Lotus is the singer of the Dutch metal band Sin7sinS, a band from Rotterdam, the second largest city of the Netherlands. Other Rotterdam based bands are Thanatos and Asrai.

Women in Metal:

Before the mid nineties there were almost no women in metal bands. We had Girlschool (who are still one of the best) and stuff like Lita Ford and Vixen from the USA. Doro and Sabina from Holy Moses started both in the eighties and still have success. This seems to be a long list but when you compare it to the thousands of male metal bands this is nothing.

But the last ten years everything has changed. Female fronted bands are a big success. Not only in the Gothic scene were this started but also in heavy metal (think of White Skull), thrash / death metal (Izegrim and Arch Enemy) and all kinds of folk and pagan metal (Cruachan and Battlelore anyone?)

Since you are the singer of Sin7sinS, why do you think that women on stage are far more accepted by fans than in the past?

I think the reason for this is that there are far more women listening to metal in general. In the past it used to be a real boys club with the occasional girl. Nowadays girls are widely represented in metal.

Some questions about you as singer:

Did you always wanted to become a singer?

Yes I did. Even from a very young age I always dreamed of singing in a band.

Did (or do) you follow singing lessons?

In the past I followed classical lessons on the Conservatory in The Hague. I quit lessons at age 17 and I started to form my voice myself to what it is today.

What kind of microphone and amplifier do you use?

I use a wireless sennheiser mic and amplification differs.

Who is your favourite singer player and what is your favourite music?

My favourite music is of course metal. Some of my favourite singers are Anders Friden, Till Lindeman, Björk, Agnete from Animal Alpha & Lex Icon.

Have you played in other bands before Sin7sinS?

Yes I played in several, mostly unknown bands.

Sin7sinS:
About Sin7sinS: Every one who has seen the movie SE7EN must know by now what the seven sins are. What made you as band decide to use this name?

First of all guitarist Paul came up with the name. Sin7sinS means live your life to the fullest, do whatever you want to do and don’t be restricted by rules and obligations.

 
The seven sins are by ages old tradition:

Superbia (Pride) -  You have done a lot of gigs (see the Jägermeister questions). Are there things you are really proud of?

Yes we are proud of the fact that we played our first gig straight away in Paradiso, Amsterdam. Of course we are also proud of participating in the Jägermeister Tour itself. The band’s full endorsement by Cort Guitars was also a very proud moment.

Avaritia (Greed) -  What are Sin7sinS ambitions for the future?

We are currently looking for a label. So naturally we want to release a debut-album and furthermore there will be a lot of gigs.

Invidia (Envy) – Some bands seems to have things easy. A contract, guest stars for the debut album, lots of gigs (think of Delain and Epica) Do you envy those bands who have everything more ore less given to them?

 We most certainly do not envy these bands. Of course we would like a major label with a lot of money backing us up. But I strongly believe that hard work and talent will be rewarded eventually.

Ira (Wrath) – Bands can often complaint about bad record labels, venues that threat bands like garbage and so on. Has anything happened to you and / or Sin7sinS that makes you still angry?

The thing which can be frustrating is that it is hard to be heard these days by record labels and venues alike. There is very little personal contact left which makes it difficult to reach the right people.

Acedia (Sloth) –  Some bands never rehearse, others work a lot to get things done. Does being the lead singer of Sin7sinS cost you a lot of time and devotion?

Yes, practice makes perfect. We rehearse a lot with Sin7sinS and next to rehearsals I spend a lot of time arranging and managing things for the band.

Gula (Gluttony) & Luxuria (Lust) are the last two deadly sins.

The typical idea of touring is lots of beer, drugs and sex. In reality musicians do not have the time, money of opportunity for these things while driving to the venue, preparing for their gigs, collecting your gear after the show and drive back home in the middle of the night.

Did you have any cliché moments as rock star?

No most definitely not. Touring is not what it is in movies. It is a lot of work, hauling heavy equipment and driving long distances. So I honestly have to say I never had a cliché rockstar moment. 

The other band members:

Can you tell us something about your fellow band mates?

My other band mates are all as dedicated and motivated as I am. We all share a common goal, dream if you like. This naturally creates a band with each other. So nothing but good about them.

About Sin7sinS’s music. Is the writing of the music and lyrics teamwork or is there a mastermind behind the band?

The band was formed by Paul and me. From day one Paul has written all of the music.

What is a typical Sin7sinS song?

Loud, pounding and straight in your face. 'Crossroad 666' is probably a good example of who we are and what we do.

And how would you describe your music in general?

I would describe it as female fronted nu-metal.

 Sin7sinS Promo 2008:

About your latest demo, “Promo 2008”: can you tell us something about the four songs on the album?
- Rape & Take
- Crossroads 666
- Pill – Shaped Star
- Human Devolution

The promo was recorded at the beginning of Sin7sinS about a year ago. We recorded these four songs to give an example of what we do. We needed material to arrange gigs etc.

What are your favourite Sin7sinS songs?

'To Hell with Subtlety' & 'Insult to God'

In one of your blogs concerning this promo you were talking about the "Foundation Olof" for making this demo possible.  What is the “Foundation Olof”?

Foundation Olof is a foundation who supported us by giving money to record a demo. Long story but in short they were a sponsor.

Jägermeister:

You have survived the Jägermeister Dutch Demolition Tour with Why She Kills and Izegrim.

What did you have to do to become a part of this tour?

TMR Productions arranged it for us. So in a way we were asked to join.

You have done eleven gigs with Izegrim and Why She Kills and two with Imperia and theNAME the last two months. What have you learned from those gigs?

We grew as a band. The experience allows you to put down a better show.

While Izegrim are virtually old-timers with a lot of live experience your band was relatively unknown. How did the audience react on your music?

The audience reacted very well to our music. Though we were a new band, we were surprised by the positive reactions of the crowd that we received straight away. For that part we must be doing something right on stage ;)

And the last question: is there anything the reader should know that I haven’t asked?

No, I think you covered all grounds. But I would like to tell everyone to come check us out live yourselves.

Thank you for your time,
Thank you for this interview ;)

Erwin van Dijk

Some links:

www.sin7sins.com
www.myspace.com/sin7sins

Next gig:

28.03.2009 – PandDemonium, Antwerpen (Belgium)