Label Focus

Femme Metal Records

Website: www.femmemetalrecords.com

Myspace: www.myspace.com/femmemetalrecordsuk

Specialism: Female-fronted rock and metal acts of all varieties

Releases: Currently working to release both forthcoming and past albums from all of their artists. A number of compilations have also been created.

There has been a new and budding label chipping away at our consciousness recently, and it has both a distinctive remit and a big heart. This month’s label focus aims to bring you closer to Femme Metal Records, a fresh British organisation which targets and promotes bands who pitch the fairer sex to the front of the stage.

As label boss Carrie Sharp and I agree, there is never an escape from the topic of ‘women in metal’. The subject is mulled upon endlessly by both sexes, with female musicians often facing obstacles some would find remarkable in our ‘enlightened’ day and age. Why is it that I still find reviews of prominent female solo artists in major league magazines which conclude that although the reviewer doesn’t understand their style, he’d quite like to sleep with them? Why do endless streams of girls compound the situation by viewing ‘groupie’ as a viable career option? Pick up a guitar, you daft slut! Still, maintaining a universal ‘victim complex’ never abetted the cause of feminism; much better to take the stance that Femme Metal adopts, and realise that women, once given a platform, are more than capable of speaking, singing, roaring and screaming for themselves.

After only a couple of months in business (albeit with a few years of related experience behind them) Femme Metal have already hand-picked the cream of the female-fronted crop, spanning wistful rock to gutsy, dark metal. Here, Carrie explains the modus operandi of the organisation, and introduces us to the future stars of femme metal.

THE BOSS

Hi Carrie, how are you doing?  

I’m great, thanks!

 

We’ve come together to discuss Femme Metal Records; when did the label begin and what were your inspirations for beginning it? Who else is involved?  

The label began last December really. I had been thinking about starting a label for a very long time and then I just decided to go for it!  My partner is involved in the label with me, he helps where he can. 

 

You’re not just a record label, but also incorporate promotional activities, a forum and a webzine as well. Did it all evolve gradually or was it always your aim to have all these functions going on?  

My intention to begin with was just to have a forum where I could talk to other people who also had the same interest in femme metal as I do; I never imagined it would expand so far! I just decided I wanted to expand to a webzine and then I decided to open a store and it’s just carried on from there, haha.

 

As readers may have gathered, the label has a special remit, in that it only signs female-fronted bands. What convinced you that this positive discrimination was necessary?  

I personally feel there aren’t enough female-fronted metal bands, and that male-fronted metal bands dominate the scene, which is why I. dedicate my time to this positive discrimination. I don’t just support this kind of music because I myself am a woman, but because I truly prefer female-fronted metal to male-fronted.  I think the female vocals suit that kind of music beautifully. 

 

It’s quite a striking organisational decision; have you had a lot of feedback? Is it largely supportive?  

It ranges really, some people do think it is truly a great thing, whereas there are some who criticize and stereotype by deeming all female-fronted metal as Within Temptation want-to-be’s; they don’t seem to realise that it is so much broader than that. 

 

No online forum can go very long without the inevitable ‘WOMEN IN METAL !!1!’ discussion thread; clearly women in metal and rock need focused promotion, which is why your organisation exists, but what is your view on the topic in general? Is the scene becoming more accepting, or do old prejudices still run as strongly as ever? Who would you identify as the best female role models in the scene?  

There do seem to be a lot more women in metal these days, which is only a good thing in my eyes! But you do get the odd comment from people saying they only have a women fronting the band because it seems to be the popular thing to do. But when you compare the amount of female-fronted metal bands to those that are fronted by males the female-fronted ones are very much in the minority still. They are just noticed more because they are rarer. I think Angela Gossow is a fantastic role model for all women in metal, simply because she does what men think women can’t do.  She doesn’t sing in the typically female way that a lot of female-fronted bands do.  I also think Floor Jansen is the best female singer in metal, she can do so many different vocals that you simply can’t stereotype and say she is a symphonic singer or a classical singer; she is many things. Which is what femme metal is all about in my eyes: it is not just one style. 

 

What was your involvement with the scene before you started up the label? Were you in bands yourself?  

No, I have no musical talent whatsoever. I’m just a very big fan of female-fronted metal.

 

You’ve made a number of signings recently; perhaps you could introduce the members of your roster and tell us a bit about their styles?  

The bands signed under the label are all very different, they all have a very unique sound to them.  A.D.D. are more rock than metal, but very heavy!  Ancestral Legacy are more dark, more what I would class as black metal. AraPacis are progressive rock/metal. Brave are more symphonic. Cardamon more gothic, hAND are also very gothic, but more rock then metal. Lyriel have a folk element to their music and Soulgrind are more black metal. Each are very different but all have similarities beyond the female singer.

 

As outlined right there, you sign across quite a diverse range of music- how do you decide which projects are worthy? What special qualities do you look for aside from a female front-person? 

Truthfully I go by my personal taste, and by their potential to succeed.  Every band I have signed has huge potential and with my help I hope to realize their potential. 

 

Are you looking into adding to your collection of bands at the moment? Is the process of finding new acts constant or do you have to have periods of consolidation where you focus on what you’ve got already? 

We are not looking for any more bands at present. Right now I’d really like to dedicate my time to the bands currently signed under the label and not stretch myself too thin.

 

It’s a hard time for creative businesses; what difficulties have you had to overcome with the label so far? And what has been your proudest achievement?  

As it’s only very early days I haven’t had any difficulties to overcome so far, but I know it won’t always be this way. We are in a recession after all and it’s probably not the best time to set up a record label!

 

How does the process of releasing an album work with you? How long does it take from start to finish?  

Once I have the master CD it’s only a matter of months before it will be released. Of course it takes time to promote the release and to set it up for distribution. 

 

Some of your products – for example your label shirt – are sold with all proceeds going to charity; can you tell us a bit more about this? Do you feel there is too much profit-seeking in the music industry?  

I think it’s nice to give a little back to people who really need it.  There are a few people I know who are suffering with cancer at the moment and I think it’s important to try to do what we can to help. I’m actually in the process of setting up fund-raising for the NSPCC at the moment, it’s something else I feel very passionate about. And if I can do what I love to do and help a good cause in the process then it’s a win-win situation.

 

What can we expect from Femme Metal Records in 2009? Are there any releases that we should mark in our diaries?  

There are actually a lot of releases coming up this year, Ancestral Legacy with their debut album. AraPacis with their second album, Cardamon with the re-release of their debut album, Lyriel with their third album. Soulgrind and hAND releases possibly this year, or the beginning of next year. And a new compilation CD which will also be in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK will be out later this year.

 

What are your plans and ambitions for the long-term? Do you think you will branch out into any other areas?  

I mostly just take it one day at a time; I’m busy concentrating on all my current projects at the moment but I am hoping to do more to help the NSPCC in their fight against child abuse in the near future. 
 

Thank you very much for talking with Carrie; if you’ve any further messages for the world or things you would like to add about the label, please go ahead: 

You’re very welcome!  Thank you for giving me this opportunity! 

CLICK HERE FOR PART II OF THE ARTICLE: THE BANDS