see more of in the future?
No, it's not difficult. Art is art. Besides, "UR A WMN NOW" belongs to a family of songs that begins with "EMTEE", to "Autopsy Song", to "Perfectly Flawed", to "UR A WMN NOW". The narrative is there ... in the music and the message.
Another track off your previous album was a cover of Nirvana's "Breed". Did you notice an influx of Nirvana fans into your own fanbase upon its release? Much like bands such as Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails and Korn, Otep are very much a band capable of reaching out to people on a personal level, especially if comments left on your recent MySpace blog are anything to go by.
No, I didn't notice an influx of fans. Most of our fans are Nirvana fans too.
Has Dave Grohl heard your version?
I have no idea. But I am a big fan of Grohl's work and if he ever does hear our tribute to Nirvana, I hope he understands the purity of our intentions.
Do you approach your lyric writing for Otep, any differently to your poetry? Has there ever been an occasion where a piece has started out as lyrics but instead been turned into poetry, or vice versa?
All poems are songs.
Are there any plans to release more poetry in the near future? How are things going with Imaginary Friends?
I have been thinking of creating a book of illustrations. But nothing certain yet. Imaginary Friends is just a hobby. Nothing definitive will ever come of that.
Whereabouts will the forthcoming tour be taking you?
America, Fuck yeah.
Has Dave Grohl heard your version?
I have no idea. But I am a big fan of Grohl's work and if he ever does hear our tribute to Nirvana, I hope he understands the purity of our intentions.
Do you approach your lyric writing for Otep, any differently to your poetry? Has there ever been an occasion where a piece has started out as lyrics but instead been turned into poetry, or vice versa?
All poems are songs.
Are there any plans to release more poetry in the near future? How are things going with Imaginary Friends?
I have been thinking of creating a book of illustrations. But nothing certain yet. Imaginary Friends is just a hobby. Nothing definitive will ever come of that.
Whereabouts will the forthcoming tour be taking you?
America, Fuck yeah.
Credit Photos
Photos By Pamela Lopez Grant
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